of both.”
“Now you’re back and you can take the gavel back,” King says with a broad grin toward his father.
Cage shakes his head. “My days as prez are over. It’s time for new blood to take over. You’re where you’re supposed to be. Now it’s time for Brick to take his place,” Cage says as he looks me in my eyes.
My green gaze locks with his hard, blue stare. I knit my brows in confusion. “I’ve been leading the Squad since you’ve been gone,” I say.
“Right where we needed you to get you ready for now. Mix isn’t getting any younger. It was always in the plans to groom you two to be prez and VP. Eva is the right fit to take over Soul Deep for you in a year.
“I’ve had my hands in everything from a distance. You two just thought you were carrying out Mix’s suggestions and your own ideas.” Cage grins, causing his scars to lift and stretch.
“Wait, you want me to take over as VP?”
“Why not? I don’t think there’s a brother willing to openly deny you the right,” Cage says as he stares me in the eyes.
I sit and look at the old man for a moment. I’ve never thought about taking any office other than handling my squad. I even passed up enforcer to let Grim step in to fill the spot for me. It has just been easier to straddle both worlds that way.
“How would that work? Being VP would make me more visible to the public as a Lost Soul,” I think out loud.
“You already lead the Squad. You’ve been acting as a VP for years, not realizing it. Grim has settled in as enforcer under your watch. With the direction the club is going, there’s no need for the separation any longer. This is where I always saw things going. You are all ready, it’s time.”
“I think I like the idea of enjoying my grandkids and not wrangling in you knuckleheads.” Mix chuckles.
I pull a hand down my beard, lift my brows, blow out a deep breath, and sit back in my chair. I think of Eva helping to run Soul Deep Architecture and Construction, she would be amazing at taking over in a year. I won’t have to fully resign, but I would need to be here in South Carolina a lot more.
We could set up a main office here, since the gap between my club affiliation and business would be closed. I think Cage’s words over. I have been at King’s side whenever he calls over the years. I have noticed Mix fading more and more into the background. I never mentioned it or gave it much thought.
I’ve always been there for whatever King needed without question. Mix’s role was never my concern, unless it compromised King. Mix has never neglected being there for King or any of the other brothers for that matter.
“Looks like we’ll be having church. It’s time to bring back a ghost and pass a torch.” King nods.
“We’re good?” I ask King.
“I’m going to want to fuck you up every time I see you with my sister for a while, but if she loves you and you love her, I’m good. Hurt her and I have no brother,” he says pointedly.
“I guess we’ll be brothers for life.”
King nods and grunts. His phone vibrates on the table, pulling him away from our conversation. He looks down at it and his face turns red. I’m on guard right away.
“What is it, son?” Cage asks.
“Son of a bitch.” King looks up at me. “There’s a fire at one of the warehouses. Laces said I should come down personally. Someone left a message for me.”
“Let’s go.” I stand and pull out my phone to call in my squad.
When I get it out, it buzzes with a message. I read it and growl. “Motherfucker,” I spit.
“What?” King demands.
“Fire, worksite you came down to.”
“Take Grim and Reap with you. I’ll send Sugar to sit on Mags. Fly out and find out what the fuck is going on. Gutter stays put with the girls. I’ll take Tracks and Jacky with me. Meanwhile, have Diggs get over there while you guys are in route,” King rattles off orders.
“Already on it,” I say as I’m in motion.
I was thinking the same thing. Grim can get me there in the chopper and cut down the time while we still have our bikes. I text him to get him in motion.
“Something stinks,” Cage mutters. “I’m