Chapter 12

Light caresses on her belly roused Tessa. She didn't have a clue what time it was. The room was dark with the door cracked to allow in a minimal amount of light. Sounds from the hospital halls were low, which made Tessa believe it was some time in the middle of the night.

"Sorry I woke you." Bear trailed kisses from her neck to her shoulder to her forearm. "The cub was kicking and I couldn't resist feeling it."

Tessa groaned, but not in pain. "I'd have to get up anyway. I gotta pee again."

He chuckled lightly. "Need assistance?"

She glared at him over her shoulder. "I'm good. Thanks."

After Tessa got herself up, she walked out into the hallway to head towards the doctor's break room. Steel was at the nurse's station talking with Dr. Bennett and the other doctor Tessa didn't know. She assumed he'd been called in to cover her shifts after she'd been put on medical leave. She waved to them as she passed. They indicated for her to join them but she gestured to the bathroom.

Once she'd done her business, her eyes landed on the refrigerator longingly. With everything that had happened, they hadn't had dinner the night before. She was starving. Maybe a prospect was around that could?—

Tessa paused, partway out of the break room. In her sleepiness, she'd forgotten about Conner. How cruel of her to be thinking of her hunger and getting a prospect to do her bidding when he was lying dead in the morgue below them.

Tears immediately started falling down her cheeks. She covered her mouth to try to stifle her sobs.

Steel was suddenly by her side. He took her into his arms and cradled her against his chest, the embrace paternal in nature. He didn't try to silence her, only offered comfort as she wept for a man far too good to be taken from this world. Her heart ached.

"Did he have family?" Her words were muffled against Steel's chest.

"He and his brother were raised by their grandparents after their parents were killed in a car accident when they were toddlers. His grandmother passed years ago. His grandfather lives in a memory care facility in Philadelphia. Conner paid for his care. Unfortunately the man's dementia has reached the point where he didn't even know who Conner was anymore, but the kid still visited him every weekend."

That only made Tessa cry harder.

Eventually, Steel guided her down the hallway until they reached the room where Bear was. Bear immediately sat up at their entry but couldn't get off the bed to meet them. Steel lifted Tessa easily and placed her on the mattress next to Bear like he was lifting a child. She was grateful, since she didn't think she had the strength to get herself back into bed.

"What happened?"Bear demanded as he wrapped Tessa in his arms. It broke his heart to hear her hysterics from the hallway and not be able to reach her. He was grateful Steel had brought her in when he had or Bear would have had to crawl out on his hands and knees to get to her.

"We were speaking of Conner and his family," Steel said gently.

Bear nodded, resting his head on top of Tessa's. "How are the others? Harper stopped by earlier but only to say a quick thank you."

"Lucky's nose is broken and he has two broken ribs. Thankfully neither punctured his lung. He has a bruised kidney, a concussion, and a missing tooth. The cut above his forehead needed four stitches. Like you, his wrists required tending to. He needed a couple of stitches on each wrist as well. His ankles required antibiotic ointment and bandages but no stitches."

"Harper and Cindy weren't physically hurt?" Mentally was another matter. Harper had still been pale and shaky when she'd come into their room earlier.

"Small bruises, but otherwise they're fine physically. Emotionally is going to take some time for each of them." A menacing look crossed Steel's face, and Bear knew he was thinking of Mateo in their cellar.

"Did you call his brother?" Steel would know Bear spoke of Juan Castillo. If Tessa was paying attention to their conversation, she would not know of whom they spoke. Her wails had slowed to hiccuping sobs. Bear held her tighter.

Steel nodded. "He's catching the first flight out. Carlos will have deputies pick him up at the airport so it looks official."

"Good." They would find out what really happened between the brothers and if Juan needed to join in his brother's fate. Given how willingly Juan was to come out to speak with them, Bear doubted he knew anything of his brother's plans. "What about Hannigan?"

"Our dear sheriff has had a rough go of it. I don't know the full extent of his injuries, but he had reconstructive surgery to reattach his fingers. He'll be here a while. They had to re-inflate a lung."

"Have you spoken to him?"

Steel nodded. He looked conflicted as he said, "He wanted to know about the girl."

The girl? "Bree?" Bear mouthed, conscious of the open door behind Steel.

Steel shrugged like he wasn't sure but also nodded his head. "One can only assume. He wasn't fully there, but he was very concerned about her. I got the impression he thought she was on club property."

