Page 23 of Bear

We walked to the common room together to meet with the others. Rocket wasn’t happy with me going, but, surprisingly, Lemon was on my side.

“Women are tougher than you think. If she needs to face her fears, we can keep her safe while she does it.”

“Lemon…” Rocket growled at his woman. For the first time, I could tell the difference in Rocket and Lemon when they were president and vice president versus when they were a couple. The two situations weren’t mutually exclusive.

“No, Rocket,” she pressed. “I’ll keep an eye on her. She’ll be safe.” The two shared a look. I finally realized what they were saying with their looks alone.

“I’m not going to betray the club,” I said softly. “I told Bear everything I know and what I was supposed to do.” I looked up at Bear helplessly. “I didn’t realize this was a concern for the club, though I should have. I’ll stay. I don’t want to put anyone in danger or put eyes on me that should be on Mr. Black.”

Rocket nodded at Bear, a silent communication much like he and Lemon shared evident in the two men. “All right,” Rocket said. “You can go. We’ll take a couple extra guys so everyone has a watch on everyone else.” His gaze settled on me. “I know Bear’s claimed you, but I need to know you understand. He’ll fight me. Might even win a battle between us if it’s over you, but you know there will be harsh consequences if you betray us.”

“I have no intention of doing anything to put the club at risk, but I understand why you have to be sure. I’ve been here a very short time. The only thing you know is that I was sent to infiltrate your home. Anyone would be suspicious.”

“Good.” Lemon snaked her arm around mine like we were best friends. I knew she was corralling me. She’d taken on the job of watching over me and keeping me out of mischief. “Let’s get this over with, so we can come back to an epic orgy.”

Falcon, one of the members I’d met briefly, choked on the beer he was finishing, snorting the brew out his nose as he laughed and coughed at the same time. “The fuck?” He got out the words between coughs as he wiped his face with the back of his arm until someone handed him a paper towel. “Where the fuck does she come up with this shit?”

Rocket grinned widely. “My woman’s mind is very… fertile.”

Lemon gave her man a brilliant smile. “And you love it. Makes for all kinds of interesting situations.”

“Can’t deny that.” Rocket kissed the top of her head as he passed by. “Let’s ride.”

Chapter Nine

Bear

We sat outside the shitty little run-down motel where Leon Black and Boon were camped out. “Fuckin’ place shoulda been condemned years ago.” I grumbled as I studied the place with binoculars.

“Pretty sure it was.” Like me, Ringo was studying the place. “Is it even still open?”

“Nope.” Crush was back at the clubhouse but keeping tabs on us. “They chose this spot because they think the road across the street is the entrance to our lair. Strong evidence we’re being successful in covering our tracks when we go to and from the city.”

“You sure someone can’t track your signal straight to us, Crush?”

“Nah, Fang,” Crush drawled. “I thought I’d lead them straight to our door for shits and giggles.”

Falcon snorted. “Stay in your lane, bro.”

Fang grumbled. “Right. Sorry, Crush.” The younger man had come to us about a year ago after an exfil had gone wrong. He’d been left for dead but had managed to literally crawl his way out. Falcon had found him and brought him to us. Fang was a good guy, but trying way too hard to fit in.

“Give your sister mine and Byte’s Fortnite handles, and I’ll call it even.” I could hear the amusement in Crush’s voice, but I had to wonder exactly how much he was teasing. Ariana was the only family Fang had. He’d been trying to get her to move to the compound but she’d yet to agree.

“You get her to move to the compound and I will.”

“Give me a couple weeks.” It was the standard answer to that same demand.

Crush had never spoken to Ariana as far as I knew. Neither had Byte. Both men had pretty much fallen in love with her picture and bickered constantly in front of Fang about which brother would marry Ariana, just to get a rise out of him. It never worked. Though, if the girl did move to the compound, I had to wonder if things would stay so congenial.

“I’ll do it in one,” Byte said in the background of the radio.

“In your dreams,” was Crush’s response. As always.

“I may have to kill one or both of them,” Fang muttered. “They’re not serious, are they?” He looked at Falcon for reassurance.

“About wanting your sister in the safety of the compound? Absolutely.”

“The fuckers both want her!” Fang looked ready to do murder, but Falcon just chuckled.

---