Page 74 of Going Home

Standing, he nods and moves to sit in Jennings's seat.Hisseat. It feels weird, and it feels even stranger when VP and his father both stand to vacate their spots. This is suddenly very real.

"Yeah, I have. There are a lot of great options in this room. For one, I was thinking Undertaker for one of the spots based on his size alone. I mean, who's going to defy me in a meeting with him towering over them three-fucking-stories tall?"

Undertaker chuckles. "I'm not really the leader type, but I'll go to any meeting you need me at to scare the shit out of some pissant pussy for you, Pres. People grossly underestimate the intimidation factor these days because everyone believes they're a badass. I blame participation ribbons, honestly."

The way he saysPresfeels surprisingly normal and natural. "That's kind of what Lex said."

"I guess I'm only good for rocking her to sleep as I read her a story, huh?"

"Shut up," he says and laughs. "She told me to go with my gut, and my gut tells me that I should have a fellow legacy wearing that VP patch. What do you say, Ky?"

"You want me as your VP?" Ky asks, his jaw dropping. "I'm honored, man."

Smiling, he nods. "It doesn't hurt that you don't have any issues telling me when you think I'm being an idiot."

"That I don't. I accept," he says with a wide smile, and Colt looks at Diesel as Ky takes his seat to Colt's left. He beams with pride.

"And the man sitting to your right?" TK asks.

Leaning back in the chair, Colt crosses his arms over his chest. "This one was a little trickier because I kept going back and forth on who I thought should sit here. There are a lot of fucking good options. There is one person, though, I know would lay his life on the line for me and everyone else without hesitation. Like Psycho, he wouldn't hesitate to dive off the bluffs to try and find an old lady who we believed was caught up in the current. The person who took up the vacant spot we've been missing since Psycho went out to Black Valley. What do you say, Venom?"

Venom stares with eyes wider than Colt ever thought possible. So wide, he worries they'll pop right out of his head like a pug. "Me?"

"You didn't fit in with Summerville because they don't appreciate what you bring to the table, but we do. And we know how to best utilize your particular brand of crazy. I mean, you dove into those Kingsmen like you were at a concert, taking down every man you could reach. Who else would fucking do something like that?"

"It was awesome," Undertaker agrees.

"I... I'm flattered, Colt, but are you sure? I'm the newest one here. No one else has priority over me?"

Shaking his head, Colt says, "That's not how this works. It's completely up to you, but this role is made for you. You were the first person to come to my mind when thinking about who should sit next to me."

"I accept," he says. "Thanks, man. I'll... I won't let you down."

Jennings smiles before shrugging off his kutte and takes the knife VP hands him. Cutting off the President patch, he hands it to Colt who just stares at it for a few moments in his hand. VP and TK do the same.

Colt bangs the gavel, and they're congratulated and given fist bumps before the room clears out. Soon, it's only the three of them still sitting, the weight of this decision fulling sinking in now.

"Holy shit," Ky says. "We used to say this was the dream, but I never thought it would be a reality. Not with Tripp."

"This is surreal," Venom says. "I never thought anyone would see value in me like this. Coming here has been fucking amazing."

"You gotta stop looking so surprised, man," Colt says. "Hasn't Lex nagged you enough about it? I meant it when I said Summerville wasn't where you belonged. You belong here, and we're going to make mistakes. But we're also going to do a damn good job."

Smiling, he nods. "Call your wife."

He pulls out his phone and set it on the table, putting it on speaker. "Hey, baby," Lex says.

"I have a request for you tonight."

"What's that?"

"When I get home, you better be naked and ready to wear to my kutte because tonight, you're fucking the President of the Drifters."

She gasps and squeals. "Jennings made the announcement tonight?"

"He did. Surprised the shit out of me. Gave me no warning."

"He wasn't the only one surprised," Venom says.

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