"He was protecting her?" Even if the sheriff had figured out they'd faked Bree's death, it made no sense why he would risk his life and keep his mouth shut to protect her. He'd never even met Bree, nor was Bree connected to Mateo Castillo. Carlos was the only police officer who'd had any contact with Bree prior to her ‘death'.

"I'll get proper answers when he's more lucid, but yes, I think he was."

Bear had no idea what to think of that. He certainly wasn't a fan of the sheriff, but he couldn't argue that the man had balls.

"How about you?" Steel asked, changing the subject to something less sensitive. "Dr. Bennett said you didn't displace the rod in your leg."

Bear scowled. "They took the cast off only to put a new one on me. And I have to now wear the new one for eight more weeks instead of my remaining six."

Steel's expression turned amused. "I'll get you a wheelchair so you and B can race around the clubhouse." He used the first initial of Bree's name to hide who they were talking about.

Bear's mood perked up at that. "Actually, that's not a bad idea?—"

"No," Tessa mumbled against his chest. Both men looked down at her, having not realized she was still awake. Thankfully, she'd stopped crying too. Bear hated seeing her tears, because he knew there was nothing he could do to help or solve the issue.

Bear leaned down and kissed her hair. "Buzzkill," he said lightheartedly.

"You can do as you wish," she mumbled back. "Just remember I control your sex life."

Bear looked up at Steel and said deadpanned, "So no wheelchair for me."

Steel rolled his eyes.

Bear really wanted to ask about the others in Cottonville but couldn't now that he knew Tessa was awake. Instead, he said, "I'll be out of here in the morning. I think the only reason Dr. Bennett didn't release me tonight was because Mama Bear had fallen asleep."

"You two get some rest." Steel headed for the door. "We'll talk more in the morning."

Both Luckyand Bear were released in the morning. Neither was pleased about having to be escorted out by hospital staff in a wheelchair. As soon as Harper saw Bear, she rushed forward and hugged him. He returned her hug, running his hands up and down her back in comfort.

Tessa didn't mind in the least. Of course Harper would feel gratitude towards Bear. He'd saved her from a terrible fate. Tessa couldn't even stomach imagining what she would have felt or done if she'd been in Harper's shoes.

After releasing Bear, Harper walked up to Tessa and pulled her aside. Their men were wheeled out of the hospital doors towards an idling SUV. Tessa was surprised to see Carlos waiting for them instead of another brother or Steel. In fact, she hadn't seen Steel all morning. Granted, the man had probably gone home to sleep as he'd been up at the hospital most of the night.

Tessa turned her attention to Harper. The woman was pale, which would be expected, but there was also a gleam in her eyes that Tessa was surprised to see. "What is it?" she asked.

Harper leaned close and whispered, "I'm pregnant."

Tessa's eyes widened. "Are you sure? When did you find out?"

"Last night," Harper explained. "They did a blood panel on me even though I wasn't injured. They said it was standard after being at a crime scene."

Tessa nodded. "True. I had one done too, but also because I was exposed to Conner's blood while pregnant." Her voice cracked when she spoke the prospect's name.

"They did an ultrasound while Lucky was getting his ribs x-rayed. I'm not very far along, only a couple of weeks, but they confirmed the pregnancy." She smiled brightly. "I'm so excited, I couldn't keep it in. I had to tell somebody. But I haven't told Lucky yet. I know I should but he's still blaming himself for yesterday. When he finds out it wasn't just me, but our baby too, that was in danger…" Her voice trailed off. "I'm not sure how he'll take it."

Tessa bit her lip. It wasn't like she had a story to tell about how she'd broken the news to Bear. By the time they'd reunited, the evidence was there for all to see. The fact that he'd never questioned paternity still baffled Tessa. She could only imagine how furious Bear would have been if she'd gone into the Hannigan house yesterday instead of waiting in the car with Scotty. But that anger would be a cover for the real emotion he would have been feeling: terror. The fear of loss was strong, especially for alpha males with the need to protect.

"You need to tell him," Tessa advised. "He has a right to know. Plus, regardless of when you tell him, it won't change the fact that you were still pregnant yesterday. Just remind him over and over that you're okay and so is your baby."

Harper nodded nervously. "You're right. And I suppose getting it over with sooner than later would be better." Her face turned sad as tears welled up in her eyes. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this. We've been trying for so long. This should be happy news!"

Tessa reached for her friend's hands. "It is! It is such good news. Lucky might have a strong reaction but, in the end, he'll see that too."

Harper quickly wiped her eyes. "Stupid hormones."

