Page 28 of Fanatic

“I like meat feast, lots of sausage,” Rascal added.

“Jinx?” I asked, as he remained uncomfortable.

“I’ll go. Sorry again for the trouble I brought,” he mumbled, and my heart broke for him. I wondered how many times people had thrown crap in his face over whatever this was that ailed him.

“Sit down,” I ordered.

“Willow…”

“I said, sit. That’s an order from an old lady and a founder’s legacy. That means if you argue or ignore me, I can have your ass beaten,” I stated firmly.

In three strides, Jinx was sitting down. Danny blinked at me from Jinx’s knee and offered a toothless smile.

“Which part of that threat made you obey? Just for future knowledge,” I asked.

“The founder’s daughter.”

“I’ll make a note of that. Listen good. Because I fucking hate repeating myself. How many applications do you think Hellfire get a year to join them? Hundreds. They whittled it down to you and those other lucky few. Hellfire always recruits more candidates than required. Because even though applicants appear fantastic on paper, around a quarter to half will fail as a candidate.

“Which makes you special. So, you don’t allow Runner or Clark to get you down. They’re the ones demonstrating that they’ve no idea what it takes to be a brother. An MC isn’t about illegal shit and partying. There’s something more important, and you’re already showing it. Loyalty, respect, honour, brotherhood, and the willingness to put your family first. Those qualities that make a Hellfire candidate, which leads to a prospect and becoming a brother,” I said.

Jinx sat forward, listening. “But shit happens around me. I am jinxed. I only have to stand somewhere, and things break or go haywire. Hell, they named me Jinx after my first day.”

“Own it. Pyro is called Pyro because he is scared of fire. Chatter because he rarely talks, Tiny because he’s huge. Bear because he growls. Each name has a meaning behind it. And it’s not to highlight someone’s weakness. It’s showing them their brothers don’t give a shit about their weaknesses. That no matter what, they stand with them. Have you seen Fanatic on a build? It’s ugly, but that’s why he got his road name.

“Shee is called Banshee because someone frightened him, and he full-on screamed. Like a little bitch. Rooster used to strut about like his dick had the Midas touch. Thank fuck he got bored of one-night stands before the fuckin’ thing grew diseased andfell off. Jinx isn’t to denigrate you, it’s to boost you, to show you they accept you. Sure, they might curse you, but you’re still here.

“You’ve the makings of a great brother, don’t let self-doubts pull you down. Bad juju happens around you… make it your bitch. And you hold your head up and carry on. I can tell you why Runner and Clark got their names, and it ain’t for the reason they believe,” I said firmly.

“You think that?”

“I know that. Hellfire’s resigned to having shit go wacko, and they named you for it. They didn’t kick you out. Consider that. Now, what damn pizza do you want before I start wailing and Pyro kicks your ass for making me cry,” I stated.

Jinx babbled out his order as I glanced across the room and saw Pyro there, nodding in approval. That gave me a warm feeling inside.

Chapter Six.

Willow

“Sometimes they need to hear that shit, and only an old lady can lay it on them,” Pyro said as he was heading out the door. “Thanks for the pizza.”

“You’re welcome. You also gotta remember, there’s a fifteen-year-old boy that smuggled his mom out of an abusive household. That’s a decade of being unable to protect her. Then they come here, and he ensured his mother got a happy, healthy life. Even swallowing for her marrying Drake and not Chance. Don’t forget what Fanatic overcame and achieved. Fanatic hasn’t been a kid for years. Nor has he ever been weak, even when Fanatic physically couldn’t defend his family.”

“Prospect’s still gonna get punished,” Pyro said, and I nodded.

“Club’s prerogative,” I replied.

Pyro was heading up to Magic’s bar, where Bunny was working tonight. That was somewhere I planned to visit alongside the Unwanted Bastards in Merritt. But Pyro could stay and talk for a few minutes.

“Admit Hellfire fucked up, but can’t do shit about it,” I continued, and Pyro looked surprised. “Hellfire assigned Fanaticthe candidates and, as expected with the builds, he’d be super busy. But you forgot that sometimes candidates need discipline, and Fanatic would have to manage that.

“If you take them away now, you’ll permanently undermine Fanatic, and he’ll never have their respect. They’ll never support Fanatic fully because you’d have told them he’s weak and needs mollycoddling. In trying to give Fanatic something easy, you made a rod for your backs. Hellfire’s gonna have to suck this up, Pyro, because Fanatic will leave if you continue to unman him,” I warned and pecked his cheek.

“I’ll speak to Chance.”

“You better, because I know Onyx and Inglorious would both take Fanatic. As would Jailbait and the others, especially with Fanatic’s talent,” I retorted.

Pyro scowled and kissed my forehead before heading down the path. The candidates had already left, and I cleared away the pizza boxes, storing the leftovers in a box. They should have called Harlequin Cheesy or something, considering how he chomped through the garlic bread. Fanatic had been gone three hours now, but I wasn’t worried. He’d be riding and clearing his thoughts.

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