Page 9 of Savage

“Glad to hear you say that, Savage, ‘cause I couldn’t do it without you.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant until Dad placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “The brothers have chosen you as his VP.”

“Come again?”

“You’re my VP, brother.” I turned to Maverick, the club’s new president, and found him smiling like the Cheshire cat. “And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have at my side.”

“Right back at ya, brother... And what about your sergeant at arms?”

“That’d be Torch.”

“Well, alright then.” I couldn’t hold back my smile as I told them, “I’d say we’re set.”

“That we are.”

As I stood there with my brothers, I felt the weight of honor settling on my shoulders. These fierce, powerful men had chosen me as their VP, and that meant more to me than I could’ve ever imagined. Fury was more than just some club. It was a way of life. A brotherhood. Their vote was a testament to their trust and respect, and I’d never felt such a sense of belonging and camaraderie as I did at that moment—even more so than the day I’d first earned my patch.

It was that feeling that would fuel me to be the best VP I could possibly be.

Once I’d collected myself, I looked to my brothers and said, “I’m honored, and I give you my word that I won’t let you down.”

“We know you won’t. It’s why we chose you.”

Dad placed his hand on my shoulder, and his voice was strained as he said, “I’m proud of you, son.”

“Thanks, Pop.”

He gave me a nod, then turned to the others and said, “Boys, I’d say we have some celebrating to do.”

“Hell yeah, we do.”

The brothers came over to congratulate me, then, one by one, they slowly filed out of the room and headed down to the bar. I held back, waiting to have a word with Maverick, Torch, and Wrath. Once the room had cleared out, I stepped over to them and said, “I just wanted to tell you that I’m honored to have the opportunity to stand by your sides. I’m here for you any way that you might need me.”

“We feel equally honored,” Wrath, the club’s enforcer, chimed in. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, good instincts, just like your ol’ man. We know you’ll make the tough calls when they need to be made.”

These men, my brothers, had my back.

And I had theirs.

I meant it when I replied, “Ab-so-fucking-lute-ly.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.” Maverick clapped his hand on my back. “Now, I’d say it’s time for us all to partake in a celebratory beverage, don’t ya think?”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Torch and I followed Wrath and Maverick into the bar, and just as I expected, they were already celebrating. I’d just grabbed a beer when I spotted Dad sitting in his spot next to Guardrail and Stitch. I walked over and sat down across from him as I said, “Is it just me, or does all this feel a little surreal?”

“It’s not just you,” Dad answered. “We’re all feeling a bit dazed, but in a good way.”

“Agreed,” Stitch interjected. “The brothers chose well today.”

“That they did.” Guardrail lifted his beer in my direction as he said, “It’s not easy to step away from being VP, but knowing you’re the one they chose to fill my shoes makes it a bit easier.”

“Glad you feel that way.” I took a sip of my beer before adding, “I hope that means you’ll be willing to give me some advice from time to time.”

“You know I will.” Guardrail motioned his hand over to my father and Stitch. “We all will.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” I looked over to my father as I said, “You didn’t think I was ready for president. Do you feel the same about VP?”

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