Page 3 of Amaze

“That’s why I need the council to lift the truce. I can’t make a move on him without going against the council. For my family, I’ll lay it all on the table.”

“The council and all of the founders are going to be in the meeting today. Let them know the deal and the strides you’ve taken to make this club better. You might be able to sway them in your favor.”

“Just know that I want their support, but at the end of the day, I’m going to protect my family no matter what. Let the chips fall where they may.”

The meeting was called to order, and all the preliminary things were laid on the table. The secretary concluded, and the treasurer informed us on the financial status and goals forthe quarter. We had a food and clothing drive scheduled for the upcoming quarter and had been taking donations for the community.

Typically, our club matched whatever financial contributions we were given and donated them to the local food bank. Club business seemed to be running smoothly, despite the resistance to my being here.

I didn’t say much during the meetings because, for one, I wasn’t a huge talker. I preferred action. Whatever needed to be said was said, but I didn’t offer more input than necessary.

“As you all know, we are moving away from weapons and into the agricultural arena. My brother and I have been leveraging deals that will put many of us in a new tax bracket. I’m excited about the changes that are coming our way,” AJ declared, before pausing for reactions to his statement. “On that note, we have six new commercially licensed truck drivers among us. As you all know, our club president, Amaze, funded the training for our guys this time. For the next batch, I want to submit a request to the treasurer for funding. I’ll have those forms to you by the end of the week.”

I watched the faces of the founders and council members as AJ spoke. They appeared to be pleased with the new direction of the club. I wanted to show my guys a new way of life. Like I said, everybody wasn’t on board.

I made a point not to look in Ruben’s direction because I already knew that if he screwed his face up in the least, I was probably going to have something to say. I was trying to stay in the good graces of the rest of the riders. I didn’t need 100 percent cooperation. I only needed the majority on my side.

“I know that there are a few people present who don’t think I deserve to sit in this seat. My decision to forge my own path was the cause of dissention between me and Amar. With that being said, he still knew I was a capable leader. As the foundingmember and president of this club, he groomed and appointed me as his replacement. Many of you may not want me here. Understand, in no uncertain terms, that I don’t give a damn if you like it or not. I’m here now. Whether you like it or not, you’re lucky that I’m here because the last thing in the world I want to do is run Amar’s business. I have a life that I made without his backing, but in honor of his wishes and my own agenda, I sit before you.” I made my statement before looking out at the sober faces of the crowd. There was shuffling and mumbling amongst themselves. I wasn’t surprised when no one spoke up.

“It’s no secret that the changes I wanted to make within the club were highly criticized. My plan for transition has been met with a lot of resistance. I grew up in this club. So, although I’ve been absent over the years, it’s near and dear to my heart. I want to give you guys and even your families options to go legit. We don’t have to live a life of crime just because it’s expected of us. Hell, I’m a prime example of that. I’m the almighty Amar’s oldest son, but I went to college and became a professor. I want this club to be one that sets the standard for the community, not the thing that tears it down. Since we’re so influential, we have the potential to be pillars of this community. Now, my primary reason for taking this position is because I want to break the truce with the Black Rider Gang.”

“Amaze, your father called that truce before your time. I respect your seat as president, but you have to understand that some things aren’t up for negotiation,” one of the founders spoke up.

“You’re right. My uncle Man was murdered when I was five years old. Months of bloodshed led to the leaders calling a truce. The truce with the BRG has been in effect for the past thirty years, but I have on good authority that one of the founding members conspired in a plan to assassinate me and my wife. That move negated the truce. I don’t want permission to go afterhim. I am letting you all know that it’s what I’m going to do. Iwillavenge my wife. I need you all to back me, but understand that I’m moving forward with or without your support or approval.”

“How do you even know it was one of their founders?” someone asked.

“Amar left me the information when he died. As part of that truce, he and Zachariah agreed to never do business together unless it was mutually beneficial. They didn’t want their lineage intertwined due to the history of bad blood between them. Me marrying Zachariah’s daughter was a breach of that agreement.”

“So you want us to believe that your own daddy helped a founder of the BRG to kill your wife?” Ruben asked.

“I do.” I confirmed. “They worked together.”

“So your daddy and her daddy tried to have y’all killed? That’s preposterous,” Rujo, who happened to be a club founder and Ruben’s daddy, tossed out.

“I’m not speculating. I’m telling you what I found in the documents that Amar left for me. You and him were close. Did you help him blow my house up?” I asked, tipping my head to the side to wait for his answer.

“You know I would never do no shit like that.”

“You wouldn’t think my dad would pull something like a double assassination attempt just to spite me, but unfortunately, he did.”

“What do you need from us?” Mike, the lead enforcer, spoke up.

“I need you to either stand down or support me as I take him out. Point blank. I have the checks and documents that my dad and Zach exchanged. I have the voided check from the hit. I’ve already come in contact with the people who carried out the attack. I just need to take care of the man who helped initiate the whole thing.”

“I don’t have any qualms about you taking action against him, as long as you have your facts straight, Amaze. I find it hard to believe that Amar would do such a thing to his own son, knowing that he was grooming you to take over,” Rujo stated.

“It has been a hard pill to swallow for me as well. I didn’t run right in here with this information. I’ve been conducting an investigation for the past few months. You wouldn’t believe the secrets and lies that I’ve uncovered just looking for the whole truth. I’m not opposed to sharing my findings with you all, but I also have a few things that I need to keep close to my chest for personal reasons. I think I have more than enough information to prove my case.”

“Give us time to speak among ourselves, Amaze. It shouldn’t take us long to come to a decision,” another founder requested.

“Let us see that information you have,” Rujo added.

They could take all the time they needed. My mind was already made up. I just needed to know if I was going to have to duck shots coming from both directions or just the opposition. I wasn’t concerned about my own safety. The only thing I needed to do was remove the direct threat to Wesley and Anthony. They were my number one concern.

Now,back to where we left off…

My son Anthony’s love for his school, as well as his position on the basketball team were the main influences in my decision not to move after Galvin’s death. I refused to live in a place that I considered a prison. So, after selling our house, I used the money to downsize to a single-family home for my son and me. We had been in a rebuilding phase for the past three months, but we were making it work.

---