Chapter One

Slim

One year later

SITTING IN CHURCH, surrounded by the men I've led for most of my life gives me a sense of peace and calm that I can only experience when I'm in this room. So many decisions of life and death have been made around this table over the years. We've lost great men and have welcomed amazing young guys into our folds. I like to think that we've given lost souls a sense of family and the freedom to live as they choose to live their lives in ways they wouldn't get without the club. As the President of the Phantom Bastards, I've counseled the men I lead and helped them when they needed it the most. We've grown our family, formed alliances with more tremendous men, and the women we've taken as our own have become our backbone. Without our ol' ladies, I don't know where the fuck any of us would be. They've let us be ourselves and bring out our softer side when we've been hard for so long. Most importantly, they accept every aspect of us—the good, bad, hard, soft, and in the toughest times of our lives. Now, it's time to once again make a decision that will change our lives.

"Today is a bittersweet day. I always love patchin' in new members of our club and that will never change. It's not just about patchin' in the newest members of the club though. We'll be givin' them their patch and then watchin' them leave home to forge their own path in the world. For the first time, I truly don't want to patch our Prospects in because it means they've grown up and will be leavin' us behind," I say, looking around the table at everyone while the weight of our decision weighs heavily on our shoulders. "Today will be a proud day because our sons, nephews, and grandsons will be accomplishin' the goal they've had for most of their lives. We'll get to witness that pride shine bright in their eyes and watch as they realize all of their dreams are just startin' to come true. We're gonna go around the table one at a time with all the boys, startin' with Carson."

My voice catches as I say my grandson's name. He's so like his dad in many ways and it's been an honor to watch him grow into the young man he is today. I turn to face my son and watch as his eyes become wet with tears as emotion chokes him up. Playboy will only ever be like this when it involves his wife or children. And he really doesn't give a fuck who sees him get emotional over them.

"Aye," Playboy whispers, looking down while he tries to get himself under control.

"Aye," Killer says, leading around the table as every member votes Carson in.

"Next up, Wade," I say, looking between Boy Scout and Wood.

"Aye," Playboy starts off the vote again and everyone votes the boys in.

The vote goes around the table for each of the boys and they're all voted in with no surprise from any of us. All of the boys we watched grow up have become better men than we were at their ages. They're strong, loyal, protective, and the most patient men I've ever met in my life. Each and every one of them have proven to all of us that they not only have the drive to become full patch members of the Phantom Bastards but that it's what they want most in their life. The boys took every task we gave them and did them without hesitation or question. It didn't matter what the task was, it got done in record time. Not to mention they could always anticipate what every one of us needed after growing up in the club. We weren't easy on them at all. If anything, we were harder on our boys than any other Prospect we've had in the past and will gain in the future.

"Playboy, you got their new cuts ready?" I ask my son as the mood in church is somber with all the guys looking at the table and remaining silent.

Usually when we're not busy with anything, little conversations go on between the men. Today, we're all lost in our own thoughts about the boys and their next chapter in life. Every single one of them will be moving to Pine View with Vault and Valor. The Nomads want to move on with the exception of a few. Our boys have been counting down the days until they get to move and be with Vault and Valor. Two men they've looked up to and wanted to be with for so many years.

"Every one of them are ready to go. We've got their flash with the road names to give them and their position in the new chapter. Vault will be handin' those out because they've already made their decisions about where they want the boys. It's a closely guarded secret so all of us will find out together," my son answers me as I look at him.

I know Vault and his chapter have already voted in the guys after I signed off on them moving to Pine View. What I didn't know was that they already chose their positions in the club and I'm curious to see the decisions that were made by them. Vault and Valor are both strong men and the Nomads will have given all the input they could into the decision. That's the only way Vault would've taken a vote already. Even if most of the Nomads are leaving, they've still been in the Pine View chapter of the club for several years to help us out. None of us can ever thank them enough for what they've done.

"Are we ready to get this show on the road?" I ask the men surrounding me as I pick the gavel up and look around as they all nod in response. "Church closed."

As one, we all get up from the table and Playboy hands out the cuts our boys will put on their backs now. Since both of my grandsons are patching in, I take one of their cuts so I have the honor of handing them one. Because it truly is an honor to patch in one of my grandsons today.

With all of us having the cuts in our hands, we leave church and make our way out to the common room where everyone is waiting for us. Vault, Annabell, Valor, Savannah, and their children have all made the trip home for today, leaving the Nomads in Pine View to watch over the clubhouse and city they call home. All the ol' ladies are here along with the Prospects and the house bunnies. The house bunnies are here for the party we'll have once the boys are patched in. Every kid that's been born into the club is here today and I know we'd have more people here, but the Wild Kings are currently in Cedar Bay working on building up that town and have gotten it almost completely renovated from the devastation of the hurricanes that tore it apart years prior to Vault finding the small tourist town. We did it this way for a reason.

