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The sound of police sirens began to draw nearer and the men knew they had to act quickly, hiding their weapons to comply with Chicago’s conceal and carry law. They didn’t have anything else to hide, it was them who had been attacked. They comforted each other and tried their best to comfort Hound Dog, his shirt covered in his father’s blood, but Wolf managed to pull him away.

“I called an ambulance,” one of the brothers said, not that it’d matter. It was already too late.

“Good,” Wolf said, then looked at Tiger. “You need to get out of here. Take Ze with you. Your high-society ass doesn’t need to be seen by the cops right now.”

Tiger nodded and took Ze with him to the side of the building. The two got on his motorcycle and he drove off just as police pulled up, followed by the ambulance, and the men stepped back, allowing the cops to take over the scene.

Back at his home, they were alone. His brother was babysitting his son, Seth. Ze lay in bed with him, just quiet as he processed everything that had happened. Tiger let him take all of the time he needed.

“I… I can’t believe he’s gone,” Ze said. “He’s one of the strongest men I’ve ever known.”

“I’m sorry, cub,” Tiger said.

“I have to tell Zin. It’s going to fuck him up.”

“Losing someone you love is never easy.”

“What are we going to do? Ever since I’ve known Jimmy, he’s been the president of the Lords,” Ze said.

“The Lords will choose another. That is what happens.”

“I know… it’s just… I can’t even imagine who could fill his shoes right now.”

“Don’t try to think about it. Just rest, and tomorrow will be a new day,” Tiger said.

“I can’t believe he’s dead and shot like some fucking nobody on the street.”

“How many people have we taken out like that?”

Ze looked up at him. “What’s your point?”

“That this is our lives. We have to be more vigilant if we want to survive. I’m sorry Jimmy is dead too, I am. But in this lifestyle, we don’t always get to decide how we go, and most of the time, it’s with a bullet,” Tiger said.

“Sometimes, I hate that you’re wiser than me because I always have to agree with your logic and sage advice,” Ze said.

“It comes with living if you’re smart enough to listen to wiser people than you and if you learn from your mistakes,” Tiger said, then kissed the top of Ze’s head.

“I feel empty and angry and sad all at the same time,” Ze said.

“You feel whatever you need to.”

“How do you feel?”

Tiger sighed. “I’m angry, cub. Pissed off that these sons of bitches have killed a friend of mine. That they keep testing us no matter how much we tried to make an alliance with them. They have shown us that they do not respect us. They need to be dealt with once and for all,” he said.

“Yes… yes, they do.”

Ze snuggled again and Tiger just held him, because that was all he could do.

* * *

Almost two weeks had passed since the shooting. The Lords of Chaos gave Jimmy a classic sendoff with other chapters paying their respects. They had his remains cremated and his urn sat on a mantle over the bar. Now that the media and police attention had died down, the Vice President, Romeo, called church. So, Tiger and Ze showed up along with all of the members.

“God, this place just doesn’t feel the same without Jimmy,” Ze said.

Tiger nodded and walked over to the bar to talk with some of the brothers while Ze made his way to Hound Dog. Everyone was just mingling and waiting for the meeting to start. Once Romeo got there, they all entered the meeting room and took their places.

“Hey, brothers, I know it’s been a rough fucking time. A lot of pain, a lot of rage and concern. But you know we’ll get through this,” Romeo said. “I’ve called you all here today because we need to start moving forward. It’s what Jimmy would have wanted. For us to remain strong and to deal with our enemies. And to do that… we need a president. Someone who can lead us in the right direction.”