Lib Novel Page 114
My phone buzzes again.
Princess PITA: I’m fine. I’ll find a ride.
I scowl at the message. Now, I won’t be able to stop worrying about her.
The meeting with Priest takes shitshow to a whole new level. An asshole of a brother from my original charter in Washington challenges Priest. He loses—badly—and hightails it the fuck out of there.
After the meeting, Rock’s busy making the rounds with the national officers. Z jerks his head to the side, indicating he wants his officers to follow him. I tap Rooster’s shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
Z opens a door downstairs and holds it wide for us to enter.
Rooster leans against the wall and I stand next to him. Grinder takes up a position next to the door.
“We’re waiting for Hustler,” Z says, glancing into the hallway. “Actually, I don’t need him right now. I’d rather keep this circle small.”
“What’s on your mind, Prez?” Rooster asks.
“I’m guessing that whole shitshow that went down at the table,” I say.
“I’m sure we’ll all discuss this once we get home and get Upstate and Downstate in the war room.” Z nods. “But we all saw what happened out there, right?”
“Acorn showed his entire ass to every charter in the organization?” Rooster deadpans. “Yeah, Prez, we all saw it.”
Z glares at his VP, then looks at Grinder, and me. “You all see where this is going, right? Rock might want to keep living in denial about it, but Priest will eventually step down. And he’ll want to do it when he has enough power to name his successor.”
“How’s that make sense?” I ask. “It’s farther for everyone.”
“Not really.” Z shrugs. “Only Washington and no offense since I know that’s your original charter, but I don’t see them lasting much longer if Pony can’t keep control over his crew.”
“That was ugly,” Rooster mutters. “Fucking embarrassing. Don’t be surprised if Priest’s Nomad crew wipes Washington off the map sometime soon.”
Z’s sharp blue gaze lands on Rooster. “First thing Rock will need to do is disband the Nomad charter.”
Rooster shrugs. “You’re getting way ahead of things, Prez.”
Z’s not finished, though. “Squiggy ain’t gonna be able to handle the Prez position for long. I’ll bet Priest wants you to stick around to ask you about running this charter.”
Rooster’s eyes widen and my stomach plunges into my boots. “Yeah, that’s a no from me,” Rooster says. But I know my brother too well. He’ll consider the offer. It would make his and Shelby’s lives a lot easier if she was in Tennessee, closer to the heart of the country music scene.
Rooster catches my eye and I shrug.
“I go where you go, brother.” An edge of doubt creeps into my mind as the words leave my mouth. A year ago, that would’ve been one-hundred percent true. Now? I just moved Jezzie to New York so she could be closer to me. And I have Margot. The thought of leaving her jabs me in the ribs in an unfamiliar way.
Except, I don’t exactly have her. We talked about getting together for more lessons when I return. Nothing more.
She’s already told me the job market in her field is tight. She won’t want to leave her family business and start over in a whole new state where she’ll have to get licensed again.
Rooster—perceptive bastard that he is—is still giving me that questioning face. I pull a what the fuck look at him and he finally takes his attention elsewhere.
“All right.” Z claps his hands. “We’re not going to solve this today. Let’s say our goodbyes and meet with Upstate out front. I know Dex, Sparky, Stash, and Murphy want to head home.” Z points at me. “You’re rolling out too?”
“My sister said she’s good, but I haven’t heard back from her whether she’s made it home or not yet. But I can stay if you want me to.”
“No, check on your sister,” Z says. “I wanna get the hell out of here too but I’m not leaving without my VP.”
Rooster’s cheeks lift. “Aw, thanks Prez. Appreciate you not abandoning me here.”