Mad Dog (Angel’s Rebellion MC: #2) (Angel's Rebellion MC), стр. 83

“Anyone have anything else to say or nominate?” I asked the men sitting around the table with me. Every head but one shook no.

“Yeah, Prez. I do. While my father situation was a little different than Slade’s, I was lucky enough to have a dad for the first twelve years of my life. But after my dad died, Viper stepped up. He was there for the many talks I needed, for the many questions I had about life, he helped me build my first bike too.

“Vip doesn’t tell you how things should be and then blindly expects you to follow his words of advice. He lives the words he preaches. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have him in my life and in my corner, and just like Rogue and Slade, I would follow him to hell and back,” Hatchet spoke those words to us all, but he looked at Viper the whole time.

An unsung hero, that’s what Viper was to these men, and today he was getting to hear the song. I watched as Viper struggled with his emotions, then he swallowed hard and smiled, the same love and pride for another one of his ‘kids’ shined out of his eyes as he lifted his chin at Hatchet.

I looked at all the men sitting around the table, then over to Viper. “I'll say one thing before we put this to a vote. Viper, I can tell by the look on your face that you didn't realize just how much you have impacted the lives of those you have come across. You are so humble that you haven't stepped back and looked at what you have accomplished the past twenty years or so.

“You have made an impression on every man here in a positive way. Brother, you've already become one of my best friends. I trust you implicitly. If you truly don't want to do this, we would all understand, but, know this, I agree with everything that has been spoken here today. I truly believe you would be the best man for the job.”

I watched as Viper one again swallowed hard, then inclined his head at me.

“All those in favor with Viper becoming our new VP, let me see a raise of hands.”

Every single hand raised. I watched as Viper looked around the room. A look of honor crossed his face.

“Welcome our Brother, Viper, as the new VP.”

Shouts and cheers thundered out for him. I gave it a few minutes to let everyone congratulate him, then cleared my throat, damned if this wasn’t emotional for me as well. Viper stood up and the room became silent instantly.

“Want to say something real quick, Prez.” I nodded. “It’s a great honor and privilege that you men have bestowed on me today. I sure wasn't looking for it, not in my wildest dreams. I promise I will do my very best not to let any of you down.” With that he sat down and proved this was why the man was our new VP.

“Well, this has certainly been an interesting Church so far,” I stated, and laughter rang out. “Is there anything else we need to address before we get to the matter at hand.”

Every man shook his head.

“Okay, let’s try this once again, first I want to ask how everything went at the barn, I need to tell you what happened a couple days ago and the information we've learned since then, Brother,” I said as I looked at KJ. “Then we need you to tell us what you think about it all.”

“Everything at the barn worked out like I thought it would. It’s now a non-issue, so Reb and Pred, you have nothing to worry about.”

I saw relief cross Reb, Pred, and Viper’s faces. Each looked like a weight had been taken off their shoulders.

I tilted my head at KJ, “That’s good to hear, Brother.”

I started telling everything we had learned from Ava and from Amy. When I got through, Sarge stood up shaking with rage and said, “You're telling me that fucking judge is dealing the drugs his son was probably using not counting all the alcohol he was consuming when Beth was killed and he is linked to the attorney that was responsible for that poor woman's husband and son's death?”

“Yeah, Sarge. Sadly, I am.”

“Mother. Fuck,” Sarge spit out.

“Yeah, Sarge, that's pretty much all of our opinions on the matter.” Looking at KJ, I asked, “KJ, what do you think?”

“What I think is Anson Miller and Joseph Courtway have been buying and distributing drugs for years and we've never been able to get even a glimmer of proof on them in all that time. We know they are because some of our snitches have mentioned it a time or two, trying to make deals for themselves but the information has never been enough to get warrants.

“We're talking about two men, both with law degrees, one a practicing attorney, the other a sitting judge and they know the law inside and out. I hate to say this, but I believe they have more than one law enforcement officer on their payroll.”

He grimaced then added, “What's bad is, I'm pretty sure the last couple of years they've gotten into trafficking young girls and boys as well.”

“Jesus. Is it possible that the men who took Zoey were involved in the same ring?” Karma asked, horror written all over his face.

“Yeah, Karma. I would say that probability is very high. We haven't been able to learn any of the key players other than them.”

“Wait, what the fuck are they talking about?” Sarge interrupted.

My dad still wanted to know every detail of the club. He might have stepped down as the Prez, but at heart, he would always be that.

“Hell, none of the other men know either Sarge. Karma, is it okay to let the men know about this?”

At Karma’s nod, I spent the next ten minutes explaining what had gone down today.