Page 66 of Soul

Disbelief hit me. I gaped at Warden, unsure if I’d heard right.

“What did you say?” Dynamo snarled.

“If it had been Jane Doe who worked in the bakery, we wouldn’t declare war. We’d let the police do their job. It’s no different from Bryony. The cops will arrest Mac and Duster,” Warden said.

“And when they come and attack her and the kids to force her to withdraw her statements?” Vogue demanded.

“Then she calls law enforcement or withdraws her statement. I can’t declare war for an act that was not against the club,” Warden explained patiently.

“Bryony identified herself as dating me,” I ground out.

“But she doesn’t wear a cut,” Warden refuted.

I shook my head. “She was my woman and claimed my protection.”

“Soul. Bryony didn’t have a cut. It wasn’t an attack on us.”

I slammed my hand on the table. “And fucking Iona and Rosalea weren’t fuckin’ wearing cuts when we stepped in. Iona didn’t wear a cut when we went after her at the Screaming Barons’ compound. One rule for you and another for the rest of us,” I shouted.

Warden’s face turned dark. I was livid and didn’t give a shit.

“You all take note. If it’s his woman or family, we go to war. If it’s one of ours, they can fuckin’ rot. You’ve betrayed me, Warden!” I yelled, getting to my feet.

“Sit down, Soul,” Warden snarled, standing himself.

“Nah. If you were someone I respected, I might listen. But you—you just lost my respect. Go fuck yourself. I’ll never ride for you or your woman again.”

With that, I stormed out.

Chapter Thirteen.

Warden

“Did you really just pull that shit?” Pipe demanded in disbelief.

“Tell me I’m wrong,” I challenged.

“You’re beyond that. I ain’t sitting at this table either,” Dynamo stated and shoved her way out of church.

“Don’t you dare leave!” I shouted at her.

“When you give us respect, we’ll show you it,” Dynamo said.

I slammed my gavel in anger. “Do not walk out,” I gritted out.

Dynamo turned to me, and I discovered myself flying backwards through the air. “That is the least you deserve,” Dynamo hissed. “I’m going to protect my brother’s woman, who this fuckin’ club is betraying.”

Dynamo disappeared through the door as I gaped at her from where I’d landed.

“You deserved that. I can see your thoughts. Never took you for a pussy, Prez,” Romeo said as he also rose.

“What did you say?” I ground out as I stood up.

“Your head is on Iona and protecting your baby. To protect your woman and child, you are happy to let the Screaming Barons walk on their fuckin’ actions. That makes you a coward. I’m with them. There’s a woman and a family who need our help. You better consider what you’re doing because Soul is right. It was obvious to all of us he planned to claim her.

“Mac pushed against the club. Bryony identified that she was dating a brother. Mac then amped up his abuse. He was going to take her and pull a train on her. If that had been Iona, you’d have declared war immediately. I say we vote on this. Because clearly, Prez, you have your own agenda,” Romeo spat.

“I second a majority vote,” Pipe said with disgust in his voice as he looked at me.