Tessa let out a laugh. "Girl, that's just the beginning. Just wait until you have some weird craving in the middle of the night. Or the first time your baby kicks inside of you." She touched her own protruding belly. "Plus, our babies will only be born months apart! They'll grow up together. Maybe be best friends. And, if it's a boy, maybe they'll even get married one day."

Harper's smile widened as more tears fell. "That sounds amazing." Then she hesitated, biting her lip. "I also wanted to ask you something."

Tessa nodded, "Of course. I'm not an OB, but I can answer most questions."

Harper shook her head. "No, not a medical question. Ever since I found out about the baby, I keep going over in my head what almost happened. And what Bear did for me. More importantly, what Conner did for me."

Tessa nodded again but didn't see where she was going with her train of thought. She hadn't asked a question yet.

"I wanted… I guess what I am wondering is if it's okay if I use his name."

"Bear's?" Tessa asked, still confused.

"No," Harper said, "Conner's. To name our baby after his sacrifice. Conner if it's a boy and Connie if it's a girl."

Tessa felt her own eyes well up with tears. "Oh Harper, I love it. He'd be so honored."

Harper's chin started to tremble. "You think so?"

Tessa nodded, wiping at her own cheeks. "I do. But why would you ask me if it's okay to name your baby after him? Shouldn't that be something to discuss with Lucky?"

"I wanted to make sure you weren't planning on doing the same. You had no way of knowing I was pregnant too, and I didn't know if you had plans of honoring him so."

Tessa felt slightly ashamed as she admitted, "It honestly hadn't even crossed my mind."

Harper reached for her. "It's okay. I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. I just wanted to make sure you thought it was a good idea too."

"The best," Tessa assured her.

The women hugged tightly. It was awkward with Tessa's belly between them, but they managed.

"Think the guys are ready to storm the hospital to make sure we're okay?" Harper asked while they still were embraced.

Tessa chuckled. "Honestly, kinda surprised they haven't already."

Harper took a step back, wiping at her cheeks. "I told Lucky I wanted to speak with you. I think he assumed it was about my attack and needing to speak with another woman."

"You know you can talk to me about it," Tessa told her gently. "I don't have personal experience in what you went through, but I'm a good listener. I'm here if you need me."

Harper hugged her again. "Thank you. I'm not ready yet but, when I am, I'll come to you."

The women walked out of the hospital arm in arm. Due to his cast, Bear was sitting in the passenger seat. Lucky, whose periocular area looked like he was wearing a raccoon mask, was behind the driver's seat. Harper slid into the middle seat and then Tessa followed her.

"You ladies good?" Lucky asked as Carlos shut the door. The deputy sheriff then walked around to the driver's door.

Harper nodded. "All good." She leaned over and kissed Lucky's cheek. "Thank you for letting us talk in private."

Tessa reached forward to touch Bear's shoulder. "Thank you, Papa Bear."

Bear twisted in his seat to capture her hand and kiss the palm. "Anytime, Mama Bear."

The womenand Scotty were at Tessa and Bear's house. The clubhouse was currently members only. No doubt the three ol' ladies knew or suspected what was about to happen, though none of them hinted or objected.

There were two big things that the club needed to discuss prior to Carlos delivering Juan Castillo to them after he landed in Pennsylvania and spoke to the police about his escaped criminal brother.

The first being Conner's funeral. The club would be looking after his grandfather financially from now on. Bear knew Steel would also be announcing Conner being buried with full rockers, which also meant they had to vote on his road name.

The second order of business was Ghost's report from their operation in Cottonville. Ghost, Ranger, Bulldog, Scar, and Keys had all returned to the clubhouse in the dead of the night. They'd contacted Steel, who'd been at the hospital at the time. Steel had left to inform them of what had happened in Mount Grove during their absence.

From what Bear had overheard Steel tell Lucky that morning, Scar had gone into a fit of rage when he'd heard what had nearly happened to Harper. Bear couldn't recall ever seeing Scar effected by emotions like that and had doubted the fit had been as dramatic as Steel described—until he entered the clubhouse on his crutches that morning to discover broken pieces of furniture in a pile in a corner by the front doors. Was it odd of Bear to wonder if Scar had yelled out loud during his rage or had he done the damage silently? A part of Bear felt like it would have been scarier if the man had remained silent.

It also made Bear wonder how close Scar and Harper had gotten over the past half year. He didn't worry there was anything romantic going on. That was a ridiculous thought. Harper was completely devoted to Lucky. Bear knew that Scar was, in his way, attached to Sissy and Harper. Bear doubted it had to do with them being female, since Scar wasn't close with Jenna or Tessa. Scar had rescued Harper when her brother had kidnapped her, but he'd also rescued Tessa from their cage when it had been teetering off the side of the bridge. Bear wasn't sure what the connection was or why it was so strong between Scar and Harper.

