As if Z had a choice.
“I’m proud to be your national president and don’t take lightly the trust you’ve put in me over the years.” He glances at Rock and then Z. “Both charters now embody what our brotherhood was always supposed to be.”
He just had to get that now in. Too bad Sway’s not here for that little dig.
“You’ve done so much good work, especially over the last year. It hasn’t been easy and I’m proud of all you’ve accomplished.”
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the “but”.
He pauses. “But now I’d like to do something for the whole organization.”
Here it comes.
“I’ve been approached to be interviewed for a television documentary about outlaw bikers. Given some of the recent troubles our brothers in Washington and Tennessee have faced, I think it would be a good way to tell our side of the story.”
Fuck me to hell and back. I did not see that coming.
“This show would give us exposure to an audience we don’t normally have a reason to interact with. We’d have a chance to show that bikers are not as threatening as the media portrays us.”
The Priest I knew fifteen years ago was all about avoiding the spotlight and publicity. The outlaw bikers I grew up around didn’t give a fuck what society thought of them. Where is this need for fame coming from?
Rock must be sitting with the same bewilderment. The intensity of his stare deepens but he doesn’t say a word. Z is similarly stoic. I think we’re all waiting for the punchline.
Priest’s gaze slides toward Rooster. “Rooster and I had some discussion about this, given the nature of his high-profile ol’ lady. Doing what we can to put the club in a good light in front of the public benefits everyone.”
By the frown and side-eye Rooster launches Priest’s way, I think he has a different memory of their conversation. He doesn’t nod or speak to acknowledge Priest’s comment, nor does he contradict him.
The lack of response seems to frustrate Priest. He frowns and glances over his shoulder at Blink.
“We’ve seen clubs do interviews before,” Teller says in a strong but still respectful manner. “It never ends up painting them in a good light. The interview gets chopped and edited to fit the ‘biker gang’ narrative.”
Taking one for the team. Good boy, Teller.
“I think we’re better off keeping our heads down, doing our thing, and staying off anyone’s radar, like we always have,” Murphy adds.
Rock’s jaw tightens and he slides a “shut your yap” look at the two of them, but there’s also pride shining in his eyes.
“I’d obviously work with the producers ahead of time to set the parameters of the conversation.” Priest’s tone is full of irritation at being questioned.
“Is this something other clubs are taking part in?” Wrath asks. “We’re not that large of an organization to focus an entire show on.”
“Other clubs have been approached.” He nods at Rock. “Including your friend, Chaser. I think he turned them down.”
“I’m sure he did.” Rock’s clipped answer borders on disrespect. “I think he sticks to writing songs and staying out of the spotlight these days.”
As much as I’ve witnessed Rock busting Rooster’s balls for his friendship with Chaser, he doesn’t take the opportunity to throw Rooster under the bus with Priest.
“Since you brought up Shelby,” Rooster says, raising his hand. “Any publicity I’ve taken part in was carefully curated to keep the focus on her. I’ve always kept the club’s name as quiet as possible.”
“Right. I respect that but I no longer think such extreme caution is necessary,” Priest answers.
Maybe not for us. But I can’t imagine it’ll look real good for Shelby to be associated with outlaw bikers. I may have been locked up for fifteen years but even I can see that would be bad for her image.
“What are you suggesting we do? Mainstream?” Steer asks.
“With all due respect,” Dex pipes up before Priest answers—or shoots—Steer. “I see this going off the rails fast. Whoever it is and whatever they promise you, we all know they’ll only focus on the ‘seedy’ aspects of biker life—the strip clubs we own—”
“The porn we finance,” Jigsaw adds. “Our girls have been really careful to keep those ties separate. But a documentary crew might dig into our business ventures. Are we prepared to be labeled the porn kings of the biker world or whatever stupid title they’ll come up with?”
“Sex sells.” Dex nods at Jiggy. “We all know that’s how they’ll frame the story.”
“Not to mention they’ll want to do some dramatic segment on property patches and yap about how we’re all sexist pigs.” Steer rolls his eyes.
“Well, that’s not exactly a lie.” Z laughs. “But yeah, Steer’s right. They’re going to twist something sacred to make us look like cavemen assholes and imply that our women are brainless bimbos.” His face hardens like he’s already thinking of murdering anyone who talks shit about Lilly.