Page 137 of Beyond the Badge: Crew

Fletch’s loud snort cut him off. “Don’t even try feeding me that bullshit, brother. You certainly don’t feel the need to visit me and Nova. Anyway, there’s no way we can go to Hawg Wild tomorrow night. We’re expected to go to a party at the Viper’s Den this weekend.”

“For the whole damn weekend?”For fuck’s sake!

“That’s what I said. We’re supposed to head there once I get my new patches. On that note, I’ll need another cut for those.”

“Noted.”

“We need a place to live, Crew.”

“I’m working on that. I should have something for you after this weekend.”

“What do we do until then?”

“Party all weekend at the Viper’s Den?” he semi-joked. “Take a tent.”

Fletch groaned. “We’ll grab a motel until you get our living arrangements sorted. I’ll save you the receipts.”

“It’s not easy finding a vacant apartment this quickly,” he explained.

“Yeah, and we don’t want a damn shit hole. Not if you expect us to live in it for a few months.”

“Understood.”

“I’ve turned my whole fucking life upside down by going undercover.” Fletch sounded a bit annoyed and Crew didn’t blame him.

“Yeah, I get that, and I appreciate your dedication. Wilder’s, too. But remember, if it wasn’t for the task force you never would’ve met her. And you’d still be a lonely fucker.”

“Like you?” Fletch huffed. “There’s more to life than free internet porn and your fist.”

Crew spotted his kids walking down the sidewalk. Of course, taking their fucking time. Not like when they were little and used to be excited to see him. They’d run up to him and launch themselves into his arms.

How times have changed.

“Gotta go. Let me know how the whole patch-over goes.”

“My guess? They’ll hand me my rockers and colors and tell me to fuck off. It’s not going to be any kind of ceremony like I’m getting a damn award or anything.”

“I’m sure,” he murmured.Jesus.Can his kids move any slower? They might as well be walking backwards. “All right, later, brother.”

He ended the call before Fletch could even respond. He jumped out of the car and stepped onto the sidewalk just as they reached his vehicle.

“Hey, kiddos!” he greeted with a big smile, opening his arms for a hug.

They skirted around him and Chloé’s face twisted when he turned to her with his arms still extended. “Can’t I even get a hug hello?”

“I’m riding shotgun,” Dylan yelled, shoving his sister out of the way.

When they began to tussle over sitting in the front passenger seat, he stepped between them and the car, using his Dad voice. “Hey, just for that, you’re not. Get in the back, Dylan.”

His son rolled his eyes as Crew grabbed their backpacks and went around the trunk of the car to throw them inside.

Once they were all settled, he pulled away from the curb with two moping teenagers. “How was school?”

Chloé, already playing on her cell phone, mumbled, “School,” as an answer.

“Chloé, phone down. Talk to your old man, please.”

She released a big dramatic sigh. “About?”

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