As they all entered into Church, Bear noticed Angel and Cage were missing. He assumed they were at the hospital with Bree. He didn't know if she'd been informed of Conner's death yet. Bear knew Bree knew who Conner was but doubted the teen had spent any real time with the prospect. Still, Bree had just escaped death herself. Bear wasn't sure how she would take the news of the death of someone she knew, even if it was only in passing.

"Let's get started," Steel said somberly as they took their seats. The man looked exhausted. Bear wondered if he'd gotten any sleep last night. "By now, everyone is aware of what happened at Sheriff Hannigan's house yesterday afternoon. Mateo Castillo is enjoying the luxurious accommodations of our wonderful cellar at the moment. The officers and I will be heading down to speak with him later today after his brother arrives."

"Are you really going to allow Juan down into the cellar?" Grumpy asked. "He's not a member."

"No, he's not," Steel agreed. "However, I'd like him to see what happens to those who cross us. As well as figure out what he knew of his brother's plans with the Hannigans."

"We have enough dirt on him that he won't betray us, regardless of what he sees or hears," Bulldog added. He looked equally as tired.

"As most of you did upon joining, Jumper has a copy of Conner's will." Steel gestured to the club's Secretary.

Jumper cleared his throat. "Conner didn't have a spouse or children. He left everything to the care of his grandfather. Due to his declining health, Conner decreed Steel to become his grandfather's guardian should anything happen to Conner. He also asked that we continue with his weekly visits."

"Has anyone told his grandfather?" Lucky asked. An office chair had been brought up for him. Rather than sitting up straight, he sat with the chair reclined back as far as it could go. He'd had his eyes closed until he'd spoken. "He should be told in person, regardless of his current mental state."

"I'm riding up tomorrow to speak with him," Steel informed them.

"You need rest too," Bear told his President respectfully. "You can't do everything and be everywhere. Someone else should go."

Others started to volunteer, but Steel stopped them all with a stern, "No. Conner was a prospect in my club. He died for one of our ol' ladies. It is my responsibility."

"I'll go with you," Lucky told him. He started to sit up and then changed his mind. "We can get one of the prospects to drive us in a cage. Neither of us should be driving right now, plus it's a ten hour round trip. It'll give us a chance to rest during the drive too." Sorrowfully, he added, "It was my ol' lady he died for. It's my responsibility too."

Steel looked like he was about to argue, but then nodded. "Fine. We'll go together. I'm sure that will make Jenna happier than me going alone." Steel gestured back to Jumper.

"Conner wished to be buried next to his twin," Jumper continued. "There's already a plot in his name at the Philadelphia National Cemetery."

"We need to organize a ride in his honor as well," Steel said to Bear. As Road Captain, he planned the club rides, routes, and stops. "I know you can't ride right now, neither can Lucky, but it needs to be done. It is the least we can do for our brother."

Having Steel call Conner a brother informed them all of Steel's acceptance to bury the prospect in full colors. Bear felt honored by Steel's decision. "I'll get it planned. The date will depend on when his funeral is as well."

"We need suggestions for his road name," Demo told the table as a whole. "I can't order his rockers without it and it can take a couple of days to get them in even with express shipping."

"It can't be silly," Bear warned sternly. "It needs to be a name that honors his sacrifice. What he did took courage and bravery."

"Well," Keys spoke up, "the very definition of the title ‘Lionheart' is someone of exceptional courage and bravery."

Bulldog turned to Steel. "Lionheart. I like it."

Steel nodded once. "Me too. All in favor?" Every member present raised their hand. "Lionheart it is." Steel looked to Demo. "Get it ordered and put a rush job on it."

Demo nodded. "I'll see it done."

"What about Gus?" Jumper asked in regard to his brother. "He's almost to his year marker."

"Let's get through this week," Steel told him, "and then we'll take a vote on Gus. It'll be good to have something to celebrate, but I don't want his patch-in party to be shadowed by a funeral."

Jumper nodded in agreement. "Thank you."

"How are we with recruiting?" Bulldog asked the room. "I know we've been busy but we're going to be down to one prospect soon." There wasn't any doubt Gus would get the votes to officially join the VDMC. Besides being Jumper's brother, he was a good man and, despite his prosthetic leg, kept a good outlook on life.

