Page 44 of Rex

“You’re still beautiful,” Trigger says before laughing loudly.

“You look good in shades of purple and blue,” Pigeon adds as he takes his seat.

“Don’t even think about blaming me. I didn’t do nothing,” Axel says.

“I am blaming you. Also blaming your butt-buddy, Pooh,” I reply.

“Fuck you!” Axle shouts with a wide grin.

“I wouldn’t fuck you even with Horse’s vagina,” I respond and watch the words wash through Horse’s brain.

“Hey! Leave me out of this!” Horse shouts indignantly. “And I don’t have a vagina, you twat!”

“As fun as this is, let’s get Church started, boys. We have a lot to cover today,” Gunner orders and then slaps the gavel down.

After covering several issues, including the surveillance of the clubs and traffickers, Axel asks to speak. At Gunner’s nod, Axel surprises most of us in the room with his topic.

“We all know we need prospects, and I have one I want to nominate. I’d also like to sponsor this person. Candy. I think she’d be a great prospect, and she’s loyal to those she cares about. Namely, our kids and women, but also to us. She doesn’t have family she’s close to, and we could be that family for her. She’s proven herself several times already, and I know there are few people I’d trust my daughter or Bailey with more than her.”

Mouths dropped open, and the room went silent. Everyone stared at Axel like he’d sprouted another head. The silence continued until Axel stood and crossed his arms in a defiant manner.

“I’m telling you, she’d be a great member! I’ll take full responsibility for her, sponsor her, and teach her everything she needs to know,” Axel states loudly and somewhat belligerently. He was getting angry at the silence.

“I agree 100%, brother,” I say.

“Same for me,” Chubs states.

“Me too,” Reeves, then Pigeon, then Horse adds.

“Not sure we need to take a vote about this. I think we’re all on the same page regarding Candy and how she fits in with the club,” Petey says.

“Then why all the silent stares?” Axel exclaims while tossing his hands in the air.

“Just didn’t expect it to be you nominating her. Since she beat your ass more than once and all that stuff,” laughs Trigger.

“She cares about our kids, and that’s more important to me than doing battle with her. I keep telling you people that I’ve grown up and matured. I’m a dad now, you know. And, hell, I’d rather have her on my side than be against her,” Axel insists.

At that bit of truth, the room rocks with laughter. Axel shrugs and takes his seat.

Raising his hand, Chubs seconds the motion. We do a vote anyway to make it official, and James steps out of the room to retrieve Candy. When they return, she takes a spot against the wall, eyes curious as they seek out Gunner.

“We voted, and all agreed that we’d like for you to become a prospect of the club if it’s something you’d like to do, Candy,”Gunner states. “You’ve been around us long enough now to know if you’d like to make it a permanent thing. You’d have to prospect until we decide it’s time to make you a member. During that time, you can quit and still remain on good terms with the club if you find it’s not the right fit for you.”

Candy stares silently at Gunner for several long seconds before sweeping the room making eye contact with each of us. She appears stunned and unsure of what to say. Finally, she turns back to Gunner.

“Everyone voted yes to allow me to prospect?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Every single member voted yes. You would make a great addition to our club, and we’d like you to think it over carefully. You don’t have to give us an answer right now,” Gunner explains. “I believe you belong here, with us, with our families, as an important part of our lives, Candy.”

Candy’s body gave a small jerk before she dropped her head and stared at her feet. After a moment, she lifted her face and looked at Gunner again.

“I’ve never belonged anywhere before,” she states in a small voice.

“You do now if you want it,” Axel adds.

“I do want it. I would love to prospect and work toward being a member, but I have a few conditions if that’s allowed,” Candy says.

“Not sure we’ve ever had a prospect with conditions before, but let’s hear them,” Gunner says with a grin.

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