BIKER NANNY

/ 36 \

💣 MAVROS 💣

CHURCH

"I vote, yes!"

"Dito!"

"Same here!"

"Yes. Serves her right."

I eyed four of the youngest old ladies' raised hands. No surprise there, as they'd each tried to get with me until they'd settled. However, that led to a number of other member's old ladies that didn't chase after me, following suit. I glanced at Ver, who was sitting between Dav and Rad. Her lips were pursed as if she'd tasted something sour. Leading me to believe she'd worked out the girl's vendetta against herself. The younger laddies' hands seemed to cast a spell over the members that no one dared to speak. Seeing that they were the only ones voting, a few began elbowing their old men. With one glance at their ladies, their hands hesitantly joined their's. Though the votes had increased greater than those who refused, I felt it could still end in Ver's favor. As I was contemplating my next move, my trio of friends stood up and crossed their arms.

"I vote no," Dav curtly commented and nodded to the members who hadn't voted.

"Same, it's a hell naw for me," Rad shot a scowl at the ladies.

"I also vote no. Verity had, excuse me, hasn't had an intention to become our Prez's ol' lady. Which you all know as our Prez informed you of her story.  If memory serves me correctly, the brand has certain stipulations. For example, if a partner of our founding family brings harm, betrays, or is unfaithful. The evidence is brought to church for voting to commence. Only after a unanimous vote is the perpetrator punished. Verity's scenario doesn't match the stipulations mentioned. As such, I vote no, and suggest we disband church. Thank you," Jess nodded to the group before he, Dav, and Rad sat down.

I shot a smirk at each of my buds and winked at Ver. Ver hesitantly smiled as she tightly grasped Dav and Rad's hands. I glanced towards my parents and saw my ma look shaken with guilt. While my Dad's face was as blank as a fresh page. I glanced around, and seeing as no one had anything to add, I stood to my feet. However, before I could speak, Lanny, my latest chaser, stepped forward.

"Excuse me, but isn't disrespect a form of harm towards our club leaders?"

"Yes?" I forced myself to respond as it was the truth.

"And harm is the first stipulation of our code. So, Verity's incident can be interpreted as breaking our code. Which means voting for a branding is justified."

Lanny's smile was a straight dart to my heart.
At this moment, I felt as if the case Jess had made had been ripped to shreds. As my brain scrambled for a response, my ma stood up.

Hell, what is she going to do now?

"As Mavros's mother and former head ol' lady, I disagree. Verity didn't show disrespect to my son or the club's traditions. If you believe she showed disrespect to my family, then so did I. As I took her out for the drive, though it was meant to be a mother/daughter interaction. We can't make exceptions for anyone, so I avail myself of your judgment."

After my ma sat down, a buzz of voices surged through the room. I wanted to bow my head and press my palms to my ears. As I couldn't think, and as the prez the older patchies and my parents were looking to me. I shook my head and took a deep breath before standing. Everyone became silent and simply stared at me. I took in the younger gen of patchies and the older gen. Then, an idea hit me that made me want to smile, but I managed to suppress it.

"As Prez, I've decided that Verity and my ma's case will be voted on by the senior patchies. Everyone who isn't a senior member, excuse yourselves until  you're called back."

After everyone reluctantly filed out Ver and the trio stood up to leave. As they walked by, my ma stood and began following them. I reached out and gently caught her arm.

"Where you goin'?"

"We never allow the crims to stay while voting, hon."

"You're hardly a crim, ma."

"If I stay, the patchies will think the votin' is rigged. It won't hurt my pride to wait out there with Ver."

"She's right, son, let her go," my dad finally spoke as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

I nodded, and dad let go of my shoulder while ma ushered Ver and the trio. After the door shut, I turned to the senior members and studied their grim expressions. Without my ma, there were no longer an equal number of members. It would be up to me to take her place so she and Ver would have an even chance.

"Without my ma, we're uneven so as your Prez, I'll stand in her place. Unless you have an objection."

"We don't have an issue, it wouldn't be fair if we did," Flip replied and the seniors nodded.

"What's your vote for Revna? Is she guilty of breaking the manifesto?"

My dad and I kept our hands down while six of the members raised their hands.

"Does she deserve to be branded?"

Those same six members, Snap, Queenie, Jaw, Sissy, Bon, and Jinx raised their hands.

"Revna Yates is cleared and won't be punished. Now for Verity Jayne. Is she guilty?"

Seeing dad kept his hand down, I scanned the seniors and saw only four had raised their hands.

"Should she be punished?"

Once again the same four, Snap, Queenie, Jaw, and Sissy raised their hands.

"It's decided then. Flip please welcome the members back, please."

He nodded as he walked to the door and stepped out. A moment later he re-entered with the other patchies noisily close on his heels. I noticed that Ver and Ma's hands were clasped with trio gathered around them. I smiled at how close my loved ones had grown so close to Ver. After everyone was seated I let out a shrill whistle to silence the buzz.

"We've voted and the consensus views Revna Yates and Verity Jayne innocent."

As Ver, ma, and the trio jumped in excitement there was an angry uproar from the younger female patchies.

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