“Jasper was drunk and grieving. He’s trying to make sense of it.”
“He’s beefing with his President,” Gaige said. “That’s not good.”
“The bartender, West,” Trev said. “He made a couple comments.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Miller said. He folded up the map. “Everyone at this goddamn table shut their fucking mouths. Right now.”
The table went silent.
Miller looked like a rattlesnake ready to attack. “We don’t do this in this club. We don’t shoot first and ask later. We have to approach this smart. That means keeping an open line of conversation with all those willing to talk. Gaige, you stick with Jasper. VP to VP. Bring in Griffin’s death and help Jasper. I’ll handle Ripper.”
“Boss,” Blaine said, “if he’s dealing with the O’Nuall family…”
“Then we reaper vote it,” Miller said. “Both charters get a vote. All patched in members.”
“Unless there’s deadly cause,” Gaige said.
“Christ,” Shay said. “Taking out a President of the MC. That hasn’t been done in years.”
Miller nodded. “If it comes to it, so be it. We’ve been through it all, guys. We can take this on.” Miller pointed to Trev. “How did Eden do with seeing Jenn?”
“She figured it out fast. Jenn played it off. She’s devastated. But she’s calm. She understands. She’s wearing my ink now. No more bullshit with her.”
“Hey!” Blaine yelled. “You locked down some good * for real.”
Blaine stuck his fingers into his mouth and whistled. Miller grinned and knocked on the table.
Trev waved it all off. “Hey. Show some fucking respect. The seat I’m filling… remember that.”
“What’s the status of Griffin if this goes south?” Landon asked. “Not to bring up a tough subject, but shit, he was tapping another brother’s old lady. Got her pregnant. Gave up the kid. Maybe he was dealing with Ripper and setting up this O’Nuall thing.”
“Bite your fucking tongue, Landon,” Trev growled.
“Fuck you, bro. It’s the truth. We gave him an honorable burial. Cut and all.”
“What do you want?” Trev asked. “Dig him up and take it back?”
“Why not?” Landon asked.
Trev jumped at the table. Landon kicked back and Shay and Gaige were there to grab Trev off the table before something crazy happened.
“This is what we don’t need,” Miller bellowed. “Landon, shut your fucking mouth. Trev, stand down about Griffin. I know you’re hitting his daughter, which is fucking romantic, but if Griffin had a bad name, then he’s got to grapple with that on the other side. Now can we get back to business?”
The table fell silent.
Trev ripped himself free and combed his hands through his hair. “Sure, Miller.”
“Eight Under has been knocking off some gas stations and liquor stores. Petty stuff, but they knocked off two in Frelen.”
“Kill anyone?” Blaine asked.
“No. They either tie the clerk up or just beat him up. Not good in this town. At least it’s keeping Ethan busy. Keeping him off our back.” Miller shook his head. “But it still can’t happen.”
“Ethan will twist that to us,” Blaine said. “He’ll take it to the papers. He’s ruthless.”
“Then we cut that off,” Gaige said.
“How?” Erik asked.
“Simple,” Trev said. “Two prospects at each gas station and liquor store in Frelen. We show force to the PD and when Eight Under tries something, we get the fucking guys. We can give them up to Ethan to show good faith. Or we can cut the fuckers hands off and send them back to whoever the hell is running Eight Under.”
“I like that idea,” Blaine said. He waved a finger. “I really like when Trev gets regular *.”
“Okay,” Gaige said. “Enough of the * talk for a second. That’s a good idea though.”
“Then let’s list names,” Miller said. “This will give them a chance to get out of their…”
There was a heavy thud at the door.
Miller nodded to Landon.
Landon opened the door.
One of the prospects stood there.
“What do you want?” Trev called.
“I’m sorry to bother you all.”
“Make it fucking quick,” Landon said.
“There’s a woman here.”
“Again?” Gaige asked.
“She’s hurt… beat up… she’s asking for her daughter.”
Trev looked at Miller.
Fuck.
*
Like daughter, like mother.
Jenn took out a handgun and wiggled it in her hand way too freely. Her left eye was bleeding pretty badly. Her right eye was black and blue. Blood on her lips and her shirt was almost torn off her body. She had one high heel on at a time. She looked drunk, beat up, ready to kill.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Trev said as he approached.
Miller tried to breeze by. “Tell me Ripper did this.”
Trev grabbed Miller. “Hey, Prez. Kindness for a second. Let me talk to her. Go inside and get shit set up for her, okay? We have to clean up these cuts and find out what’s going on. Get the guys in line and get the prospects spread out across the lot. Just in case.”