34. Chapter Thirty-Four

Bear

Three months later

A fter the Beaufort plane incident, the sheriff’s office rounded up Psycho, Grinder, and Boner since they were caught on video, clear as day. Our girl Kincaid was smart enough to avoid getting caught. Celia Shipman had found Emily on the tarmac, without a scratch on her, in a catatonic state.

No one talked. No one ratted. Our lawyers were able to get the case thrown out on account of the kidnapping, and since Beaufort’s body was never identified, Mac was in the clear for manslaughter.

Grinder and Boner, who practically smiled at the fucking camera, stayed longer than Psycho, who was smart enough to be on the other side of the plane, hidden from the cameras.

All in all, the club did okay. We got our girls and no one on our side was hurt.

Emily? Well, that’s a whole other can of worms.

From what Mac told us, she was a victim too. Sure, it was in a different way, but still, we don’t fuck with innocents and because she’d been mindfucked, we decided she deserved a reprieve. Now, if she comes back after us, that’s a different story altogether.

“All right, settle down, we’ve got business to discuss and the number of pussies you taste-tested this weekend, Sledge, ain’t on the schedule.” Hoops smacks the gavel on the solid oak wood table, getting everyone’s attention. Fucking finally. This group is missing a few brain cells from way too much partying.

“Well, it fuckin’ should be.” Even when he mutters, Sledge’s Brit accent comes in loud and clear. But Hoops is right, we’ve got business to address and the sooner we get to it, the better.

“My Cherry Pie wants to ride later. You in?” Psycho hands me our pet rat, Ninja, while Bandit runs laps around the table, stopping every time someone hands her a snack. I say “our” because even though the rats are technically Psycho’s, we all get to play with and take care of them.

“Sure.” We fist bump, knowing we’ll be having fun after Church is done.

“First order of business, let’s give an official big welcome home to our boys who spent almost two months in County. Grinder and Boner, livin’ it up behind bars.” Everyone cheers as the two best friends put on a big show with the bowing and the crotch thrusting.

“Thank you, thank you. It’s good to be back, brothers. Dick in jail ain’t what it used to be.” And…we all groan. Fucking hell, that guy’s visuals always hit front and center.

“Christ, that’s just…” Yeah, we’re all Shade right now. Speechless.

“I’m serious, they’re getting younger and younger and I’m sorry, I’m not into jailbait.” Cue in the collective groan yet again.

“Dude, stop.” Boner’s rubbing the bottom of his eyes as if wiping tears away. “They called you The Meat Grinder.” That’s when the table erupts in laughter as Grinder just shrugs and sits back down, ready to work.

“Okay, enough. Boner, what’s the update on your cousin, Jed?” Hoops gives the floor to Boner, and just like that, we’re serious and listening. As the new Secretary, Crow is furiously taking notes and I have to fight the urge to chuckle. Nobody ever reads them, but it only takes one time of having to check on something for bad minute-taking to bite you in the ass.

“Yeah, so I’ve been in touch with him on and off. He even came to visit in County about a month ago. Said nothing’s happened and everything seems quiet up there. He got the insurance for the repairs and our stock has been put back. It’s business as usual. As far as the graffiti is concerned, we’re thinking it was a prank, it’s the only thing that makes sense.” Everyone around the table nods just as Ninja nestles into the pocket of my cut. Poor little thing seems tired all the time when compared to Bandit, who runs around like she’s on speed.

“What do y’all think?” At Hoops’s question, we all take a second to reflect. One by one, the brothers agree that it’s been over six months since the warehouse fire and something would’ve happened by now if it was meant for us.

Personally, I’m not sure, but I’m just an overthinker when it comes to these things. I’ve never met a coincidence that sat well with my gut. Not a one. But I nod anyway because my sixth sense freaks everyone out, and right now, I’m not sure of myself.

“Okay, but let’s err this side of caution, we ain’t got brothers to spare.” Sledge nods to Hoops as they silently decide to move to the next topic.

“Bear, Psycho, did y’all look into this Firm thing?” I let Psycho answer Hoops since he’s taking lead on this.

“It’s a dead end for now. Called Glitch up in New York and he’s working on it, sending out feelers in the dark web or some shit, but as of right now, we got nothing. On a positive note, Mancini is apparently ruling that bunch of assholes with an iron fist, so that takes the heat away from us.”

“Why don’t we have our own Glitchmeister?” All heads turn to Grinder because he’s right, it’s definitely time to find someone to work on our techy shit.