"I know of two who recently got out," Ranger said from his seat at the far end of the table. "One's a Ranger and the other was a Nighthawk. I'll reach out to see if they're interested in prospecting."

"Good," Steel nodded once. "Is there anything else regarding last night, Conner, or recruiting new prospects?" When his question was met with silence, he said, "Onto the other event from last night." He looked down the table at Ghost. "Sit-rep."

Ghost sat up straighter as he started talking. "We surveilled the warehouse for a week. Once we identified Crisco, we made our game plan and got the go ahead from Steel. Crisco is in his fifties. He's an ugly bastard too. We infiltrated the warehouse as they were setting up for another filming. There were five guards total, plus the asshole paying Crisco for the ‘experience'." Most around the table, including Bear, made a disgusted face, knowing the experience the depraved man was paying for. "There were two prisoners. We were able to set them free without any of the others noticing. Once they were safely away with Ranger, we went in for the kill. All the guards were taken down. The buyer as well as Crisco are also sharing our accommodations in the cellar. Once Keys did his thing, we burned the place to the ground."

"What happened to the prisoners?" Pumpkin asked. He was sitting across the table from Ghost. "I assume they were women."

Ghost nodded once. "They were. We were wearing balaclavas, so they never saw our faces. Ranger took them to the nearest hospital before coming back for us. Keys has their information and is tracking their health as well as the police investigation."

"What do you have to report?" Steel asked Keys.

"First, Crisco was into a lot of illegal shit, not just making snuff films. He did BDSM porn too—the hardcore stuff. No one died, but there certainly weren't any safe words being used. He had a niche for making people disappear. Kidnapping too. Some drugs, but he dealt in the skin trade mostly."

"Were you able to shut down his site?" Bear asked.

Keys rocked his head back and forth as if he was trying to decide how to answer. "Black sites don't work like that. However, I did corrupt it and left a worm for the Feds to follow back to anyone who tries to access it in the future."

"What about the hacker?" Steel asked. "You said you recognized the code."

"I did," Keys confirmed. Bear noticed how tired Keys looked too. "Whomever he or she is will know the site is corrupted. I also left a trojan for them but likely they'll see it coming. Still, I figured it couldn't hurt to try. Maybe they're amateurish enough to fall for it." He shrugged. "Regardless, everything connected to Crisco has been handled."

"Good," Steel said. "We can finally tell Angel it's over."

"One other thing," Keys added, grabbing everyone's attention. "I was able to determine Crisco's real name. With that, I was able to get his address, social, bank information, everything. Once we discover who his victims were, I want to divide everything up between their families—as long as their families were innocent in the victim's disappearance, that is. Regardless, I also want to set up a college fund for Bree. It's the least she deserves after what she went through at Crisco's hands."

"All in favor?" Steel asked the room. Everyone agreed. Steel nodded to Keys, "Do what you need to do. I'm sure Angel will appreciate it."

"Is she going to want to be part of taking out Crisco?" Bear asked Steel. "I'd rather not have Tessa leave club property right now and Angel's not going to want to leave Bree alone."

Steel shook his head. "She's agreed to allow us to handle it. Her only request is to make it hurt and to make it last."

Bulldog nodded, a malicious glean in his eyes. "Oh, we can definitely make that happen." He turned towards Scar, who nodded once in agreement.

"Good, then if there's nothing else…?" Steel raised his gavel and struck it down on the tabletop. "Meeting's adjourned." To the officers, he ordered, "Let's go deal with the pieces of shit in my cellar. I want them gone and dealt with before Angel brings Bree home."

Once more,Bear had to crawl down the steps into the cellar on his ass. As much as he hated to admit it, he was incredibly sore—even more so than the last time he'd done this. Lucky had to go down the steps one at a time, clutching his ribs as he went. Bear was actually impressed that he made it.

Bear waited for his best friend at the bottom of the stairs. He was a bit out of breath. "Think we can convince Steel to build us an elevator to down here?" he gasped out.

"You and I keep these injuries up and we might just have to." Lucky winced as he started to chuckle. "Don't make me laugh." Then he started to sway, "I need to sit down."

Bulldog had carried two folding chairs down for Lucky and Bear. He set them up facing the three prisoners.

Mateo Castillo was dangling from the far-left chains. Crisco and his customer hung from the chains on the far-right. There was an empty set of chains between Crisco and Castillo. All three prisoners were naked. It looked like Gus and Quinten, who'd been guarding the cellar until the club officers were ready, had gotten some good licks in on Mateo. His torso was black and blue. Revenge for their friend's murder, more than likely.

