I can remember a time when I didn’t dread church. When coming into my office and sitting around this damn table was relaxing, or at the very least, it felt like I was where I belonged. How long has it been since I had that emotion with church? Since before Irish and his crap-storm? Probably. It sure as hell isn’t today. No, it’s definitely not today.

My hand moves over the table in front of me. I’d rather remember the way Nicole looked on this fucking table last night when I tongued that sweet pussy and made her scream, or even the day before. It was so good, I needed it again last night. Fuck, who am I kidding? I’m going to want it again tonight. Except maybe this time, I’ll use the vibrator in her pussy while I fuck her ass. Fuck, my dick is throbbing and this meeting hasn’t even started.

I look over at Crusher. I’ve had him locked in the cooler for the last few days. It is, in fact, a cooler—a walk-in freezer at the back of the club that went bad. We never fixed it because it just wasn’t needed. The club has a couple of stand-up freezers they actually use. So, when the walk-in went down it seemed to make a good cage. We modified it so air flow and temperature were regulated and turned into a holding cell. I sure as fuck never thought I’d have to throw my brother in it, especially my VP. That fucking shit sits raw in my gut, and I know the men around me are unhappy. Which just means this meeting is going to be a fucking picnic of butterflies and lemon drops. That helps me get my libido under control, and I prepare to do what I have to do.

I drop the gavel. The men instantly stop their idle chatter. There wasn’t much anyway. The importance of this meeting is too big.

“Meeting of the Savage MC, Kentucky Brothers called. On the table, the removal of club Vice President from rank. A vote was called. Let’s hear from the brother first.”

All eyes turn to Crusher. His eyes look at me and, fuck, I can barely see my brother in them. He looks wild…haunted. When he doesn’t make a move to say anything, I prod him.

“Do you have nothing to say for yourself?”

“Bastard had my old lady, I handled shit that needed to be done. I got Dani back, and I’d do it a fucking hundred times over. If that gets me booted from the club, then what-the-fuck-ever,” he says, and he might look like shit, but his voice is full of cocky anger.

“You defied direct orders, and put the club in jeopardy. You put a woman before your brothers, and you had the fucking balls to call me out in front of others. I should strip you of club colors right here and close the fucking vote. The end.”

“She’s not a woman, she is my old lady.”

“She hasn’t agreed to that shit, so that makes her a woman.”

“Bullshit. I claim her. My woman needed me. I did nothing more or nothing less than you would have done,” he answers and shit, he’s mostly right. Except, I did handle it differently. I might not have though if Nicole and not Dani had been taken in the same manner. I’m not fucking sure. Still, I can’t really back down.

“He’s right,” Dani’s weak voice comes from the door. Fucker, I want to yell at her for coming in during church. I want to cut off the prospect’s balls for letting her, since he’s in charge of watching the cameras at the front door and locking the son of a bitch when a meeting is taking place. I don’t, because this is the first real sign of life Dani has shown. Oh, she’s approached me alone since her attack, but to see her venture out into a room full of men? That takes balls of steel considering what she’s been through. I look behind her and see Nicole is holding her hand while standing behind her. Bloody hell. Vise meet my motherfucking balls.

“What’s that, Hell Cat?” Crusher asks. He gets up and goes to her. I just let it happen. Nicole has those damn girly tears in her eyes, and there’s only so much a man can do here.

I watch as Dani falters back a step, but she manages to stand still and look Crush in the eye.

“I admit that I’m yours. I was yours then. I…I…”

“Say it, Hell Cat. Say it,” Crusher says, and the emotion in his voice is so thick, a man would have to be struck stupid to not to feel it.

“I’m yours now,” she whispers, her voice so quiet you can barely hear it.

Crush kisses her forehead gently.

“That’s my angel,” he whispers.

Dani has tears falling down her face, Nicole does too. Motherfucker, my club is turning soft. I shake my head in disgust, even though I’m happy with what has just happened.

“Go on back to your room angel, I’ll check on you when we’re done.”

“But…,” she argues looking at Crush and then around him at me. I can’t give anything away, so I do my best to remain expressionless.

Crush touches her under the chin and brings her eyes back to his.

“I’m proud of you angel, don’t worry. I’ll do what I need to do, and then I’ll come to you.”

She swallows slowly and nods before walking out of the room, with her head down.

“Hell Cat?”

She stops, but doesn’t turn around.

“My woman doesn’t look down. Remember?”

Dani’s back stiffens and her head raises. “I won’t forget.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Just get your shit done, Zander, and quit busting my ass,” she says.

