Page 22 of The MC's Surprise
He gave a nod of assent and wandered off, probably to do prospect things. My knowledge on that was limited to books I’d read. I’d have to ask Vegas for more information if I did help the crew with their image issues. I needed to be able to answer common questions when people asked.
“Sierra,” Vegas called. I twisted in my seat to look over my shoulder at where he stood in a doorway past the kitchen. He waved me over, gesturing me into the room when I came to join him.
It was an office space, which seemed so out of place in a biker clubhouse, but I kept my comments to myself. The club was run by a lawyer, so I guess I shouldn’t have been so close minded.
Prez sat behind the desk, his hair disheveled and his expression stressed. I felt bad for him. Not only was he the club president, he was also the club lawyer. He was literally the guy to protect the crew. Everything was on his shoulders. It couldn’thave been an easy job, even without all the strife between them and the police.
“Hey, Sierra,” he greeted with a tired smile. “Vegas said you had something you wanted to talk to me about?”
I shot Vegas a look when I sat down. I had told him that it would be better coming from him. It felt a little wrong sticking my nose in things while the clubhouse was going through so much. Still, I rallied. I was already here. Might as well share with the class.
“I hope you don’t mind, but Vegas told me about what’s been going on. I had some ideas about things you could do to fix your image around town.”
Listing off a couple of the things I’d come up with, I studied Prez’s face. He didn’t look as into it as Vegas had been, but part of that could have been the exhaustion. It looked like he was running on fumes, and trying to take in everything I was saying was beyond him. Which was why I wasn’t surprised when he didn’t immediately agree.
“I appreciate you looking out for my crew, Zoey, but I don’t really have the time to set this kind of thing up. My guys have businesses and jobs and this kind of thing would take planning. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see how we’d be able to pull it off.”
I hadn’t gotten this far in my life without fighting and proving myself time and time again. I didn’t take the first no as a sign of defeat. I just needed to sell it a little more.
“What if I do it?”
His brows pulled together, and he studied me with a frown as I continued.
“You said you’re too busy, but I’m not. I’m going to be working with Vegas, so my schedule won’t be mentally taxing, and on my days off, I’ve got nothing to do but wait for this baby. I don’t have an entire crew to take care of. Let me plan it.”
He seemed reluctant. If I had to guess, he was probably the type to want to have his hand in everything so he could control the outcome. It was Vegas who backed me up.
“At least let her pitch it to the crew. She’s right, you’ve got plenty on your plate right now. Let the crew pick up the slack. If they’re down for it, we’ll ask for volunteers for the events. That way no one will have to miss work or take time away from their families. We can’t just sit here, Prez. We need to do something before the crew buckles from the strain. And you can’t keep going like you have been. Maggie and Zoey need you.”
Prez sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. My hands twitched to offer him a hug, but I held back the impulse. We didn’t know each other and he wasn’t familiar with my particular brand of affection with the people I cared about. I wasn’t going to make things awkward for him.
“Fine,” he eventually agreed. “Let’s call a meeting, see what the crew thinks. But it needs to be low key and by the books. No stunt shows or anything that might cause noise violations. I’m trying to keep us out of jail. I don’t want to make things worse.”
“I can work with that,” I agreed. “You should get some rest. Maybe go cuddle with your family for a while. You look like you could use a hug.”
His lips quirked up in the corners and when he looked at me again, he seemed softer. “You’re probably right. I’ll do that. Vegas, tell Rooster to call a meeting. Not mandatory, I can’t force people to participate, but whoever doesn’t show up will probably hear it from someone else in the crew later.”
Vegas snorted, offering me a hand to help me out of my seat. “They’re worse than those blue haired old ladies who hang out in the cafe spreading gossip.”
Snickering, I followed him out of the room. “I’m going to sell that idea, I hope you know that. Big bad bikers gossiping like little old ladies will do a lot to soften your image.”
It wasn’ta surprise to me that the entire crew showed up. What little I knew about motorcycle clubs, they were a loyal bunch and when Vegas mentioned something they could do to help with all the crap going on, they showed up for it.
I was more nervous talking to Prez earlier, but that didn’t mean it was easy for me when I was eventually stood in front of the entire crew, plus their old ladies, and the new prospects. I’d given presentations in front of audiences before, but it’d been a while, and never this large.
“You’ll do great,” Vegas assured me. He sat on the arm of the couch close by for moral support with Ellie in his arms. Something about watching him interact with kids made me feel all mushy inside and definitely stole my focus from the nerves.
Prez joined me, giving me a reassuring nod before calling the room to attention.
“Don’t tell me something else happened,” someone called out, getting a lot of grumbles in response.
Prez shook his head, exasperated. “No, nothing like that. Sierra here has some ideas on how to help the club image. I’ll let you tell her what she has in mind and we’ll have a vote afterward, but she has my backing in the meantime. I think it’ll do us some good. So keep an open mind. Sierra?”
Shaking out my hands, I moved to stand in front of the group, nodding at Prez when he touched my elbow and gave me a supportive smile. Summoning the courage and determination I’d used to get my business off the ground, I turned to face the masses.
“Okay, so I’ve heard what’s been happening and I think one of the biggest problems you’re facing is that the town believes the rumors about you guys. The only time they see you out and about as a group is thundering down the road on your bikes, am I right?”
That got a few uncertain nods. The room was heavy, quiet, and I could feel the wariness in the air. They probably thought I’d ask them to do something like stop riding around so much. They had no idea it’d be the opposite.
