Page 3 of Pound

“Sign me up. Ladies love Carlos.”

“Not up to you, Taps. Last I checked, I’m still president, so let’s vote. All in favor of partnering up to help a military family in need?”

All yeas.

“Good, Priest, you’re up. Handle what needs to be handled and let Ripley know you are on the auction block, so to speak.”

“Me? Why me? Taps or Pound would be better suited to that sort of thing.”

“Again, this patch says you are up. End of discussion.”

Pound released the breath he held when his prez said Priest’s name. If Granite had ordered him to do it, he’d have to do it. The thought of it gave him chills. More of those vicious memories tried to weasel in again. Why were those thoughts of the past suddenly getting through? He’d successfully avoided them for years, and now they were relentless.

I need a drink.

“That’s all I got. Anyone have anything else they want to bring to the table?”

No one spoke up.

“Alright then. I say we call it. Trip, as soon as you have an ETA for Meri and the twins, we’ll head out to Reno and haul what needs hauled. I’ll also get with Trixie about making the clubhouse more kid-friendly during daylight hours, so they feel comfortable coming for group meals and whatnot.”

Granite gaveled the meeting closed and shouted, “PHANTOMS.”

“My blood, my brothers, my life.”

Blast opened the door with a frantic-looking JJ on his heels. Trip was up in a heartbeat to intercept his ol’ lady. Before Pound could dress down his brother, he turned to Granite.

“Prez, it’s warranted,” Blast announced.

JJ spoke through tears. “I’m sorry, but it was in the basket and ringing, and it wouldn’t stop, so I answered it. It’s on speaker. It’s Meri.”

Trip snatched the phone from his woman’s hand.

“Meri, what’s wrong?”

“Trip. Oh my god, they’re in the house.” Pound was up and standing next to Trip the second her voice pierced the room, and his heart.

“Who’s in the house?” Pound asked, not letting Trip speak.

“I don’t know. But they’ve been shouting about how Jake owed them and they’re here to collect what’s owed. I’m so scared. What if the kids come home? Oh god, wh—”

Pound seized the phone from Trip, he couldn’t control the impulse. He had to be closer to her, her voice at least. He knew Trip wanted to protest, but he was the veep and outranked him. Sister or no.

“Sweetheart,” Pound spoke softly. “I need you to calm down. Where are you and where are they?”

Pound paid no attention to the people in the room. He had faith in his brothers and knew they’d handle their shit. Granite would likely get a hold of the Travelers first. Sure enough, he caught sight of his prez holding a phone next to the one in his hand. Pound was so focused on Meri that he didn’t notice that itchy feeling that normally came with letting his emotions have freedom. Letting others know what he felt.

“I’m-I’m in my closet and they sound like they’re on the stairs. The kids’ bus is due any second. They can’t walk in the house now. What do I do?”

“Shhh, babe. I need you to be as quiet as possible. We have someone calling the kids right now and help is on the way.”

“Come out, come out wherever you are.” A sinister voice drifted through the phone.

Shit, they’re going to take my woman.

“Sweetheart, listen. I’ve got you. Believe me, I’ll—” Pound’s words were cut off by Meri’s scream and then the connection went dead.

“FUCK,” he cursed and threw Trip’s phone against the wall.

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