Page 2 of Kairo

Everyone clapped and cheered while taking their seats. After my father got order, he went down the list of operations, calling on the head person to update everyone on what was going on. He called on the president over the charity foundation to give updates, then he went down the line of all clubs: community outreach, school support, recruitment, and member dues. It took an hour and thirty minutes for everyone to give their input.

“Great, we are making progress. Remember, we want the community to know we are more than just a biker gang. We’re here to give back,” my dad said.

I rolled my eyes because I knew it was a bunch of bullshit. The Savage Saints tore this community up. They played a big hand in why a lot of crazy shit would go down in the city.

“Before we conclude, I would like to formally announce…” He looked back at me. He reached his hand out, and like the good daughter I was, I placed my hand in his. “My Junebug has decided to become our new vice president.”

The crowd went wild. Everyone stood to their feet, clapping and cheering. My father let them celebrate and congratulate me for the next thirty seconds before dismissing us.

“Alright, make sure y’all make her feel welcome. If you see her, tell her welcome home.” A weird chill shot up my spine. “We got food in the common area. Y’all stick around and enjoy each other’s company. Five-star patches, please meet me in the warehouse.”

I knew exactly what that meant. Five-star patches were the people that did all the shady grimy shit that involved the Savage Saints. Everyone dispersed. I followed behind my brother as we headed to the warehouse. We were the first people to make it there. The building was dark with limited lighting. It felt cold and spooky. It was as if the sounds of people’s tortured souls echoed through the walls. We made our way to the big oak conference table. Two chairs sat at one end, one for the president and one for the vice president.

“Sit here, Junebug,” my dad said.

I sat in the chair while my brother stood behind it. A couple of minutes later, I heard footsteps across the concrete floor. Seconds later, the table was full and others stood around. My father called the meeting to order in the same cadence of the other meeting.

“Alright, let me know what’s going on. We starting with you, Torn.”

Torn managed the weapons shipment while Belt worked his way toward retirement. Belt had taught him the ropes and was proud of his prodigy. The next down the line was the head of drugs, robbing, and killing.

After thirty minutes of covering all the illegal business, my father switched subjects.

“Now that we covered that, there has been talk on whether Junie will take on the role of being the next vice president of the Savage Saints,” my dad said. Everyone clapped and congratulated me. “Got a few words?”

I didn’t have nothing positive to say. I wanted to let them know I was guilted into this role. It wasn’t as if I took on the responsibility with joy. I did it for my mother. I knew I couldn’t say what I was thinking in a room full of men that breathed, ate, and slept Savage Saints. Instead, I plastered on a fake smile and added some perkiness to my voice.

“Thank you all for accepting me as your vice president. I know I have big shoes to fill but I promise to do my best.”

Everyone clapped and my dad smiled. “I’ve been running this thing by myself since my wife died. It’s only right that my daughter follows in her mother’s footsteps.” They clapped again. “We are going to do things different this time. Since losing my wife, I feel as if she wasn’t protected enough.” He looked at me. He had a strange look on his face.

“Conqueror, can you step forward?”’

I followed my dad’s eyes. My gaze landed on someone I had never seen before. He was mysterious. His eyes were dark and everything about him screamed killer. Many things didn’t intimidate or scare me but looking at him caused a shiver to run down my spine. I thought my brother’s eyes screamed killer, but this man’s eyes screamed serial killer.

“Junebug, Conqueror is your bodyguard. He will be with you every day.”

My eyes jumped back and forth between the serial killer and my dad. “Can we discuss this first?”

“No, it’s done.”

“Dad, I know I’ve been dissociated with the club, but I could’ve at least picked my own bodyguard,” I said, just loud of enough for him to hear me. I wanted to let my father know I didn’t need security. It was unnecessary. If I had to have a bodyguard, he should’ve let me have a say on who it was. When my mother died, my father blamed himself for not having security with her at all the time. He felt that if he would’ve just hired someone, she would still be here.

“Trust me, Junie.” He looked back at everyone around the table, and I realized they had their eyes on us.

“Dad, I don’t even know him,” I fussed.

“Get to know him, because you’re stuck with him.” He looked at me with stern eyes.

I wasn’t fazed. I had more to say, but I wouldn’t dare voice my opinion in front of these men. It would make my father look as if he was some simp. People switched up every day, and if they saw an inch of weakness shown from my father, they might try to weasel their way in. Even though the Savage Saints preached family and loyalty, I didn’t trust them as far as I could throw him.

My father moved on to another subject. Instead of listening to him, I looked at Conqueror, who still stared at me. My spine shivered as he kept his eyes trained on me. Clearly, he was already taking his job seriously. I would be lying if I said he wasn’t one of the sexiest, scariest men I ever laid eyes on. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run away and hide or ask him to wrap his hand around my throat and deep stroke me until my body became fragile and weak.

“Now,” my father said, voice more serious than before, “let’s discuss the Iron Knights.”

“Let’s discuss the Iron Knights.”

My attention was on Junie Russell, aka Junebug, the new vice president of the Savage Saints. When Prez told me he needed me to be a bodyguard to the new VP, his daughter, I thought he was sticking me with a hard, rough looking woman. I didn’t expect for Junebug to look as delicate as a flower. Once I heard the Prez mention the Iron Knights, my attention focused back on him.

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