Page 51 of Hard as Stone
“But you could drive a golf cart through it,” Hugo finishes. “And it runs right under MC territory.” He points to the ground at his feet.
The suits’ expressions harden. “Those are confidential city plans?—”
“All addressed to Bennett Construction, which, with Dad gone, is us,” Felix cuts in. “We have a legal and a moral obligation to do our due diligence before we get any deeper into whatever mess he left behind.”
“Smart kid,” Duck says, crossing his arms as he steps closer to Poppy and her brothers. “Summit can’t sweep this under the rug now. We’ll make sure everyone knows what your father’s been up to.”
The suit’s condescending smile evaporates as an ember of panic flickers in his eyes. “I think you’ll find that navigating this situation without a clear understanding of the consequences could lead to difficulties for all parties involved.”
My jaw tightens as I recognize the threat in his words. These suits think they can walk into our territory and threaten our people? Not happening.
“Difficulties?” Lee steps forward, and there’s nothing playful in his expression now. Just the cold promise of violence barely contained. “Like what happened to Martha Wilson? Sweet old lady who’d never sell her daddy’s house until those mysterious code violations started piling up? Or maybe you mean the supplies that never show up, the permits that get ‘lost’? Funny how all those problems only seem to happen in the neighborhoods Summit’s interested in buying up, making it impossible for folks to live there.”
The second suit starts to reach inside his jacket, but Stone’s quiet, “I wouldn’t,” freezes him in place.
“The city will expect those roads fixed,” the first suit says, his false smile completely gone now. “Without your father or the contract money, you three will be held responsible for the delays, the missing funds?—”
“Like hell we will.” Poppy’s voice carries across the lot, strong despite the tremor I can feel running through her body. “You really think anyone’s going to believe three kids somehowmasterminded this? That we somehow made all that money disappear?”
“What people believe is often a matter of... presentation.” The suit’s eyes are cold. “Your father made certain promises, Miss Bennett. Arrangements that need to be honored.”
“But our father took all the money!” Hugo protests. “How are we supposed to?—”
“Not our problem.” The second suit straightens his tie. “As you rightly pointed out, youareBennett Construction now. And Bennett Construction has obligations to fulfill.”
“Or what?” Felix demands. “You’ll ruin us? Pretty sure Dad already took care of that.”
“There are always consequences for breach of contract.” The first suit’s voice drips with false concern. “Fines, legal action, criminal charges for misappropriation of funds...”
“Enough.” Stone’s quiet command cuts through the threats. “You’ve made your point. Now get off our property before we show you exactly how we handle threats to our people.”
The suits exchange glances before the first one plasters on another fake smile. “We’ll be in touch. Remember—you have deadlines to meet.”
“And we have memories,” Lee adds softly. “Long ones.”
We watch them retreat to their SUVs, the tension holding until they pull away. Only then does Poppy sag against me.
“What are we going to do?” she whispers. “Those roads need to be fixed, but without money or equipment?—”
“We’ll handle it.” Stone’s voice carries absolute certainty. “Duck, you still got those shell companies set up?”
Duck’s eyes light with understanding. “Ready and waiting. Clean paperwork, legitimate backing.”
“Good.” Stone looks at Poppy and her brothers. “How’d you like to keep Bennett Construction running? Only this time with club resources behind you?”
“You’d do that?” Hugo asks, hope creeping into his voice.
“Club takes care of its own,” Stone says simply. “And seems to me having a legitimate construction company would be mighty useful for fixing up this side of town.” His eyes meet mine. “Assuming your woman’s willing to let us help?”
I feel Poppy straighten beside me. “The west side needs those repairs done right,” she says slowly. “Not just Summit’s patch jobs meant to drive people out.”
“Then it’s settled.” Stone nods to Duck. “Get the paperwork started. Let’s show Summit exactly what happens when they mess with our town.”
“Can someone please explain what just happened?” Hugo asks once we’re all inside the garage. “Because it feels like we just went from living under Dad’s iron fist to being adopted by a motorcycle club.”
“More like rescued,” Felix mutters, collapsing onto a stack of tires. He watches the way Hawk and Stone interact with their crew, the easy respect that flows both ways. “Never seen a family business run like this before. Jesus, Pops. Your old man’s a biker?”
“He’s not my old man. I’m his old lady,” Poppy corrects, her fingers touching the property patch on her cut. “And yeah, looks like you two just got upgraded to MC adjacent.”