"Can I have your attention, please?" I call out once we get in the common room and line up along the bar.

Looking around the common room that's crowded as hell, I take in the boys sitting at tables with their moms and sisters. Each one of them are nervous as hell about getting patched in with the exception of one as I look around. Kingston is sitting slumped in his chair with his mom on one side of him and Carson on the other side. Something is going on in his mind and I'm not sure what it is. To my knowledge he hasn't talked to his dad or anyone else. I know he's been having a hard time since crashing his sport bike.

Kingston raced sport bikes and has for a long time. We've all supported him and gone to every race he's ever been in. One second changed his life and we honestly didn't know if he was going to survive the wreck. Then, the doctors couldn't tell us if he was going to ever walk again once they got through the first surgery the day it happened. Kingston has been on a long road as he's recovered from the accident and he's withdrawn more and more as today has gotten closer. Looking at Fox, his eyes are locked on Kingston and I know he's seeing the same thing I am. His son isn't excited like the rest of the boys as pain fills his eyes.

"As you know today is a very important day for the club. Not only this chapter of the Phantom Bastards, but the Pine View chapter as well. Our boys have been Prospectin' for longer than a year now. Maybe not officially, but in various ways they've been Prospects since they were sixteen. While we're all honored to patch in those who passed the vote, it's a bittersweet day for all of us standin' before you. We've had the privilege of watchin' all of you grow up into the great young men you are today. Now, you're all ready to spread your wings and fly away to start the next chapter of your life.

"I'd like all of the current Prospects to stand up and come stand in front of us. Stand in front of your dad with the exception of Dylan. You'll stand in front of me. Killer will be handin' out your flash for your road name once you've gotten your cut," I say as all the boys make their way up to us and stand in front of their dads. "Dylan, you are one of the newest members of the Phantom Bastards MC. I'm proud of you, boy. Always do the club right and never change who you've become."

With a nod of my head, Dylan slides the Prospect cut from his shoulders and Valor takes it from him. My grandson turns around and I slide his full patch cut up his arms until it's resting on his back where it belongs. Tears fill my eyes and I hold them back as Dylan turns to face me once again. He doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around me in a hug while burying his face in my shoulder as he's done since he was a little boy. This is a moment just for us even though we're surrounded by our family. When Dylan lets go of me, he does the same to his dad and I watch as my son breaks. Playboy cries into his son's shoulder as he holds him tight.

"Dylan, we've decided on the road name Devil for you. No matter what idea you got in your head growin' up, you followed through no matter what anyone told you. From the time you were a baby, I swore to Playboy and Sam that you didn't have a devil and angel on your shoulder to tell you right from wrong; you were the devil. We spent so much time in the hospital with you because you thought you were invincible and still do today. Plus, when you let your anger take over, I've never witnessed anythin' like it. And that's sayin' somethin' considerin' the guys I've met over the years. Look at your uncle Tank. He's a beast when he lets his anger out and we've all seen that shit. He's got nothin' on you," I tell him, breaking up the emotional moment as everyone in the club laughs because we all know it's true.

Killer hands over the flash he'll have to sew on his cut and pulls him in for a man hug. I look to my son and wait for him to patch in his next son.

"Carson, you are one of the newest fully patched members of the Phantom Bastards. You've proven yourself over the years and there's nothin' you won't do for the club you grew up in. I'm so fuckin' proud of you and your brother for followin' your dreams and never givin' up no matter how hard shit got," Playboy says, his voice wavering as he faces his son and patches him into the club.

Carson turns around after sliding his Prospect cut off and hands it to Valor who drapes it over his arm on top of Dylan's. Those Prospect cuts have seen some shit over the years and our boys were the latest to add to the memories that will always live on in the leather. Each Prospect cut is a piece of our club's legacy and I can't wait to see what the next Prospects will do as they join our club and try to prove themselves worthy of earning a full patch.

"Carson, you know we all love you," Playboy begins once his son turns back around to face him. "Over the years, you've proven countless times that you're not just controlled by the chaos in your life, but you are chaos. All the gray hairs I'm gettin' are from you and the shit you've managed to get into so far. Honestly, your mom and I talked about wrappin' you in that bubble wrap shit so many times just to prevent you from gettin' hurt. Again. You're not a klutz per se, but if there's trouble that can find a person, it will find you for sure. We love you and I can't wait to see what you're brother and you accomplish in this next phase of your life. Carson, your new road name is Jinx."

