Page 83 of Johnny Gun

Apison, Tennessee

Three weeks later…

The residents of the tiny community of Apison had no idea they were hosting one of the most significant summits in the southeastern regions in the country and the MC world. The outcome of this meeting could have significant repercussions for the future of the clubs involved as well as the MC culture. Either the decades-long war would continue, now with the full involvement of a foreign cartel, or a lasting peace might be brokered.

The initial meeting between the two warring presidents took place behind closed doors. Blade and Josh supervised to prevent trouble. Today, the Hell Knights’ conference room was packed to the rafters. A low platform had been erected with a table in front so that the members essential to the negotiations could be seen and heard by all.

Though Josh had rented additional chairs to accommodate everyone, the space was tight. An air of expectation hung floated in the room while a murmur of masculine voices rumbled throughout.

Johnny, Isolde, Barron, and his wife, Yoanni, sat on the last row on purpose. Word had spread the newlyweds were leaving on their honeymoon trip as soon as the meeting ended. Sydney and Opal sat next to them.

“Where are you guys goin’?” Sydney whispered at Isolde, past Barron and Yoanni.

“It’s a secret,” Yoanni answered for Isolde. “Johnny hasn’t told her where they’re going yet.”

“That’s so romantic,” Opal said in a low voice.

Sydney jabbed her on the side. “Keep it quiet. We don’t want to be thrown out.”

“Okay, okay,” Opal protested. With a huff, she turned to the front.

A moment passed, and the last few stragglers took any empty seat. The crowd hushed when Josh, Blade, Deacon, and Rover stepped on the platform and sat. Behind each club president stood an Enforcer instead of a vice president, which surprised Johnny. He glanced at Barron. His friend shrugged.

Johnny knew Stew from the Knights, Colt from the Dalton chapter, and, of course, Little Billy from Garden City. He didn’t know the brother behind Rover; then he remembered the requirements Blade specified for this meeting: there would no vice presidents involved in the negotiations, especially Gunner.

As Johnny glanced into the audience, he discovered Gunner sitting on the front row next to an unfamiliar biker. Breaker and Viper sat several chairs away.

Josh tapped a small mallet on the table, and the crowd fell silent. “We called everyone to attend this meeting due to extraordinary circumstances and to bear witness to a historicagreement. As we all know, the people in the MC world are seen as a bunch of ignorant bike-riding gangsters. It is true thatoutlaw clubs exist, but most are dispersing or changing their culture. In the end, there’s more money and safety in legitimate ventures, and we all love money. Don’t we?”

Approving whoops, whistles, and applause came from the crowd. Josh held out his hands to quiet the uproar.

“We’re here to resolve a bloody feud between two important MCs. Because of the feud, people have been harmed and a vicious cartel is attempting to get a solid grip on their territory. If we allow this to continue unchecked, these alien influences will twist our culture. The MC world will change, and not for the better. Y’all know Blade Johnston, president of the Garden City Devils’ Spawn.” He gestured toward Blade. “Please.”

The crowd applauded politely.

“Several years ago, Rover—we know him today as president of the Steel Wolves—was a close friend of Warden and Deacon and an original member of the Devils’ Spawn. When the MC began their shift to legitimacy, Rover disagreed. Gunner, who was also unhappy, joined Rover, and both left the Spawn to create the Pistons.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Rover blurted out.

Blade nodded. “Correct.”

“Warden betrayed me,” Rover argued. “I almost died during the gunfight.”

“Are you sure it was Warden?” Blade asked softly.

A shiver ran down Johnny’s back. His president had something up his sleeve.

“For a fact,” Rover insisted. “Gunner swore it was true. A member of the Marauders told him.”

“I think you need to sit down and listen to this.” Blade turned to the Knights president. “Josh?”

Josh turned over his shoulder and spoke to Stew. His Enforcernodded and left the platform. He returned moments later with a silver-haired man who wore regular street clothes, with no colors or insignia of any kind.

“This is Micah.” Josh introduced the man. “He was the Marauders Enforcer, until the club disbanded years ago. He has important information. Please, Micah, tell us what you know.”

A deadly silence impregnated the air as Micah studied the crowd. He moved to the center of the platform.

“Honestly, I don’t know how Blade found me. The Marauders disbanded after the authorities arrested our president for arms smuggling and other various crimes. Our MC was notorious for interfering in other club’s businesses and stealing their profits. Our president was despised and died in prison. I’ll skip the details because there are ladies present in the crowd. I was released five years ago and have kept my nose clean ever since.”

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