Page 46 of Clear Your Mind

The bar top.

“Well fuck me sideways.” I go to touch the bar top, and Kilt practically tackles me.

“It’s not dry yet, fucker.”

“How did you finish this?”

“Do you want the truth or a lie that won’t piss you off?” Cowboy’s voice floats in as he enters from the kitchen with Maxi on his heels.

Fuck, this isn’t good.

I simply raise an eyebrow as I drop to the couch. Maxi sets a plate of breakfast on the coffee table in front of me. “Does Krystal need a plate?”

“Nah, thanks, hon, let her sleep.”

Maxi nods and sits next to me.

“So, what’s the truth?” I point my fork to the bar and tuck into my hash browns.

“Ripper.”

I pause midchew. “Come again?”

“Ripper. We used the talent available. He owns a construction company, and we needed some construction expertise.”

I drop the fork to my plate with a clink.

“Before you get your boxers in a knot, hear me out. He always had two sets of eyes on him, mine and Kilt’s. We were armed, and he never left this area. He gathered zero intel on us, but we learned a little about him.”

I’m seething by the time Cowboy finishes.

“That wasn’t your call to make, road captain,” I spit at him like a curse.

“Buddy—”

“That’s vice president to you. Inviting an outsider, one who’s technically a rival, inside is my call to make when the president isn’t here.”

“You’re not here either,” he shouts in an exhausted huff.

“I was right fucking upstairs.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

My anger takes over and I’m in Cowboy’s face in four long strides. “Then speak plain.”

“You haven’t been here since you got here, vice.” He spits the last word in my face. “I’ve been more of a vice than you.”

Flesh hitting flesh is the next sound that cuts through the room. I swing again before his words penetrate the rational part of my brain.

Kilt pulls me off Cowboy and I let him. The truth Cowboy spoke finally hits me with such force and clarity I rock back on my heels.

I’m disgusted with myself for attacking my brother. And for speaking the truth, no less. He wounded my pride, so I lashed out, but someone needs to call me on my bullshit. The club doesn’t work without order and confidence in the chain.

I look over to where Cowboy’s rubbing his jaw and Maxi rushes in and out of the kitchen. She bats his hand away and applies an ice pack.

“I’m sorry I said it like that, vice. I should’ve gone to Dude and had him make the call if and when something needs to be addressed.” He takes a deep breath. “But I’m not sorry it’s out there, just how I went about it.”

“I’m not.”

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