“What’s going on?” McKenna asked as Sam took a seat on her left, Sierra lowering herself slowly to the chair on her right while Ashleigh sat on the other side of Sierra.
“I guess we’re about to find out,” Sam stated in a very noncommittal tone that set McKenna’s sensors off.
On the drive over, she had questioned Tag relentlessly, but to no avail. The man wasn’t saying a word. And now she wondered whether she was the only one who didn’t know. Considering the crowd that was still filing in, McKenna figured it had to be big. There were more people than last time that was for sure.
All eyes were drawn to the front of the room when Logan and Luke walked to the center before turning to address them all. McKenna was riveted to the two men because no matter how many times she saw them, she still couldn’t get over how exactly alike they looked, but how completely different they really were. She thought back to her interviews with both men and nearly laughed out loud. They were definitely interesting.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice. Luke and I wanted to address everyone at once. As you can see, we’ve only invited our full-fledged members, and after the last time, I hope we were able to answer your questions as to the status of our memberships,” Logan said in the calm, firm tone everyone was used to.
“In recent months, we’ve found ourselves going through some rough spots as many of you are aware. As of today, I’m happy to say that we’ve overcome some major obstacles thanks to the help of some really incredible people. Without them, I’m not sure we would’ve been as lucky.”
McKenna noticed Travis Walker when he walked into the room, moving along the back wall and stopping just short of where she and the other three women were sitting.
“I personally want to thank McKenna Thorne,” Luke spoke up, slowly pacing back and forth with that animalistic grace he had. “The day Tag told me what McKenna was hoping to do I’ll admit I wasn’t thrilled with the idea. However, considering I trust Tag with my life, and that of my family, I didn’t have any doubts that in the end, we would come out ahead. And we did. I’m not sure if any of you know what McKenna put on the line to protect my club, but I can tell you with the utmost assurance, not a single one of you would’ve done the same.”
The hard edge to Luke’s tone had a few people sitting up straight. McKenna even flinched at the statement. She knew the man was rough around the edges, and he was showing every single jagged ridge at the moment.
When Logan took a step forward, placing his hand on Luke’s arm, he was shrugged away.
“Most of you know me fairly well,” Luke continued, “and for those of you who do, you understand what loyalty means to me –”
“Luke,” Cole moved to the front of the room, coming to stand beside him. “Don’t do this.”
Luke didn’t say anything to Cole, nor did he shrug him off when Cole placed his hand on his arm in a similar manner as Logan had. He went completely still for a moment, his eyes roaming the crowd until they landed just to McKenna’s right.
Sierra wasn’t moving a muscle as she watched what was playing out in front of her, Ashleigh’s hand being squeezed in the process. McKenna instinctively put her hand on Sierra’s arm and the other woman grabbed it and held on.
“We’re behind you, baby,” she said loud enough for the entire room to hear. “No matter what you decide, Cole and I love you no matter what.”
McKenna swallowed a lump in her throat, fighting the urge to cry at the sentiment. The pure love in Sierra’s voice could be felt by everyone in the room.
As the group began to turn around and face Luke again, silence once again descended. McKenna saw Cole squeeze Luke’s arm slightly, but he didn’t back away.
“It has come to my attention that there are some shady things going on with various people within this room. While I’ve been protecting and defending my family and the life I have built, I’ve also put my ass on the line for each and every one of you in this room. While we,” Luke motioned to Cole and Logan behind him, “stood up here, doing our best to protect your identity, every one of you turned your back on us. And all the while, I’m fighting a battle I knew I couldn’t win because of the unethical, immoral behavior of the members of my club.”
Luke paused for a moment, but no one moved a muscle as they waited for what came next. McKenna had no idea where Luke was going with this, but she knew, without a doubt, she would never look at Luke McCoy the same again.
~*~*~
Tag kept his hands in his pockets, and his face expressionless as he listened to Luke. In all the time he had known the man, he had never seen him nearly as emotional as he was right then. He felt the fury in his words as they rumbled through the room. He knew exactly what Luke was feeling.