Bakersfield, California
Sabrina Alvarez sat at the head of the table with the polished rosewood gavel in hand, looking at her charter.
It was a good crew, plain and simple. She ran a tight ship. Always had. Always would. It never bothered her that her club only had three charters.
With two strikes to the table, the gavel brought the meeting to a start.
"First order of business. I've decided to expand our distribution into Las Vegas," Sabrina began, placing the gavel down. "I've been in contact with SAMVEN to handle deliveries. Our landscaping stores will provide the necessary camouflage."
"We're already in business with them as far as guns go. Why not just reach out to the Mayans up in Carson City?" Shelby asked.
"They are too far from us and the Sons are the only ones directly in Sin City." Sabrina smirked in amusement. "Ironically, we practically had a way in without even trying until recently."
All eyes in the room seemed to go to Cricket. It was clear that no one would glaze over the story of a Son spending more than a few nights at her place.
"Shelby's very observant of anyone who spends more than a night or two with any of us. Now I want to hear why you kept this little detail from the rest of us."
"It didn't affect the club then. It still doesn't." Cricket said, meeting Sabrina's eyes. "I thought it could remain private."
"You were involved with a Son from the Las Vegas SOA charter. It didn't take long for Thurman or your father to figure out which Son it was." Sabrina leaned forward and asked, "What's his name, Cricket? The Son you got more than close to for two months?"
"Coyote." Cricket answered. Mariposa discreetly gave her a small, knowing smile as though she were in on some inside joke.
"Can he be trusted?" Sabrina asked.
Cricket nodded her head. "Yes. And before the question is asked, I can keep things professional between us."
"I will hold you to that." Sabrina to looked around the room and asked, "Is there anything else we need to discuss, Teresa?"
"Nothing else, Madrina." Teresa replied.
"Teresa, Cricket, stay seated. There are some things I want to discuss with the two of you. As for everyone else, the meeting is over. Close the doors behind you on the way out." Sabrina slammed the gavel once to close the meeting.
Las Vegas, Nevada
"Not that I'm complaining, Mr. Pope, but why do we have to travel so far for a gentleman's club?" August Marks as the valet took the keys from him, "There are plenty in Oakland."
"We're here for business, August. Not pleasure," replied Damon as he buttoned his suit jacket. "A business associate owns this establishment. If he keeps his word, he'll be here to receive me."
"Why him though? You hate each other," August said as they walked to the door.
"He's more receptive than the old man in Sonora."
Damon Pope had never gotten along with either men. Jose Galindo struck him as the kind of man to jack up his prices at the last minute.
In sharp contrast, Garcia had the decency to inform his clients when prices changed ahead of time and would present just cause for the markup.
Walking inside the club, Damon and August took in the subtle, yet lavish decor. The women weren't malnourished and they seemed to actually enjoy their work. The music they danced to wasn't overwhelming and allowed them to find their rhythm while patrons were allowed the ability to speak with each other without shouting.
"Gentlemen, how can we help you this evening?" The female host asked.
"A private table, two glasses of your best bourbon, and an audience with Mr. Garcia," August answered. Within moments, they were led to the executive lounge for special reserved parties. It was elevated to where all the club activity could be seen.
Sabrina rose from her seat and approached Cricket as Teresa watched from a distance. "Our talk will be more pleasant than the one Rodrigo had with Coyote."
Cricket grimaced and asked, "What did he do?"
"He beat and chased him around the clubhouse with a 2x4 until his anger passed." Sabrina chuckled at the look of concern on Cricket's face. "Don't worry, Coyote didn't lose anything important. After he finished picking the splinters from his hands, Rodrigo asked me why his daughter thought to keep him in the dark about this."
"If my daughter had done anything like what you did, Carolina would be right where you are now, Cricket." Teresa remarked.
"Whatever I have or had with Coyote..." Cricket couldn't even bring herself to finish that statement, but Sabrina had a good idea what was not being said.
"You said you can keep things professional. I believe you." Sabrina's eyes never wavered as she stared right into Cricket. "I'm just not sure that he can. If he hasn't taken up with anyone by now, Coyote is definitely into you. So why did you break up with him?"
"Did he try going steady with you? Call you his Old Lady?" asked Teresa.
"Not exactly. He thought there was more than just sex between us."
Sabrina was silent for a long time before she declared her verdict. "Whoever you fill your bed with is your business, Cricket. As long as he or she doesn't fuck me or the club over. Right now, your relationship to Coyote, whatever it is, feels like a liability when it could easily be an asset. Either go to Vegas and settle things for good on your own terms or I can have your father drag Coyote back to Bakersfield and you can hash things out in front of the entire club. Your call."
