Chapter 61: Meeting Gone Wrong

It was pouring. The room was quiet except for the sound of raindrops hitting the window outside. The air was cool and refreshing, in contrast to the heavy tension in the meeting room.

The men sat around the table. Outsiders might think that riding and fighting were all they do all day. That’s true, for the members. The leaders, however, spent their lives in the confinement of the meeting rooms, either really handling the gang’s matters or simply lounging around with a girl in tow. The running of the gang would be a way to observe and guess which of those was the thing the leaders really do.

In the case of the Reapers, the meeting room was filled with men. Each and every one of them were rigid. Sitting at the head of the table was Chad. He called for the meeting right after Nelly announced him fit to get out of bed. Hank sat to his right. He’s been joining their meetings regularly in recent days, as if he’s already joined the gang. Jack sat to his right, looking the most serious he’s ever been. The other end of the long table sat Will. His expression was grave as he faced Chad at the opposite side of the table. Zalen sat to Chad’s left with his back to the door, looking as upright as he always is. The seat to his left was empty.

“Is Nelly coming?” Chad asked after a while. Nobody said anything. Jack looked up from his spot. “She’s probably locked up in the workshop. That’s where she went after we parted,” he answered. Zalen’s brows knitted together at the news. “What’s she doing there?” Stacy and workshops? Normal. Nelly and operation rooms? Normal. Nelly and workshops? The combination seemed to be wrong.

“She was talking to Neil when I joined them. We didn’t talk about anything in particular but out of nowhere, she got all pumped up. Said she has found a new purpose or something. She’s determined to save both of them. Then, she stormed off to the workshop,” Jack shrugged as he explained, “just Nelly being Nelly.”

Chad ran a hand down his face. “Is she safe in there?” Zalen asked the first question that came to his mind, “I’m not sure which to be concerned with, her or the workshop. Does she know what she’s doing?”

“Probably,” Jack leaned back nonchalantly, “she’s got a bunch of notes and books.” Chad shook his head. “That’s exactly why I’m concerned!” Will sat quietly at his seat. He kept his sight carefully fixed on Chad.

“So, she’s determined to create the medical machine she needed all by herself?” Hank voiced out for the first time that day. “That’s what she said,” Jack nodded.

“What medical machine?” Will finally showed his interest. The corner of Hank’s mouth curled upwards a little.

“Nelly claimed to need some machines in order to sustain them for a long time. We can’t get our hands on the equipment. It’s nearly impossible even with our connections,” Zalen explained. “Is it really not possible?” Jack sounded suspicious. “Unless..” Everyone in the room turned to the source of the voice. “Unless we reach out to the mafia. Though that’s a big risk,” Hank looked too relaxed for someone who just said something everyone perceived as outrageous. They were staring at him like he’s just grown a new head.

“What do you think, little Willy?” He was looking right at Will. They locked eyes. Hank’s were of a relaxed predator provoking without making an effort. Will, however, was tensed all over. His fists were balled tightly. He glared defensively, like a little pup ready to pounce. Everyone present sensed the shift in the air. Jack was trapped in between the two. He sat so still despite himself.

“Well?” Hank raised one of his brows. The chair scraped loudly as Will stood abruptly. He exited the room without a word. Only after he left did the room cleared. “He’s intense,” Jack eyed the door warily. Zalen crossed his arms in front of him. “You just have to do that,” his tone was accusing as he looked at Hank. Hank didn’t look one bit remorseful. “I did what has to be done,” his tone was light, as if he was discussing the weather. “It took a lot of convincing for him to finally join us in this room. He’s detached himself from the clubhouse matters for years,” Chad explained.

“That’s such a waste of talent,” Hank sighed. “That’s why you provoked him the moment he decided to come back,” Zalen said sarcastically. “What did I do?” Hank feigned innocence. Zalen’s glare intensified. “He will come back,” Hank concluded with finality. “He cares too much to not do nothing.”

Zalen gave it a thought before leaning back in his chair. “Right. He was there with her that afternoon. The day she.. that happened,” he echoed.

“They know each other,” Chad’s question came out as a statement. There’s no curiosity in his voice, more like confirming what’s obvious. “They’re close,” Hank corrected, “were. When they were younger.”

Realization set in Jack’s eyes. “Oh! So Sammy is the girl Will used to talk about in the bar,” he exclaimed. Everyone looked over. “What now?” Zalen massaged his temples. He knew Will cared about Stacy but the revelation was a little too much.

“He told us that there’s a girl back in the Viper. They were best friends. She was sold off because of him,” Jack said, his expression dimmed as he turned his attention to Hank. Chad’s jaw clenched. Out of a sudden, all eyes were on Hank. Everyone glared with killing intent.

Hank shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. He at least had the decency to look a little embarrassed. “We should focus our priority on saving her first,” he steered the conversation away from the can of worms. “I’ll stay out of it. You men should talk to him about the machine.”

Jack opened his mouth to argue but Chad beat him to it. “Why should we listen to you?”

“Because you know I’m right. He’s the only decent person for the job right now. He can save them. He can save the girls.”