Page 74 of Allegiance
“Don’t fuckin’ disrespect me! Who the fuck do you think you are?” Hammer screamed, spittle forming at the corners of his mouth.
“I’m just reporting the facts.”
Hammer’s face distorted with anger. “There are no fuckin’ facts!”
“You keep up your shit—you’ll be the next one to turn in your cut,” Cougar said.
“If this shit’s not true, then why all the fuckin’ drama?”
“I don’t need to tell you shit,” Hammer gritted out through clenched teeth.
Grid rapped his fingers on the table. “What Tank’s saying is what everyone’s saying.”
Another Hammer supporter catching on. I guess they’re not all dumbasses.Tank kept his gazed fixed on the VP as the room exploded with anger, frustration, and surprise. Hammer opened his mouth to speak, but apprehension washed over his features before he took a step forward and picked up the gavel.
The sound of wood on wood quieted the room. A bitter smile twisted Hammer’s lips as he raised his arms, gesturing everyone to sit down.
“I don’t know what happened at the arms deal because I wasn’t there, but I give you my word, I’ll look into it. The members will be informed about the incidents, and I’ll reach out to our MC friends and see if they know something that can help me assess the situation. If the club is at fault, we’ll own it. If not, then we’ll make sure the MC world knows it.”
Lying sack of shit.
Lingering grumbles circulated around the room. The tension in the air was so thick, Tank could cut it with his knife.
“Let’s move on to the protection money.” Hammer looked to Cougar. “Is everyone paying?”
“Yeah. But Tank seems to have a thing with the sweet cheeks who owns the restaurant.”
Anger burned through him. Tank clenched his fists and sat rigid.
Hammer turned his attention to Tank. “Is what Cougar saying true?”
Fuming, Tank glowered.
“I’m gonna take that as ayes. What you do with that sweet piece can’t interfere with club busines. You’ll pick up the collections in Imperial Beach instead of Main Street.”
A satisfied smirk curved the corners of Cougar’s mouth.
“Has anybody moved out yet?” Hammer asked.
“Except for the dry cleaner, the other tenants are holding strong,” Cougar told him.
A frown etched into Hammer’s face. “Fitzgerald’s not gonna like that. We’ll charge more.”
Rubble laughed. “Or we could do more fire displays like at the dry cleaners.”
“Breaking windows works—those are right at the deductible, so the vendors feel the financial pinch,” Tugboat said.
Hammer nodded. “That would work. Sheriff Windsor’s in Fitzgerald’s pocket, so we won’t have any trouble there. We need to do whatever it takes.”
“After they leave, Fitzgerald’s got a multimillion dollar property, and we’ve got shit,” Fire noted. “He’s paying us ten percent, but the protection money is ongoing.”
Cougar nodded. “That’s why we’re spreading out. We’ve setup shop in Imperial Beach, and there’ll be others to follow.”
The only ones discussing the extortion deal with Hammer and Cougar were the VP’s allies, while the other members sat there, their features tight. It took all of Tank’s willpower not to hurl a chair at Hammer when he talked about Lena, Gus, and the other citizen business owners.
“I can’t wait to take these fuckers down,” Maniac whispered to Tank.
“Yeah.”
