Page 107 of The Originals
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jack pulled into the parking lot of the clubhouse. Colleen had her arms firmly clutched around his stomach. Jack had considered bringing her to the clubhouse earlier but hadn’t made any definite plans. One call changed that. He’d heard from one of Sal’s associates some jarring news and needed to keep his brothers up to speed with what was happening. This was going in a direction that would take the choice out of their hands and change the fate of their club. Jack wouldn’t blindside them. It wouldn’t be a full house with a few members gone on runs, but he’d debrief those available.
There wasn’t assigned parking in the small lot, but the first and closest to the front door was always left open for him. He pulled into his spot and turned off the engine. Colleen grabbed his shoulders gingerly and got off the bike, shaking her head as her hair swung over her shoulder. She peered up at the clubhouse.
Jack hadn’t asked if she wanted to go. He’d told her. Colleen, as usual, went along, but he sensed her hesitation to go inside.
“He ain’t here,” Jack said, and Colleen spun around, wide-eyed.
“What?”
“Dunn’s on a run with Mack and Dove. Won’t be back for a few days.”
He saw the instant relief flash over her features. He placed his hand on her back, guiding her toward the door. One of the prospects on the porch glanced over and opened the door, dropping his chin in greeting to Colleen. Jack slapped his arm.
“Thanks, Gun.”
Jack took the lead when Colleen hung back. He made no move to touch her or grab her hand. Everyone would come to their own conclusions, seeing them arrive together. Jack wasn’t going to add to the speculation. He walked toward the bar, greeting the brothers gathered on the stools.
“Fucking finally!” Grain snapped. “I don’t know how the fuck she does it, but this one” —he pointed to the club whore behind the bar— “fucks up my Jack and Coke every single goddamn time. Coll knows how to make ’em the way I like ’em.”
Grain gestured for Colleen to get behind the bar. Colleen was passing Jack when he grabbed her wrist.
“She’s not working tonight.”
Grain furrowed his brows, and the statement caught the attention of a few brothers seated at the bar.
“You don’t like how she makes it?” Jack lifted his chin to the girl behind the bar. “Then make it yourself. Or maybe your old lady wants to make you a drink.”
Regina snorted. “Unless you’re paying me, I ain’t making anybody a fucking drink. I don’t work for this club.”
Jack restrained his amusement. He’d expected that answer. Not many people appreciated Regina’s abrasiveness or her attitude. But Jack respected a woman who refused to be pushed around.
“Jack,” Colleen whispered, and he glanced down. “I don’t mind.”
“I do,” Jack said and looked up at Grain. “Looks like you’re gonna have to make your own fucking drink, brother. Do that and get your ass in the back. Got a meeting.”
One by one all the brothers stopped what they were doing, including the brother getting his dick sucked in the corner. When the president spoke, everyone listened.
It only took about ten minutes for all the present members to gather in the room in the back.
“We got a problem,” Jack said.
And that’s putting it mildly.
“Got word that the president of Satan’s Hex reached out to Sal, offering their services.”
Mick snorted. “And what services would those be?”
“They want our position in the Underground.”
“Those motherfuckers!” Grain snapped and paced the room.
He may have been dramatic and short tempered, but everyone in the club should be angry. Satan’s Hex was vying for Ghosttown’s position while trying to play Jack and the club into thinking they’d be an ally.Well played, boys.Jack had been suspicious from the beginning, but their president had offered a good alternative to partnering up with the Underground. It was all a ruse.
Now, they were left with only two choices. Join the ranks of the Underground or don’t. The decision wouldn’t be made without all the brothers taking a vote, but Jack saw where this was going. If they didn’t join, they’d be flying solo while Sal built an army. And their first strike would most likely be aimed at Ghosttown.
Fuck!