Page 45 of The Trust We Broke
“Yeah, well, good thing they didn’t get very far,” Wraith says, rubbing a bandana over greasy fingers. He was fixing his bike just before our meeting.
“Doesn’t sit well with me, though,” I say. “They’re like hackers, poking and prodding at defenses until they find a way in. Can’t help but think they’re going under, over, and around to try and find a way to hurt us.”
“We gave them a fucking beating when they went after Greer and Ember,” Smoke says. “They’re probably licking their wounds more than trying to attack us.”
“I think Catfish is making a good point,” Jackal says. “We know from history that none of our enemies ever sit back foreverunless we decimate them. That was no more than a kick up the ass.”
“We killed two of them,” Shade says. “And if I were them, I’d be pissed two men were dead. Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
It’s rare for Shade to have much to say, and I happen to agree with him, at this point. “Let’s keep our ear to the ground and see what we can find out. To the best of my knowledge, we’ve only seen them in town. Can’t say I was happy with them chasing Lucy.”
Smoke smirks. “That because you don’t like them chasing anyone, or because they were chasing Lucy?”
I raise my middle finger to flip Smoke the bird. “Fuck you.”
Catfish covers his smirk.
“I’m sure there’s some saying about how a weakness not acknowledged is deadly or some shit,” Atom mutters.
“Honestly, fuck you all,” I say, but there’s no heat in it.
“Were they chasing her because of us, or because of something else that’s nothing to do with us?” Wraith asks. “Because, as your vice president, I’d say we only owe her help if it’s Outlaw related. Or because you claimed her.”
I raise an eyebrow at Wraith. I know he isn’t saying anything I wouldn’t have said as vice president. But the thought that Lucy would be at their mercy makes me want to spit nails.
“Winner, winner, chicken dinner,” Catfish says with a grin. “I think we know what the answer is.”
“Thistowndeserves our protection.” And I know the way I cross my arms immediately after does little to help my cause.
“This town—” Atom throws quotation marks in the air “—looks good right now.”
Taco laughs. “I don’t know whatthis townlooked like before, but I’d say so.”
I flip Taco the bird. “You keep your fucking eyes off?—”
“This town?” Jackal offers helpfully.
“Fuckers,” I grumble. “Lucy and I are not a thing. But I’m also issuing a hands-off clause that no one touches my ex-wife. If anyone is going to kill her, it’s me.”
Wraith slaps my shoulder. “I’m assumingkill heris a euphemism.”
I think about the way her thighs squeezed me, and her pussy warmed my cock, as she kissed me like she might die if she didn’t. “Maybe. Maybe not.” I glance up at Taco. “Just keep your eyes and your hands off my ex-wife, okay?”
Taco nods. “Understood, Prez.”
“But back to the matter in hand, if we want increased patrols and security, I think some of the old-timers are going to have to pitch in a little more. Feels like they get to fifty-five and think we’re some kind of super-annuity program.”
Catfish stops chuckling at that to agree. “Definitely. Forty percent of club funds go to allegedly active members who barely lift a finger.”
I nod. “It’s not going to make me popular with them, not that I am anyway, but I suggest we have an opt-in or opt-out form. You don’t opt in to rotational work for the club on a frequent basis, you don’t get paid.”
Wraith shoves his bandana into his pocket. “You’re gonna have to define what that looks like, for some of them, but you have my agreement.”
Smoke nods. “Not sure why we’re busting our asses on the front line, making money for some to sit on theirs.”
“I’ll draw it up,” Catfish says. “What do we want to do about those in prison?”
The wordprisonknocks me a little. “If they went to prison after doing work for the club, they deserve to still get paid. If they went to prison because of something unrelated to the club, but they help us out while inside, they should continue to getpayment. If they do nothing for us, they should come off the pay list.”
