Page 8 of Gonzo's Grudge
Instantly, I relaxed. I knew my club. We were family. They knew my son and the way Pop Squally, and I go back. Shit, he was the first one I called the day GJ was born. Everyone here knew it. And they knew there was no way GJ could have done what these cops say he did.
“Prospect or not, GJ is family, we know what Pop was to him, to your family.” Clutch continued as others murmured agreements and nods.
“Tarte, she said the case is solid. Too solid,” I told them what weighed on me most. Devyn Tarte was sharp and on the ball. She was the best defense attorney in the area and cutthroat. She stood behind her clients, especially the Saints but this one even had her rattled.
“Bail?” Disciple asked, to which I could only shake my head.
I wanted to bring him home. I went to the hearing this morning. The first thing on the damn docket was that shit. How could it happen this fast and be believed? Our new district court judge sat in personally.
Judge Connor Walsh denied my son bail.
His reason: GJ’s affiliation with a known gang.
It took everything in me to remain in my seat and not correct the fucker in the robe. To be denied bail as a first-time offender, this shit was personal.
How could there be any kind of issue with this man who none of us ever had one single interaction with?
I had questions, but GJ wasn’t my sole focus at the moment. The reason he was locked up, the reason I had to give the announcement…
The reason the chair sat empty, that was why we were here and I couldn’t forget it.
The table was no longer full. Our leader was gone, and someone had to step in and fill that void.
“How can they say no bail and have these charges set so fast?” Disciple asked. “Shit don’t make sense, Gonzo. Someone’s fuckin’ with our boy.”
I could only nod. “No bail, but today, I didn’t call church because of GJ. I called it because the head of our table is empty. GJ needs our support, I need your support, but the club comes first, and we need to fill this seat once again.” I muttered, standing behind the captain’s chair that once belonged to my mentor, my brother, and my very best friend.
“I nominate Gonzo,” Tower chimed in before I could continue.
“I second,” came from Jester.
“Put it to a vote,” Dippy added.
I shook my head, holding my hands up. “Can’t rush this shit. Gotta let the guys get in from the road to do the vote right,” I instructed them all.
“No need,” Disciple, our chaplain, popped up to state. He was always the one to think eight steps ahead and he was always calm. “Tower and I already got proxies from all of them.”
I looked around in shock. “How?”
“Knew what went down, brother, know what this club needs,” Tower explained. “We got the proxy’s so we can move on.” He looked around as all the men gave nods in approval. “It’s time, let’s vote.”
Starting with Tower at the table, he gave an “aye,” followed by Jester, Burn, Disciple, Loco, Peanut, Pull, Clutch, Dippy, Chains, Lead, Shanks, and one by one every other patched bother agreed.
Tower lifted the gavel, handing it to me with a nod. I slammed it against the block.
Looking around, I felt every ounce of their support not only for me, but my son, and the future of this club.
“Tower, I want you as VP.” I had to get this going even if it shattered me to know this wasn’t how it should be. “Pull will step in at secretary.”
Everyone was in agreement as we had to move through positions to adjust and adapt to our loss.
“You got him in this, Gabriel. All he’s ever wanted was to be just like you. How can you let this happen to our son?” Her tears flowed in steady streams down her face. All she has done since I told her what happened was cry and scream at me.
I deserved it all and more. Right now, though, I wished she could give me a small reprieve in order to think clearly and plan.
“Catalina, I know. I fuckin’ know. I don’t need you up my ass. I’m doin’ everything and so is the club.”
She laughed before her hand came up as her palm made contact with my cheek. “Fuck your club.”