Though Steel had ordered the prisoners not to be touched, the President didn't seem to mind as he noticed the bruising. While he wasn't one to allow orders to go unfollowed, Steel would likely make an exception this time. The prospects had lost a brother too.

As Lucky and Bear got themselves situated in the folding chairs, Bulldog went back up the cellar stairs. He closed the hatch behind him. Scar went over to the wall where various sharp instruments were now stored in the direct line of sight of any prisoners. Another torture tactic. Steel went to stand in front of Mateo. They would be starting and finishing with him before they started on Crisco and his customer. Steel wanted Crisco to see, and fear, his fate.

Thankfully Crisco and his customer were gagged, so they didn't have to hear their pleas and cries while dealing with Mateo.

Fear radiated off of Mateo. He was shaking with it. The man was just tall enough that his toes touched the floor, causing him to sway when he lost his balance.

Steel gave the man a slow once over, as if examining him and finding him wanting. "You know, six months ago, I never even knew your name. Now, you hang here in my cellar waiting for your execution. If you'd left my people and town alone, none of this would be happening. You realize that, don't you? You are here because of your own actions. No one is to blame but yourself."

Mateo's nostrils flared. "Hannigan's the reason I'm here."

"And which Hannigan might that be? The sheriff you tortured, his wife you molested, the daughter you tried to have gang-raped, or the son who hung exactly where you are now before we cut off his cock and balls and let him bleed to death?"

"Richard," Mateo spat. Though he was still shaking with fear, he was also angry now. "I never should have lent that idiot money. He ruined everything."

"And by everything, you mean the human trafficking ring you were trying to start up?"

"If you're so smart that you have all the answers, why am I even here? Just let me go and you'll never hear from me again."

Steel feigned a wince. "Oh, sorry, can't do that. See, you attacked my people. I'd been willing and able to let you be your brother's problem after he assured me you'd no longer be our problem." Steel walked around Mateo so he wasn't blocking where Lucky and Bear were sitting from the prisoner's view. "Does it irk you to know that you had my Vice President and my Road Captain," Steel pointed to them, "in your custody and you didn't even know it? How about the fact that it was my Vice President's ol' lady whom you tried to have raped? Or the fact that it was his future mother-in-law whose breast you groped without her permission?" Steel leaned closer so his mouth was near Mateo's ear without touching the man. "Or that it was my prospect that was murdered trying to rescue them? Who sacrificed his own life to save Harper Hannigan from being raped by your men? Tell me, Mateo, of the two of us, which one of us is the real reason you are where you are right now?"

Mateo's face scrunched up in disgust. At himself or Steel, Bear didn't know. "What are you going to do to me?"

Steel came around to stand in front of him. "Frankly, the only answers I need from you are why you attacked Sheriff Hannigan and why now. However, in retrospect, I really don't care. You did and you are going to suffer the consequences for those actions. So, whether you tell me or not, makes no difference in the end. My Enforcer, here," he pointed to Scar, "has a soft spot for Lucky's ol' lady. They're friends. I'd rather just leave you to him and go home to my own ol' lady, but your brother is on his way." Steel pulled out his phone and opened a screen. "Be rude of me just to leave when your brother came all this way to see us." After tapping on the phone a couple more times, he had what he'd been looking for. "Ah! Here it is. I was able to have Sheriff Hannigan's hospital report sent over to me." He passed the phone to Scar with the email open. "Think you can replicate these injuries without killing him?"

Scar studied the screen for a moment before picking up a crowbar from a hook on the wall. He nodded once to Steel, who then pocketed his phone.

"Let's get started then."

Bulldog escortedJuan Castillo down to the cellar about a half hour later. Mateo was in bad shape. Scar had done an excellent job mimicking the sheriff's injuries on him. He'd even cut off the same two fingers on Mateo that Harper's father had just had reconstructive surgery on.

Bear was watching Juan closely. The man didn't bat an eyelash at the condition his little brother was in. If anything, he looked resigned.

The man stood at six-two and was impeccably well dressed. His pinstriped black suit looked very out of place in the dingy cellar. The brothers looked similar in their dark eye color and the shade of their chocolate hair, but that was where the similarities stopped. Mateo was built like a wrestler, short and stocky, whereas Juan had a swimmer"s body, tall and lean.

"May I speak with him for a moment?" Juan asked Steel, surprising Bear. Juan didn't seem like the type of person who gave up control or power lightly.

