Chapter Two
Luke
My father had the gavel.
However, it was obvious to all of us who sat around the table in church, our MC club meeting, that he wasn’t comfortable being in charge. He wasn’t a natural born leader and had never had any aspirations to be president of the club. He’d always preferred to follow and I guess, in some respects, I took after him.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t that I was afraid of making decisions, or of standing up to any of my brothers and telling them what was what. It was simply that I didn’t want the hassle of leadership. I loved the club. It was in my blood. It was my home and my sanctuary and the brothers were my family.
But I wanted an easy life.
I was happy to go along to the club, drink my beer and just be. I loved getting involved in all the fundraising that we did for charity and I loved going on runs, but that was enough for me. I didn’t want to be in any deeper than that.
I wanted to go to the bike shop where I worked as a mechanic, do my job and go home. I spent my spare time doing custom work on bikes for a lot of the brothers in the club and other customers I’d picked up at the garage. What it boiled down to was that I liked a simple life. If I could ride my bike for an hour or so a day and spend some time in the company of a beautiful woman, I was a happy man.
But Cooper Brown or Coop as we all called him was a leader.
Coop’s old man had been president and founder of the club and even though Coop had left for a couple of years, nearly every brother in the club, not only wanted him back, but they wanted him in charge—or so it seemed, judging by the mood of the brothers around the table.
“Well, then, let’s put it to a vote,” My father said, looking at each of us in turn. “All those in favor of Coop becoming our new president raise your hands.”
Every brother seated around the table lifted their hand, except for one—Ian Wilson, right-hand man and Vice-President to our former President, Ryker.
Ian had been spitting nails ever since Ryker got arrested and charged with a number of crimes including attempted rape, assault and battery, and possession of cocaine with intent to sell. One of our club brothers, Owen Leigh, had also been charged with the same drug dealing offenses and it looked as if both men were going to get serious prison time.
I couldn’t say I was upset by that fact because I hadn’t liked either of them. It couldn’t have happened to nicer people, as the saying went.
Ian and Ryker, along with my father had been members of the club since its early days, but my father had always made it clear that he wasn’t happy with the direction that the club was heading under Ryker’s leadership. During his reign, my pop had given up his position as club secretary and that position had since been taken up by another of our brothers, Dev.
My old man had always loved Coop’s father and he’d been devastated when he died. He hadn’t voted for Ryker to become president and he hadn’t been happy when the other brothers had voted for him. I couldn’t say that I blamed him. I’d hated Ryker and as Coop was one of my best friends, and I knew he was a stand-up guy, I couldn’t think of anyone better to lead.
My father brought down the gavel.
“That settles it. We’ve got a new president, boys.”
As a chorus of whoops and cheers rang out around the room, a wide, lazy grin stretched across my face.
“Luke, you wanna go and tell Coop the good news?” My father asked.
“Sure thing.”
I got to my feet then went out the front of the clubhouse in search of Coop, who was waiting to hear news of his fate. I schooled my features as I caught sight of him. When we were standing toe to toe, I scrubbed a hand over my beard and heaved a sigh.
“Sorry, bro, they voted against you.”
The look that Coop gave me couldn’t have been described as anything other than stern.
“You know it’s strictly against club rules to lie to your president. I could have you thrown out of the club for insolence.”
I barked out a laugh. “Shit. You heard?”
A smug grin slid into place on his face. “I think they heard those cheers all the way over in Denver. But it was never in any doubt, was it? The brothers have got taste and intelligence. Of course they voted for me.”
“Cocky bastard,” I muttered.
Coop threw his head back and laughed. “In all seriousness though. I’m gonna do the best I can for this club.”
“I know you will. So do they. That’s why they voted for you.” I slapped him on the back. “Congratulations.”
We started walked inside towards the room in the clubhouse that we used for church. “You planning on celebrating tonight?”
“Yeah, I reckon so. We’re heading to The Tavern. You gonna tag along? Violet will be there.”
Just hearing her name made a rush of adrenaline course through my veins. I’d had my eye on Violet Miller for some time, but as she’d only separated from her husband a few months ago, I’d hung back. However, lately, she’d been looking at me as if she was starving and I was an all-you-can-eat buffet, so I was pretty confident she was ready to move on from the asshole as I liked to call him.
And I was just the man to help her do it.
“Damn straight I’ll be there,” I said.
Coop chuckled. “I thought as much.”
When we walked into church, there was a raucous round of applause. All of the brothers got up and either patted Coop on the back or shook his hand. Even Ian was gracious enough to congratulate him—but I suppose he wouldn’t have wanted to get on the wrong side of his new president.
After all the chatter died down, Coop sat down at the head of the table. I retook my seat and as he began to speak, silence descended around the room.
“First of all, I want to say thank you for having faith in me and for voting for me to become your new president. It means a hell of a lot, and I hope I can do the role justice, just as my father did.”
A rumble of praise for Coop’s father traveled around the room.
“Now, I’m not a man who likes to mess around so let’s get straight down to business. We are not a one percent club. That was not my father’s intention when he founded this club and I have no desire to be an outlaw club, either.
“If that is what any of you looking for then you’d best up and leave right now.”
When no-one moved, Coop nodded to himself then continued his speech. “From now on, we operate on the right side of the law. I’m not against a side hustle or two, but that is not to include dealing drugs, running guns or prostitution.
“Any of you have an idea for how we can raise funds, bring it to me, I’m open to suggestions. But I do not want you getting yourselves or this club into something that could have a detrimental effect on us. Have I made myself clear?”
Coop’s gaze fell upon each of the men, but he lingered slightly longer on Ian and waited until the man gave him the “Yes, Pres,” answer that he was looking for before moving on to the next brother.
“Good. I’m glad we understand each other.”
Ian looked pissed.
“On a lighter note,” Coop went on, “My old lady has indicated that she’d like to get involved in some charity work, which is what this club used to be about. If any of you or your women want to get involved in that, give me your numbers and I’ll see that Faith gets them. Let’s do some good in this town again.
“Okay, that’s everything I have for today. Anyone else want to bring anything up?”
Nobody spoke up so Coop brought down the gavel. “Meeting adjourned.”
As the brothers filed out of the room, I got to my feet.
“So, you gonna make your move tonight?” Coop asked.
“Am I that transparent?”
“Yeah, but don’t sweat it. I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Asshole.”
Coop grinned. “That’s President Asshole to you.”
I muttered a curse as I headed for the door. “See you tonight.”
“Better bring you’re A-game. You’re gonna need it.”
I spluttered out a laugh. “No doubt.”