"You keep coming back here, is that fair to us?"

Konnor sighed, lowering his head as he looked at the gravestone, barely even hearing the words of his son for that moment. as he turned his head meeting his eyes with his own motioned filled ones. 

"You don't understand-"

Barely suppressing a scoff, Mike settled for a growl that sounded more wounded than anything else, seemingly trying to through to his father for that moment. 

"You're right, I don't but right now, you have a wife at home. You have three other kids that need their Dad, so I'm telling you once, Prez, get over this and go back to your real family. Not the ones in your imagination, you got that?"

Looking down at the grave once more, nodding his head, he turned around and went back to his bike as his son stayed back there for a moment. 

Looking at the grave in wonder, Mike had to wonder if their pops really loved any of them. He spent more time with the dead and buried than with that of his alive family, it was not a sobering experience, it was eye-opening as he raked his hair back with his back. Sad as he was, a smile played at his lips, turning away he walked towards his bike. 

A Marx by any other name would have been family, yet meeting the gaze of his father, he could already see that maybe she was always going to be the family he desired first.

"I still love you guys, you know that, right Mike?"

Mike shook his head with a sigh, turning on the engine as he finally glanced at his father. A man who had been absent the majority of his life and it was not something that he had got over with ease, there were moments where the past shone through and his father could easily forget his place, even within the club. It was becoming a regular thing, so much so that some of the brothers saw it, during votes especially, the man was searching for ghosts no longer around. 

"Konnor, you say that but you come here to a grave. An empty one, you decided to take this path. You wanted to marry my mom, to have a life, to have kids. It's just that we don't even compare to that one right there, huh?"

Konnor tried to speak but his son had already ridden off, leaving him to his thoughts, he knew that he had forgotten himself on many occasions. The past got to him, should he have let it reach this level, fuck no but he couldn't help it sometimes, the past had a grip on him and he had to forget, a person that knew him so well...She was gone now, bowing his head, he turned the engine on his bike and turned as he followed after his Son. 

Not even glancing at the grave again as he left it behind, Symplicity Marx was the past, he had to get right with that, otherwise, his family would be the least of his problems. Sighing to himself, he enjoyed the ride, all but forgetting the moments of the past as he looked at his wrist...

It was still there, that tattoo, like a never-ending hold, he would need to get it blacked out, it was time to move on. 

Pulling up to his home, he noticed his mother and sister talking on the steps of The Brownstone, his eyes slightly wide for a moment, Mike had never seen them outside before now and so he raised a brow, sitting there as he turned over the engine, meeting their eyes. 

"Problems?"

His mother was about to deny him anything before his sister came down and hugged him tightly, it had been a few days since they last saw one another, he wasn't going to try and be a bother more than he needed to be, it was the matters of the world which got him more than anything, he would need to be prepared.

With Issei making a personal flight out here, plus with a few of their warehouses filled with Heroin instead of the Guns, shit was turning for the Angels MC and they would need to start moving the product elsewhere, especially with a link to the Italians cut off slightly, there were many other crews out there, many of them would take it on and already, Mike was going over the possibilities in his head. 

"Talk to your sister, she wants to involve herself with Frankie.."

This was a first, his mother had often addressed him when she was in need of something. Of course, this didn't really mean the two had a strong relationship, when he had come home wearing his fresh [Prospect] Kutte, he was nothing more than a criminal element to his mother and he wasn't going to be anything else until he left it. 

Giving her a look, he looked at his sister, he didn't know a Frankie besides the one associated with some gang out of Fifth Street, small-time crooks but nothing that would ever bring themselves into the big time of their life. Of course, looking at his mother, that was exactly who seemed to be involved with his sister, glaring at her he raised his brow. 

"Peterson? You're good, he's a crook out of Fifth Street, you don't need to deal with those elements, what would dad say?"

A scoff, his sister had the same relationship that he did with their old man, the only ones who even had a good relationship with their dad was the youngest and they were always excited to see him. Especially considering he came home more often now, something seemed to click with him. 

"Oh, a criminal is telling me how to live? Brother, you have no right to even tell me what to do, you're not my dad..."

Meeting her gaze, seemingly uncaring to the glare that was being sent towards him as he narrowed his own, tilting his head off to the side, showing her a smirk. 

