Page 32 of Risk (Mayhem Makers: MMM #3)
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Risk
We’re on a deadline to give the Trifecta our answer.
I know we only have a short time to get the ball rolling and decide what we’re going to do.
In order to start us off on a lighter note, I announce, “We’re staying.
” It feels good to get that off my chest to the masses before Kodiak has the chance to bang the gavel to start church.
This time when he slams it down on the plank, it’s with more gusto than usual.
“I was hoping that’s what you and McKenna would decide on,” he announces. “I had a Q and A session with Luna the same night after we had our last church session. Needless to say, she had more questions than I had answers for but she brought up several points that left a sinking feeling in my gut.”
This time, Dragon and Wrecker are with us.
Promptly, after we concluded a few days back and were left confused about what the best thing was for us to do, Kodiak took the two men into his office and they were in there for several hours.
I hope they had ideas we didn’t and shared them with Kodiak.
Otherwise, we’re going to be left with our dicks swinging in the wind.
“Wrecker and I have been talking, and we both feel you need to bring in a few people to watch over the rescues. First up would be a therapist, someone who won’t report what these folks have been through.
Next on the list is someone who’s got muscle, someone they’ll fear crossing but with a sympathetic heart.
Then we think you need a house mom, someone for them to complain to, but with a stern disposition.
This person will need to be able to balance them. ”
“Balance them how?” Kodiak inquires.
“Meaning, she’ll have to be the one they trust to come to with their woes but will have a sternness to her, she’ll have to harp on them and remind them of the repercussions if they open their mouths to the wrong person.
Not only to them if they try to run off, but what it’ll mean for us…
the ones who put their necks on the line to get them out of that deplorable lifestyle,” Wrecker explains.
“So not only do we need to come up with property and a building large enough to house them, but we need to find three people we trust who fit that criteria?” I conclude. “Do we know people like that?”
“There’s a man I know, one that I’d trust with my life, that could be the muscle we need to keep everyone in line.
He’s got a chip on his shoulder a mile wide in regard to the law, as well as those who take advantage of the vulnerable, but he’s a good guy.
Damn good guy. However, he’s an ex-con and I’m not sure if he’ll want to step into any sort of illegal activity.
When I think about who would fit the mold of what we’re needing, his face is the only one that pops into my head,” Wrecker states.
“Corbin?” Dragon asks.
“Yep,” Wrecker answers.
“He’d do it,” Dragon contends. “I agree, he’d be perfect for the job. I’d raise my hand if we were voting on him to take the position.”
“Wait.” I hold my hand up and ask, “Corbin ‘Slaughter’ Macintosh? Is that who you’re talking about?”
“Yeah, you know him?” Wrecker probes.
“I know of him. His story made the headlines. Man, he took on an entire faction and came out the only one standing. From what was reported on the national news, the warehouse where he took his vengeance out at was a bloodbath. It was because of his mom, right?”
“Yes,” Dragon replies. “And the only reason he’s out today is because someone pulled some strings and had his sentence turned from life in prison to thirty years. When he went before the parole board, they released him even though he showed no remorse and had no interest in being let loose.”
Wrecker snorts before adding, “He didn’t want out because there were still some on the inside that were connected to his mother’s murder that he hadn’t taken care of yet.”
Butcher, who I hadn’t noticed was with us until now, since he’s been popping in and out of the clubhouse the entire time they’ve been around, snorts. “I’m sure if we look into it, those fuckers are all six feet under.”
“Are you sure someone with that history is who we want taking care of these people?” Kodiak asks. “He sounds like a hot head.”
“Oh, he’s got a temper alright. But only when he’s pushed to extremes and he’s been forced to act,” Dragon states. “If those men hadn’t laid a finger on his mother, they’d still be around. The entire gang who attacked and killed his mom was wiped out in one fell swoop.”
“I’d be willing to meet with him if he’s interested,” Kodiak tells them. “That leaves us with two more people to run things and housing.”
“I put some feelers out there,” Conan says. “I expect I’ll be getting a call later once the word gets out. Y’all remember Aiden and Sadie Taylor from our stop in Hudson?”
“Fuck yes! They’d be perfect,” I holler. “He closed down his practice, didn’t he?”
“Yes. He got tired of the propaganda from his peers and the board. When I asked about it, that was all he’d say in response. He and Sadie both quit and are doing the whole traveling thing, but they’re getting bored. This would give them a purpose.”
“If you hear back from them, have them get in touch with me,” Kodiak orders.
Conan gives him a salute and some of the weight that’s been dragging me down lifts.
There’s nobody out there like Aiden and Sadie Taylor.
They’re hardasses who don’t take anyone’s shit, but at the same time, they make you feel comfortable enough to tell them your life story and spill your guts—even if it’s your first time meeting them.
“If things work out our way and those three say yes, there’s still the issue with where we put them. Do we keep them close by so we can watch them, or do we get a place that puts some distance between us and them?” Regulator poses the final problem we’re facing.
The clicking of Auto’s fingers on his keyboard has us all shifting our heads his way.
“I have something I think will work, it’s an old, abandoned schoolhouse that’s off the beaten road.
It’s not in the public eye but it’s not so far away from town that they couldn’t get there by walking.
It’s going to need some work, but it would give them something to do while adjusting to things. ”
“Nothing better to unleash your anger on than some demolition,” I state.
“What’s the listing price?” Kodiak asks Auto.
“Two-hundred and fifty thousand. It’s on sixteen acres and there’s already a fence surrounding the perimeter for safety sake. With some tender loving care, they could turn it into their own community. We could counter the offer and see how low we can get them,” Auto suggests.
“Start negotiations,” Kodiak edicts.
“Just like that, sight unseen?” I ask, that’s not like him.
“I think an old schoolhouse is our best solution,” Kodiak answers. “From what Auto just told us, it’s roomy and secure enough that I’d be comfortable bidding on it.”
“If we get it for a low enough price, we could give them some funds to remodel it and make it their home,” Conan injects.
“Just like the Taylors, it’d give them a sense of purpose,” Hemi reminds us. “Fuck knows they’re going to need something substantial to motivate and reintegrate them into the life of the living.”
“Now that we have that moving forward, what about the conditions given to us by the Trifecta?” Kodiak asks. “It’ll put the club at risk.”
“Things were getting boring around here anyway, I’m in,” Rev tosses in his two cents and says.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep our family intact. My vote is that we go for it,” Conan states.
As we go around the table, it’s unanimous. Every man says yes with some heartfelt emotion attached to the reason behind it. When it gets to me, I swallow the lump in my throat and say, “Let’s do it.”
We may end up resting inside of the belly of the beast, but eventually, we’ll be able to dig ourselves out. I believe that or I wouldn’t be agreeing to this bullshit.
“Then I’ll call them and get the ball rolling,” Kodiak says, banging the gavel and ending the meeting.
As he saunters out of the room, he places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes it.
I keep my ass glued to the chair as all of the brothers stand and walk by me, doing the same.
I’m not sure how I’ll make up for the sacrifice they’re making for me and my family, but somehow, someway, I will.