Page 83 of Karma
“What would make us believe you’ve actually changed?” Shep asks.
Zane swallows and sighs. “I’ve stopped drinking. I don’t think I have a problem now that I’m learning how to cope with my feelings, but I wrecked my bike. Broke my femur. And, uh, I… I met someone.”
“You’re trying to apologize because of a woman. And what happens when she leaves your ass? Will you go back to using your sister as a punching bag?”
Shaking his head, he shifts from foot to foot. It’s a logical question, and he can’t blame anyone for thinking this. Hell, he’s thought about it, too.
“No, I had a lot of time to do nothing but think. Lane was right. I’ve avoided being angry at the wrong people for too long. The night I went to see Lex, I saw Emma at my mom’s grave, and we talked. It’s hard to admit, but I see how wrong I’ve been for most of my life. But I was.”
“What did Emma say that changed your mind?” Colt asks, leaning back in his chair with an air of disbelief around him.
It hits Zane how out of his mind he’s been for so long. He barely remembers his brother-in-law in the President’s seat atthe head of the table. The regime change suits him, and Zane’s actually happy for him. Even if it’s what cost him his leather.
“She only ever wanted to be there for me, and I only ever wanted to make her life hell. I don’t know if I can make up for it, but I’m going to try. If she’s willing to let me.”
“And what about Lex?”
“If it’s okay, I’d like to stop by the house tonight. I have something to give her, and I owe her and Lucas a real apology.”
Everyone looks around at each other, but no one says a word after Colt nods his head. Zane doesn’t have much else to say, so he begins to inch towards the door. Awkwardly.
“Uh, thanks for hearing me out and not killing me on sight. It’s still a little hard to look at myself in the mirror, but I can’t just ignore my mistakes if I want to be a better man. A man Lane always knew I could be.”
Colt gives him a hard look. “Wait in the main room, and we’ll head to the house together. If you go too early, your daughter may become an orphan. Lucas still wants your head on a stick.”
“Wait,” Jennings says. “You should stay for what TK and I want to put on the table.”
It’s a test, but Zane accepts the challenge. He leans against the door and nods. “Okay.”
“What’s going on, Jennings?” Colt asks.
“As you know, your father and I were putting VP through a series of tests to see just how far off the deep end he’s gone.”
“You what?” VP growls.
TK just laughs and shakes his head. “You’re barely keeping your head above water. I don’t know what happened to you, man, but you gotta change.”
“And this needs to be brought to the table?”
“I propose we officially put VP on a six-month probation. If he doesn’t shape up and change his attitude, we strip him of his leather,” Jennings says.
Looking at Colt, Zane sees him staring at the former heads of the table with surprise. “This is what you meant when you said it was best if I could claim ignorance?”
“Yes,” TK says. “And I second the motion.”
“What the fuck?” VP growls. “Fucking traitors!”
“We’ll take a vote,” Colt says.
Standing, VP shakes his head. “Fuck you will! I’ve spent over thirty years in this fucking club—”
“Dad, shut up and sit down. I had to wreck my bike and break one of the most difficult bones to break before I saw the disaster I was making of my life. This is your wreck, and you need to listen to them. They’re giving you a chance. For the love of God, put your pride aside and take it.”
“Fucking traitors,” he mutters and sits.
“You can go out there now,” Colt says, but he gives Zane a strange look. One Zane doesn’t particularly like.
He steps out of the Chapel and leans against the closed doors. He lets out a loud sigh, thankful that part is over. And he made it out alive.
