Page 18 of Shar: A Woman Alone

“Danny? Oh, you mean Snore.You threw me for a minute there, Pres,” Cord grins at me.

“Snore? Who the hell isSnore?” I’ve never heard of anyone called Snore in the club.

“That’s what we call Dannynow. You didn’t know that? Shar named him,” Cord grins as he informs.

Looking around churcheveryone seems to know what Cord is talking about. “Would somebody like to tellme how Shar is giving the prospects road names?”

Crack speaks up. “When Shargot here and filled the fridges and freezers with groceries, Danny was on nightduty to prevent any of these reprobates from raiding the food. When Shar got upthat morning she found him asleep and he let out a huge snore and woke himselfup. Hence, she called him Snore. It spread like wildfire and then stuck. He’sgood with it. In fact, I bet if you called him Danny now, he wouldn’t evenanswer to it.”

“Well, if that’s the case,we’ll make it official. Who’s proposing?”

“I will,” Cord volunteers.

Crack seconds it and I getayes from everyone. I notice some brothers aren’t as keen as the rest.Interesting.

“I’ll help with the garage,Pres. They don’t call me Torque for nothing.”

“Well, I thought that was‘cause you’re stupid!” The comment from RedLight has us all grinning.

“Oh, whatever! The womencalled you RedLight because you always stopped before they finished. It wasnothing to do with that damn hotrod you used to street race.” That changed thegrin to all-out laughter.

“Gunner! Why do you keeplooking at your watch? Am I boring you?”

“Hell no, Pres. Sorry. I wasjust seeing how long before it was Sunday lunch, that’s all.”

“Hungry, are we? Missedbreakfast, did we?” I snap at him angrily.

“No, Pres. I got breakfast.That cook that Shar got for us cooks like one of them Michelin Star Chefs.”Gunner sounds more enthusiastic than I’ve heard in a long time.

“Anyone else think likeGunner when it comes to our new cook?” Suddenly it seems like everyone presenthas something to say, and it’s all positive.

“Okay, if you’re all as keenin a month’s time, we’ll make Lira permanent rather than wait for thethree-month’s trial period we originally said. Next. The tattoo shop. Scribeand Needle are getting some excellent reviews on the website and business is pickingup fast. We might need another artist later, but again, let’s run with it fornow. Shar hasn’t worked her magic there yet!” Expecting a laugh from thatcomment, I’m surprised when a ‘For fuck’s sake,’ catches my ear.

“Got a problem, Outlaw? Wannashare something?” I’ve been getting steadily more pissed with Outlaw for awhile now. He doesn’t bring anything to the club table anymore, other thannegativity and problems.

“I didn’t get my name byrunning a garage or painting shit on people's arms. When are we going to dosomething worthy of being an MC?”

“By that, I take it you meangoing back to all the illegal shit that weusedto be involved in?” Isee Crack and Brawl getting ready for trouble. I’m sure there are otherspreparing for something to kick off, too.

“I don’t give a shit if itwas illegal or not, but it paid well and gave us all a buzz. None of this‘working for a living, earning an honest buck’ crap that we’re expected to donow.”

So, there it is. The lazybastard wants his cake and eat it. Standing, I look around the room and makeeye contact with each brother and officer. “Those days are gone. I’m taking theclub to a better place and a higher standard than where we were. No one needsto be here if they don’t want to be. Anyone in this MC is free to fuck off anytime they like.”

Outlaw stands from his seatopposite me. “Maybe we don’t want to leave. Maybe we just need a new presidentthat can run a motorcycle gang, as it’s meant to be run.”

“You’re free to challenge meanytime you see fit, Outlaw. One thing though. We are not now, nor have we everbeen, ‘a motorcycle gang.’ If that’s what you want, there’s plenty ofone-percenters out there that I’m sure you’ll fit right in with.”

Seeing his anger flare atthat comment, I’m ready for his next move. His hand moves slowly to his backand I’m waiting for the weapon that I’m sure he’s brought with him for thisexact moment. Tensing, while I wait to see what he’s brought, Psycho, who isseated to Outlaw’s right, reaches out and grabs Outlaw’s wrist. Rising from hisseat, he pushes the arm up high and takes Outlaw by surprise. Getting to hisfeet as he does this, he pushes Outlaw forward and across the table. He does itall so smoothly no one has a chance to do anything. Slipping a small caliberrevolver from Outlaw's hand, Psycho slides it across the table to Brawl.

“You’re the Sergeant at Arms,you can have that. I’m not too keen on the way the club’s going myself, but Iain’t no sneak assassin, neither. Crack, I believe this piece of shit is nowyours to deal with as you see fit. I’ll have my gear packed and be gone oncewe’ve had lunch, of course. Pres, I’ve enjoyed my time here, but it’s time Imoved on.”

“Thanks for that timelyintervention, Psycho. If that’s how you feel, then you’re free to go. You’vebeen a part of this MC a long time and I will be sorry to see you leave. If youneed anything, you know how to contact me.” Watching his eyes, I’m not surethat he’s as sure of his decision to leave, but I’m not going to call him on itin front of everyone.

Crack and Brawl have Outlawand take him to our secure basement in the compound where we used to deal withany ‘problems’ or store our ‘goods’ in the old days. I’ll deal with him later.

“Anyone else feel like it'stime to move on? Now would be a good time to make your feelings known.”

“Me and Psycho have beenthrough a lot of shit together, so where he goes, I go. I ain’t fussed aboutgoing legit and I think you’re doing good things, but it wouldn’t be right towatch him ride off alone.” Porky never says much, so that was quite a speech,and him going with Psycho isn’t a big shock.

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