“Oh. Wow. Okay.” Does that mean Z’s in trouble? Or is Rock coming down to support Z? Either way, I’m relieved Z will have more people he trusts at the clubhouse.

“Did he say why?”

She chuckles softly. “Only that he thought you might appreciate a phone call. Everything okay?”

I consider my words carefully.

“There was a small incident. One of the brothers…I don’t know, put his hands on me. In a rather hostile way.”

“Jeez.” She’s quiet. “A full-patch?”

“Yup.” I try to laugh it off. “I punched him in the nuts, so it worked out fine.”

She doesn’t join in on the laughter. “Lilly, I’m so sorry. That shouldn’t happen.”

“That’s what everyone said.”

“Poor Z. That’s not what he needs right now.”

“I’m aware.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“I know you didn’t, Hope.”

“Do you want me to come down tomorrow?”

Do I? She has a baby at home to worry about. If things get uglier down here, I don’t want to bring her into unregulated chaos. Although, I suppose if it’s really a problem, Rock wouldn’t let her come down anyway.

“You don’t have to do that, but why don’t we make plans to meet up sometime this week? We can meet somewhere halfway if you don’t want to drive all the way down here.”

“We could meet in Woodstock and have lunch at that fancy Chinese place right outside of the village?” she suggests.

“That sounds good. See if you can get Trinity to join us.”

“You sure everything’s all right? Is there anything I can do?”

“Honestly, no. Chance is next door at Heidi’s. I just talked to Z and he said it’s going to be a long night. Teller brought me home.”

“That’s good. If you need something or you decide you do want me to come down, you know, if this goes on for more than tonight and you want some company, don’t be afraid to ask me.”

“I won’t. Promise.”

We hang up and I feel a little better after talking to her.

Less alone.

Z

“All those in favor of halting the vote until we get more information from Shadow?”

This time, the vote goes all the way around the table and it’s unanimous.

Shadow’s execution at the hands of the club has been granted a stay.

Tension twists through the room, thick and suffocating. “Let’s take a break and meet in the bunker in thirty.” I slam down the gavel and follow Steer out of the room.

As our SAA, he’s the one who gets to hoist Shadow up. Jigsaw helps him drag Shadow to the old storm shelter out back. Well, it started out as a storm shelter. Sway got on a doomsday-prepper kick a few years back and turned it into something more secure.