Page 28 of Macon

“Do you think Ray is the girl with two faces?” he fires back.

I don’t answer. Instead, I stand there feeling helpless.

He gives me a shake. “What does your gut say?”

I shrug. “I don’t know, but I do know something’s wrong. We’re missing something.”

Shy lets me go. Grabbing his chin, he turns to move back to the head of the table. I don’t say anything, just let him think.

“What do you want to do?” Shy asks, sitting back down.

I shrug.

“Do you think Ray has two faces? Like she’s going to betray you, or what are you thinking?” Shy asks, but I can tell he’s more or less rambling off what’s going through his mind.

“I don’t know. That is what is killing me. The not knowing or understanding. I mean, my dreams are my subconscious, right?” I fire off back at him.

“Fuck, brother. I have no fucking clue. What do you want to do?”

I shrugged again because I didn’t have a clue.

I left our meeting earlier today to meet Blink and search out a lead he found, but it was a dead end again. We got a lead on Dexter but needed to return for our mandatory club meeting. We have to finalize all the Chicago details.

He asks, “Can you hold off until after this meeting?”

I nod.

“Have you decided about the vote tonight?” Shy asks, taking me off guard.

I haven’t spoken to anyone about the offer my dad and uncle presented to me. I forgot all about it with everything else going on and looking for Raydene.

“What do you think?” I ask him.

“I wouldn’t stop you, but I can’t say I wouldn’t miss you. I want whatever you want. If you think being here in Chicago with Raydene is the way to go, I won’t stop you,” Shy answers, leaning forward.

I sit down in my VP position next to him. I’ve never wanted to be president. I’ve always been like Cash and would rather be my best friend’s backup. I protect the president and make decisions when needed.

I lean back in the chair, folding my hands in my lap. I look at my best friend. “From the day you saved my life, I vowed I’d protect you. You know how I feel about being prez. I don’t see me leaving your side anytime soon,” I say with a smirk. “Plus, it’s not even like that with Ray. Even if we find her, she chose him. We’re friends. I’m just concerned about her.”

Shy’s face lights up like a kid in a candy store. “Brother, I didn’t want to say it, but I don’t think I can do this shit without you. We’ve been inseparable since that day. You’re more than a club brother. You’re my family.”

I nod. “I agree. I’m sorry I’m all over the place, but this is really fucking with me. I know something’s wrong, and now, with all the dreams. It’s knocking me on my ass,” I confess.

“Well, after the meeting, let’s follow up on the lead on Dexter. If we can’t find Ray, let’s find Dexter,” Shy offers.

I nod.

“I’m sorry I’ve been distracted with all this shit, but let’s figure out Ray before we head home. I’ll stay with you,” Shy declares.

I nod again but finally say, “Thank you. I don’t think I can go back until I find her.”

“Well, once everything’s settled here, we’ll have more eyes out there looking. We’ll find her,” Shy promises, patting me on the shoulder.

I nod.

We’ve been in church—for a members-only meeting—for almost two hours. Wrench was voted as the new Chicago chapter president and Slim as vice president.

We decided to keep all our arrangements with the Reapers and the Chicago outfit. We froze all the transportation stuff until we figure out what was happening with JJ and King. We’re not doing business with anyone we don’t trust.

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