Page 5 of Bear Hunt

Bear

Even though it’s been three months since the Beaufort plane incident, we’re still dealing with the legal red tape after the sheriff’s office rounded up Psycho, Grinder, and Boner. Grinder and Boner, the fucking idiots, were captured on video, clear as day, like they were putting on a show, whereas Psycho and our prospect Kincaid were smart enough to avoid getting caught. Celia Shipman, Rockford Beach’s deputy sheriff, found Emily Beaufort, the traitor, in a catatonic state on the tarmac without a scratch on her.

As of today, we don’t really know what’s going on with her, but Mac’s empathy knows no bounds and because she hasn’t caused the club any other problems, we’re just going to wait and see. After all, her actions were the result of years of captivity by a man whose power and greed nearly destroyed her. Not to mention he was a higher-up member of The Firm which, from what we’ve gathered so far, orchestrated this entire shitshow. But it’s gone, right along with that scum, Harrison Beaufort.

Good riddance. His death is a grace upon our town and no one lifted a pinky finger to celebrate his life. Certainly not the hundreds of parents who lost their children when he instructed his dealers to flood the streets with his deadly drugs. So yeah, we let his wife Emily go because we don’t hurt or blame victims here. We are, however, making sure she keeps a safe distance.

In the end, no one talked. No one ratted, and the club and our friends and townspeople are safe from The Firm.

“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 through 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 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, our even-keeled sergeant at arms, 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.

Things have shifted in our club since our beloved president was assassinated last year. Hoops went from VP to Prez while Sledge took his place as our second. I’m still treasurer because numbers are my jam, and Psycho is still the enforcer because hurting people who hurt the club is like a straight shot of dopamine for him.

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 the weird paintedthreat on the wall, 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 on the 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.”

Ever since this whole Firm shit started making deadly waves in our town, our alliance with the New York mafia, more specifically Marco Mancini, the actual fucking don, has pretty much saved our asses. We’ve had a few of the Reapers come down to help us out, too, like their tech wizard, Glitch, who became our ears and eyes for a while. After losing Python, our beloved tech-savvy prospect, we just didn’t have it in us to replace him, so Glitch comes in real handy. And of course, Flower, who caught my eye with her tiny stature but huge presence. Unfortunately, I’m not getting the same vibe from her so I’m just standing down and waiting for her to make the first move.

“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. “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 again I think of Python, and how Harrison Beaufort killed him with his greed.

I hate greedy motherfuckers.

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

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