Chapter 12

Chapter 12ForgeIfollowed Hash to our meeting room. Other than two months ago when I got patched in, this would be the first time I’d attended church and it felt like such a big deal. I know a big, tough biker like me shouldn’t be getting emotional over stuff like a teenage girl, but it was big. It was a fucking massive deal. All my life I’d been chasing something and been rudderless until I found the Slayers. I’d never belonged anywhere—I’d been brought up in a group home and fostered by that piece of shit at thirteen, then I was living on the streets by fifteen.To be honest if I met fifteen-year-old me I’d be torn between hugging him so tight and slapping some sense into him or telling him that he can’t spend his life being angry at the system and the sooner he gets his ass into gear the better. But that didn’t happen until I was twenty-one and I got a job as a line cook in a fast-food joint, and slowly started pulling myself up.Shaking off the bad memories, I straightened my cut and walked into our meeting room only to be met with cheering and hollering.I looked around in puzzlement wondering what it was for, and realized all eyes were on me.Mason grinned and kicked out the chair next to him for me to sit on, and I made myself comfortable.“Good to see you at the table, Forge,” Storm said to me as the assembled brothers thumped the surface.“Before we start on business, I just want to say a few words about our newest club brother. He was only patched in two months ago, but already he’s shown his metal. He performed his task with diligence and professionalism, and thanks to him our allies, the Russo brothers, have been able to remove the threat. He also managed to rescue a woman from the mobs’ clutches, so all in all this guy here and men of his ilk are what makes this club what it is.”“Too right, brother!” Mason said, slapping me on the back.Celt, Blade and Hash also added their congratulations.It was embarrassing to get all this praise, but I also felt so damn proud. “Thank you, boss,” I said looking at Storm. “And thank you brothers, you all showed me the way.”There was more cheering.“Okay, enough with the kissy kissy, let’s get onto business because we’re burning daylight here,” Storm said, and I felt Mason’s big boot nudge my foot as our president said those words. I was home.“Twisted Metal MC,” Storm began, talking about our rival club in town—though there had been an uneasy truce since Storm and their president, Steel, had been holding regular meetings. “With Steel’s guidance they’re still locking down as much of their illegal activity as possible and moving to more legal methods of fundraising. They’ve been doing okay with that cam girl venture. Steel reached out and asked whether any of our club bunnies would be interested in picking up sessions.”There were some jeers from the floor.“Hear me out, “Storm continued. “The Twisted Metal cam girls aren’t a patch on our club bunnies.”“Damn right!” Breaker exclaimed, “even my grandma looks better than those chicks and she’s pushing eighty, with dentures.”“No disrespecting the ladies,” Storm said firmly. “They gotta make a living. Anyway, I told Steel I’d put it to a vote, if we agree then our bunnies are free to choose to work sessions. Twisted Metal takes sixty per cent of the profits, the girls get twenty-five percent cut and our club fifteen.”There were a few nods around the table, the cam girl business was quite lucrative, though I could hear some brothers muttering about sending our girls to another club. I didn’t have strong feelings either way, but fifteen per cent is fifteen percent.“Votes,” Storm said, and everyone gave a yes or a no. The majority of my club brothers said yes.Storm thumped his hand on the table, “Motion passed. Thunder, you talk to Rosie and ask her to speak with the club bunnies. Make sure they know that this is not an order, and they can say no if they want.”“On it, boss,” Thunder answered.Storm went on to discuss other matters, checking how our automobile repair shop was doing, and some of our other businesses. I had always wondered what went on between these hallowed walls, and I was not prepared for how mundane some of the proceedings were. There was a ten-minute discussion about whether we should swap out one brand of whiskey for another in our bar, because Grit had found a supplier that would give the club a serious discount. Despite my earlier excitement I was starting to drift off, when the topic turned to something more concerning.“The Russo brothers,” Storm intoned. “Just before church I got a text from Diego saying the fishing trip was successful, though they had to throw back a couple of small fry.”“What?” I said, “They’ve let those bastards go?”“Nah, they wouldn’t do that. They’re swimming with fishes now.” Storm answered.“You guys need a better secret code,” Hash said.“Too right bro,” Blade added.Storm grinned, “I’ll tell our allies when they drop by later for a meeting. But rest assured those old mobsters won’t be troubling anyone again.”I felt some relief at that proclamation, but I couldn’t shake the sense of uneasiness. “I’m still not happy about leaving Bella’s boss Marco alive. That man was a piece of shit.”“Look Forge,” Storm said looking me straight in the eye. “I know it’s hard, but Bella made the call there. She worked for the guy for eighteen months, if she says he’s okay then we need to respect her opinion.”“The opinion of a prisoner.”Storm sighed. “I think you’re getting too personal. Anyway, Diego said his pops had paid the Trip Easy a visit, he wanted to check things out and he found squat on the premises linking Marco to anything, so that’s that.”I nodded, I didn’t like it, but he was right. Bella was more than capable of making her own decisions.“Any other business?” Storm asked as his eyes went around the table. When there was no response he said, “Okay then, meeting adjourned.”My club brothers all rose to make their way out. Just before I left the room Storm called me back.“You did good, son. And just remember, getting personal is what makes our club stand head and shoulders above the others. You just gotta know when to step back.”“Thanks, boss.”***I made my way toward the bar. I was at a loss as to what to do, my Bella had gone into town with Crystal on a shopping trip, Mason was hanging out with his wife Aprilia and the other guys were busy.I didn’t feel like heading back out to the cabin for shooting practice, and I was off cooking duties today. While it had been my role as a prospect, I still loved being behind the grill and didn’t want to give up that position any time soon. I’d ordered in a top of the range smoker so my club brothers would be getting some treats in the not-too-distant future. I’d never graduated high school so I’d been taking evening classes at the local community college, maybe once I’d gotten my GED I could see about adult education and decide on a new direction? But in the meantime, I was happy behind the grill.I sat on the beaten-up leather sofa in the bar area nursing a beer and thinking about the past couple of months, when my thoughts were interrupted.“Hey, handsome. Looking for some company?” It was Chrissie, one of the club bunnies I’d had a thing with a few months back—well, by thing, I’d hooked up with her a few times. She was looking pretty damn spectacular today, wearing a pair of cut off shorts and a crop top. Her full lips a glossy red as her tongue snaked over them trying to make me remember how good her mouth had felt on my cock. But there was nothing there, nada. I’d slept with most of the club bunnies and I knew I had a bit of a reputation, but I’d tired of that life. After seeing my best buddy, Mason get hitched it had gotten me thinking about my life choices.“No sweetheart, me and my beer are doin’ just fine,” I said as I took a swig from the bottle.“You sure? You’re looking mighty lonesome sitting there on your ownsome,” she joked.I smiled up at her, she was a lovely girl and had a kind heart and maybe if I’d had this revelation two months ago then things might’ve been different, but not now. “I’m okay, you have a good day, Chrissie.”She turned on her heel to leave me alone, but then suddenly looked back saying, “She’s a lucky woman.”As I sat there alone with my beer, I started laughing to myself, remembering the words that Mason had said to me after he’d got together with Aprilia. They say that the men who don’t want to get married always fall the hardest...I didn’t know how true that was, but it was clear that I had fallen for my beautiful Bella hook, line and sinker.