Page 4 of Hatter

I took another long drag, feeling the nicotine calm my nerves. My mind raced with plans and contingencies, but I couldn’t let it show. The club needed me steady, unshakable. If I started acting like Rabbit, these men would fall the fuck apart.

“Any new faces hanging around?” I asked, crushing the spent cigarette under my boot. “Or anyone asking too many questions?”

Absolem paused again, considering. “Not that I’ve noticed,” he finally said. “But I’ll keep an eye out.”

“Appreciate it.” I nodded, crossing my arms over my chest. “We can’t afford to let our guard down. Not now.”

“Agreed,” he replied, resuming his work.

I let my gaze drift to the rows of gleaming bikes that filled the garage. Each one was a testament to our brotherhood, a symbol of our unity and strength.

We’d faced threats before, and we’d face them again. No matter what came our way, we’d stand together.

“Stay sharp,” I told Absolem, clapping him on the shoulder before heading out into the night. “And keep me posted on anything unusual.”

“Will do, Hatter,” he called after me.

As I walked away, my mind churned with possibilities and plans, each one more dangerous than the last. But no matter how dark the road ahead, I knew I could count on my brothers to see us through. Together, we’d emerge stronger than ever.

I walked over to my current ride and threw my leg over the seat. Once I had her started, I eased out of the lot and pulled through the compound gates. A ride would help clear my head. I prowled the streets of town, then hit the highway.

Nothing quite like the sound of a bike’s engine purring beneath you. Made me feel alive. But that peace didn’t last long -- not when the vibration of my phone pulled me back to reality.

“Talk to me, Cheshire,” I said, after I pulled over and answered the call, holding the phone to my ear.

“Got some developments on our situation, Hatter,” Cheshire’s voice crackled through the line, sharp as ever. “March managed to get his hands on some intel. Seems we got ourselves a mole, feeding info to our enemies.”

“Son of a bitch.” My grip tightened around the phone, knuckles whitening. A traitor? In our ranks? That wasn’t something I’d tolerate. Not in my club.

“Any idea who it is?” I kept my tone level and steady, even as my insides boiled with rage.

“Still working on that. But we’ve got a lead. March tracked down the enemy’s hideout. They’re holed up in an abandoned warehouse.”

“Good work,” I said, feigning calm while my mind raced. Couldn’t let this threat go unchecked. “Get March and Absolem together. We’ll hit them tonight, hard and fast. No mercy for traitors or those who’d conspire against us.”

“Understood, boss,” Cheshire replied, the grin in his voice unmistakable. He relished the thought of bringing the hammer down on our enemies just as much as I did. “We’ll be ready.”

“Make sure everyone’s armed to the teeth. And see if Rabbit can dig up any more dirt on the mole. Time’s running out.”

“Got it, Hatter. See you at the clubhouse.”

The call ended, and I was left with nothing but the hum of my engine and the weight of my thoughts. It was a heavy burden to bear, knowing one of our own could be working against us. But I wouldn’t let that betrayal stand. I knew it wasn’t any of my officers. Those men had been through hell with me. Which left the newer recruits -- Knave, Carpenter, or Mock.

I revved the throttle, my bike roaring down the road as I headed back to the clubhouse. We’d root out the traitor and snuff out the threat, or die trying. Because that’s what it meant to be part of Underland MC -- we were family, and we didn’t leave any stone unturned when it came to protecting our own.

* * *

The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky a bloody red. It was as if nature itself knew what was coming. Standing in front of the clubhouse, I cracked my knuckles and rolled my neck, feeling the tension coiling in my muscles. A storm was brewing, and we were about to ride straight into it.

“Boss?” Cheshire approached me, his eyes narrowed and focused. “Everything’s ready. March and Absolem are geared up, and Rabbit’s dug up some more info.”

“Good,” I muttered, clenching my fists at my sides. “We aren’t going to let them know what hit them.”

“Damn right,” he agreed, cracking his own knuckles in anticipation.

March and Absolem joined us, both wearing that same determined expression. We were brothers, bound by blood and loyalty, and nothing could shake our resolve. The air around us felt charged with the energy of an unbreakable bond.

“Listen up,” I said, my voice firm and steady. “This isn’t going to be easy, but we’ve faced worse. We’re going to find this rat, and we’re going to make them pay. No mercy.”

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