Page 52 of Razor
Mustang stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor."You making threats, brother?"
"Making observations," I replied, not backing down an inch."Our enemies figured out our weakness.The club protects business first, family second.They exploited that."
"Women and kids are collateral," Mustang said, his voice hardening."Always have been.Club comes first.That's how we survive."
"No."The word hung in the air, simple and final.I slammed my fist down on the table hard enough to make the ashtray jump."No more."
The chapel fell silent, the tension thick enough to choke on.What I'd just done—directly contradicting Mustang in Church—was grounds for losing my patch.Maybe worse.Every brother in that room knew it.
"You questioning my leadership?"Mustang asked quietly, the danger in his voice unmistakable.
"I'm questioning our priorities," I replied, measuring each word."Times change.Threats change.We need to adapt."
"By what?Playing house with your new family?"Mustang's mouth twisted into something that wasn't quite a smile."You've been riding with this club for fifteen years.Now suddenly you're ready to throw that away for some woman and a kid that isn't even yours?"
I felt heat rising up my neck, but kept my voice level."That woman and that kid are mine now.And yes, I'd throw it all away for them."I looked around the table again."But I shouldn't have to.Neither should any brother."
Loch was the first to speak."Razor's got a point.We've been operating the same way for twenty years.Maybe it's time to evolve."
"The hell does that mean?'Evolve'?"Mustang spat the word like it tasted bad.
"It means we protect what's ours," I said."All of it.Not just guns and drugs and strip clubs.Our families too."I tapped the photos again."These attacks weren't just about hurting our business.They were sending a message: 'We know where you're vulnerable.'"
Torque nodded, his hand unconsciously touching the pocket where he kept a photo of his wife."My old lady almost died last month because of club business.If we'd had better security protocols for families..."
"What exactly are you proposing?"Ace asked, his tone neutral but his eyes showing interest.
I pulled out one more document—a detailed security plan I'd spent the night drafting."Reallocation of resources.Twenty percent of club income goes to family protection.Secure residences.Defensive training for old ladies.Communication protocols for emergencies.Safe houses that only family security teams know about."
Mustang scoffed."You want to divert money from our primary income streams to babysit?"
"I want to remove the target on our backs," I corrected him."Make it so expensive to come at us through our families that no one tries it again."
"And if I say no?"Mustang's voice was dangerously soft.
I straightened to my full height, meeting his gaze without flinching."Then I call for a vote.Right here.Right now."
A murmur went through the room.Calling for an unscheduled vote was nearly unprecedented, especially on something that directly challenged the president's authority.
"On what grounds?"Mustang demanded.
"Article three of the bylaws.Any member can call for immediate vote when club security is at risk."I'd read our constitution cover to cover last night, finding the loophole I needed."I'm exercising that right."
Mustang's finger drummed faster on the table, his only tell when he was backed into a corner.He glanced at Ace, likely expecting support from his VP, but Ace's expression remained carefully neutral.
"All in favor of reallocating resources to family protection as outlined," I said formally, not waiting for Mustang's permission.
Hands began to rise.Ace first, then Fury.Loch and Torque followed almost simultaneously.Socket raised his hand, not meeting Mustang's glare.One by one, more hands went up until only Screwball and Mustang himself remained opposed.
"Majority carries," Ace announced quietly, the words landing like stones in the silent room.
Mustang's jaw clenched, a muscle jumping beneath his skin.His eyes locked with mine, the challenge clear: I'd won this round, but the war was far from over.
"We'll implement immediately," I said, gathering the documents and turning to leave.
"Razor."Mustang's voice stopped me at the door."You better be right about this.If your personal vendetta puts this club at risk..."
I turned back slowly."It's not a vendetta.It's survival."I looked around at the brothers who had just sided with me against their president."For all of us."
