“No, sir. I want some space from this one.” Diesel gritted his teeth as some of the guys wondered aloud about his decision, and Biggs gave him a scrutinizing stare, asking the silent question, Are you sure about that? Diesel nodded.

Biggs’s raised a hand, silencing the room. “A’right. Do we have any volunteers to coordinate the efforts?”

“I’ll take it on,” Moon offered, looking curiously at Diesel. “Anyone who wants to volunteer can talk to me after the meeting.”

“I’ve got another suggestion,” Diesel announced. “I think we ought to put spotlights on the front of the clubhouse.”

Questions rose around him, and Diesel spoke louder. “Hear me out. Nothing is more important than the safety of the women who work in that bar. They have jobs to do, and sometimes that means going out the back door.” He fucking hated the idea of Tracey ever going out there again. “If you don’t want lights on the clubhouse, we can erect poles in the parking lot and direct the lights toward the back of the bar, but that area needs to be lit in a way that assholes can’t knock them out easily. We can put the lights on a timer, so they come on at nine and go off an hour after the bar closes. It won’t cost the club a penny. I’ve already bought the lights. I’ll install them and pay the additional electrical costs each month.”

Everyone spoke at once, but Biggs was quick to silence them. “We’ll take a vote on this, but before we do, I want to say something. My daughter works at that bar, and you know Dixie’s tough.”

“A fucking ball breaker,” Crow called out.

Biggs nodded. “That’s true, but what happened to Tracey could easily have happened to Dix or to any one of your daughters or wives. So before you vote, think of the women in your life.”

“More importantly,” Bullet said gruffly, “think of the reason this club exists.” He pushed to his feet. “We’re here to protect this community, and while what Diesel has suggested directly affects our bar, it also sends a message to dirtbags not to fuck with our community.”

“You got that right,” one of the guys shouted, and there was a round of agreement.

“Vance and I can put poles in the lot if you want to go that route,” Vaughn Bando offered. He and his brother, Vance, owned a concrete company. “We just need a day or two to get it done.”

Biggs took a vote, and the lights were approved. The Bando brothers agreed to get permits and erect poles in the lot.

Diesel sat down as another member took the floor, and Bullet leaned closer, speaking low. “Something happen between you and that sweetheart that I should know about?”

Yeah, just not what you think. Diesel shook his head.