Activity buzzed around the compound as Paradise MC prepared for their biggest Bike Night yet. Somehow, Tess and the other officers had found a way to book two big bands for a concert Saturday night. Everyone had been working around the clock to promote, set up the stage area, and make sure all the details were in place.
The night of the concert had arrived and Tess was backstage making sure the bands were ready to go. She still couldn’t believe that she was actually talking with people she’d listened to on the radio, but this was New York, where dreams came true. When Abe Stenton came over to tell her that it was time to start, she thanked him and went up on stage and took the microphone. Tess looked out over the crowd of three hundred that had gathered and took a deep breath.
“Hello everyone and welcome to Bike Night at Paradise MC! We are honored to have you all here on this Memorial Day weekend. Tonight we welcome two bands to our stage, and we’re beyond excited to welcome both Halestorm and Nickleback to New York. So without further ado, I ask you… Are you ready to rock?” Cheers rang out from the crowd and Tess said, “Then please welcome to the stage… Halestorm!”
The concert started without a glitch as Tess went down to join her family. They had enforcers spread out through the crowd to make sure security was taken care of. The MC wore headsets so they could keep in communication throughout the concert. Tess danced with Nitro near the corner of the stage, knowing that she could relax until the halfway point before she got to invite her favorite band to the stage.
As Halestorm was performing, Butch spoke into the radio. “Uh guys, we might have a problem.”
“What’s going on?” Turbo asked immediately.
“You’re gonna want to see this, Nitro. Bring Tess. Rachel, you’re gonna have to take over the announcements on stage.” Butch’s voice was serious and Tess started to fear the worst as she squeezed Nitro’s hand.
“Where are you, Butch?” Nitro asked, his voice all business.
“Don’t worry about the concert, guys. I’ve got it covered,” Rachel promised the radio.
“Clubhouse. Now. Prez, you’ll wanna see this too. All officers get here now,” Butch insisted.
Without trying to make too much of a scene, the group of officers quietly made their way through the crowd and towards the clubhouse. As they approached, the damage was clear. Windows were smashed, bikes were kicked over, and graffiti was painted on the walls.
“Who the hell…” Abe started, looking right at Butch for an answer. “I thought you were guarding the gate!”
“I was,” Butch replied, and Tess could see that he was still shaken up about what had happened. “It’s kind of hard to do that when Nitro’s cousin has a gun to your head.”
“He what?!” Nitro exclaimed in shock.
“Attitude, Butch. Watch it,” Abe warned.
“Your cousin Bradley,” Butch ignored Abe and looked straight at Nitro. “He said either I take him and his minions to Nitro, or I let them leave a message saying they were here.”
“My office. Executive officers and Butch. NOW!” Abe was clearly furious and all Tess could do was watch as Butch, the VP, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Sgt. at Arms went into the clubhouse.
Nitro soon sent a text to Tess and Road Runner, the other Road Captain, to help keep the concert going and act like nothing happened. Tess replied that he could consider it done and headed back to the stage, though she knew she couldn’t enjoy the concert now as her worry grew.