"A criminal is telling you the dangers of being associated with such a man that would bring you heartbreak and would slowly question the very moves that you would work on, no? I'm trying to protect you, sister. If you do not wish for such a thing, say so, It is not my job to simply bat away suitors but I am warning you, no more or less."

His smirk still twitched at his lips softly then, deciding that he did need to protect his sister, of course, he wasn't going to be overbearing. His sister had always been a good judge of character and who was he to even begin to say that he could do better? Of course, it didn't mean he was going to let her get hurt but he was here for her.

"Mother, I'll see you at the clubhouse, everyone is expected, we're all having a big dinner, it'll be nice have you there..."

He winked then, giving them both a wave as he breathed out and turned the engine over before he rode away to god knows where but it was how he left his mother and sister, they could take care of themselves...
 

Konnor grinned as he pulled up at the clubhouse, he noticed a few brothers lazily making their way to their bikes, of course, he was going to his office and was stopped by Gery, the guy was pissed, he really needed this. He had a right to be angry, of course, the look in his eyes was different, it spoke of betrayal, something he really didn't like to see. 

"I should have called a vote but you fucked with my deal, Prez. I don't give a fuck about club allies or any of that shit, this was meant to be a vote and if it had to be at the expense of my deal then you have a lot of nerve, I don't care what Joe said, you knew what you were doing. The Supporters will get that money, the leverage of a possible war with the Yakuza is too high for them, it would lead to more problems, the Asians have a key player in Issei, the Italians, all we had was a tie to Pavanno through Estarossa, with this act of killing Jimmy, we've burned that bridge..."

Fuck, he had a lot to say and of course, Konnor heard it all out as he sat down at a few benches, pulling out Death-Stick as Esta had used to call them, never stopped the fuck from smoking though, he lifted it to his lips listening, all the same, lighting it up with easy need as he found himself enjoying the cancerous smoke. 

"Sit down, Gerald. You have a lot to say and you can call a vote of no confidence but fuck if you do, we have problems, I'm the thing holding this club together right now, no one else but I, has brought the club to see its heights and successes. Is it confidence? Fuck yes you're damn right but the business with  the Asians is going to secure us, trust me on that...."

Gerry growled and gripped Konnor tight, slamming him against a wall as it was now catching the attention of the surrounding brothers, it was something that they hadn't seen in ages, of course, a full patch and a veteran member of the club who could have easily been a Vice-President if he transferred but he stayed, out of loyalty. 

Now there was that fracture as he glared at Konnor, not hiding the dislike he felt for the man. Of course, it also brought a few brothers over who was making sure that none of this got out of hand.

"You fucked with our rules, you had no right to fuck with our rules, I'm calling a vote, No allying with the warring sides and as a gift, we ally with another family on this side of the fucking sea. You got that!? Cause so help me god, the vote is going to pass, brother!"

And with that, Gerry pushed Konnor away, growling as he stormed off to his bike, even though he was President, National and setting the precedent for all the other charters, he was still subject to the rules. He fucked with the deal that would have given them plenty of money, for the club and something extra for himself...

Konnor simply stood there before looking at the other brothers, brushing them off for right now, letting them get back to work. He watched as Gerry rode out of the lot, he was sure of the fact that the man would call a vote...

Yet he could not let it come, the alliance with Issei had to go through, on that, he was willing to sacrifice his brotherhood..

Mike already knew it was tense, stepping into the clubhouse bar, he noticed how quiet it was and Wendy seemingly made herself smaller, he noticed that a few people were off to the sides, discussing as he slid into the stool as he ordered himself a beer. 

"What's the news? Never seen this place so down since the news that Uncle Mike died in the city. Tell me, Wendy, what's happened?"

The bartender, always has a little crush on the Prince smiled at him with a red hue to her cheeks and slid closer as she cleaned the surface of the bartop. Seemingly trying to make herself seem like she was working, in truth, she was. Information was her trade, something she provided his family with ease at times. 

"Gerry and your father, they had a little problem, might be a vote tonight, according to some of the gossip whores over there..."

