Page 25 of Coty

It's like every man in the room sighs. This town is insane. Half of them look for a reason to come after us. They do it from a distance with gossip and social media posts. None of them are brave enough to attack us head-on. Their hatred for the club makes no sense. In the forty years the Viking Warriors have been in Willow Creek, we’ve never attacked anyone. We don’t sell drugs or guns. We own businesses and help out when someone is in need. These people have watched too many TV shows and movies. Most of those don’t paint motorcycle clubs in a good light. Around here, if you have a bike and a cut, you’re the bad guy.

Mack leans forward with his forearms on the table. “I reached out to Pastor Rhodes today. His secretary said the Pastor will make a formal statement soon. His family refuses to speak to a McLeod or club member.”

Personally, I don’t think Mack should’ve been the first to reach out. The formal statement concerns me. This won't be good if the Pastor isn’t willing to talk with Mack. Sounds like they’re going to play into the sympathy their family’s getting on social media. It’s just another thing to divide this town.

“We’re going to get some backlash from this. So, until it dies down, don’t go anywhere alone. That includes your ole’ ladies and families,” Worley says.

“We hope this doesn’t get out of hand, but just in case, we’ll assign rounds to everyone so we can watch over our club friends and the ones who live alone, “ Big Papa, our Treasurer, adds.

As much as we don’t want to believe this will get out of hand, it more than likely will. Watching over our families and friends is what we do every time there’s trouble. My security assignment will be wherever Kayla is. When Jack and Lily return to the guest house, maybe she’ll stay with them for a few days. I don’t like her living alone.

Nick’s phone dings. He quickly reads the message and locks eyes with Mack. “I hate to add to our problems, but three Midnight Mavericks just walked into Angie’s.” He clicks around on the laptop. “She put them at the first table in the back dining room. I have eyes on them now.”

Nick has access to the security cameras at Angie’s restaurant. She’s had trouble to break out in the restaurant because she’s a friend of ours. Nick has a camera set up to watch the area where Angie seated the Mavericks. She puts possible troublemakers there and messages Nick.

“Do we need to send a couple of guys up there?” Jack asks.

“No,” Mack replies quickly. “We have club business to tend to today. Nick’s monitoring it for now. We’ll only go if we have to.”

As President, Mack’s decisions are final. This one feels wrong. We’ve always helped Angie when called. What happened at the church last night is important, but there’s nothing we can do unless someone does something to us. Right now, it’s just a lot of bad press and social media posts.

Having Midnight Maverick in Willow Creek is bad. I highly doubt it’s a coincidence. They’ve bound to have seen the news and checked the social apps. Vikings and Mavericks have been club rivals from the beginning. I’ve never heard a good explanation for what started it. We can’t prove it, but we believe the Mavericks are behind Jack’s house being attacked and Lily getting shot. Knowing three Mavericks are in town makes me antsy.

“What do we need to tend to that’s more important than helping Angie?” Leave it to Jay to ask. Angie has a bit of a soft spot for Jacy. I don’t know why, but she’s always looked out for him.

“I’m glad you asked, son.” Jay is really Mack’s nephew. He’s called Jay son since he was a kid. “Come up here.” Mack walks around the table and motions for Jay to join him.

Jay, like the rest of us, has no idea what’s going on. He looks to Jack for an answer. Jack shrugs. He’s struggling to hold a straight face. The little twitch of the corner of his lips gives him away. Jack knows what’s happening.

“Uncle Jacob?” Jay’s not good with surprises or being put on the spot like this.

Mack puts an arm around Jay’s shoulders and pulls him close. “Jason Alexander McLeod, I have loved you like a son since the moment you were born. You’ve grown into a fine man. You’re loyal and give your all to this club.”

Jay nods but doesn’t speak. He’s not good with being praised either. Jack’s grin is about to split his face. I nudge him with my elbow. Whatever this is, why didn’t he tell me?

“Just watch,” Jack whispers.

Well, okay. What other choice do I have? I love Jack like a brother. Sometimes, I want to pop him upside the head.

Mack holds his right arm out at an angle that’s a little behind him. He motions for one of the officers to come down front. “Sandman, you wanna join us?”

Several Vikings gasp. I’m one of them. No way. I lock eyes with Jack. He nods, and we silently laugh. Well, I’ll be darn.

“Uncle Jacob, what’s going on?” The way Jay’s eyes bounce between his uncle and Sandman, he has a pretty good idea of what’s happening.

“Vikings!” Mack smiles at Jay and turns to face the club members. “Sandman has been our Sergeant at Arms for over ten years. After what happened Thanksgiving night, he talked it over with his ole’ lady and decided to step down. Sandman nominated Jay as his replacement.”

“I second it,” Worley says loudly.

From the excitement now flowing through the room, we’re about to have a new Sergeant at Arms. At least something good will happen today.

“Vikings, we have a nomination and a second. Time to vote. All in favor of Jay McLeod being the Viking Warriors MC, Tennessee Chapter, Enforcer, say aye.”

A unanimous round of ayes goes around the room.

“Anyone oppose?” Mack asks.

The room falls silent.

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