Playboy takes his son in his arms and holds him tight. I'm honestly waiting for Sam to rush up and join her man and sons, but she remains in her seat and cries while keeping a close eye on her family. Pride shines in her eyes as her sons stand tall and she watches her husband essentially give them the keys to their future as they prepare to leave the club and nest that we've built for them over the years. After embracing his dad, Carson turns to me and hugs me tight as I hold him close. I'm brought back to the days the boys were just babies and they depended on us for everything. Now, they're grown men and don't need us as much any longer. How I wish time would slow the fuck down and that we'd have more time with them here in Benton Falls.

As Stryker steps forward and faces his son, Killer gives Carson his flash and a man hug. I pay attention to Kaden as he stands tall in front of his dad.

"Son, today you become one of the newest members of the Phantom Bastards. You've proven your strength, loyalty, and love of the club over the years and I have a feelin' you'll accomplish everythin' that you want. You don't let anythin' stand in your way of gettin' exactly what you want," Stryker says as tears fill his eyes and he tries not to let them spill over.

I watch on as Stryker slides the new cut on his son's shoulders. He doesn't let him turn around for a few seconds and just stares at our colors on Kaden's back. This is a moment he needs and no one is gonna rush him as he looks at this newest development in his son's life. Finally, he releases Kaden's shoulder and clears his throat a few times.

"Kaden, you've always been able to get in and out of places undetected. You've scared your mom countless times over the years because she doesn't hear you walk up behind her. While it's funny as fuck, sorry baby, you've learned the art of blendin' into the background and only lettin' others see you when you want them to. We've decided your road name is Ghost," Stryker says as we all once again laugh because Kaden has gotten all of us over the years as he sneaks around even when he's not trying to be quiet. None of us know how the fuck he manages to be so completely silent.

Boy Scout steps up and watches as Colton stands in front of him. Colton slides his cut off and Boy Scout doesn't hesitate to put his new one on. We all watch as Boy Scout and Wood hug their son and whisper a few words to him.

"Colton, obviously you're one of the newest members of the Phantom Bastards. I fucked this up," Boy Scout says, laughing at himself. "Now, we've decided your road name is gonna be Geek. Since you were a young boy, you've geeked out over anythin' that excites you and tend to like the more unpopular things like comic books and things that most bikers wouldn't ever admit to bein' a fan of. Yes, I know some that I won't say aloud here and embarrass you. I love you son, and don't ever stop embracin' everythin' you love in the world around you. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as you're happy and find that slice of heaven where you're not locked in the bad parts of life."

Wood goes next with Wade standing in front of him.

"Wade, you're one of the newest members of the Phantom Bastards," he says, keeping things simple and easy as Wade slides his Prospect cut off.

Wood puts the full patch cut on his son's back and both men hug their son like they did with Colton. When the three finally break apart, Wood nods at Killer.

"Son, you've always believed in things that didn't exactly make sense and you'll fight with everythin' you have for somethin' you're passionate about. You see things no one else sees in the world around you and point out the finer details only you can catch. Your road name is Raptor," Wood states as Killer hands over his flash and pulls him into a man hug.

Fox stands at the end of the line and stares at Kingston. We all wait and watch to see what's about to happen.

"Kingston, my son, you are one of the newest members of the Phantom Bastards," Fox says as we all watch his son remove his Prospect cut and hold it up in front of his face for a minute.

Instead of turning around after he hands it over to Valor, Kingston looks down the line of us and then over his shoulder at everyone in the common room who's a part of his family. Killer is standing off to the side of him and a confused expression fills his face as we all look on and wait for what he's about to do.

"I'm sorry. I can't accept becomin' a full member of the club I love more than anythin' in this world. Wearin' that Prospect cut has meant the world to me and I would love to be a member with my best friend and everyone else I count as family. Unfortunately, I will no longer be a member of the club and will have to find a different path in life from the one I've dreamed of for my entire life," Kingston says, hanging his head as everyone in the clubhouse gasps in shock. None of us expected him to say this.

"My office. Now," I growl out, looking from Kingston to Fox Killer, and finally Kim.

Leaving the common room, my heart hurts because I have a feeling I know what the hell is going on right now. Kingston is going to explain it to us in his own words though. There's no way in hell I'm about to let him make this decision when I know for a fact the only thing holding him back is himself. We all enter my office and Kingston stands behind the chair his mom takes a seat in. Kim doesn't even face me as she keeps her full attention on her baby boy along with Fox and Killer. I'm not about to start this conversation when Kingston or Fox have to be the ones to do so.