Chuckling, he took it all in stride, in truth, he expected a blow of some kind. Gerry was a man who liked his business and didn't like being taken for a ride, hence his problem with his Dad. The man was going to have plenty of pissed off charters, the connections that extended were not the only thing that worried Mikey. 

Las Vegas, being the one that benefited most from the drugs trade, Tazana was one of the few patched Presidents who didn't have an in with the Cartels or Irish Supporters, nor did he have a way to bring guns into the state and so he decided to head into bed with the Italians. It had sustained his charter for a good while and led to a good deal of bonding between the LV Charters and that of the Italian Pavanno clan on this side of the sea. 

Not too mention, it would place the club back into a period of breaking off, back when Estarossa hadn't even taken the reins as President and many clubs were ready to fall back out of grace with them, it led to a war and Jury dying to bring the charters back together again. Of course, it was fitting that the man who had brought it together would be the one that would tear it down. 

"Shit, alright thanks for letting me know, by the way, could you start with the preparations, doll? We have to make sure that this place can play host to a bunch of fucking big babies, eh?"

She laughed at him nodding her head as she walked towards the kitchen, of course, his eyes were looking ahead. Wondering where he might find Gerry if there was one place, he already knew where and gave one of the boys a nod before heading out...barely noticing his father watching him from the table room...
 

"Stop, we have to look forward, there's not a chance we're preventing this vote. Brother, you have got to stop living in the past, you fucked up. Now we are going to start having some cracks unless you decide to nip this problem with Gerry in the bud. By that, you give in, we don't have to take part, pass off the heroin to a proxy club or your reign ends here."

Joe always one of the few people who could give him such a thing, a brother that told him the truth, his son could not. He was clouded at times but things he said were from the viewpoint of a Son, it made him wary to trust his advice at times now.

"You don't want to take part in this? We have loyalty-"

Scoffing, his Vice President clearly had enough, deciding that the truth could be used now. Of course, there was a limit to what he would take. 

"To no one but the brotherhood, brothers warned you in the past, Kon. You can't keep pushing your personal relationships onto that of the club, Estarossa is dead, Issei can find another life. In fact, you should be glad, one of the charters, they got a call from Salvatore Pavanno."

Konnor sunk into his chair, e was definitely going to have to do damage control before this got worse. Of course, he hadn't told his brothers what the fuck else he had done in his spare time so far. That would have to come later, his reign as President was lacking already, he didn't need any more people questioning it. 

Waving his head, he was already needing to know so he could see about peace but right now, the problems were standing in front of him. He needed to think, for right now. 

"Salvatore offered to move the focus of their empire, Jimmy was not acting with the support of the family he says but they are thinking about turning their interests west, with a key focus on Las Vegas. If certain needs are met."

Konnor knew this was about to cost him something big and he wasn't keen on finding it out so soon but he needed to know, right now. 

"The Pavanno's are switching over their interest to Vegas and are going to still be working with the F.A.M.C British charters, especially those involved with the Irish Supporters. They want Roman and Michael to work together in Las Vegas..."

Wait, glaring at Joe, he had to transfer his son to Vegas to gain peace for the entire Pavanno dynasty? Along with a sizeable involvement with their family?

"Is that the only option?"

Joe nodded, it would have to be the vote, one that brought them peace ad one that he would have to speak with his family about before long, to save them all at the very least. It would bring a wave of peace to the civil war before it truly began, an angel's duty was never done as some said...

"I'll speak to my son, it's better that way."

"Kid, sometimes an old man wants to be alone, you know those rules, don't you?"

Shrugging, Mike sat down next to him, unaware of the business happening all around him as fate seemed to have a different course for him. One that involved becoming the President of his very own charter, yet, for now, he was the peacemaker and maybe could get the old man to see sense, at the very least, it was a deserved moment.

"Yeah I do but then some people tell me the reason why you're out here at a taco truck on fifth, seriously, you could have chosen anywhere and it was to get some tacos? God help you."

Mike chuckled as he too ordered himself one before sliding up next to Gerry, neither of them said anything, it was something that they enjoyed for right now. Both knowing that they didn't need to talk to even discuss the issues pertaining to the club. For right now, they were two friends who were having tacos.

