Page 141 of Make or Break

A week and a half later, I was manning the bar with Beast while Ricochet and Nickel worked the floor. Even though I tried to let him off the hook last week, Beast insisted on clearing the air with me. He regretted not stepping up for the vote, and he didn’t have much of an excuse other than the fact it floored him that claiming an old lady had led to my patch being called into question.

Part of me still found that to be a hollow excuse, but mostly it stoked my anger toward Lark.

I stood drying a pint glass when Volt sauntered into the barroom followed by Rage and Liar.

“Volt, what brings you by?” Beast asked.

I set the pint glass under one of the beer taps, and watched the three of them settle on barstools.

“I’m here for a Jack and Coke while I give Tundra some good news,” Volt said.

Beast grabbed a highball glass and loaded it with ice. “Did Liar and Rage come with you? Or was that coincidence?”

Liar ran his hand through his red hair. “Volt mentioned he was comin’ out here, and I decided to ride out with him.”

Rage put his credit card on the bar. “I wasn’t in on their plan. Lisa didn’t need me around her shop as much today, and I figured I’d head over here for a beer. I’m not proud of being a pussy who didn’t vote.” He locked eyes with me and gave a single nod. “I want to make sure you know that. That was a huge fuck-up on my part, and I’m sorry.”

Liar shot Rage a sideways glare. “Dammit, how the fuck did you get there first? Now anything I have to say is going to sound like I’m repeating you.”

Rage didn’t exactly smile, but his eyes twinkled like he was pleased with himself as he glanced at Liar. “It’s not my fault you waited too long to state your case.”

Beast put Volt’s drink in front of him. “Not that I don’t like watching my cousin taking a ration of shit, but what’s the good news, prez?”

Volt sipped his drink. “Last week, the judge refused to let Duane Jacobs out on bail since he was a flight risk.”

I nodded.

Volt almost smiled. “The club attorney called me. Seems Duane’s attorney convinced him to plead guilty to all of the charges against him.”

I struggled against being disgusted. To most, this looked like justice being served, but I thought Duane was getting off too easy.

Volt lowered his chin. “I can see that doesn’t sit well with you. But, she doesn’t have to testify in court or be cross-examined, and neither will your sister, or your ex. None of that would have been easy - no matter how strong she claims to be. With his confession, he’ll be in a psych ward for a minimum of ten years.”

For once, I couldn’t control my mouth. “Gee, just in time for me and Mick to have a nine or ten-year-old kid.”

Liar’s eyes widened. “Is she pregnant?”

“No,” I snarled. “That’s not the point. The jackass who stabbed her roaming free after a ten year stint in a hospital ward is.”

Nickel wandered up behind Liar. “What are you three talking about? Whatever it is, the customers are getting concerned.”

I locked eyes with Nickel. “Duane pled guilty, but gets to spend a minimum of ten years in a psychiatric hospital.”

“Sounds like good news to me,” Liar said.

Nickel shot some side eye at Liar. “Ten years is far too little. She lost so much blood that day, it’s a miracle she didn’t die.”

I threw a hand out at Nickel. “That’s what I’m saying.”

“There will be hearings before he’s released,” Volt said.

I shifted to the side while Beast put a pint of beer in front of Rage, and a bottle of Abita in front of Liar.

“Do you have any other ‘good’ news for me?” I asked.

“The club officers agree that we should shut the bar down for Bike Week, but we’re going to put it to a vote,” Volt said.

“No,” I said, my tone firmer than I’d ever used with my president.