Steel indicated for Scar to stop. The man took a step back and Bulldog handed him a towel to wipe off the blood from his hands and brass knuckles. Though officers, neither Demo nor Jumper had ever been down to the cellar. Jumper didn't want to risk triggering his PTSD, whereas Demo openly admitted he didn't have the stomach to witness what went on below. He didn't disagree morally with what went on; he just didn't want to see it. Bear couldn't fault him for that, nor did he think less of either brother for remaining above with Keys, who was waiting at his computer in case the officers below needed information verified.

Bear was sure Bulldog had searched his person for weapons, but he still tensed when Juan approached his little brother. Was he stupid enough to try something with the VDMC watching?

Mateo cracked one eye open. It was bloodshot. Like the sheriff, he seemed incapable of focusing on anything. The man started sobbing when he finally recognized his brother before him.

Juan placed a hand on the side of his neck, cupping his face. Was he comforting his little brother? Bear tensed, unsure of what Juan would try to do.

Even from across the cellar, Bear could make out Mateo's whispered pleas for his brother to rescue him, to make it stop. Some of it was too muffled to make out, while other parts, like him promising to never go against Juan's rule again, were easy to make out.

"Shhh," Juan leaned over and kissed Mateo's dirty forehead. "Peace, brother." Mateo's tears kept coming. "It breaks my heart to see you so. I told you to leave the Hannigans and Mount Grove alone. Why did you disobey me?"

"Others were calling me weak, saying that I didn't have what it took to be a leader. The ones that I'd promised women to were coming after me when I couldn't deliver." His body shook with pain and sorrow. "I needed to do something to reclaim my position."

"I warned you that these were people you didn't want to cross." Juan pressed his forehead to his brother's. "Remember when we were boys and Mama would chase us with her wooden spoon for stealing cookies? Hold onto those thoughts and the taste of warm cookies. It'll be over soon."

With a final kiss to each of his brother's cheeks, Juan turned away and started walking towards the old, rickety stairs.

"Juan!" Mateo called after his brother with more volume than Bear would have thought the man had in him. "Please, brother! You can't leave me here!"

Juan, though, didn't turn back around. Instead, he turned to Steel. "I know he doesn't deserve it, but I ask that you make it quick. I'd like to bring him home to our mother. She deserves the chance to say goodbye."

"You're shutting everything down?" Steel prompted. "Everything on the east coast?"

Juan nodded. "As agreed."

Steel tipped his head to Bulldog. "Not the face."

Bulldog took out his gun and approached Mateo. "Juan, please," was the last thing that was spoken before the gunshot rang throughout the cellar.

There was a barely visible flinch on Juan's face, his stiff back remained towards his brother's now dead body. "Gracias. May I send my men down to retrieve him?" Though his voice was steady, Bear caught the slight flare of Juan Castillo's nostrils.

Steel agreed. It took about a half an hour to get Mateo's body washed down of any evidence, pull the bullet from his chest, take him down out of the chains, wrapped up in a blanket, and out to Juan's car. Bear, Lucky, and Scar remained in the cellar with Crisco and his customer while Steel and Bulldog saw Juan Castillo off. Bear really hoped it was the last time they ever saw the cartel kingpin.

Steel and Bulldog returned to the cellar. By now, Scar had undone the gags on both Crisco and his customer.

"Who's next?" Steel asked with fake excitement as he clasped his hands together. "That ended a little too quickly for my tastes."

Tessa,Harper, Jenna, Sissy, and Scotty were sitting on the new patio furniture that had been delivered the day before. They'd tried out different positions and arrangements before deciding on a crescent facing the shared backyard of the three built houses. Angel's foundation was set, giving an idea of how her house would compare. Sticks in the lawn indicated where the concrete slabs would go down so Bree could use her wheelchair in the backyard too.

Tessa pointed her virgin margarita glass towards the open area between where Angel's foundation and Steel's house were. "Whichever brother falls next is going to have a house go there. We'll have a pentagon backyard."

"I wonder who will fall next," Harper said thoughtfully. "Never expected Bear to—no offense. He never seemed the type to settle down."

"Lucky didn't either, dear," Jenna pointed out to Harper. "I still remember his face, though, the first day he saw you. I think the best way to describe it would be ‘starstruck'."

Harper beamed.

"I think it'll be Uncle Ghost or Uncle Ranger," Sissy said. Though she wasn't pregnant, her margarita was also virgin. Since Harper, Tessa, and Scotty couldn't drink Jenna and Sissy decided not to too. Harper's reasoning was claiming they'd given her medication at the hospital that prohibited her from drinking alcohol. As far as Tessa knew, she was the only person Harper had told of her pregnancy.

