Page 25 of Inglorious (Unwanted Bastards MC #1)

“Need a word,” I said, entering Vortex’s office.

“Come in, why don’t you?” Vortex retorted, and I chuckled. I sat down opposite him and held his gaze.

“Nanci is the stand-in president. Vortex, I may be on scut duties, but remember, this is my club!”

“What do you want?” Vortex sighed, not willing to engage in an argument.

“Permission to court Nanci. Psych is gone, and I can’t get his. I’m not even telling those cunts of a family that Nanci has returned. Nanci called you first out of everyone, so you’re close. Close enough, Nanci gave you Psych’s position.”

“You think that means something?” Vortex asked.

“Nah, I don’t think, I know. Now, I’m telling you, I’m claiming Nanci.”

“Then you aren’t asking for permission,” Vortex fired back, and I chuckled.

“Guess not. How about we say I’m informing you?”

Vortex studied me. “Four weeks ago, when we arrived, I’d have shot you. A lot has happened since then. Reaching a month sober is great, but the real struggle starts now. You’ve got to remain clean each day.”

“You don’t know what I suffer daily. Honestly?

The urge to grab a drink is worse when I wake up.

But once I’m showered and functioning, that fades.

I’m not tempted, but I’ve not been in a social position where others are drinking.

That will be the big test. It’s a habit to have a beer when friends are too.

Ain’t gonna lie, I’m an alcoholic, and that’s never going to go away.

Still, that doesn’t define who I am.” “And who’s that? ” Vortex fixed his gaze on mine.

“The President of the Unwanted Bastards, a brother, friend, and leader. I’m also a recovering alcoholic, and I’m a man with human frailties.”

Vortex nodded slowly. “Therapy seems to be helping.”

“Janet opened my eyes. Actually, no, Janet has provided a sounding board, and I’ve come to some realisations. I’ll probably struggle every morning not to grab a drink immediately. But that won’t affect how I think and feel about Nanci.”

“Why are you asking permission?”

“Because, as I said, it’s clear you’re close.

Nanci gave you VP, her legacy position. When Nanci steps down, she can’t claim it, as it’s now yours.

That means something. She picked you to fill Psych’s boots.

That alone screams that Nanci loves, cares, and trusts you.

Especially with honouring Psych’s memory.

” “We stayed in touch after what happened with Rhea,” Vortex admitted.

“And you and I will have a come-to-Jesus talk about that, brother,” I threatened.

Vortex nodded. “Guess I owe you that.”

“Hell yeah. But with your permission, I want to claim Nanci.”

Vortex paused for several long moments, and I thought he was about to refuse me. He studied me carefully, but I couldn’t read his expression. Even if this fuck said no, I’d still claim Nanci. But it would be easier with Vortex on side.

“You have it. Harm Nanci, and I won’t hesitate to bury you.”

“I expect that.” There was nothing else to say. I rose, headed for the door, and paused. Actually, I had something else to say. I held Vortex’s gaze. “You are the last person I’d have accepted back here. You hurt the club and Rhea when you ran like a pussy.”

“I had—”

“I’m talking. Shut up.”

Vortex subsided.

“Can’t deny you fled like a yellow-bellied coward.

But you returned. I wouldn’t have given you VP, and I’d have beaten your ass under different circumstances.

This is your second shot, Vortex; don’t fuck it up, because you were and currently are a good brother.

You’re a reasonable VP, and it pains me to admit that.

As I said earlier, I’m human, and so are you.

We make mistakes. There won’t be a third chance, Vortex. ”

“Understood.”

“Good.” I left grinning.

As I headed into the rec room, slight movement caught my gaze, and I spotted Chill once again in the shadows. His eyes were fixed firmly on Meadow as she wiped the counters down. A scent of stew wafted through the air, and my stomach rumbled in response.

I walked over to Chill, and he jumped, looking guilty.

“The food smells amazing,” I said, and Chill nodded.

“Meadow is baking homemade bread,” he muttered.

