Page 20 of Speed

Chapter Eight

Speed

“Sorry, it took me afew days to work my way here. You should have been the first stop I made when I reached town.” I looked down, wasn’t expecting an answer, and moved closer until I stood directly in front of the headstone. I ran my hand over the cold granite and took a deep breath, inhaling the morning air.

“Things have changed since I been gone. The club’s changing. I’m sure you’ve chuckled a few times over it going legit. Never thought I’d see the day, at least not until me and the others took over.

“Got Church in a bit, guess I’ll get caught up on it all. They’re holding it at Soft Tails because the whole club is attending today. After Church, we’ll be celebrating me coming home for good. You probably know they did it for the others when they got back too, but this one I expect will be a little wilder since we’re all home now. Won’t be the same though without you standing to the side watching and listening to everything going on around you.

“Fuck, if the guys heard me talking with you... I just can’t seem to let you go yet. I know you are saying it’s been long enough but you being out by yourself, no one knowing why—that’s what keeps me from letting you rest. Letting myself rest.

“I’ll figure it out, you taught me well. Probably should be going so I’m not late, and the Prez kicks my ass. Miss you, Dad. Hope you’re getting to ride often and the road’s paved and open.” My fist hit the granite, and I turned and walked backed to my bike.

When I pulled in thelot at Soft Tails the only bikes in the lot where the dads’ and the guys’. I backed my bike up at the end of the line, dismounted, and headed in.

“How’s it going, Speed. Went by your house to see if you wanted to ride in with us and you were gone,” Crusher yelled when I walked in.

“Went to the cemetery.” He nodded and walked to the table where Stroker was sitting with Preacher, Romeo, Flyboy, and Cruz. The table was set so the officers could face the rest of the members while they sat in chairs facing the main table. That’s where Devil, Flirt, Coast, and Jag sat. Crusher and I joined on the front row.

“Wanted to talk to you before the rest of the members got here, Speed and the rest of you too. First, the club will slowly turn over to you when we feel each of you are ready to take the position you will hold. Before you go gettin’ your backs up, it’s because we are legit and I mean, a hundred percent.” Even though the guys had pretty much filled me in, hearing it from the leadership was kind of a shock. The only response from us were nods.

“We will go over the specifics when Church officially starts. Now, Speed, your spot is vacant. We held it that way after Cutter died so when you came back, it would be waiting. When you showed up this week, we talked, and you will be the first to take over your position.” The others stood and started slapping me on the back.

“Sit down, boys. I wasn’t done. Speed, we know our friend and brother taught you well, you’ll be an asset to us as an Enforcer. We may be legal now, but we have to keep our presence known and show no weakness just as before. We’ll support our brothers from other clubs we have good relations with. We may follow the laws as business goes but that doesn’t mean we’ll let another club move into our territory, nor will we show any weakness in taking care of the club if that were to occur.

“That being said, we’re going to give you time to acclimate back into the club. You will work as Enforcer on an interim basis. Once we feel you are ready, the position is totally yours, and you will represent this club in the full capacity of the position.”

“So I need to prove worthy of the position, is that what you are saying, Prez?” I felt like I was being put through a test.

“Yes, but it is nothing the others won’t be put through, they will just have more time to learn. Your spot is open, waiting for you to fill it.” I nodded, to a point I understood them not wanting to throw me into the spot, but in another, it felt as if they knew something and were waiting for me to figure it out. My gut had never failed me, and I was sure it wasn’t failing me now.

Cruz, Coast’s dad, stood and walked toward me. “We’ll walk through things when you’re ready. Ask questions, whatever you need from me, Speed, I’m here.” I stood and we did the man hug thing just as the door opened and a few of the members walked in.

“Brothers, Church in fifteen.” Stroker and the rest stood and started talking to a few of the men who came in. It didn’t take long for the place to fill and the meeting to get underway.

I sat and listened to get caught up on everything I’d missed out on since the last time I was home. After Stroker had called order to the meeting, the officers did a run through on all businesses the Black Hawks owned. Profits, which showed the club’s earnings were strong and gains salient. How the club had increased its membership over the last few years, it was more balanced with numbers between older members and the younger ones.

Soft Tails had shown a nice increase of business with the chick as manager; profits up, which meant losses were down. A big part of that was evidently due to the decrease of fighting in the strip club, no extra cost replacing broken tables and chairs.

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