He smirked, his eyes narrowing at the sounds of roaring motorcycles and looking at the group of men, he was surprised to see them here. The Aztecas, just as the Angels had grown so did The Aztecas and it had become clear that New York would have to put up with two mother charters resting in the same state. 

"It's Lachlan, calm down."

Of course, the two clubs never interacted that much but for right now, there seemed to be a sense of peace between them. With both clubs having each others number in terms of power and allies in the world, with the Aztecas having the backing of the Cartel and the Angels working with the Irish Supporters, it was a clear drawing of lines at that. 

Mike bowed his head towards Lachlan in a nod before the man did the same, grabbing himself some tacos before heading back over to his men. 

There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief from all parties before Gerry and Mike shared a look, deciding that the clubhouse was a better time now....at least, that is what they thought.

"You're sending him away brother, that is for the peace you say?"

The table was full, it didn't even take any time, everyone gathered around, the officers and those of the patched members. Everyone was in place, the room was silent for a moment as Mike sat at the corner of the table, next to him was Gerry and Louie, no one knew what to say, for the sake of peace, this might just be Mike's last night in New York. 

"Aye it is for-"

Chuckles came from Gerry as he unflinchingly met the eyes of Konnor, giving him a glare as all the brothers now knew the cause and reaction of the tension, a president, a national one at that had fucked up, causing them to be the ones who settled for this peace. 

"We all know, this is because you fucked up brother, Your son pays the price, either way, what are the stipulations..."

Konnor coughed for a moment, leaning forehead as he didn't smoke, nor did he even have an Oreo near him. It showed that he was sorry for causing these problems, his entire club was against him and many openly stated about transfers, losing his son was another matter entirely...

"Mike becomes a President of his own charter in Vegas, from there, he proceeds to have Roman Pavanno as his V.P along with his own choice in Sergeant. Issei and the Yakuza give him ties to the drug trade via their Heroin whilst the Pavanno's invest in a Casino within Vegas, giving them a more legitimate claim, it's something that would be needed. A Pavanno VP and a Pavanno Casino. Majority rules...."

The brothers were silent, they all knew that it was going to be a close vote and even then, the vote that started it off as a No on the part of their President who stared straight ahead at his son as he did so before Joe cast his vote which was a Yes. A split decision between V.P and Prez, it was always possible but usually, some were seen as a united front. 

One all and finally Uri, ever the silent one cast his vote which was a Yes, two of the highest officers against the President was a clear sign of things. One that this needed to happen or there would be war, there was peace on the table and nothing more was needed. 

Mike cast his vote next, looking at Gerry he stated that his vote was a Yay, not even bothering to look at his Dad as he simply looked down at the table, waiting for the others to cast their vote, he wasn't being greedy, he was thinking about his family...

Gerry cast his vote next and it too was a Yes. It was not even over but people knew where this was all going, Mike was going to be moving on from this club, away from his dear old Dad and it was something he was going to be needing. He was going to be free...

Mike didn't realize it then but in this life, decisions had to be made and like all his brothers, it was the one that presented the least blood which would prevail. 

Placing his kutte down on the table, he looked left and right, nodding his head as he took out the switchblade and removed his patch of [Westside Original] - [New York] and he simply nodded, looking down it, he might as well be a Nomad for right now. He smirked to himself. In the past, that would have been appealing but now, this was his last night in New York and with nothing more, he put back on the lather with a grin...

While he didn't feel like an heir to the empire that his father had built up, it was especially something different now. He wasn't going to be keeping himself with such fantasies, the angels were his family and right now, he was going to be the leader of his own host, back when the Heavenly Host had been a thing. Yet now it was en empire, a true breathing form that did not let up with its ideas and beliefs. 

"This is my final night here, we're not going to spend it wallowing, we're going to have fun, seriously, let's go."

All of them but two walked out as father and son were all that remained in the room now, with two smiles, the two walked forward and now in a show of true love and care for one another, they hugged each other tightly. Giving way to emotions long since buried as the party raged on outside.

"You're going to do well, Prez. Seriously, just don't forget I'll be there every so often, Las Vegas was once our home, a while ago. We lived there a while, now it's been...I don't even know how long anymore but it was a long time ago..."

