Page 26 of Macon

“Christ, what now?” I grumble, finishing my beer.

Once everyone is crammed into the room with Wolfe at the head of the table, he calls the meeting to order.

Wolfe starts his speech by saying, “We have a lot to talk about. Decisions need to be made and things need to be handled. This meeting is to inform you of what needs to be addressed, and then we’ll set a date to decide and handle them.”

Everyone in the room is quiet. All attention is on our founding president, Wolfe. Wolfe, Cash, and Bear started the Wolfeman MC, along with Hawk and Stitch. All of them are next to him except Stitch. He’s busy dealing with Vi right now.

“First to order, we will vote on a new president and vice president for the Chicago chapter.” There are a few murmurs around the room, but they stop once he continues. “Second, we need to deal with Sarge. It has to be a majority vote. Now we know Veronica worked with him to help the Chingas target Brick and Violet.” The room gets louder with distaste for the old VP.

Wolfe lifts his hands to quiet us down. “Third, we’ll be voting on business dealings and who we stay linked to here in Chicago. Brick had his hands in a lot of pots. We need to vote on what this club wants and can keep control over. And lastly, anything any of you motherfuckers want to bring to the table, bring it. Once we have this vote, all discussions are final. I don’t want to have another inside club betrayal. I will shut down this fucking chapter if we can’t figure out how to communicate. It is never just one man running a chapter. So, let’s take the week to get our shit together, mourn our brother, reconvene with our heads clear and ready to make some fucking decisions.”

The room erupts in agreement. Wolfe stands up, grabs the gavel that used to be Brick’s, and announces, “Until next Friday,” then smacks it down hard.

Everyone is filtering out of the room when Wolfe adds, “Mac, hold up, give me a minute.”

I was almost out of my chair, so I sat back down, looking at my uncle, my father, and their two best friends who helped raise me.

I have idolized these four men all my life. I would do anything for them. Once the room is empty, my uncle leans forward, placing his forearms on the table.

My father, Bear, speaks up first. “Son, are you okay?”

Seriously? What the fuck?

I’m so over this fucking question. I fire back. “Are you?”

“No, and that’s why I’m checking in on you,” he answers, leaning back in his chair.

Irritated with everyone, I rant, “Is that what you wanted to know, if I’m okay? Our brother died. Snow and Doc were taken. Vi was shot. Raydene is missing. It’s a lot to deal with, but I’m dealing.”

My uncle Wolfe smirks.

I lock eyes with him and wait. Wait for him to explain why I’m sitting here. And when he does, it takes me completely by shock.

“We’re here with you because we want to know if you want to take over the Chicago chapter?”

I snap, “What?”

“Well, it seems you’re interested in staying here, and you’re blood, so obviously, you’re our first choice, but you need to want it,” Wolfe explains, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his massive chest.

I’m shocked. I don’t know what to say because I’ve never wanted to be president. I’ve never been serious enough to be president. I would rather let Shy deal with all the major shit, and I back him up.

When I don’t say anything, my father says, “Think about it, but we wanted to bring it to the table. Whatever you decide is fine with us. I know you have the lounge in New York, but we thought you wanted to make a move since you’ve attached yourself to Raydene. Just let us know before Friday.”

For the first time in a month, I wasn’t thinking of Raydene.

They all stand up and move toward the door, slapping me on the shoulder as they walk by, each giving me their words of encouragement.

Can I leave my best friends? I’ve been inseparable from Dallas and Shy since high school. And Snow, she’s like my sister now. What about the lounge?

I don’t know how long I sit contemplating the pros and cons, but I jump when a soft hand touches my shoulder.

“Shit, sorry.” Vi’s voice chuckles.

I turn to see Vi with her shoulder all bandaged up. I move to stand, but she taps me again on the shoulder. “Sit. Let’s talk.”

Vi takes a seat next to me with a smile. I return her smile. This bitch has been through hell and back. She just shot someone and was shot but is sitting here comforting me.

“Are you okay?” I ask softly.

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