“I won’t betray Winter,” Viper said grimly.
“Settle down. There are two ways to give them your vote; do I need to remind you? You could both fix it that you’re near with your women when another member is giving their vote. From what I hear, both Beth and Winter like to watch.” Shade could tell Rider, Knox, and Train liked that suggestion. Those three were the biggest show-offs in the club. Cash didn’t look like he gave a shit.
Razer and Viper relaxed.
“That might work,” Razer agreed reluctantly. “But what if it doesn’t? I’m not going to jeopardize my relationship with Beth to watch Joy get fucked.”
“Then one of you needs to give their marker or pass your voting rights to another member. Crash would be a good choice. He’s been in the club since the beginning. The only reason he wasn’t an original member is because he was the last to get out of the service.” Shade’s booted foot swung back and forth as he talked.
“I’ll give him my voting rights until Lucky is willing to resume his,” Viper agreed. “With Crash being able to vote, Knox, Rider, Cash, Shade, and Train make six.”
“Thank fuck that’s settled. I’m hungry.” Cash left with the others following behind.
Viper and Razer were also about to leave as Shade straightened.
“Remember, a marker can count as a vote. That’s how Beth was made a member,” Shade reminded them.
Viper and Razer both turned back to face him.
“Why’s it so important to you?” Viper snapped.
“When I own something, I like to know what it’s worth,” Shade stated. He had worked hard to earn Viper’s marker, and if it couldn’t be used the way he planned, it was useless to him.
“You want it for Lily, don’t you?” Razer asked, stepping closer to him.
“I don’t see her fucking six members to get their votes, do you?” Shade asked, not backing down.
“I don’t see her in the club at all.” Razer’s hands clenched by his sides.
“I do.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Razer swung at him.
Shade caught his fist mid-swing, and then Viper pushed them apart, placing his body between them.
“It’s okay for Beth to become a member, but not Lily?” Shade snarled.
“There’s a fucking difference!” Razer yelled back.
“You think I’m stupid? I know there is. You wanna tell me why? What happened to Lily to screw her up so badly?”
Razer’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he began shaking his head. “I honestly don’t know, brother.”
“Then shut the fuck up.”
“She doesn’t even know you exist.”
As Shade closed down, turning his back to the two men, Razer’s harsh breathing gradually slowed down.
“I’m sorry, brother, but it’s the truth.”
“Don’t call me brother.” Shade walked to the door.
“Shade… My marker will count as a vote.”
He didn’t stop at Viper’s words, going through the door with the two men behind him.
After Viper gave Evie the signal to take the women in the other room, leaving the kitchen and TV room filled with the brothers, he came to a stop in the middle of the room. The room went quiet as he began to speak.
“I want to thank everyone for being here. I know you put in a hard week at work and spent the night riding up here. First off, I would like to tell everyone that, with Winter’s help, we were able to prove Gavin didn’t disrespect the club rules by fucking Sam. The bitch lied, just as we all knew she had. We still haven’t been able to locate the baby, but the sheriff is continuing to investigate. We offered our assistance if he needs it. Evie and the women have been given permission to do what is necessary if Sam makes any further attacks on the club, but as of now, we are done with the bitch.”
Murmurs of approval filled the air before they quieted down with Viper’s next words.
“I wanted to handle this a few weeks ago, but Shade cautioned me to hold my hand. The group Sam has attached herself to are one-percenters, and he didn’t want us to strike out before we were ready. We are now prepared, and that’s why I sent for you. We planned on hitting their club tonight, but they called for a meet this morning. My guess is they have someone watching the house and are aware we are about to strike.
“I was not happy they wanted a meet, but did so because Shade urged me to at least talk to them. I’m glad I listened. The president of The Blue Horsemen informed me that the four men who attacked Beth and Lily are outlaws, no longer associated with their club. They have been trying to get their colors back, but they have been outrunning their enforcers. We offered our help, and they accepted.
“Shade has put in motion a set-up for tomorrow that they won’t be able to resist. We won’t need a show of force, but I am not an idiot. I won’t send you back to Ohio until our business with them is complete.