Page 8 of Sparrow

Club business.

He always had to do something for the club. It consumed every waking moment of his life. If he wasn’t busy being their lackey, he was stoned out of his fucking mind or he was locked up for the shit they made him do.

The Roughneck Riders ruined him.

They ruined her father.

They ruined her mother. She’d once been an Ol’ Lady and now. Sparrow shook her head.

What was she doing with her life?

Chapter 5

Romeo

WHACK. WHACK. WHACK.

It took far too many slaps of the gavel for Romeo’s brothers to calm down and focus on Monty. Or that could have just been his opinion. They were a bunch of criminal bikers. It wouldn’t really be their style to be calm and civil, would it?

Then again, he still needed a minute to grapple with the rectangular patch which had come down the table his way. Enforcer. Shit. His gaze found Dash.

The older biker leaned over the table, resting on his elbows. His focus locked on the club president while he absent-mindedly cracked his knuckles. A stupid grin spread across Romeo’s face as the realization hit. For the first time since he’d met the bald biker they were equals in the eyes of the club.

“On a national level, the club has agreed to patch over the Roughneck Riders MC in Ohio,” Monty said. “We’re going to allow Bowie to remain as president.”

The men around Monty nodded. Romeo scanned the men at the table. This was heavy shit and he wanted to make sure his response aligned with the rest of them. Nothing would be worse than on his first night at the table if he acted like a hang around. He’d never live that shit down. Stoic. He could do that.

“We don’t trust their VP,” their president continued as his bottom lip bulged when his tongue slid along his lower teeth. His gaze swept to his left and his right. The men there, Tex and Clark, only nodded. “Clark is going to take over as their VP,” he said with a small smile. The pride rang in his voice as he clapped their brother on the back.

Clark, who looked a lot like that guy who played superman—he even had that little curl thing on his forehead—dipped his chin in respect. “I appreciate the faith you all have in me.”

“Which leaves the SAA spot open,” Monty continued.

Romeo once again scanned the table. The officers of the club all had their focus on the head of the table—where their president sat leading the meeting. He needed to do that.Focus!

“Your brothers have nominated Dash to take his place.”

At that moment, Romeo realized this little speech was for his benefit. He’d not been in the room and privy to all this. He’d not been a part of the votes. He shifted in his seat, sparing his sponsor a glance, catching his eye. The two offered a respectful chin jut of acknowledgment.

Romeo couldn’t argue with the choice. The stocky bald man had been an Enforcer, it seemed the next logical step. He’d do the club proud.

“Once again, that leaves a position vacant.” Monty sighed heavily, sounding tired of it all. “This time Enforcer.”

“I nominated you,” Tex said, turning his focus from Monty to his son.

Romeo stilled in his chair. Outwardly, his face gave no other indication of a reaction. Just like he’d been observing all the others doing. Deadpan, his gaze scanned the officers of the club. While the men looked at him, they too were keeping their cards close to the vest. He’d been spot on to do the same. Maybe he’d really gotten this biker thing down.

“I seconded it,” Dash chirped.

Of course, he did. He’d been Romeo’s sponsor. Hell, it went beyond that. Ever since Dash started with the club, he and Romeo had been inseparable. Romeo really looked up to the man, who was six years his senior. Club rules said that a member couldn’t sponsor family, so Dash stepped up, just like he did now. No one had his back like Dash.

Clearing his throat, Romeo felt the urge to acknowledge all this. He had to say something. Leaning forward, his forearms rested on the sacred table, the Odin’s Fury table in the sanctuary that was church. These were the hallowed halls where all the decisions were made. What a fucking honor to be at this table.

Nothing.

All his brothers stared at him. He had to say something.

Nope.

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