Page 14 of Inglorious (Unwanted Bastards MC #1)

Nanci

S adly, I dialled Tish with a heavy heart. Tish was a friendly rival of mine and one of the few people I could trust despite our rivalry.

“Hello, Nanci!” Tish said, picking her phone up.

“Hey, how are you doing?” I asked.

“Busy, busy. How can I help?”

“I’m selling the school,” I stated and left the words hanging.

Tish caught on. “And you’re giving me first refusal.”

“Yes.”

“What’s your price?”

I named a figure and waited.

“That’s reasonable. I kinda thought you’d try to gouge me.”

“Tish, I’m not a rip-off merchant,” I replied.

“Are you sure you want to sell? South Dakota ain’t no Vegas!” Tish said.

“Strange, I guessed you’d be throwing a party that you can get your hands on my school.”

“Oh, I am, darling! Are you looking for a quick sale?”

“Yeah, I’m not coming back. I’m needed here. My lawyer will contact you in a few days.”

“Can’t say I’m sorry I’m getting the school, but I appreciate the toughness of the decision you just made. This can’t have been easy,” Tish stated.

“No, it wasn’t.”

“Speak soon, and thanks for the consideration.”

I hung up and drew a deep breath. That had been one of the toughest things I’d ever done.

The school meant the world to me. I’d built it up with sheer grit and dedication.

I was deeply upset at losing something that had been so important.

Resentment welled at Inglorious. If he hadn’t been a drunk, I wouldn’t have had to give up my life.

The office door opened, and I glanced up.

Whatever was on my face made Inglorious pause.

“This isn’t the time,” I warned. His eyes raked me before he nodded and left. Moments later, Vortex walked in. Damn, Inglorious had sent Vortex.

“Babe, you sold the school,” Vortex said, and tears welled.

Vortex yanked me out of the seat and wrapped me up in a hug. “That was my security blanket, my vindication,” I muttered.

“Can you back out?”

“Vortex, I’m going to be here at least a year. All because Inglorious is a drunk asshole who couldn’t hold shit together!”

There was movement at the door. Startled, I turned and spotted Inglorious standing there. Guilt twisted his face, and without a word, Inglorious spun on his heel and left.

“About time Inglorious started seeing the consequences of his actions,” Vortex said unkindly.

I couldn’t help but agree with his words.

Inglorious

Nanci’s expression destroyed me. It hit me hard what she was giving up to be here to support my sorry ass.

Psych had bragged about what Nanci had created out in Vegas.

He’d been so proud. If Psych knew Nanci was selling the school and leaving her headlining job to be here, he’d kick me to hell and back. Shit.

It was right there and then that I decided to stay sober and keep straight. I owed Nanci that much, at least. Pulling out my phone, I punched in Janet’s number.

“Inglorious,” she said on answering.

“Janet, I’m ready to take this seriously,” I replied.

“Glad to hear that. See you in two days.”

“Thanks,” I answered and hung up.

“Nanci, can you come here?” Hercules called, and I gazed in his direction. Sure, Hercules wasn’t calling me, but I was a nosy bastard. Standing with him was somebody who made the blood leech from my face.

“You’re dead,” I spluttered, gazing at the guy.

“Yeah, my brother is,” he replied.

“Shit, I knew he had one, but not a twin,” I muttered, still staring.

“Ain’t Slim’s twin, although we looked alike.”

As Nanci approached, Vortex’s arm wrapped around her as her knees gave way. Nanci gaped at the man in front of her.

“Slim?” she gasped.

“Mark was my brother, or Slim, as you knew him. I’m Chuck, and younger by two years. I was away when he died. By the time I got home, everything was done and dusted,” Chuck explained.

“How can I help?” Nanci said, visibly recovering.

“You’ve had Slim’s things here. I want them if you still have them.”

“Not a problem, but I haven’t packed up Slim’s belongings,” Nanci murmured. Her expression twisted as she admitted that. There was guilt there that Nanci hadn’t got Slim’s possessions ready for his family.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go through them and choose what I want. The rest can be donated to charity,” Chuck said.

“Come, I’ll take you to Slim’s room,” Nanci offered.

“Babe, let me,” Vortex interjected.

“Nope, I’m president, it’s my duty,” Nanci stated, even though she was pale.

Chuck looked surprised. “You’re president? Thought a dude called Inglorious was.”

“He’s not currently. Inglorious might be again, but for now it’s me,” Nanci replied. “We’re also recruiting Legacies.”

“What’s a Legacy?” Chuck asked as they walked away.

I stared after them. Nanci had just recruited her next member.