Cricket looked Sabrina in the eyes and said, "I'll go to Las Vegas."
"You're not going alone though. Mariposa and one of our Prospects will go with you." Sabrina ordered. "The three of you are riding out first thing before dawn."
With an obedient nod, Cricket walked out of the chapel, and closed the doors behind her.
Sabrina sighed with her back to Teresa.
"We've never had to wonder where we stood on anything." Turning around, Sabrina looked her Vice President in the eye. "But I want to hear it from you."
"On a business level, I get it. Las Vegas will bring us a lot of money." Teresa shrugged, "On the other hand, we've always earned by staying off the radar. More places we spread out to, the more we stand out."
"It's a calculated risk." Sabrina replied with a smirk as she then thought of the topic just under discussion. "Coyote and Cricket. How do you see that playing out?"
"Call me sentimental, but seeing Coyote beaten to a pulp will certainly help Cricket sort out whatever feelings she has for him."
"As long as relations between the clubs are solid, there's no problem." Sabrina reasoned as she got up walked up to Teresa, "Think the Prospect is ready to step up?"
Teresa frowned as she thought of it, "She's much different than she was the first time around. I think so."
Sabrina pulled Teresa's face to hers and kissed her twice on the lips. "Tell Carolina she is going to Vegas with Cricket and Mariposa."
"Gentlemen, I apologize for the delay. There have been some unexpected issues that I'm still working out." Felix said as he approached them. "I trust I didn't keep you waiting too long."
"Not at all. It's given us some time to contemplate our mutual issues." Damon replied, standing up and accepting Felix's outstretched hand.
"I apologize for the lack of notice." Felix said, firmly shaking Damon's hand and gesturing them to sit down, "Under normal circumstances, I would have informed you ahead of time about any adjustments that were needed."
"I would have expected this sort of behavior from Galindo." Damon said, frowning as he sat down. "What's the severity of our mutual issues?"
"My shipment was hijacked and a large number of my employees were killed." The older man's face was stone cold, but Damon saw the quiet fury in his eyes. "It was a great loss to myself and many others, not excluding yourself. I've had to deal with many families before I reached out to the Winking Greek."
"We had a deal, Mr. Garcia. As terrible as this situation is, I still expect to receive what I paid for, without having to pay twice."
"Call me whatever you like, Mr. Pope. I've never claimed to be your friend." Felix leaned forward. "Having said that, we made a deal and I will honor it to the letter."
"Do you at least know who's responsible?" Damon asked.
"I'm currently working on that. But whoever did it either wanted to gain a fast fortune or bring down my wrath."
Damon chuckled. "If I had any wagers on the culprits, I'll stake you 8 to 5 it was either a large group on the rise or a small group with a benefactor backing them up. Those are the only two possibilities of who could have worked up the nerve to pull such an audacious act against you."
"Intriguing, Mr. Pope. Taking these things into consideration, I'm leaning towards the latter. This mysterious benefactor must know one of the most unspoken rules of supply and demand. " Felix explained, leaning back and taking a sip from his drink. "Scarcity breeds desperation, which bends anyone to the nearest supplier, regardless of what price they put up."
Damon paused for a moment before a smile of realization crossed his face.
"Send my regards to the old man when you see him."
An hour before dawn, Cricket had just put on her kutte when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"We're out front. You ready?" Mariposa asked.
Cricket looked at her duffel bag waiting for her at the front door, "I'll be out in a minute."
"We have to be across the state line before sunrise." Mariposa reminded her before hanging up.
Cricket sighed before glancing at a dark framed photo she had of her late mother. Ten years had gone by since her mother died but the memory of her remained fresh in her head and heart.
"I miss you, Mom. I really wish you were here." Cricket said, before she holstered her sidearm, grabbed her duffel bag and walking out the door.
Outside her apartment, Cricket was met by Mariposa astride her Fat Bob while the Prospect, Carolina, was behind the wheel of a cargo van.
"We got a cafecito for you. Figured you would need it for the long ride to your man." Mariposa said with a smile. Cricket took it and drank it down quickly, "If he hasn't hooked up with anyone, do not hesitate."
"How many of our sisters are betting on us hooking back up?" Cricket asked as she mounted her Fat Boy.
Mariposa mounted her Fat Bob with a smile. "I'll tell you on the way back. Let's ride."
With that, the two Hell Cats took off to Las Vegas with their Prospect following them in the cargo van.
A/n: In chapter 5, personal and professional issues are addressed among other things. Stay tuned.