Page 59 of Bear

I shrug. “I’m a desperate man, Chaos. I know the Bayou Bastards have likely figured out it was us and are on their way—after all, it’s what we would do. Avenge our own. Jupiter is mine. They fucked with what’s mine. Their prez died because of it, but I know this doesn’t end here. I know this means war.” I take in each and every one of them, and then direct my next words at Chaos. “I don’t know if I’ll still be breathing air by the day’s end, but I wanted to make sure you had backup when I brought this war to your door.”

Chaos leans forward in his seat, searching my gaze. “You think I would put you to ground for disobeying my orders?”

I smile, but it’s pained. “I’ve seen men go to ground for a lot less.”

“Well, that’s not how we run things here.”

My shoulders sag in relief, and it seems the other prospects, along with Saint, Sterling, and Ruin, deflate a little too.

“Besides, apparently war is coming, and I can’t afford to lose any of you.”

“’Ppreciate it.” I nod, knowing he’s not quite done. My blatant refusal to follow direct orders means I’m not getting off scot-free.

“That doesn’t mean I’m not fuckin’ furious. I get why you did what you did. If it’d been Cambri, I’d have put a bullet in that prick too. We all would for our ol’ ladies. I guess wanna know if Jupiter is your ol’ lady, or just some sidepiece to occupy your time before you pass through town?”

“She’s mine,” I say too quickly.

“Does she know that?” Ruin asks, side-eyeing me.

“Fuck you, asshole.” I tilt my chin defiantly. “She knows. Just like I know I’m a fuckin’ goner. I ain’t leavin’. I ain’t runnin’ away again. I’m done being nomad. Now, I know this ain’t the best time to throw my hat in the ring after I’ve defied orders, but I want a permanent seat at your table, Prez. Whether that takes five months or five years. I ain’t leavin’ Uprising. I ain’t leaving the Kings, and I sure as shit ain’t leavin’ Jupiter.”

“I can’t hand you a goddamn patch after pulling a stunt like that, but you stick around, you see us through this shitstorm you brought to our door, and we’ll vote on it.”

I nod. “That’s all I’m askin’.”

“Well, with all that shit out of the way, when are we supposed to expect the Tennessee charter?”

“In around two hours or so.”

“Naw, shit,” Bash says.

“Fucking awesome!” Sterling says.

Chaos sighs. “Cambri’s gonna fuckin’ kill me.”

“Speaking of the old ball and chains,” Jinx says, “you think it’s time to bring everyone in? I don’t want our women out there when the Bastards are on the move.”

“Yeah. Get everyone in here now. I don’t want any surprises. The Bayou Bastards started this, selling drugs on our turf, threatening our own. We just took out the fuckin’ trash, but this is war, and I need every single one of you to have your head in the game.” He lifts the gavel and says, “Get your women and families, and then get your asses back here within the hour. We’re officially in lockdown.”

Chaos bangs the gavel and I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s short-lived, though, because I may not be put to ground today, but I have to find a way to break the news of a clubhouse lockdown to Tink, and she might just prove scarier than the Uprising club prez.

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