“Brother, if you like her, make a move. Meadow’s a nice lady,” I replied, and Chill looked horrified.

“What are you talking about? I don’t do relationships,” Chill spluttered. “The ladies love a bit of Chill in their beds. It would be cruel to deprive them of everything that is me.”

“And that’s bullshit. I can see shit in your eyes. Lie to yourself, brother; that will make your fall all the sweeter,” I said and walked away, leaving Chill muttering. I headed over to Razor, who was standing with Hercules.

“Open a book. I bet within four weeks, Chill is chasing his tail over Meadow.” Razor and Hercules swapped glances and grinned.

“Clarify that because Chill’s already running in circles,” Hercules stated.

“In a month, Chill will have claimed Meadow,” I replied. “One hundred on it.”

Razor whipped out a book. “Give me a date.” He wrote down the date I said, and Hercules offered a different date, matching my bet. Razor smirked, added his own, and headed out to find Vortex, Nanci, and Doc. They needed to be included, too.

Nanci

Inglorious had left me stunned and slightly wary. Did he really desire me like I’d desired him for so long? It was no use denying shit, every man I’d dated, which hadn’t been many, had been compared to Inglorious. It may have been subconscious, but I’d done that.

Lately, Inglorious seemed much more like his old self. I could see the mischievousness in him, and his legendary charm was starting to show once more.

Vortex approached and sat as I relaxed outside the clubhouse and gazed over Main Street.

I loved this place. It had been built in the style of an old Wild West town.

In front of the buildings was a wooden street with railings that horses would have been tied to.

Every so often, a gap would appear, and a small set of steps would lead to the dirt road.

Psych had told me there had been tarmac down and they’d ripped it up and restored it to its former glory.

Not that a dirt road had much to brag about.

But it was there once more. I knew the club had considered laying brick down because dirt turned to mud pretty quickly, but they had decided against it.

People would simply need to bring rain boots.

“I’d an interesting conversation today,” Vortex stated, handing me a Coke.

“Yeah?”

“Inglorious asked for permission to claim you.”

I choked on the mouthful of drink I’d just taken and spat it out. “What?” I hissed, wiping my mouth.

Vortex looked amused at my reaction. “Inglorious wants to claim you.”

“And spoke to you?”

“Yup. He declared that we’re close, and with Psych not being around to ask, it fell to me.”

Pain hit a little at Vortex’s words, but it was nowhere near as visceral as it had been in the past. Huh, maybe I was healing. “What did you say?”

“Gave Inglorious my blessing. But implied I’d beat the shit out of him if he hurt you,” Vortex replied, and I giggled.

“Surprised you didn’t threaten to shoot him.”

“Did that too,” Vortex said, and I laughed harder. “I missed that sound.”

I stopped laughing and sighed. “Not a lot to laugh over lately, Vortex.”

“No, but everyone’s healing.” “Even you?” I asked.

Vortex gazed at the sunset. “Guilt is a fickle friend, Nanci. Inglorious should blame me because I left Rhea alone that night. But he’s not.

In fact, Inglorious holds me responsible for quitting the MC and leaving Rhea.

Nanci, I couldn’t look Rhea in the eyes, and I also thought the club had turned dark.

Knowing that Sasha had been at risk and Inglorious looked after her and not me, chokes me.

” “And the remorse is stronger because you’ve only just discovered the truth,” I replied softly.

“Yeah. This club has far too much guilt. We’re all healing, though. Plus, we’ve barely had time to breathe since arriving.” Vortex said.

“When I ran, it was because of Rhea, what had happened, my parents, and wanting more than being here. A multitude of reasons led me to leave. I wanted a golden future, and I got it through hard work and sweat. I can honestly say that leaving here led me to the life I craved. Now, I look around Main Street and see a future.” “Does that include Inglorious?”

“Funny enough, it might,” I said and nudged Vortex with my shoulder.

Vortex chuckled as we both sipped our drinks and watched the sunset.