“God, no,” I answer.
“It’s not a risk I want to take either,” Roman says. “Shit could get real ugly, real fast if Bailey thinks he’s losing.”
“I agree,” Conrad says. “He’ll want to retaliate before backing down.”
“Which means, we should be expecting the police to show up at our door with a warrant for your arrest any second now,” I tell him.
“Most likely,” he agrees with a sigh.
“You’ll have the best attorney money can buy,” Roman assures him. “And all of us will look out for Hannah and the baby until you’re back.”
“Thanks,” Conrad says sadly. While he appreciates everyone’s offers to help, I know that what he really wants is to not need it.
“Speaking of kids,” Winston says, unable to hide his grin. “Zoe’s getting induced on Friday.”
“Hey! Congratulations! About time!” everyone tells him.
“Sorry to change the subject,” Winston tells me directly. “I just wanted you all to know I’ll be MIA for a few weeks unless there’s an emergency you need me for.”
“We’ll try not to bother you,” Roman assures him. “Enjoy as much time as you can with Zoe and your baby girl.”
“Thanks, prez.”
I don’t have to look at my brother to know that he’s not exactly jealous but envious because he may not get to be here for the birth of his son or daughter. But I’ll do everything I can to make sure he’s with Hannah.
“Now,” Roman says to get everyone’s attention. “Cannon’s mentioned doing some sort of fundraiser event for Madison. I won’t make it a requirement for everyone to help out; but even without meeting the woman, I know she’s a better bet for the Kings in town than her opponent. What we need is to come up with a place for a large gathering and a way to bring as many people in as possible.”
“The dealership is empty,” Conrad points out. “It’s big enough to hold several hundred people since we don’t plan to bring in any new inventory until shit settles down.”
“That’s a good idea,” Roman agrees. “Now, how do we get people there?”
“We could give away one of the repaired bikes we salvaged,” Winston suggests. “Slap some Savage Kings logos on it. People would spend a ton to pretend like they’re one of us.”
“Good idea. What else?” Roman asks.
“We won’t have to dress up for this, will we?” Leo asks quietly.
“No, I don’t think we’ll go the formal route, unless Cannon thinks that’s necessary…” Roman trails off.
I shake my head. “Nah. No tuxes, nothing formal. That’s not how the Savage Kings do shit.”
“Good,” Roman says, and everyone at the table looks relieved.
“Mardi Gras is coming up,” Nolan says from the far end of the table. It’s what’s known to the Kings as Nomad’s Land since Hugo, Nolan, and Abel aren’t locals but Nomads who decided to move to the area to join our chapter. They don’t say much and stick mostly to themselves, doing what Roman says to do, but they don’t really interact with most of us outside of the clubhouse.
“Yeah?” Roman asks.
“Who doesn’t like topless women?” Hugo asks with a chuckle.
“How about the woman who is the guest of honor,” I comment since I know without a doubt that Madison wouldn’t go for that.
“What if we try doing the opposite?” Verek asks. “Shirtless men in masks selling beads that the women get to remove and put on themselves for a price.”
“It’s got potential, but I don’t think my wife would let me go around a room full of women, letting them run their hands over my chest,” Roman says.
“Zoe either,” Winston agrees.
“I couldn’t do that to Tessa,” Verek comments.
“And while I may not even get to be there, my girlfriend is pregnant, so that’s a hell no for me, if I’m still a free man when the event goes down,” Conrad says.
“Yeah, yeah. Quit your whining, you pussy whipped pansies. That still leaves…” Nolan does a quick count. “Six single men. Eight, if we decide to include the prospects.”
“Whoever sells the most beads gets bragging rights as having the best body and maybe the cash pool the contenders throw together. That is, if you’re brave enough to go against these big guns?” Hugo asks as he flexes his biceps.
“I’m in,” Nolan agrees with a rare smile.
“Me too,” Abel says.
“Hell, I haven’t been touched by a woman in weeks,” Leo admits. “I’m in, especially if I get to wear a mask.”
“Okay, so that’ll bring in plenty of women, but what about men? We need them to vote for Madison too,” I remind them.
“Men will come to try and win the Harley,” Winston says. “And they’ll have to buy raffle tickets at say, twenty bucks a piece, for a chance.”
“There you have it,” Roman says. “What do you think? Will all of this meet Madison’s approval?”
“I’ll have to ask her, but she’s pretty desperate for campaign funds, so the sooner the better.”
“Locals are calling the front all day long asking when we’ll be opening the club again,” Leo says. “It wouldn’t take but a few days to put the word out.”
“So, maybe next Saturday? That would give us a little over a week to get the bike ready, the beads, some food, alcohol and decorations. We could sell those glittery masks at the door to the women,” I suggest.
“Maybe men too if they’ve got ugly mugs,” Nolan says with a chuckle.
“How’s the money looking? Think we could pull it off?” I ask Roman.
“Yeah, I think we could handle something like this for several hundred people easy. I think we have to,” our president declares. “If Madison doesn’t win this election, all of our businesses could go under, and then no telling what would happen to the Kings.”
“So, she’s, like, our last hope,” Leo asks.
“Yeah, she is,” I agree.
“Let’s try and stay on her good side,” Roman tells me. “Saving her last night will get us a few points, but don’t do anything to make her hate you.”
“Hate me?” I echo