Nodding his head, Mike had remembered the time in Vegas, it hadn't been all that beautiful at the time but he was young and had missed New York, now this place had a lot of bad memories. It was something that he had to get right with for right now. Of course, that was now in the past and he had his father could talk freely, nothing else needed to be held back. 

Mistakes were made in this life and right now, while it seemed like this was a big one, it was nothing but something that gave him a chance to lead. 
 

His family had greeted him in the clubhouse, his sister had been crying, of that he was sure. She immediately ran to him, hugging him for dear life, she was always scared when he went away for long periods of time. Now here he was doing so for a different time, he hugged her back tightly and he saw his Father and Mother, for once, they were hugging each other, looking very much like the loving couple he always wished for them. 

"Chances are when I see you next will be when I'm married, hm?"

Silly as she was, he hoped that proved to be the case, he nodded and gripped her tighter and slipped a big wad of cash into her hands. It was a part of the heroin sale cash and it would be needed for the future of his family. He was sure that this was going to be something she would need, he took care of himself enough and this was the least he could do. 

Noticing people gathering outside, he growled, placing a hand on his waist as he clutched the gun tight there and made sure that nothing was going to be able to hurt his family. While he was here, of course, there didn't seem to be any hostility between whoever arrived and the brothers. 

"Who's that?"

"That, my son, is the Dragon, Issei Hyoudou."

And for the first time, the One-Eyed Dragon had come to New York, many rumours that he had come s on his spare time anyway. Stepping forward, he approached Mike, seemingly unaware of the tense situation that he had walked into and the way people were clutching onto their guns. 

Issei ignored that all and gave Mikey a smile before embracing him, laughing with his dad soon after and making sure that the party didn't stop. 

"When this is all over, you can meet me outside, we'll begin the transition and it'll be a pleasure to work with you, Marx."

Issei went back outside as he seemingly didn't care for the party or that there were Oreos, how was it that three people loved Oreos? Mike just said that some things worked mysteriously in his head before going back to the party and enjoying himself for right now.

Issei didn't know whether to thank the Pavanno's or hate them, in one move they had provided a great alliance that could only be rivalled by those of the cartel and everyone was going to be making money in Las Vegas, of course, that came with sacrifices, Roman and Michael would each have to work with one another and bring the prosperity through. Of course, it was going to be more of a different situation but currently, Issei was enjoying himself and the prospect of being one of the partners in such a deal. Of course, he would have preferred war. 

Especially when he heard the news regarding Leliana Pavanno, of course, it had been pulled off and averted for now. Along with the player that would make everything possible, Michael Marx, the man was going to be an instrument of great promise, yet he was going to be playing himself, no one was going to be in control of him. He had his club and all he had to do was make money and manage the casino with Roman. 

"Are you ready?"

Issei didn't bother to hide his boredom, he was going to make sure that people knew, of course now it hadn't exactly changed with him, people needed to know at times.

While he could easily play the role of being the boss, the leader, there were times when things were called a little differently, losing his eye and one of his greater friends to such beliefs, it cast him elsewhere besides playfully and seriousness has come up to it as well. A maturity had fallen over him with time it seemed. 

"I have everything I need, is this Roman going to meet us in Las Vegas or did he come with you? It's something I'd rather know, I need this, that is for damn sure."

Issei smirked, the kid had spirit and that is something he could work with. Most people would play the role given to them and that would be the end of it, he liked the defiant ones, mostly because he could talk with them and that would be it, but for him, this is what he would need for the betterment of the future. 

Things had got boring without Eto or any other drama, some family drama, which is definitely what he felt in that clubhouse would be good for him. Konnor had been the one to fuck up, along with himself, but he had been paying anyway and so it fell to the bikers to pay the price. Of course, his son had been forced from his home to prevent bloodshed and perhaps the end of the club itself. 

"He's going to meeting us, don't you worry your pretty little head, Mikey, this is going to be a fun time, alright?"

Scoffing, Mikey met the man's eyes and sarcastically spat out a sure before getting onto his bike, looking at Issei for a moment and nodding as he turned over his engine and looked back at the clubhouse...

A sad smile passed over his lips as he looked at the clubhouse, partying as a shake of his head was all he could do before chuckling, already knowing what it was to him.

It was goodbye.