Chapter 34

The rumbleof voices fills the air as I enter the main part of the clubhouse. "Church! Let's go." The urgency is evident in my tone. My brothers all grab their drinks and head to the church meeting room. I leave my plate on the small table by the door before entering. Taking my place at the officer's table, the comforting scent of leather and the sense of brotherhood puts me at ease.

Once everyone is inside and settled, Viper locks the door, then takes his place at the back of the room.

"We need to talk about Ignatius' rescue." I look around at each member, my eyes meeting theirs. "He's here and safe. Shank examined him thoroughly, and fortunately, he was unharmed. More emotional than anything else. He's gonna be here for a while and I expect him to be treated with respect."

"He yours, Prez?" Rubble asks. "I mean, I know he is... but you saying he's your old?—"

"He belongs to me. That's all you need to know for now. Anything beyond that, I'll wait for him. He just got back."

I'd love nothing more than to tell everyone in this room Iggie's my old man and give him a property patch. But I just got him back and before that, we were on the outs, so I'm not rushing him. He needs to recover from his ordeal, not worry about me and my titles.

"The cunts are in the shed. Viper, I just need you to do the minimum necessary to ensure their survival until I find out what Iggie intends to do. Seein' them ended might help his healing. So until then, they're at your mercy. Don't give a fuck what you do, but don't kill ‘em."

With a menacing glint in his eye, my enforcer cracks his knuckles. "It's done."

"Now, let's address the next matter at hand. I'd like to propose patchin' Nate and Chad in." Prospects aren't allowed in church since they're not patched. So this will be a surprise.

I have no doubt that this is about to go in their favor, as evidenced by everyone nodding and smiling. "We vote. All in favor of Nate and Chad patchin' in, say, aye."

"Aye!" the room erupts.

"Alright. Anyone opposed, say no."

Silence.

"Alright, it's unanimous. Hawk." I look at my secretary. "Get their patches."

"It's already taken care of, Prez." Hawk smirks. "I had a feelin' they'd make the cut."

"Then we just need names, any ideas?"

With some laughter, we name Nate "Barbi" and Chad "Polar Bear," a fitting tribute to their newfound brotherhood.

"Anything else?" I look at my officers, making sure we don't need to cover anything else.

"Yeah," Tex calls. "I didn't bring it up before because of everything going on, but we've hired the bouncer for Element, but he has a friend who I'm hiring for the Cockpit. We'll keep an eye on him, but I think he might be good for the club, too."

We lost members, so our numbers are slightly down. Nothing I'm too worried about since we've always been a midsize club, but enough that I might take a personal interest in scouting this Zion guy and his friend.

"Where are we with openin'?" I ask.

"Everything is good to go. Just need to plan a grand openin' party. Zero is getting a budget, and I thought we'd let Barbi and Polar Bear handle the party. Their first real responsibility as patched members." Hawk smiles.

"Do it." I nod, liking this idea. "I also will see to gettin' a replacement in for Cody. I know some of you have needs the ladies can't meet, so bear with me as I find someone new."

The meeting adjourns, and we head out to tell our prospects about their new promotion. Both of them are working at the bar, cleaning and restocking.

"Prospects!" I shout. They both spring up and quickly move around the bar to position themselves in front of me.

"Yeah, Prez," Barbi asks.

A mischievous grin spreads across my face as I reveal the "member" patches to them. "I think it's time we removed those prospect patches. What about you?"

Nate's eyes widen to the size of saucers and Chad beams from ear to ear. "Fuck yeah."

"Well then, let's get you patched in officially and then we party. Take off your cuts and repeat after me." They do as asked, and I hand their cuts to Rubble, who will pull the prospect patches off and get the member ones on.

"Raise your left hand." Both of their left hands shoot up.

"I pledge my loyalty to the never-ending brotherhood I stand with today. I love my club, the Hell's Mayhem, and with my brothers, I will honor what we stand for. I will honor the code of brotherhood and shall let no other stand between us. I am Hell's Mayhem, now and forever. If my brothers fight, I fight alongside them for this."

