Page 2 of Pirate

He didn’t know much about service dogs, but his unit had had a K9 team for a while. He knew that they weren’t supposed to be petted or ‘treated like a pet’ while wearing their vests. But he’d seen the dogs still be praised when they obeyed, and thought the little ear scratch was appropriate.

Turning back to his brother, he said, “I assume I just told her to heel?”

Marshall nodded. His gaze was downcast now. “I’ll teach you her other commands.”

“What was with the chest tapping?”

“I was telling her you were family. It means she’s to obey you as she would me.”

Gus blinked. He supposed that was a good thing, but he hadn’t been expecting it. “I saw the apartment building on my way in.”

“We have a four-thirty appointment,” Marshall said.

His voice was duller now too and he still wouldn’t look at Gus. What was the difference from now to a few minutes ago when he’d first arrived? Was it because he’d ordered Aerial to Gus’s side? That didn’t seem right, but he supposed it was possible.

Another man walked out of the clubhouse then. He was taller than Gus and Marshall by an inch or so with silvering hair, a close cropped beard, and dark eyes. Gus recognized Steel immediately.

Stepping around his brother, he took a limping step forward with his hand outstretched. “Steel, good to finally meet you.”

Steel accepted the handshake with a strong grip Gus would expect from a former Marine. “Gus, you too. Come on in. My ol’ lady’s made a late lunch for your arrival.”

Gus blinked in surprise. He’d done enough research on motorcycle clubs to know that an ‘ol’ lady’ was like a wife to a club member. From the wedding band on Steel’s left hand, Gus knew he was married. Did that mean his wife was his ol’ lady or did he have a wifeandan ol’ lady? These were things Gus was going to have to learn.

Having a late lunch prepared for his arrival was also a surprise. He’d only had snack foods on the road, so he was definitely famished. The lunch was certainly appreciated, just unexpected.

The clubhouse—at least, Gus assumed this building was their clubhouse—was not the den of depravity Gus had pictured in hishead. The building itself was very large with double doors at the entrance and a massive open area upon walking inside. A bar to the right and lots of seating to the left, the middle area was open. It had a very welcoming atmosphere that Gus would not have expected of a motorcycle club.

Like Jumper and Steel, men milled about in leather cuts. There were women around too, less scantily clad than Gus expected of the stereotypical ‘club girls’. They were provocatively dressed but still had a measure of modesty to them. Interesting.

The reason—Gus could only hope to assume—came running up to Steel, Gus, and Marshall at the entrance.

A young teenager with the telling facial structure of Down syndrome. He had dirty blonde hair, almost brown, a plump little body, and the biggest smile Gus had ever seen on a teenager’s face.

“Are you my Uncle Gus?” the kid asked with wide, hopeful eyes.

While he could confirm his name, the familial title took Gus aback. He knew for a fact that Marshall did not have kids. His ex-wife, Molly, and Marshall had been discussing trying for kids just before the attack that had befallen Marshall’s SEAL team. Then Molly’s infidelity came to light. As the two of them were each other’s only sibling, the title of ‘uncle’ made no sense to Gus.

Steel reached forward, putting a hand on the teenager’s shoulder. “Scotty, I know your daddy’s talked to you about this. Gusisyour Uncle Jumper’s brother, but that does not mean he’s your uncle too.”

The teenager’s, Scotty’s, face fell slightly. His mouth pursed in confusion but also determination. “Uncle Jumper loves me. That means his brother will love me and that means he’s my uncle too.” Then Scotty turned to Gus and asked, “Right?”

Gus had no idea if he followed that line of logic, but he did know one thing: the pure innocence of this teenager before him was far too precious to taint or dampen. He bent slightly to put himself more at Scotty’s eye level and crooked his finger at the kid conspiratorially. Scotty leaned forward, excited.

“Are you a good boy?” Gus asked him with narrowed eyes, as if he was assessing Scotty. “Do you eat all your veggies and go to bed on time?”

Scotty nodded eagerly. “Yes! I do! I’m a very good boy and I’m very, very loved!”

Gus nodded too, as if thinking his answer acceptable. “I think I have an opening for a nephew right now. Do you think that’s something you’d be willing to help me with?”

“Yes!” the teenager shouted excitedly. “I’m a very good nephew! Just ask my Uncle Bear and my Uncle Scar and my Uncle Demo and my Uncle Pumpkin and my Uncle Grumpy and my Uncle?—”

“Scotty,” Steel said in a warning tone that also held a measure of love Gus had not expected from the gruff older man.

Scotty smiled at Steel and turned back to Gus. “I havea lotof uncles. And two aunts!” He turned and pointed. “That’s my Aunt Angel. She’s a biker too! And she’s agirl.” The amount of incredulity in the teen’s voice was amusing. “And then there’s my Aunt Jenna.” He pointed to a redhead walking out of a swinging door by the bar. “She’s married to Uncle Steel.” Scotty leaned towards Gus again and beckoned him forward. “They love each otherso much. They’re alwayskissing.”

Gus wasn’t sure what amused him more: the fact that Steel and Jenna apparently acted like teenagers in love, according to Scotty, or the fact that Scotty told this to him like a whispered secret but the kid had no concept of volume control so it was stated loud enough for everyone in proximity to them to hear.

Steel made a noise that was between a grunt and a growl. Scotty looked over at him and just laughed. The teen actually put his hands on his plump belly and threw his head back, saying, “Ho-ho-ho!” like he was Santa Claus.

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