Page 56 of Minus

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“This is a joke, right? You’re fucking with me. You have to be fucking with me.”

“I’m dead serious, Clutch. I’ve asked Minus to take up the staff. I want him to be the next president of the Burning Saints.”

“Him?” Clutch asked, pointing violently at me.

I shot him a look but said nothing. He had the right to be pissed.

“With Cricket Wallace?” he continued.

“No, notwithCricket. She wouldn’t be Co-President; she’d be more like a business advisor. A sub-contractor to help us with our transition,” Cutter replied.

“A sub-contractor?”

“That’s right.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Cutter? We’re a motorcycle club! Did I miss a memo? Did we take a vote at the last shareholder’s meeting? When did we decide to liquidate our portfolio, and diversify our tax shelters?”

I laughed.

“This funny to you, motherfucker? I haven’t heard anything to laugh about tonight, that’s for damn sure.”

“Calm down, Clutch I—”

“Don’t tell me to calm the fuck down. In fact, don’t ever tell me what the fuck to do,” Clutch snapped at me. “You’re not my president. Actually…I outrank your ass.”

“And I outrank both of you, so shut the fuck up,” Cutter growled.

“This is bullshit, and you know it, Cutter. Minus hasn’t been around for years. How the fuck is he supposed to know how to run this chapter, let alone the club?”

“Just because he hasn’t been in Portland doesn’t mean he was working at some Bed Bath and Beyond. He’s been doin’ club business in Savannah. Right where I wanted him. Besides, I have faith in Minus. I trust that he’s the right one for the job, and I would think that, as his best friend, you’d haveno problem serving under him, and helping him become the best president he can be.”

“Some fuckin’ best friend,” he said without looking at me. “Didn’t even talk to me about any of this shit.”

“I’m sorry, Clutch. Everything happened so quickly, and I hadn’t even decided what I was gonna do yet,” I said.

“So, you’ve decided now?” Cutter asked.

“After what happened today, all I know for sure, is we’ve got to tighten shit up around here. We need to find out where our security leaks are, get some more muscle, firepower, and prepare for war.” I turned to Clutch. “The Saints need a Sergeant that’s focused on the good of the club and protecting the President. I’m just a soldier, and maybe that’s all I’ll ever be. Cutter’s asked me step in and deal with Viper, so that’s what I’m gonna do. We’ll figure out everything else later, but right now we’ve got work to do. You with me or what?”

“Fine, but this conversation is far from fuckin’ over,” Clutch said, pointing a finger in my face.

“Fair enough. Alright, let’s get to the hotel. I’ve gotta call Cricket on the way there.”

Cricket

Ihit thebutton on my electric kettle, then grabbed a mug and teabag. I had a lot on my mind (for obvious reasons), so even though I wanted wine, tea would keep me clear.

The kettle finished boiling just as my doorbell rang. I poured water into my cup, then walked to the foyer. Since my building had a doorman and a security guard, whoever was ringing could only be one of a dozen people. I looked through the peephole and sighed.Shit!

Pulling open the door, I forced a smile. “Well, hi there, big brother. What do I owe the pleasure?”

“You, took a leave of absence,” he said, pushing through the door. “You sick or something?”

“Please, come in. Make yourself at home,” I mumbled under my breath as I closed and locked the door again.

My brother faced me, his eyes soft with concern, as he studied me. “You sick, Cricket?”

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