Both repeat our oath and I smile. "I officially declare you both brothers of the Hell's Mayhem. Barbi and Polar Bear, may the brotherhood be strong and the holes be tight."

Chad smiles at his road name, but Nate's mouth drops open as he spins on Tex. "That was one time. You swore you'd never say anything!"

Tex bursts into a deep belly laugh, filling the room. "You got drunk and humped a Barbie doll that one of the guy's kids left here. No way was I lettin' that shit not be your road name."

"Fuck you." Nate laughs, swinging at Tex, but he wraps him in a brotherly hug and heads to the bar.

"That's it then. Let's party!" I shout and a round of cheers goes up.

Beers flow freely as we toast to brotherhood and new beginnings.

Amidst the loud music and laughter, I decide to slip away from the party, my mind filled with thoughts of Iggie. Heading back to my room, I find him asleep in the bed and Kiki stroking his hair, watching TV.

"He's only been out a little while. You got a good one, Prez. Keep him this time." Kiki smiles, sliding from the bed.

"Thanks, Kiki. We patched in the prospects, so tell Gabe and Daria, would ya? And let Gabe know I don't want him trying to pick up the slack from Cody. I'm gonna start looking for a replacement."

"Sure, boss." She leaves the room and I take her spot on the bed after slipping my boots off.

* * *

Someone sniffling jerks me awake.I hadn"t meant to doze off. Opening my eyes, Iggie is sitting in the bed, tears streaming down his cheeks.

I sit up gently and instinctively wrap my arm around his shoulders. "What happened? You wanna talk about it?"

"Thinking about my dad. I have a mixture of feelings. I'm confused," he confesses.

"Tell me," I whisper, feeling the soft warmth of his temple against my lips.

After wiping his eyes, he raises his gaze to meet mine. "Susan pointed the gun at him and told me to choose. Be with her daughter or my dad. I didn't want to choose. I told them I couldn't. He was an ass to me about being gay and we didn't talk. But he's my dad." He takes a deep breath.

"He looked at me and told me to choose myself. Then he went on to say he didn't understand my life or agree with it all, but he loves me. That he hadn't been a good dad, but he could do this. I did what he said, and she shot him. Right in front of me. Fuck, Steel, what am I gonna tell my mom?"

I stroke his back softly, providing solace and a sense of security. "I'll call in an anonymous tip on the house and ensure the authorities handle the body and break the news to your mom."

With a grateful smile, he takes a deep breath and whispers, "Thank you".

Before long, a sharp knock on the door breaks the silence, and it slowly creaks open as Trucker and Draco enter. Despite my anticipation, I'd ended up losing track of time due to my impromptu nap. I'd sent them on an errand to get some things for Iggie.

Draco hands Iggie a new iPhone and a bag of clothes from his house. "Steel asked if I'd get you a few things from your house. He had your phone, but it was cracked, so he insisted you get a new one."

"Thanks, Draco." Iggie smiles.

"Don't thank me. I only did the picking up. Steel paid for it and set it all up."

"Still, thank you. I wanted some of my things so I could actually get dressed, but I'm not ready to go home. Nancy and Susan admitted to being inside the house before. I was clueless, but it creeps me out even if they can't get inside again."

Our eyes meet, and I can see a whirlwind of emotions reflected in Iggie's deep gaze. The weight of the world is evident in the way his shoulders sag and his posture droops. But I also see resilience, a glimmer of strength shining through the shadows. And I know that he'll find a way through the storm.

"Iggie," I whisper gently, feeling the warmth of his hand as I intertwine my fingers with his. "You don't have to face this alone. We're here for you, every step of the way."

A tear escapes Iggie's eye, tracing a path down his cheek as he nods in silent gratitude. At this moment, I feel a bond strengthen between us, forged in tragedy and fortified by the unyielding love I have for this man.