“He still breathing?” I ask.
The man groans.
“Yeah, but he probably wishes he wasn’t,” Brick says.
I snicker. “More than that fucker deserves.”
Brothers pile out the door with four brothers hemmed up.
Charm’s face is pale. “You all right, brother?” he asks.
I nod. “I’m good. What do you want me to do with this piece of shit?” I ask, pulling the groggy man to his feet by the scruff of his hoodie. I twist his arms behind him, incapacitating his movement.
“Bring them into the shed,” Stone replies.
We secure them all to chairs and b
ack off to let Wizard and Stone get down to work.
My ears are still ringing from the shot, and I’m amped up from the scuffle. My chapter is pacing the space like hungry lions while the L.A. chapter looks on, confused about what the hell is happening. The waiting is making them anxious. All part of Stone’s plan, I’m sure.
“No one’s going to tell me what the fuck this is about?” Big asks.
“Shut the fuck up and wait for Stone,” Mouth says. My father is a pit-bull ready to go for a throat if commanded to.
I’m impressed, and concerned. This is what I’m up against.
What feels like eons later, Stone comes in with bloody knuckles and a set jaw. “All you motherfuckers are on your last leg. It’s up to you convince me I shouldn’t disband this fucking chapter.”
“What!” Big shouts.
“Motherfucker, you talking back?” Stone barks. “Your ass is so out of touch, you don’t know your men are going behind your back tormenting one of my people. You know Battles’ family needs a firm hand and constant eye. I trusted you with that shit and you slept on your job, causing me problems. I like my shit to run smooth.”
“I told them what was up. I thought shit was settled. I haven’t seen them acting strange or leaving for long periods of time,” Big says.
“You should’ve known better, that’s your fucking job. If you can’t do it, then you shouldn’t be President.”
Disgruntled rumblings run through the L.A. chapter.
Big shakes his head. “You’re right. What do you want to do?”
“All five I took, need to go. Patches, tats, protection, and affiliation gone. Then you watch those motherfuckers. They step out of line, it’s on you to handle.”
Big nods his head. “Done.”
“I want to trust you, Big, but I’m not a stupid man. I’m leaving Wizard behind and a few others to get this shit running right and then we’ll talk again, about what’s going to happen. I thought about coming in guns blasting and burning this bitch to the ground.”
Big’s eyes bulge out of his face.
“Yeah, you need to know how pissed I am, and how real this is.”
“Don’t punish everyone else for my inadequacy.”
“See, now you’re talking like a real leader,” Stone says, clapping his shoulder. He leans forward. “I’m not a forgiving man, Big. Last chance, brother.”
Big nods his head.
“Anyone else here who has a problem with the way we do things or the way I want my shit run, should get the fuck out now while the only thing I’m taking is patches of cuts. Next time, I won’t be stopping until you motherfuckers cease breathing.” He walks through the room mean mugging each and every member. “See this is the shit me and my family bleed for and built from the ground up. I’m not about to let anyone ruin that. If you can’t ride hard and true, this ain’t the place for you.”