Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Fuck, I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.
“Doesn’t look like you’re going to have a chance to vote on it either,” Murphy says.
I elbow his arm and shoot him a shut-the-fuck-up look. Pecking order says Shadow should be named the temporary president while Sway recovers. But from what I remember, Priest isn’t real fond of Shadow.
“You think it’s gonna be Shadow?” I ask Jigsaw. Might as well go the direct route, instead of dancing around the topic.
Jiggy glances over his shoulder quickly, then shrugs, as if he doesn’t care one way or another. But I doubt that’s true.
He doesn’t trust us.
The history between Upstate and Downstate is rough. But Jiggy transferred from our Washington charter with Rooster a few years ago. He wasn’t around when all the bad shit went down. Still, I’m sure Sway talks plenty of shit about us, especially Rock, and some of that must’ve colored Jigsaw’s opinion.
It doesn’t take long for Priest to make a decision. Z will be the temporary president of Downstate until Sway recovers. Rock’s quick to order Murphy and me to stick around and watch Z’s back.
Priest wants to put on a show to announce Z’s new role. Although I already met with Rock, Z, Wrath, and Murphy earlier, I stop by Rock’s room before heading to the chapel.
“Anything you want me to do at the meeting?” I ask, dropping into a chair at the small table in the corner.
“Watch what you say before we go in,” Rock warns me. “I don’t know if everyone’s aware Z’s staying on as president. Let it come from Priest.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
Rock raises an eyebrow. “What brought on this bout of helpfulness?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I blow out an annoyed breath. “I’m over it. I understand why you want Murphy and me to stick around. For fuck’s sake, I said we’d go look at a house to rent. What more do you want from me?”
“I want you to be careful. We still don’t know who shot Sway. I’m not happy about any of you being down here right now,” he rasps.
The heaviness in his voice prompts me to set aside my feelings and study Rock closer. Circles ring his eyes, the kind that hint he was up all night worrying, not enjoying other nocturnal activities.
“I’ll be on alert,” I promise.
“Blend in as much as you can while you’re here,” he suggests. “Get to know some of the younger brothers better. See where their heads are at. Are they loyal to Shadow? Will they try to undermine Z?”
“Doubt anyone will come out and say that.”
He cocks his head. “No shit, knucklehead.” He runs his fingers over his lips in a zip-it gesture. “Close your mouth and open your ears. Use your gut feeling to guide you. I trust your opinion.”
Pride sputters through me and I sit up straighter, determined not to let him down. “I’ll be listening.”
“Good.” He stands and slaps my shoulder. “Now, get out of my room.”
Laughing, I step into the hallway and send Murphy a text.
Me: Meet outside chapel?
Murphy: Already there.
I stalk through the maze of hallways, noting the grungy carpet under my boots. Can’t even tell what color it is anymore. Red? Brown? A far cry from the gleaming hardwood floors of our Upstate clubhouse.
Blake’s waiting at the end of the last hallway that leads into the main room.
He lifts his chin. “What’s up?”
I cast a quick glance around the area. Downstate brothers are clustered by the open chapel doors. Priest and brothers from our Mississippi charter are close to the front office. I glimpse Z’s wide shoulders in that inner circle.
This is really happening.
“I just want to stick together.”
“As if I’d go in there without you.” He slaps my shoulder and steers me toward the chapel doors. Downstate brothers are already filing into the room.
I jerk my head to the right. “Let’s blend in.”
Rock and Wrath end up near the head of the table. I catch Rock’s eye and he nods. Last of all, Priest enters with Z following.
I lean closer to Murphy. “Z looks like he’s being marched to his death,” I say low enough for only him to hear me.
He grunts in response and slides lower in his chair.
“Thank you for having us.” Priest runs his shrewd gaze over every brother seated at the table. “Awful thing when a brother’s almost taken out this way. I know this has been a rough time for everyone.”
Understatement.
Downstate brothers sit forward, hanging on Priest’s every word.
“As you know, our brothers from Upstate have been here offering support and protection. I’ve asked their VP, Zero, to stick around and take over as president until Sway recovers.”
Boom, there it is.
Ripples of conversation reverberate around the room. I study each brother closely, searching for signs of hostility. Smoke—a brother we all have questions about—grumbles and glances down at his lap.