“All of you know that Maverick has more than proven himself as an invaluable asset to the club over the past few years. He’d give his life for anyone of you, and I’m naming him as Sergeant of Arms. Everyone in agreement say, Aye,” Cotton motioned. Before I had time to protest, the room filled with chants of approval. Fuck.
“Done. Maverick, get with Big Mike. See what you two can find out and get back to me within the hour.” Mike was the best hacker in the club, and if there was anything that might help us, he’d be the one to find it.
“You got it,” I answered.
“Guardrail, we need to make arrangements for Skidrow. Make sure he gets the respect he deserves. Get Dallas to the clubhouse. I want eyes on her at all times,” Cotton ordered as he stood up. Dallas was Skidrow’s old lady, and we all knew she was going to take this hard. “Meeting adjourned.”
It took several seconds for everyone to start moving. The shock of everything that had happened was still lingering in the room. Skid was one of those brothers that we all felt close to. He was always there when you needed him, and I was humbled that they thought I was the right man to follow in his footsteps.
Guardrail walked over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “You were the best choice. You and I both know that.”
“It doesn’t seem right. We haven’t even put the man in the ground, and now we’ve replaced him… with me, no less.”
“Now’s the time. Do him proud, brother. He’d want this for you, too.”
Chapter 6
Henley
?
My eyes burned as I answered the last question on my final. I couldn’t sleep at all last night, and my body literally ached from exhaustion. After turning in my exam, I headed out of the building towards my car. I was distracted as I searched for my keys that had gotten lost in the bottomless pit of my purse, therefore I almost didn’t see the two men who were leaning against my car. They were having a heated conversation and were totally unaware that I was even coming in their direction. I had no idea who they were, but there was no doubt that they were there waiting for me. Trying not to call attention to myself, I slowly turned back towards the front door of the building. Once I was back inside, I looked out the window praying that they didn’t see me. They were still talking when I grabbed my phone and called Cassidy.
“I was just about to call you. How was the final? Did you make your A?” she asked.
“I’ve been trying to call you all night, Cassidy. Why didn’t you answer your damn phone?” I shouted.
“I’m sorry, Lee Bug. I didn’t even hear my phone ringing. You know how loud it is when these guys have a party,” she apologized.
“I think I’m in trouble, Cassidy. Bad trouble,” I told her as my voice shook in fear.
“What do you mean? What’s going on?”
“These two guys … they shot one of the men from your club, and I … I saw it. I saw it all, Cassidy. I tried to call you and tell you, but you didn’t answer… and now… Oh shit! They’re here! At my school… waiting out there by my car. What the hell am I supposed to do, Cassidy?”
“Skidrow,” she mumbled.
“What?”
“Where are you right now?” she snapped.
“In one of the Biology labs.”
“Okay… stay put. I’m sending someone to get you,” she ordered. “What’s the room number?”
“Mr. Yates’ class. Room 132.”
“It’s going to be okay. Don’t move from that spot,” she assured me just before she hung up the phone.
After locking the door, I slumped down the wall and my butt hit the cold, hard floor with a thump. I felt so alone as I sat there thinking about how stupid I’d been. I had just gotten myself into one hell of a mess, and I only had myself to blame. I should’ve just gotten in my car and followed my initial instincts. I knew better. Nothing good ever comes from poking around in the dark.
I was still sitting on the floor when the sound of footsteps approached the door. Just as I was about to have a full blown panic attack, a man with a deep, raspy voice called out my name.
“Henley? Are you in there?” he called as he turned the handle of the locked door.
I was too afraid to speak. I had no idea who it was. By now whoever was after me had to know my name, and I couldn’t be sure it wasn’t them.
“Henley, it’s me… Clutch. Cassidy sent us to find you. I need you to open the door,” he said in a low whispering voice.
I quickly got up off the floor and unlocked the door. When I opened it, four members of the club were standing there staring at me. I instantly recognized Clutch and Scooter, but had no idea who the other two guys were. It didn’t really matter… they were here to get me out of this mess, and I was grateful that they’d come. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure who it was,” I whispered.