"Think about it," Sissy continued. "They're always at the bar, surrounded by different and beautiful women. Someone's bound to walk through that doorway and catch one of their eyes."

"Is there more land to build on?" Tessa asked Jenna. "I mean, after that lot is taken. Most of the brothers live in the clubhouse apartments, right? What if they want to start building a house even if they're unattached?"

"There's plenty of land," Jenna answered. "I don't know exactly where or how the plots are formed, but I do know the club owns several acres. The land was a ranch before it was a distillery. That owner bought all of the land from the farmer, and we bought everything from him."

Sissy took a sip from her cup. She glanced at her brother, who was sitting at the six-seater patio table under the umbrella drawing in his coloring book with his service dog Spot at his feet, before turning to the ladies. "Does anyone know the details of Conner's funeral? I want to go but will likely need to take off work unless they're waiting for next weekend."

It took Tessa a moment to realize it was Saturday. She hadn't been paying much attention to the days of the week since going on leave from work.

"I'm sure they're finalizing everything while they're in their meeting." Jenna's next words were interrupted by her phone ringing. "It's Angel," she said before answering the FaceTime call. "Hey, Angel! You're missing margaritas."

"Really? You bitches couldn't have waited a day for me to join you?"

Tessa leaned over to be able to see Angel on the screen. She looked like she was in the hallway of the hospital. "Waited a day? Does that mean you're coming home tomorrow?"

Angel's grin lit up her entire face. "We got our discharge orders. They're only waiting for tomorrow so Bree can have one more physical therapy session before we leave."

A shout went out among the ladies.

"That's fantastic!"

"I'm so happy for you!"

"Bree must be thrilled!"

Jenna finally shushed everyone. "We're going to throw a party. What does Bree want to eat? Sky's the limit."

Angel gave Jenna an endearing smile. "Honestly? I think a standard barbecue would do all of us some good. We haven't had a club run or a picnic in over a month."

"Then a barbecue she'll have. I'll take care of everything. How are you and Bree getting home from the hospital?"

"Cage says he'll drive us. He's going to stay until she's discharged." There was an odd note to Angel's voice when she spoke her club brother's name. Tessa wasn't sure if it was gratitude or something else.

"Text Steel," Harper told Jenna. "We'll set up the barbecue while the boys ride out to escort Bree home. It'll be their ‘club run'," she put in quotes, "since it is a Sunday after all."

"Good idea," Jenna said. Then she turned back to her phone, "Do you need anything? Your house isn't ready yet." Jenna flipped the camera around so Angel could see the concrete foundation from across the yard then she turned the camera back towards herself. "Though maybe you and Bree could tent camp."

Angel laughed. "Is your offer still available, Tessa? We don't want to intrude?—"

"Of course it is. Bree will need to stay on the first floor. Bear and I are currently in the ‘office' since he can't do stairs easily right now either. I'll get Bree a twin bed that can go in the den. It's small, but it'll do. Do you want to stay with her or take one of the upstairs rooms?"

"Let's get us in first and then she can decide what she's comfortable with," Angel said instead. "I really appreciate you letting us crash with you. I got notification today that the utility permits were approved, which means the house could ship any day now. Hopefully a week max."

"It's fine," Tessa assured her. "However long you need. The only room on the first floor with carpeting is the living room. Someone will just need to help Bree around there if she wants to watch TV or something."

"Is she near you?" Jenna asked.

Angel shook her head. "She's taking a nap before PT. Girl's a trooper but knows her limits."

"What do you think about making tomorrow a belated birthday party for her? She doesn't have much. I'm not sure what you've had the chance to order or shop for her. We can do presents and cake too."

Angel bit her lip. "Honestly, I think that'll be a little too overwhelming for her. She's going to be wiped from the ride home and I don't want her to feel obligated to stay. Maybe another time? Just make tomorrow like any other Sunday."

Though Jenna looked disappointed, she agreed. "We'll take her shopping some time this week too."

Angel looked like she was fighting from rolling her eyes. "Sure. We can do that." She looked over her shoulder and then back at the camera. "Cage is calling me. Bree needs to use the bathroom and she's still nervous about cathing herself."

"Of course," the ladies said in response. They all waved goodbye and then Jenna hung up the call.

"That girl is going to be spoiled rotten," Tessa said as she laid back in her lounge chair again.

Harper snorted. "Like your kid isn't going to be?"

Tessa had to bite her tongue against saying something about Harper's kid. Instead, she laid her hand over her large belly. "I didn't say there was anything wrong with being spoiled." She winked at her friend.