“I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall to hear that,” I answer with another cackle.
“K.O., yea or nay?” Kal returns the conversation to our Enforcer, losing patience with my flighty humor and focus.
Kio lifts the hem of his jacket, sheathes the small weapon, looks dead at Kal, and holds his glare for an uncomfortably long time, engaging in a silent conversation I recognize right away, even baked. That “something” below the surface I had wondered about just moments ago is a discussion to be had with the Executive Officers first. Zane, Brodi, and I will be required to sit out.
Not tonight, but soon, after Kal has enough time to finalize this contract for Lace. Vote first, execute next. Right now, all we need to know is if the motion will pass or fail. The rest — the fine print — will come later.
When Kio finally speaks again, the very feel in the room changes. Not because of his tone, but because of the underlying truth to his words: “Yea. Lace gets twenty-four hour protection whether she likes it or not, though. Whether she knows it or not. For the unforeseeable future. And I want some sort of protection to web out toward the other dancers.” We all know by other he means Jess. “I get they can’t be part of this, but we promised them protection when Rachal died.”
That night was the catalyst for Kal’s decision to break away from the Rolling Stones. To not extend our protection, however restricted it is due to territory rules, would be to regress in our purpose.
Even though Kal is not permitted to vote tonight except in the event of a tie, he is still presiding and, thus, moves the motion. “Everyone in favor?”
Four versions of yes fill the office.
Chaz smirks at our Enforcer, calling him out when no one else has the balls to. “All of this becomes null and void if you let Jess give you a case of brain fade, brother. Rules have to be set and kept.”
Kio narrows his already naturally dark and narrowed eyes on Chaz. The look says enough. His new infatuation with Jess is likely the least of our worries. Chaz is more apt to screw up than Kio is anyway, and everyone in this room knows it.
No longer allowing Chaz the limelight, and certainly not humoring him with a response, Kio continues with his vote. “Zane put most of you to shame, by the way. Fearless in the moment. Incredibly tuned in to his surroundings. Quick to make a good judgement call. If it was allowed, I would request him as my partner every time.” He then awards Zane with a direct address: “I vote yes. The stage jitters and post-assignment adrenaline drop will get better over time. Lace can help, if you let her. Tonight, she is still yours regardless of the turn of events.”
Well, damn, there goes the idea of using her after my own assignment tonight.
Kal takes over again. “Unanimous. Interesting.”
“Almost.” Kio tilts his head toward Zane. “Think we should let the Chaplain vote about Lace?”
All attention turns to Zane. From his comfortable spot in the only available armchair, his eyes pop wide, and he shakes his head. “I get my patches in Georgia. Chaz said so himself. And… I… I need to be a patched member to vote.”
“You earned your patches. No more sweeping rocks, ridge runner. Your vote matters just as much as any of theirs. In fact, you can ruin this for everyone if your sweet, innocent cock so chooses,” Kal jibes.
Every member in attendance leans forward in anticipation. Zane becomes straight as a board. I take one final pull of my joint and snub it out in the tray on the small table beside me. After coughing over the particularly large inhale, I state, “You can vote yes and still keep your v-card, Father.”
“What does Lace want?” Zane asks.
“Cute. Say yes, and I guarantee we’ll find out,” Chaz answers.