“Mouth will vouch for Scott, and Charm is going to try his hand at sponsoring for the first time with Brett. We’re going to get them set up with a prospect vest today.” Pres turns to the boys and offers his hand. “Welcome to initiation, motherfuckers.”
We all burst into laughter.
The two boys look around wide-eyed. It’s a shock being the center of attention when you’re up there seeing all the brothers you’ll have to earn respect from. It can be a daunting task. Each brother values different qualities. So, you have to be everything to everyone for at least a good year. With them walking in out of nowhere, it’ll probably take twice as long.
I shake my head as we adjourn the meeting and head straight for the bar. “Whiskey neat, Bubbles,” I say to the dirty blonde ex-stripper who frequents as a bartender.
“Sure thing, Echo.” She walks away swaying her hips.
Her ass is nothing compared to my, D’Rose’s. Unimpressed, I turn away.
The stools near me fill up.
“These boys are going to do me proud,” Mouth says.
“Good for you,” I reply.
“You’re going to regret crossing us,” Charm chimes in.
“Can you even talk on your own, or is Dad’s hand shoved so far up your ass it’s just a ventriloquist act?”
Charm’s nostril’s flair.
“It’s a real shame when a family falls apart,” the taller brother, Scott, says.
“What’s it to you, Boy Scout?” I ask, mentally dubbing him Cyclops from X-men due to his ‘do good’ attitude.
“Just making an observation. You’d never see anything like this go down in my family. We know what to put value on,” Scott says.
“Good for you.” Bubbles sets the drink down in front of me and I throw it back. “As much as I’m enjoying our conversation, I have better things to do.”
Charm reaches out and grabs my wrist. “You might want to think long and hard about which side you’re on.”
I frown. “Side? Thought we were both rolling with the Kings of Chaos. You change your colors when I wasn’t looking?”
“I’m not the one who has a problem being loyal.”
“You saying I do? I love you, brother, but you sure as fuck don’t keep me warm at night or satisfied.”
Charm scowls.
I see so much of my father in him it makes my stomach roll.
“Never thought I’d be ashamed of you,” Charm says.
“I could say the same thing,” I reply. Our gazes lock and our childhood flashes before my eyes. Stone’s previous words echo in my head. I don’t want to lose him completely. “Look, Charm, I don’t want to fight. You’re my brother figuratively and literally. We don’t need to follow the same philosophies. You respect me and I’ll respect you.”
Charms eyes flick from Dad to me. I can tell he’s torn.
“Humph, might be a chance for you yet,” Mouth says.
I ignore my father’s words and remain focused on Charm. I’m extending an olive branch to hang onto a chance to save the fool from himself.
Charm nods.
Just like that, I have my second chance.
“You want to prove you can respect me? Stay for a while,” Charm says.