Page 92 of The Echo of Violence

“Yeah, and what is your style?” Scope questions, pulling a chair out for Mercy to sit in before he stands beside her with his arms crossed.

“Depends on the person pissing me off. Men, I’ll take down hard and fast, which seems to be the way they like it.” She winks at Knight before facing Mercy again. “Club girls can usually be talked down. And if not, well, they have three well-used holes. I’d just pick them up like a bowling ball and toss the bitches out.”

Mercy starts choking on the air, and she’s not the only one. I can’t help but laugh myself.

Jinx leans back into Knight as Eightball and I move to flank her. But her focus is all on Scope, who isn’t laughing.

“And what about old ladies? What would you do to them?”

“Not a damn thing. There is only one old lady here, and that’s Mercy. She doesn’t need to be taken control of or managed. Besides, it’s kind of counterproductive to beat up the woman I’m supposed to be looking out for, right?”

“What do you mean, looking out for?” I look from Jinx to Scope.

Scope puts his fingers in his mouth and whistles, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. “Let’s get this meeting started.”

I look around the room and see other brothers with looks of confusion on their faces. I can’t say I blame them. Almost all of our meetings take place in church and never with prospects or women present.

“As you all know, we have over a half dozen businesses opening and a few more still in the works. I know things have been busy, but it seems we are finally on the downward curve. While you have that going on, Mercy has her own project she wants to get up and running. It’s in its infancy right now, but later down the line, it would be appreciated if you helped out when tapped in.”

“What kind of project?” Boomer asks.

“A women’s center,” Mercy replies, but doesn’t elaborate when a few people scoff at her.

“I assume this won’t happen until the real businesses are up and running?” Marlin, one of the old timers, shouts out.

Scope cocks his head, looking like a rabid dog ready to rip someone’s face off. “That sounds an awful lot like a dig at my old lady. But that can’t be right, can it?”

“Not a dig, Scope. We just don’t have the funds or the manpower right now. Not until other shit is fixed up and ready to go.”

“How about you leave me to figure out the funding and fixing? I’m pretty sure I can manage without the club’s help. I’m used to it by now,” Mercy mumbles the last part under her breath, but I hear it and know those closest to her do too.

Her head is bowed, and her hands are fisted tight. Jinx approaches her, but Scope speaks up again, making everyone freeze.

“Our old lady is going to be out and about. And as you all just pointed out, you’re far too busy to help out,” he continues with a smirk. I realize belatedly that he’s leading them into a trap. “I’m taking on a new prospect, one who will be assigned exclusively to Mercy.”

There are a few grumbles, but nothing like before. Nobody cares about a prospect, especially one that will mostly be out of their hair. As long as they prove themselves worthy of the badge, I’m not bothered by who they are. That’s the beauty of prospecting—it sorts the men from the boys.

“This isn’t me asking. I’ll be the one dealing with them if there are any issues. When the vote comes up, I expect you to be fair and just. Or so help me, God, I’ll tear this club to shreds and rebuild it. “

Nobody says anything to that, but there is now an undercurrent of curiosity. Scope never goes to bat for anyone. He doesn’t like people and makes no secret of it. I almost feel sorry for the prospect.

“Who is he?” Eightball asks, looking around.

“She. Everyone, meet our newest prospect, Jinx.”

Silence. Pure and absolute silence before chaos erupts.

“What the fuck?” I look from Jinx to Scope, waiting for the punch line. But she shrugs. That’s it. She just shrugs at me. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Probably. I guess only time will tell.”

“Jinx, you can’t be serious.” Knight steps forward.

“This is a joke. A woman can’t be a fucking prospect,” Boomer yells.

“Why? There is nothing in our bylaws saying a woman can’t be a prospect or a fully patched member.” Kaz folds his arms across his chest, looking at us all.

“Nobody is going to put their neck on the line for a woman. No way would she have a brother’s back. This is shit, and you know it.” Merlin jumps to his feet.

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