Page 20 of Johny B

“Cannon. Good to see you, brother. It’s been a long time since I saw your ugly fucking face.” Smoke sniggers.

“The feelings mutual,” Cannon fires back. “Considering that, most of your entire life, you’ve worn the same deadpan expression, you sure have a shit ton of wrinkles, old man.”

“Fuck you,” Smoke responds while propping the screen against a huge mug on the table, in a position where we can all see it. If you didn’t catch sight of the slight twitch at the corner of Smokes’ mouth, you’d think that he hated his Floridian counterpart. Yet it’s blatantly clear that they have mutual respect for each other. “I’d have preferred it if you were here in the flesh, but I get that you rocking up here would get back to the DVI quicker than a cheap shrimp dinner would hit the John.”

“Yeah, no doubt they’re already aware some of our brothers are there. That in itself is going to get them watching the shit out of you.” Cannon sits further back from the screen, and I can see that he’s sitting at the head of the table that sits in our own clubhouse. “I’ve taken on board your request for the utmost discretion on this plan of yours, not that I like keeping it from my brothers, but for now, I’ll go along with it. So, I’m the only one here.”

“I appreciate that.” Smoke nods at the screen. “I can’t risk this all going to shit because someone slips up, saying something they shouldn’t. Not when JB’s going to be in the heat of it all.”

“I get it.” Cannon nods in agreement. “So, I guess you’re keeping it to the chosen few that are here today at your end, too?”

“Yeah. You’ve met Edge, Mayhem and Stone, of course.”

“I have, but who’s the sketchy fucker at the back who’s trying to blend into the background?” Cannon sniggers.

“That’s Ghost.”

“Very apt. So, he’s the one who will be watching JB’s back?”

“I don’t need anyone shadowing me,” I interrupt. “For me to do this, I’ll need to immerse myself into my new identity. The last thing I need is an Outlaw distracting me from the sidelines.”

“Don’t give a fuck,” Smoke interjects. “Ghost got his name for a reason. Not you, or any of the DVI, will have an inkling that he’s there. Besides, that proviso is non-negotiable.”

“And who insisted on that?” I demand.

“I did,” Cannon’s voice comes through the speaker. “So, suck it up, buttercup.”

“Yes, Prez.” I might not like it, but there’s no way I’m going against him.

“Right, let’s get down to business,” Smoke leans forward, elbows resting on the solid wood tabletop. “After an intense discussion with Cannon, this is how we think this should play out.”

Forty-five minutes later,with everyone in agreement, even myself, the meeting starts to draw to an end.

“I think we’ve covered everything,” Smoke concludes. “Cannon, you good?”

“Yeah, but if it’s okay with you, can I have a few minutes with JB?”

“Sure,” Smoke agrees. “Come on, brothers, I think a drink is in order.”

“Do you need me to stay, Prez?” Mammoth asks Cannon as he stands.

“No, man. I’ll catch up with you later. I just need a quick word, that’s all.”

I stay seated, watching as the guys file out of the room. Except, where the fuck has Ghost gone? Because I sure as hell didn’t see him go through the door. I check around the room, but there’s no sign of him. Creepy fucker.

“Here,” Smoke is standing beside me, holding out the pad for me to take. “Leave it on the table when you’ve done, then come join us.” I respond with a quick nod. Once the door has clicked closed behind him, I turn my attention to my Prez.

“I really don’t think it’s necessary to have…” I start.

“Non-fucking-negotiable, JB. End of. You get me?” he barks.

“Sure,” I bite back, knowing that Cannon is a stubborn ass, and nothing I do or say will change his mind.

“Now that it’s just you and me, I need to be sure that you're serious about this, and it’s not some half assed attempt to impress Smoke, so you can get the girl.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t fuck with me, JB. The last six months you’ve been walking around like your dick’s retired. Not once have you given any of the bitches a second look or even got a blowy off any of them. If it wasn’t for the fact that Mammoth told me he’d walked in on you jacking off to pictures on your phone, I’d have changed your club name to Eunuch.”

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