Page 7 of Property of Raider
“Sir?”The man has really grown up and hardened since he joined the club and military in the same six months nearly fifteen years ago.
“Rumor is you're home for good.”I watch him tense slightly.
He rolls his shoulders back, placing his hands on his waist.“Seems word travels fast around here.”
My mood flips like a switch.“I’m asking you to verify information.If you want to talk in riddles, then I’ve got other things to deal with.”
Anvil takes a step back, his eyes narrowing on me.“Understood.I am home for good.For the moment I’m staying in the clubhouse until the final paperwork comes through and I’ve got a better plan.”
“Good to know.”I give him a nod before turning to go into church, stopping just short of going inside.“Stay close.We may need you in church.”
Anvil just gives me a nod before turning to go back to the bar.I make it to the church doors and pull them open to find pure chaos going on in the room.Mercy is standing looking bored between a very pissed off Rhino and a murderous-looking Blender.
“I can’t fucking do this anymore.”Rhino points a finger at Blender around the massive wall of muscle that is Blender’s brother.“You cannot just go around throwing stars, knives, and other sharp objects.Hell, you just fucking cut me with a goddamn playing card.”
Blender lifts a shoulder in a shrug, looking at Mercy and ignoring Rhino completely.“This is why I don’t fucking listen to you.They all fucking whine about how I share my toys.”
Not in any kind of mood to listen to these men fight like children, I step in before things escalate to there being actual blood spilled.We all know Blender may seem calm on the surface and even joking around, yet this man is a ticking time bomb who has no issues sending a brother one way to hell.Without a return option.
“That’s enough, Rhino.Sit the fuck down,” I call out over the escalating argument.“Blender just be … less you!”
Mercy looks over at me, smirking.“That’s all you’ve got to say?I never knew you to be scared.”
Blender turns his dead eyes on me, and I fight every instinct not to take a step back.“Mercy respects and trusts you, and I follow his lead.That means I will be as muchmeas I want to be—whenI want to be.”
He levels his eyes back on Rhino, and before we know it, another playing card flies around Mercy, hitting Rhino in the chest.Blender turns, going to lean on the wall in his unofficial place with a slight sneer curving his lips.Walking across the room, all the brothers chuckle under their breath, separating and taking their seats at the table.
A round of hushed laughter rolls through the room as Blender says, “I could have thrown something sharp, causing damage or bloodshed.I didn’t, so I don’t know why he’s acting like a fucking baby.”
Mercy takes his seat.“See.Progress.He didn’t bleed anyone in his efforts to share today.”
I just shake my head as I take my seat at the head of the table.It’s been a fucking year since everything hit the fan.In that year I was officially voted in as Prez, Terro was voted in as VP, and we have struggled to find his replacement for Sgt at Arms.Everyone has been working tirelessly not only to track down the trafficking ring, but the club that blew up the bar where we found Mercy’s woman.Not to mention what is going on with the shipments coming in and out of the port.Looking around at all the men, my chest eases just a little knowing I’ve got the only family I’ll ever need.
I bang the gavel down on the table, bringing us to order.“We have several things we need to go over today.Before I get started on my long list of shit, does anyone have anything they want to bring forward?”
“Eden Rose needs some help down at Petty.Are we good to hire outside the club?”Token asks.
“Is there not anyone here at the club that can help?”Blitz growls.
“Unless you’re willing to give up our Charlie out there, the answer is no.Eden would lose her shit if we sent a club bunny to play in her business.”Rhino laughs, leaning back in his chair.
“What does the table say?”Terro calls.
Everyone throws out an “aye.”
“Let Satchel and Eden Rose know that they’re free to hire someone.Make sure they understand Hermes will dig deep into them to make sure they are legit,” I state.
“Sounds right.We’ll get it taken care of,” Token nods, grinning.
“Anything else before we jump into other matters?”I look around, fighting the restless part of me that wants to rage at them because nothing new has been found in nearly four months.
When no one says anything.I lean forward, placing my forearms on the table.“The first thing I want to bring to the table is a vote for our Sgt at Arms.”
“Fucking hell, we’ve been over this.None of us fucking want to do it.What is the fucking point of the conversation again?Nothing has changed,” Blitz growls in pure annoyance.
And just like that, I am on my feet.“You motherfuckers don’t think I know we’ve been over this time and time a-fucking-gain.That none of you pussies want to step up and take the job.Well, lucky for you lot, I might actually have a goddamn solution to the problem.”
“Raider, dial it in.This ain’t the way,” Terro calls, not even standing from his seat.
