Page 109 of The First Cut

The music cuts off immediately as most of those in the room spin and aim their guns my way.

“Now that I have your attention, we have church in ten minutes. If you’re not there for any reason, you’ll attend the next church meeting over Zoom via a hospital bed, understand?” I don’t hide the anger in my voice. Everyone looks at me warily, but nobody protests.

Byte walks over with a frown on his face. “What’s happened? Is it something to do with the missing girls?”

“You know it doesn’t surprise me that so many women fell through the cracks when you fuckers couldn’t even protect the ones right under your nose.” I head to the meeting room, leaving him with Gunther.

I shove the door open, take the seat reserved for the president, and rest my elbows on the table, head in my hands. How did everyone get it so fucking wrong?

I try to get my shit in order and calm down a little before everyone starts floating in, but there's no soothing the embers of these flames. Nothing will do that other than Driller’s blood on my hands and his head on a spike outside the compound for the whole world to see.

I lift my head when Snoopy enters. He nods at me and takes his seat. He’s followed by Gunther and Byte. I keep my silence until every seat is taken and the door is closed to everyone else in the clubhouse.

“Havoc’s gone?” I ask Repo.

“Yeah, about an hour ago.”

I nod, pulling out my phone and setting it down in front of me. “Any of you know why he came today?”

“I figured it was about the missing girls?” Manny speaks up.

I shake my head. “Byte and G are still working on decoding the ledger.”

“We’re close, though,” Byte adds.

I rest my forearms on the table and lean forward. “Havoc came to talk to Lola because Driller spilled a few home truths when he made a grab for Nevaeh. I think it’s time you all learned the truth, too. It’s time you open your eyes so you can see what you let happen.”

I hit play, and for the next hour, everyone sits in transfixed horror, listening to Lola’s harrowing tale of rape, starvation, and torture. By the time the recording is finished, the room is so quiet you could hear a ghost fart.

Gunther stands up and walks out, slamming the door behind him. Snoopy stands up to follow but I stop him.

“Leave him.” Ferris bites out. “He was the one who reported shit to us before Hannibal took over. He knew something wasup, Driller was getting reckless, and Gunther started putting two and two together. I don’t think he knew it was this bad, though. Nobody did.”

“She must fucking hate us,” Meek states, sounding choked.

Mud, who is sitting beside him, looks like he wants to throw up.

Elmo fists his hands. “I want ten minutes with the doc. He knew what was happening and said nothing.”

I look at Byte. “Pull up his info and find out what he has on Lola.”

“I’m on it,” he tells me quietly.

I turn to face the rest of the room. “This ends today. I know most of you have started to make amends with her, and for those that haven’t, fix it now or fuck off. This club is her fucking home, and by god, it’s about time you all started making her feel welcome.”

They all murmur their agreements.

I stand and tap the table. “Make it right,” I order one last time. “Dismissed.”

I wait as everyone but Byte files out.

“I’m gonna stay here and look into the doc. I’ll keep you updated. Go be with your old lady.”

I nod and head for the door.

“Hannibal?”

I turn back to look at him. “It’s not enough, I know, but for what it’s worth, I’m so fucking sorry.”