Page 46 of Fighting a Riot

Yak shoved a hand through his long hair. “Protecting one of the club’s revenue streams should be reason enough, Turk.”

Turk gave him a pointed look. “Yeah, but most of them have young kids now. It isn’t cool to insist they do this on top of their day jobs and shit.”

From the end of the hall, Patch said, “What are y’all whispering about down here? It’s time for church. Get out of the way.”

Yak and Turk moved aside so Patch could unlock the door.

After the meeting was called to order, Volt turned it over to Blood for a recap of what happened at the Northside biker bar.

“From what Crop hinted at, Ghost is positioning to get the presidency.”

Across the table, Beast said, “Hearing that must have put your poker face to the test. The only thing Ghost could lead is the line to his next hit of coke.”

Yak fought against a grin. Beast hit the nail on the head. Ghost had a certain energy about him that came from drug addiction. He was always twitchy and looked like he could use three-square meals a day. The idea of him being smart enough to lead an entire club was laughable.

Blood’s lips twitched with a smile. “That’s why Yak had to be there. He always cuts the tension.”

Yak gave Blood a dry look. “So glad to be the comedian.”

Volt pointed a finger at him. “It was your proximity and your mean right hook that had you there, and you know it.”

Cal said, “In all seriousness, is Ghost making a run at being their president? Maybe they were just goading you three. I remember that asshole saying shit about Trixie and Abby during Biketoberfest.”

Blood shook his head. “This had the ring of truth to it. Their ranks are slim and Ghost’s been with them longest. He’s been talking to Steel, the president of their mother chapter.”

Patch tapped the table. “Why would they share all that?”

“Crop didn’t want to share all that. He brought a newly patched in member, who ran his mouth,” Blood said.

“The other reason I wanted Yak there,” Volt said.

Yak sighed.

“It’s true,” Blood said, grinning. “People talk to you, man. You’re like a snake-whisperer, but for people or some shit.”

“What else did they say? Hell, how did you find out they were there, Volt?” Cal asked.

Volt stroked his goatee. “Zeke called and said they were talking shit, which isn’t anything new. But they mentioned pressing charges against Rage for Snake going missing.”

Blood looked from Rage to Volt. “But Rage had nothing to do with it. Why would we give a shit what they’re threatening?”

Volt dipped his chin. “I’d rather know than not know. And if Zeke had heard that much, then I figured we might find out if someone had taken the presidency or not.”

Roll shifted in his seat. “All due respect, why not approach Steel like we did years ago? Then we got the info from the source and—”

Volt shook his head. “I don’t want to owe that man in any way, Roll. He’s not to be fucked with –though, presidents of mother chapters normally aren’t. Right now it’s all bluster.”

Yak frowned. “Except those assholes knew about both of our dancers being targeted.”

Blood shook his head. “They were guessing, Yak.”

Yak couldn’t contain his scoff. “That’s not something another club guesses at, Blood.”

Roll narrowed his eyes as he thought about it. “It isn’t, but the way they said it, I think they were fishing for info. Strippers make for easy marks if they don’t have security.”

“Speaking of that, it’s our next item of business. Some brothers believe it’s time to pull the plug on the extra security,” Volt said.

Yak clenched his teeth as he willed himself to keep a lid on his anger. If Blood or Roll dealt with the dancers every day, they’d recognize nothing in that conversation had been speculation. It only furthered Yak’s suspicion that someone inside Platinum’s was doing them wrong.

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