Free Grasping For Freedom by Debra Kayn Page A

the gavel hit the table, calling the start of the meeting.
    The surprise on her face shocked him more than seeing her on her day off. Then her cheeks had turned pink and she'd looked away from him. He rubbed his thumb against his jean-covered thigh. It wasn't so much the awkwardness of the situation, but the knowledge that she couldn't face him.
    She had an explosive personality that allowed her to go up against anything or anyone, especially him. Even last night before he'd left, she bravely faced him without speaking of regrets. While she worked, she kept all the men in line, while joining in the good-natured teasing and flirting.
    If he was the cause of her lack of attitude and spirit, he wanted to make it right. If it were Rain who made her unhappy, he'd pay. Nobody, including him, had a right to steal Brandy's thunder.
    "The next run is finalized. Remmy, Raul, Slade, Pete, and the prospect, Tim, will be riding down to meet Duck and his members from Lagsturns. This will be the last ride for Tim before we bring him up for vote. He's served eighteen months as a prospect, so keep that in mind." Rain gazed at Pete. "Are the cars ready?"
    "All but that Mustang, which came with a lost title. We're going to the motor vehicle department today and getting that one put into my name," Pete said.
    "No. I'll go with you and we'll transfer all six cars into my name. I want you and the garage off them in case something goes wrong, I don't want the business going down. That'll cover us for five cars, and I'll see if Susan can rush the new title through to pick up the sixth car before we're due to ride." Rain looked at Slade. "Since we're not driving the fleet of trucks we're using for transporting, make sure you pay the drivers ahead of time and give them a thousand dollar bonus to assure their cooperation."
    "Got it," Slade said.
    Torque watched the discussion. Usually he went on the runs. Though he turned down this one, he missed the action.
    "Our end of the dealings with Lagsturns MC is legit, but that doesn't mean there isn't risk to involving ourselves with the Lagsturns. Since we merged with them nine months ago on a limited basis, they've stayed away as agreed. I'd like to keep that long-distance relationship going. That means we stay on guard until our riders are back. Every woman and kid stays in Pitnam. Agreed?"
    A unanimous voting of agreed broke up business. Rain gazed at everyone, but Torque. "It's unfortunate that we have to have another voting today."
    "Bring it," Slade said.
    Rain thumped the table with his knuckles. "Torque fucked Brandy."
    Torque held back the scowl and bullshit response he wanted to give at the dramatic flair of announcing he'd broken the rule. He lifted his brow instead and gazed at Rain, who'd turned and looked him in the eyes.
    "As a club rule, we have two options. He can hand over his patch or pay the crime with two months' probation." Rain leaned back in his chair. "All vote to let Torque pick his punishment?"
    "Nah," a chorus of votes said.
    The outcome came as no surprise. Bantorus members lived and breathed club rules. There would be no special favors. It wasn't the first time he stood before the table and had his choices stripped away.
    He was used to schooling his reaction. No one would ever know how the thought of losing his colors killed him. If he'd learned one thing in life, it was how anyone could rip away his freedom at any moment, without his consent.
    "Aye if Torque should hand over his patch. All's final on unanimous votes," Rain said.
    No one spoke or moved. Torque held his breath to hide the relief. Nobody was taking his patches. He'd take probation. It'd suck, but he'd deal.
    "Aye if Torque goes immediately into probation..." Rain said.
    "Aye," Raul added.
    Slade and Remmy spoke their yes vote.
    The bitter taste of judgment blocked him from any emotion. There was always someone ready to jump on him. First his father, then prison, and even after he was declared a free man. He was