Nanci

Chuck joined me in the clubhouse that evening after taking Slim’s items back to his hotel room.

He was a taciturn man who had little to say.

However, I noted that when he spoke, it merited listening to.

From what I gathered, Chuck and Slim hadn’t been close.

Chuck also straight up told me the reason he’d not been at the funeral was because he’d been in prison for three years.

He’d been charged and sentenced for assault and battery.

Chuck received a five-year sentence but was released early on good behaviour.

I appreciated his honesty. He inquired if that would stop him from joining us, and I said no.

I told him to come back tonight to meet everyone and learn more about the MC.

Vortex was going to introduce him around and explain the charter.

I was hoping Chuck would take up Slim’s legacy because, even though he was tightly closed off, there was something about him I liked.

Chuck having a record didn’t bother me, and it wouldn’t upset anyone else in the club. When Chuck showed up, Vortex hadn’t come back from a task he’d told me he had to do, so Hercules had stepped into Vortex’s shoes.

When Vortex returned in a blinding rage, I took one look at his face and guessed someone was getting a beat-down—or their death was imminent.

“What?” I demanded.

“Kya, Heat’s girl,” Vortex spat out.

My glance slid to Chuck, who was watching. “My office.”

Vortex glanced at Chuck and nodded.

“Don’t mind me. If you want me to join, then keeping secrets isn’t a good idea. Kya, Heat’s kid, I’m guessing, is in trouble. And Heat is a former member. How old is she?” Chuck asked.

Briefly, I hesitated. Was Chuck on the up and up? While we were aware Slim had a brother, they hadn’t been close. None of us knew the reason, either.

“Look, I got sent down because my ex was drugging her kids to make them sleep so she could go out clubbing at night. I beat the crap out of her. No, I ain’t proud of hitting a woman.

But when you’ve just rushed a four-year-old girl to the hospital because she wasn’t breathing, I’ve got a reason.

Slim and I didn’t talk because he didn’t approve of my actions.

Slim didn’t understand my reasons until my trial.

When Slim visited me inside, let’s say I was full of anger that he’d judged and not trusted me,” Chuck said honestly.

“What happened to the children?” I asked.

“They went to their father, whom I’ve remained in touch with, and he’s very thankful. Our ex was a piece of work and hid that until I was too deeply involved. Even when I found out, I couldn’t leave because of the kids,” Chuck replied.

“Do you see them?” Hercules inquired. Approval was in his eyes.

“Yeah. Denny brought them to prison, and I’ve had them stay with me since I’ve been out. Denny’s a decent man, and his wife is a wonderful woman. They’ve agreed the kids can come see their favourite Uncle Chuck six weeks a year,” Chuck answered Hercules.

“That sounds amazing,” I said.

“It fuckin’ is. Now Kya?” Chuck turned and held Vortex’s gaze. I wouldn’t force Vortex to answer Chuck, and I wondered if he would. Vortex was a great judge of character.

“Kya’s living in squalor, and her mom is so hooked on drugs she’s forgotten Kya fuckin’ exists.

Manda goes out and gets high, leaving Kya alone for days.

A neighbour has reported them to child services.

But somehow, either Kya got lost in the system or Manda bullshitted her way through a meeting, but Manda still has Kya. ”

“Fuck,” I exploded as my eyes narrowed. Manda was heading for a beating.

“That kid ain’t safe,” Hercules snapped.

“Herc, we’re taking Kya. Doc, open the clinic, we’ll bring Kya straight to you,” I said, turning to Doc Paul.

Doc Paul didn’t say a word, but nodded immediately. “Don’t feed her. If Kya’s been starved, your natural inclination is to feed her, but you could make matters worse. I have to assess and diagnose what her problems are. Kya might need small and nutritious meals, and not a big, fat, greasy burger.”

“I understand. Chill, Vortex, you’re with me.” “I’m coming, too,” Chuck announced, and I nodded.

“Me, too. What happened to Kya is on me. Heat knew Manda’s nature and had custody of Kya. He signed that over to me if he should die. Because I was… sinking my sorrows in a bottle, Manda was able to take Kya. Legally, I have guardianship, and Manda can’t do shit,” Inglorious said quietly.

Fury rose, and I stamped it down with effort. Inglorious had allowed a little girl to suffer despite knowing what a disaster her mother was. I was about to blast him when I saw Inglorious’s expression. Guilt and self-loathing were rampant.

“Get the paperwork you need,” I ordered.

Inglorious exited the room in a hurry and returned within minutes, holding a folder. “This contains Heat’s will and the papers making me Kya’s guardian.”

“Great, let’s go,” I said.