A few brothers actually clap when Rooster sits down. Not expecting such a passionate speech from him, I nod my appreciation and ask if anyone else has anything to add.

While they seem surprised I asked, no one volunteers to speak.

“Let’s take the first vote.” I slap the gavel against the table. “Stripping Shadow’s patch?”

Even though Rock, Wrath, Murphy, Teller, and Dex are here to show their support, they’re not members of this charter so they abstain from the vote.

They’ll sit out the next vote, too. I want there to be no mistake. No questioning me later about this decision.

The vote is unanimous in favor of stripping Shadow’s patch.

The next vote might be more complicated, but it also has to be unanimous. To keep the club strong, it’s worth the risk.

And no, Shadow won’t be granted an opportunity to defend himself. That’s not how this works.

I’ve done enough preaching at them. Once I get the vote to strip his patch, I go right for the next one.

“All those in favor of putting our ex-brother to ground?” I wait and glance around the room. “Take your time to speak now before we take the vote.”

Jigsaw raises his hand. “Brother, for what he did, you’re within your rights…”

“I know.” I allow my gaze to travel to each brother, meeting their stares head-on. “Each one of us understands the code. We also know I haven’t been your president for long. Further, you didn’t vote me in. I was brought in under unusual circumstances by Priest. Because of that, this decision needs to be a club vote. I’ll abide by whatever the club decides.” The corner of my mouth lifts. “Although, I reserve the right to kick Shadow’s ass again either way.”

Brothers glance at each other and low murmurs go around the table. Obviously, this wasn’t expected.

Murphy crosses his arms over his chest and sits back, giving me a slight nod. Wrath and Teller are more tense, watching the room for any signs of anarchy. Rock’s eyes are on Smoke, which makes sense. Not long ago we were visiting when Smoke brandished a gun around the clubhouse and I had to tackle his drunk ass to the ground and wrestle the pistol out of his hands before he shot someone.

Killing a full-patched brother, a former officer, is about as serious as it gets in our world. Emotions are sure to be all over the place.

Steer finally signals that it’s time to take the vote. Next to Sway, he probably has the most time in this club, so his “yes” vote carries a lot of weight.

Each brother’s yes is slow and deliberate. We may be a brotherhood full of outlaws, but no one takes killing someone they’ve shared a patch with lightly.