It has none of the old fire that Dani used to have, but she gives a damned good attempt. I can’t help but smile either. Nicole winks at me, and I shake my head at her. The girls leave and the door closes. Crusher goes back to his seat, but motherfucker, the son of a bitch is crying. There are tears around his eyes, and it seems so out of place on him. How long have I known Crusher? Longer than any of them, and I can’t name one time when he’s cried. He always appeared the laid back one, but Crusher is ice cold when it comes down to it. He always has been. Fuck. He’s totally gone for Dani. From what I’ve just seen though, maybe that’s what they both need. I clear my throat.

“Vote. Starting with Bull. Do we take Crush’s patch? Aye or Nay, motherfuckers.”

Crush sits staring every one of us straight in the eye.

“Nay,” Bull says.

“Nay,” Freak, Hawk, and Dance join in.

“Nay,” Nailer and Six join, having been patched in right after Frog’s funeral. I breathe again. I didn’t want rid of Crush, but a man has to do what is called upon him.

“Demotion of position. Aye or Nay?”

Bull stares at Crusher and the two exchange a wordless conversation of sorts before Bull sighs his answer, “Aye.”

Hawk nods, “Aye.”

Freak shakes his head. “Fuck, no.”

Crush shoots him a half smile, but shakes his head.

Dance looks up at Crush and out of them all, his voice surprises me. “Nay. I’d have done the motherfucking same, man.”

“Two for and two against. That leaves it in your hands Nail and Six.”

“Fuck, sorry man. Aye,” Nailer says. Crusher nods in response.

Six looks around shaking his head. “Son of a bitch, sorry man. Aye.”

Demotion. I don’t disagree with the vote. At the same time, as much as I probably would have voted the same way, I’m not sure how I want to handle it. President has the final say, but I can’t say I totally disagree, so I don’t feel the need to override their decision.

Diesel, Skull, and Torch would all sniff blood if they thought the club was weak. I can’t let that shit stand. At the same time, if I was Crusher? Would I have handled things differently? I think on it.

I would have. Nicole is my woman, and I’d move heaven and hell to get her back safe that is no doubt. Still, I would have made sure the club knew every move I made. I would never charge in without back up. I wouldn’t kill without properly cleaning up my shit. Even if he had just burned the old barn down to get rid of the body, it would have been better.

“You charged into a hostile environment without calling on brothers for backup. You left a body for others to find without taking precautions to cover our asses. You called me out. You disrespected me in front of other clubs. You defied direct orders. I can’t let it slide. I won’t. Demotion granted.”

Crusher nods with a grim smile. He expected it.

“Dance, you’ll move up to VP. All those in favor say Aye.”

A chorus of Aye’s go through the room, including Crush’s.

“Meeting adjourned,” I growl, slamming the gavel against the table.

The men start filing out, all slapping Crusher on the back. Finally, when everyone has left Crusher remains sitting.

“Crush, man…”

“I get it brother, I’m not here to plead my case. I fucked up. I get it.”

I nod, because fuck, what can I say?

“I need something from you, and I realize I’m at the top of your shit list, but still I need this.”

“Name it, brother.”

“I need to leave.”

“Damn it, Crush…”

“Not permanently. I’m going to take Dani away for a month. She needs to recover, and she can’t do that here. I don’t want to leave the brotherhood man. I just need time to help my woman mend.”

“She’s it for you?”

“She’s the motherfucking world.”

I slap him on the back. “You got it then, man. Take her out to the club’s house in Tennessee, on Douglas Lake. I’ll clear it with Diesel.”

“Thanks, Drag,” he says getting up. “Man? For what it’s worth? I’m sorry.”

“I get it man. I got a woman, too.”

He nods and walks to the door, he stops with the door halfway open. “Hey, Dragon? Kavanagh has a father. There could be blowback. My woman can’t handle any more of that shit.”

“Already being monitored.”

“You’ll let me know?” he asks.

“You’ll be the first.”

“Thanks, brother,” he says and closes the door.

It opens a few minutes later and Nicole walks in and locks the door. She’s wearing a baby blue sundress that matches her eyes. Her hair shines in the light. Beautiful.

“What are you doing here, Mama? Didn’t you break rules enough coming in during the meeting?”

She walks over to me, her face soft.

“I thought you would be tense after your meeting. I wanted to offer to help,” she says quietly, going to stand behind me massaging my shoulders.

“How you figure that?” I ask, closing my eyes.

She leans down so her lips are against my ear and whispers, “I thought this time I’d let you fuck me on the table.”

My dick is definitely standing at attention now.

“Get on the table, Mama.”

“You’ll have to pull out though,” she says, sitting up on the table. She lifts the dress over her head, and I’m not a bit surprised to see she’s butt-ass naked underneath.

“Told you how I feel about that, Mama,” I argue, already standing and taking my clothes off.

“I know. That’s why you have to pull out, because ever since you mentioned it, I’ve thought of nothing else.”

My dick stands up and cheers in reaction. Fuck.