Beau brushes past me as Emerson gives me a concerned expression.
I shrug and follow Beau into the kitchen. “I heard the news,” he grumbles, reaching for a glass and filling it with water.
“Let me get your painkillers,” I say when I notice him wincing.
“I can do it!” he snaps, and my eyes widen as I stare at him. Oh no, we’re not going back to the way it was that day he lost his temper on me. He knows that’s a road we don’t travel down anymore. My fists clench as I fight the urge to be firm with him.
“Watch your tone,” Emerson says in a warning, and I spin on him, giving him a rage-filled glare. I’m about two seconds from screaming at everyone in my house. Having him here is throwing everything off and I hate it.
“I can handle it,” I mutter with my teeth clenched. I mean, how would he feel if I went over to his house and started barking orders at Charlie? Can’t imagine that would go over well.
Tensions are high and I can see the way that affects Beau. He looks miserable, tired, frustrated and ready to burst. Maybe the painkillers will help, so I bite my tongue and take my coffee into the living room with the others. They’re discussing increased security and the possibility of having to offer public escorts for members to and from their cars.
I hate this. I hate that our members feel like they’re risking their safety by coming to our club. A moment ago, we seemed confident that the problem would pass. But suddenly, Beau’s here, and his injury is a harsh reminder that things can get serious very fast. And lives aren’t something we can gamble with.
“That’s a great idea,” Emerson says to Hank, who offers the suggestion. Emerson has been carrying a look of guilt since the night it happened, and I don’t know how much he knows about what happened, if Beau ever told him what the attacker said before he hit him. He knew Beau was Emerson’s son; the attack was targeted. It’s important information, but I know it has to be hard for Emerson to hear.
“If the protesters come back, we have the option for support from the police, if we feel it will get violent again,” he adds.
On the couch, I see Beau growing more tense and frustrated.
“At what point do we consider closing down?” The words come out of my mouth, but I immediately regret them. The room grows silent as everyone stares at me with expressions of disbelief.
But it’s Beau who speaks up.
“Fuck that,” he snaps with a scowl.
“Beau…” I say, staring at him with a harsh look in my eyes.
“No. You can’t cower to these ignorant fuckers. And your members won’t either.”
“We’re not risking another attack,” I reply, raising my voice a little over his.
“So you’re going to let them win? Once they see you escorting people to their cars or closing your doors, you’ll let them see they got to you,” he fights.
“They did get to us.” Emerson growls. The entire room is tense as they watch the argument unfold.
“Bullshit.” Beau stands, staring down at his father across the room. “That’s not the dad I know. We don’t let the bullies win. If you want to show that asshole who’s in control, you don’t change a fucking thing. In fact, throw a goddamn party. Invite the whole fucking town. Send a personal invitation to that fucking idiot’s family. But if you close down that club because one person hates it, then you’re not who I thought you were.”
With that, he storms out of the room and stomps his way up the stairs.
We sit in silence for a while before I finally make eye contact with Emerson. He wants to follow him, I know it. But he has to know that’s not a good idea.
“We should probably get going,” Garrett says first, and everyone follows suit, until I’m sending most of the team out the door. Of course, Emerson is the last to go.