Page 55 of Death's Deal

I’m epically fucked.

We’re all epically fucked.

Was this because I was in a position I didn’t belong, didn’t earn, or like Mayhem had suggested, shouldn’t be in? If that’s true, then the same should be true for Busta and Cap.

I don’t believe that. I believe all the dominoes fell into place in such a way it only took one more to tip the scales to catastrophic. In the grand scheme it didn’t matter how, what truly mattered was we had to make a decision, one that would send repercussions throughout all of our ranks.

The worst part of it all, I’m about to decide my sister’s future.

After leaving the Bows’ compound, nearly all of the members from the Army had been contacted. Each had confirmed they would be at the meeting spot at nine. I hadn’t told them what the meeting was for, and in a way, I was afraid to tell them. Only two could not make it, Goat and Babybike. They had proxied in their votes. I knew all of our members would be pretty fucking pissed this situation had occurred, and I was going to have to express the awful reasons we had no choice.

Two agonizing hours later, I arrived at the pier. Toni had been quiet both during our ride out and the subsequent time while I’d called the boys. I didn’t bother to ask what was bothering her, I knew. Yes, I had told her about the cash earlier, but I think she thought it was a joke and not at all real. Her father paid for her to be with his enemy, and I’d accepted the cash. I bet she had hoped my whole reason for looking after her had been to appease some boyhood fantasy that needed to be placated, not that I wanted to be paid. Unfortunately, we were bleeding cash and the mayor’s money brought about an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. I had a loyalty to the club to help them survive and now because of that same cash I was left with a second dilemma. The government had threatened every single member and their families with jail time if we didn’t abide by the deadline. Did I believe they’d do it? Yes. I did. On the flip side to that, I was subjecting my sister to a situation she would despise me for. She would never forgive us.

Looking at my watch, seeing the tiny arms ticking toward nine, sitting outside at the docks for the last half hour staring at the tiny fish that swam below the wooden pier, I sat in silence with Toni. Busta, Miss, Joker, and Cap were inside with Curse. None of the regular membership had arrived from our respected clubs.

I needed to clear the air with Toni. I cut to the chase, “I had to save the club, Toni. Taking the money from your father was out of necessity. That’s all that mattered.”

“They’re all that mattered or matter?” I stay focused on the fish. “I understand the cash. I do. I left you to deal with jail. You were owed that and more. But... now that you know I did it to save our son, do we not matter?”

Confused, I ask, “I don’t get you?”

“I know you well enough, Quinny. You’re thinking there has to be a way to save everyone. To get everyone out of this cleanly. Trust me, I'm not naïve.” Placing a hand on mine, Toni turns my way with a smile. “I know this is a hard decision, but Tris has done nothing. Just like many of the kids in your clubs, he’s innocent of this.” When I don’t respond to her line of thinking, instead, sitting, sullenly staring out toward the ocean, she continues, “Jazmine will understand. She is all about family too. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do to save just one member.”

Blowing a hot breath out, shaking my head and raking my hands through my scalp, pulling at my short blond hair, I’m annoyed her comments are truthful. Far truer than I wish to admit. “Toni, by allowing the decision to be made by more than my own club, I had hoped it would help appease my guilty conscience.”

When she’s about to rebut my sullen and despondent no-win situation attitude, a distant rumble rents the air. It's simplistic in its tone. A sound that would normally fill me with joy. That same sound is now sending a shock wave of dread coursing through my veins. The time is upon me and there's no turning back.

The membership of all of our clubs is arriving to decide our own fate.

When the first sight of a chromed Softail rounds the corner of building fifty-six, followed by a steady stream of members from each of the clubs, I watch in an uncomfortable disconnection. Coasting their rides into parking spots, backing them against the wall in perfectly placed synchronization, I tap Toni on the hand. "Come on."

Demure and yet seemingly regal, she stands beside me, grasping my hand. We won't speak again about our fears or our trepidations about condemning my sister to this fate, it's no longer in our hands. The decision will now be decided by the many. Our downfall or our ethereal rise from the ashes will be of our own design.

Chapter 30

Ninety-nine. One lessthan a hundred full-patched members stand in the warehouse conversing, arguing, and weighing the pros and cons of betraying one of our own. Their voices are louder than a thousand Harleys, and as dangerous as a blown tire at a hundred miles an hour. We are at a crossroad that could tear our clubs apart. One I think will break us.

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