Page 86 of Bound by Family
Not thinking twice, I follow him and find my dad and Uncle GT already inside, waiting. My first thought is something’s happened to Deke. I mean, why else would Pops pull us in individually?
“Take a seat, everyone,” Pops orders, going around to the other side of his desk and taking his seat.
“What’s this about?” GT asks, his eyes looking utterly exhausted, if not haunted in a way.
“Which one of you is takin’ over the club?” Pops blows this question out like it’s not rocking the entire foundation we stand on.
From the silence, I can tell it catches my father and uncle off guard as well.
“Gettin’ old and need a break. This club is my life, will be my life until my dying breath, but it’s time for the pressure to come off my shoulders and onto one of yours. Coop, you’re young and not ready, but you’re a part of this, and I want you here. GT, you’ve got a shit storm goin’ on.”
“I don’t think I can right now, Pops. Deke is …” He trails off, rubbing his hand over his face, then looks at my dad. “I’ll be your second if you want me, but right now, with this shit storm, I gotta take care of my kids and wife.”
My dad leans back in his chair, laces his fingers together, and puts them behind his head. “You really want to do this? I mean, ya got more good years in ya than you think.”
Pops nods. “Ma and I have made this club our world and that won’t change. But keeping up with everything and making sure money, product, contacts—everything is on point is getting harder for me. I want to sit back, let you boys run things, and enjoy life. I’m still a member one hundred percent, but I want to be in the background more now.”
The room again goes quiet. This is such a huge decision. Ravage is an entity all on its own, and I can see how it would be overwhelming, even for a strong man like Pops. In Ravage, the rules are clear. If something happens to the president, the vice president automatically takes over. If the president for any reason wants to step down, they have the right to hand the gavel to whomever they want to serve that spot.
If my father says yes, that means he’s the new president after our next church.
“I’m in. GT, you’re at my side. Coop, you’re on the other.”
My startled eyes meet my father’s. “Me?”
“Yep. Treasurer, you’re handling the money. Everything in this club goes in through you and out through you.”
Fuck me.Talk about moving up in the ranks. I know I’m more than capable of doing whatever needs to be done in Ravage.
“Done.”
Pops claps his hands together and rises. “You’re a good team. You’ll do well for the club. I’m proud of you all.”
I rise in stunned shock, not letting it show on the outside. A lot just happened in that little room, and no one outside is the wiser.
Bristyl comes up to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Are you okay?”
I look down at my woman. “Never been fucking better.”
EPILOGUE
COOPER
One Year Later
A scream escapes her mouth as I remove the blindfold I made her wear for the past hour.
“You brought me to see Demon’s Wings?”
“It’s the group you didn’t get to see because of those assholes.”
She grips my leather and pulls me to her. “And because of that asshole, I got you.” She rises on her tiptoes and kisses me hard on the lips.
Being together for a year hasn’t changed the passion or the love I have for this woman. Every time our lips touch, it’s that same spark as the first time in that dingy diner parking lot. Every moment with her is better than the next.
I reach around her and yank open my saddlebag. She’s already wearing my leather on her back, but I’m a greedy son of a bitch, and I want it all, including my ring on her finger.
I get down on one knee, and Bristyl’s hand goes to her mouth in shock.
