Page 36 of Coal
“It is the responsibility of the brothers that endup in relationships to make it clear to their women that just because you are with a brother, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have access to Church and what is discussed. Hopefully, this way we won’t get any plants.
“The last thing was that if you bring a woman to the clubhouse, then she will have a background check. The same will go for Opal when she starts to date.”
The last sentence Tinman reads out with a scowl. I have to agree with him; the thought of Opal dating turns my stomach, and by the grumbles echoed in the room, my brothers feel the same way. Next to me, Thea shakes her head at us and looks amused but doesn’t say anything. Tinman continues, “If they decline the background check, then they will not be allowed on club grounds, not even at the open parties.”
“Are you all happy with that?” I want to know.
When all the brothers nod, I put it to the table, and they vote it in.
“Okay, with that sorted, my Old Lady has given Nickel a list for the barn. It’s going to cost about twenty grand to get it done. She’s also asked that we camouflage the building. It’s set well backfrom the road, but she’s right. We don’t want it to be seen at a quick glance, especially with the new road going past it. If we can make it look old and derelict from the sky, that would be good, so if a drone is flown over, they won’t see much.”
Brass lifts his hand, “Iron, Cross, Blue, and I can sort that for you, Pres.”
“Excellent. Now to spending the twenty grand. Are you all good with that? Let’s vote on it.”
I open the table up, saying, “It’s an Aye from me.” We go round the table with Tinman marking down the votes.
When all votes are counted, I continue, “With that out of the way, I’m going to hand over to Copper.”
Nodding at my brother, I sit back and let him have the floor. “We heard from Cahir today. I’ll be leaving next week to go undercover with whoever they’ve picked.” He turns to Sterling. “They’ll be sending through documents to you, including who they’re sending me in with. Let me know when you receive it.”
“Will do, VP,” Sterling nods.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, but Coal and I are assuming a few months, at least. We need to vote in an interim VP for while I’m away. I havea name I’d like to put forward. He’s meticulous and thinks things through. Doesn’t speak unless he has something to say and is clever as fuck and probably has a higher IQ than all of us combined. He won’t blow smoke up Coal’s ass,” this brings about chuckles, “or let him get away with shit.”
Copper takes a deep breath before letting everyone know who he wants to put forward. “Now I’m not putting this brother forward because we share blood. I’m putting him forward because of all that I’ve mentioned. It was a toss-up between this brother and Cross, but Cross has made it clear that he’s happy being our Chaplain. For your interim VP, I’m putting forward Nickel.”
Surprise flashes over Nickel’s face when Copper says his name. “What?” he stammers, looking shocked.
Copper grins at him and claps his shoulder. “Don’t look so surprised, brother. You’ll make an excellent VP. Just don’t get too comfortable in my shoes. I’ll want them back.”
With Nickel speechless, I put his new position to a vote. Not surprised when it comes back unanimous.
Whistling, I get everyone’s attention, and when they are again focused on me, I tell them, “I won’t keep you much longer, and we’ll go celebrate Nickel’s new position and have supper. I wanted to remind you about this weekend being an open weekend. You know what you all have to do, but make sure whoever is on the door checks for drugs. I’m not having that shit in my house, and make sure the gate is closed between here and our residences. I don’t want anyone wandering towards our homes. Sterling and Blue, make sure security is as tight as you can make it. Opal has agreed to look after Shea for Thea and me so that we can join you. Is there anything I’ve missed?”
When they all shake their heads, I pick up the gavel and turn towards my younger brother, “Congratulations, Nickel, I can’t think of a better stand-in VP.” Nickel nods at me, replying, “Thanks, Pres, I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t, brother.” I bang the gavel on the table, ending Church. “Church is done, fuck off and go celebrate.”
Thea sniggers and goes to follow the brothers, but I stop her. “You wanted to find out more about Cahir and his brothers?”
“I did,” she agrees.
“Come on,” I pull her up to stand with me, and we walk around the table to where the tapestry is. Leaning back against the table, I bring her to my front. Wrapping my arms around her, I rest my chin on her shoulder. “What I’m about to tell you can never be repeated, not even to your siblings. It’s imperative it’s only kept within our family. You wanted to know if you could trust me? Well, baby, this is me giving you my trust, and I hope after this you know that you can trust me with anything.”
Thea tilts her head back to look at me. Seeing I’m serious, she nods, “I do trust you, Coal. I have from the start, and I promise you can trust me. I’d never betray you.”
Her sincerity rings true in her voice. I’d already known that I could trust her, but it wasn’t just my safety at stake. It was all my brothers, including the Cursed Skulls. Kissing her cheek, I turned her back to the tapestry and told her the history of the Queens Wraiths. When I was finished, she turned in my arms, wrapping hers around me. She says, “That’s some history, and I can understand why you don’t want it getting out. Nobody will hear it from me. I don’t care how old they are or if they’re related to Father Christmas himself; if their warnings mean theykeep you and your brothers safe, then they are okay by me. That’s all I want, is for you all to be safe.”
Sliding my hands around her neck, I tilt her head up to me, “We always try to be careful, baby, but things happen, like Cahir said. They don’t see everything, and we have to still go on every mission ensuring we have as much information as we can. But I promise you that my brothers and I aren’t reckless. I’ll especially be extra careful from here on out. I have too much to lose now.”
Thea’s eyes warm, and she rolls to her toes to press her lips to mine. I lose myself in my Old Lady for a minute until we hear the call for supper.
***
It’s a good night. The table we’d set up in the kitchen for when we had meals here had been extended, and I had to wonder if we needed to get another one made or if we’d just add extra tables as the brothers found their women and our families grew.
I let my gaze rove over my brothers, who are laughing and teasing each other and Opal while stuffing their faces. The soft, joyful look onmy mother’s face showed her contentment at having a bunch of people to look after.