“Here, here.” Boner fist bumps Grinder and we all agree.

“Get on it. Find us someone we can prospect.” Hoops points a finger to Grinder and Boner then looks to Crow and Axle. “What’s the sheriff saying about the drugs? Do we still have something to worry about?”

“Nah, with Beaufort’s death and the board taking over Risus Pharma, the pills have disappeared like fucking magic.” We all sigh with relief, and for a brief second, I think of Python who lost his life because Harrison Beaufort wanted to get richer than he already was.

I hate greedy motherfuckers.

“Fucking finally. All right, so we need to discuss Christmas.” Crow slams his notebook shut to get everyone’s attention.

“Fuck yeah!” Grinder leans in as his lips spread into a huge smile. “Favorite holiday ever. Well, second to Halloween, of course.”

Crow ignores him and continues talking. “Vanessa and the ladies want to organize a Christmas run for the kids of Rockford Beach. With everything that happened in recent months, she feels we need to give back to the community. Make them feel safe.”

Yeah, she’s right. We need some good PR for damn sure.

“So,” Crow continues after a dramatic pause. “We’ve all been volunteered to distribute presents to kids whose parents can’t afford to put much under the tree…” Opening his notebook back up, he flips through the pages and mumbles, “Got it. December twenty-second, four to six. We’re closing off two blocks on either side of the pier so only pedestrians have access for those two hours. They’re setting up activities, stands, face painting and I don’t fucking know what else…”

“Hell yeah, I’ve got dibs on the slutty nurse!” Grinder’s serious, which begs the question…

“What slutty nurse?” Psycho and I both ask at the same time.

“Uh, me. Duh.” I think he’s confused.

“You putting on a blonde wig, too?” Boner’s looking him up and down, nodding as if he’s liking the idea more and more.

“That’s sexist. I meant a male nurse. And by the way, we shouldn’t have to differentiate. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse. But the slutty part is important, I want to show off my new jail buffness.” Doing his best impression of Popeye, Grinder kisses his biceps as he flexes.

Someone needs to tell him he missed Halloween and his only option is to dress up as slutty Santa.

“Aaand…Church is over.” Hoops bangs the gavel and shakes his head at our antics. “Prez was a saint with y’all.”

“That he was, Brother. That he fucking was.” And I mean it. He is missed every fucking day but Hoops is filling his shoes nicely…he just needs a little more experience and a whole lot of patience.

I fucking love riding. The freedom, the wind, the way my mind is focused on one thing only. It’s a great way to wind down and let go of our demons.

Psycho whizzes by on his back wheel, giving me the middle finger as I laugh inside my helmet. That fucker has fifty lives and takes them all for granted. I’m less about the stunts and more about the speed. With a body size like mine, you can’t go around testing the limits of man-made machines and not expect to get hurt.

Speed though? That’s all right. It’s cathartic, even.

Before I let loose the throttle, Mac rides up beside me on her new-ish bike, Scarlett. The red is fucking visible all way to Georgia but apparently nobody cares about that. Least of all, her.

“One on one?” I taunt her, nodding at the straight line ahead.

“Fuck yeah!” Mac is like a sister to me, especially since Psycho is the closest thing I have to a real brother.

Knowing she’s got the advantage of being a top-notch racer, I don’t count down, I just fly before she’s ready. Gotta get my advantages where I can, right?

I’m about to get passed by Mac when something catches my eye up ahead on the side of the road.

My gut tells me to slow down. To stop. To park my bike and to make sure everything is alright. It’s how my mama raised me. When you see someone in need, you give what you can, even if it’s only advice.

“Hey, you doin’ alright? Need some help?” I make my presence known way before I get to the hood of the car that’s parked on the side of the road. White smoke is billowing from the beneath the metal and I can’t actually see the person yet.

“I’m fine.” Oh fuck.

I have a thing about voices. The breathy, deep sound of a woman who thanks you for an orgasm comes to mind immediately, and when I get to the front of the hood, my entire body freezes up.

Holy fuck. Legs for days and an ass made for biting is all I see until she places both of her hands on the hood and looks up, up, up at me.

My first concern is her messy bun about to fall apart and into the fan or the belt or any number of places that could be problematic.

My second thought is…

How do I make her mine?

Mackenzie and Aleko have their happily ever after, but what about the rest of the brothers we hear you ask? Well… Bear’s story is next from the Sons of Khaos.