“I’m just saying this is the time to be more careful than usual.”
He's right, of course. But I know Ace, and his mind is already set on this course of action.
“I hear you, Coop, but Braden is already twisted up about helping the club clean our money. He does it because it benefits the church, but he doesn’t fucking like it, has moral disagreements with it or some shit.”
Coop nods. “So we have a reluctant preacher on the payroll?” He snorts. “What could possibly go wrong?”
I see Ace’s nostrils flare, and I stand up to prevent an argument that will sure as hell spiral out of control, stranding us in this room for another hour or more.
“Coop, you’re right, man. You are totally fucking right. Is that what you want to hear?”
“No, I want to know we’re not at risk of losing more fucking money.”
With a baby on the way, his priorities have shifted, and I get it.
But that doesn’t change anything. Ace is the Prez. His word is law.
“Man, we’ve been on the brink of war for months now, maybe years with Hector’s crew. Nothing is fucking guaranteed, and you know that.”
“Which is why I’m just asking us to be extra careful. The Kings have shown they have no fucking qualms coming onto our territory, into our fucking clubhouse, just to get at us. They’ve taken our women, killed an innocent, and stole our cash. We need to be careful.”
I smile and pat my chest. “I am mister fucking careful, man. I know what I’m doing. Trust me.”
Coop nods, but I can tell by the scowl on his face his opinion is the same.
“All right, then. I’ll go get some freshly cleaned money. Anybody else got any questions or objections?”
No one does.
“Just make sure you don’t give Braden any shit, Shades, yeah?”
I laugh. “Me? I’ll treat the man with all the respect he deserves.”
Which Ace knows, in my estimation, isn’t a whole fucking lot.
“I’m serious, Shades. He’s a preacher, and I know how you feel about that, but Braden’s little church is an important part of our business. Got me?”
“Yeah,” I nod. “I got you. Kiss his ass, and pretend I like the man. Got it.”
I don’t have to like Braden to interact with him for a few minutes to pick up some cash to make payroll. We all work hard for the money we earn and having it stolen has everyone on edge.
“I’ll be cool. Promise.”
“All right. Good shit. Keep me posted on everything. Meeting adjourned.”
The brothers get up and filter out of the room after one of the longest meetings in recent history.
“We’ll figure this out,” I tell Ace confidently.
He nods. “I know, but I won’t feel better until it’s been figured out and dealt with. Period.”
“Message received.”
With one final nod of understanding, I leave the room and make my way outside, bypassing the grumbling and worried words of my brothers on the way to my bike.
My girl is all chrome and leather, fully functional and fast as a motherfucker. The only girl I’ve ever really loved, so I decide to take her to Destiny of Life Church via the scenic route.
Nothing better than the wind in my face to clear my head and make sure no nosy assholes follow me.