12
Storm
Sugar glared at me in my office, her hands on her hips. I followed a lot of Uncle Matt’s ways in running the club. He always had church Monday mornings. Said it was to connect with his brothers after the weekend. Made sure everyone was doing all right and on the same page for the week. I did the same. Except we didn’t have church yesterday after the clusterfuck with Carla.
By the looks of it, my aunt was not happy. I just might be late for my own goddamn meeting. I expected as much, but Sugar and the boys were staying here whether she liked it or not.
“I promised Matt I’d keep you and the boys safe. You need to stay on the compound.”
She paced in my office, twisting her hands. It was a dick move mentioning Matt. Sugar missed the shit out of him—to the point of falling into a funk when anyone brought him up. I didn’t have time to draw this out so I used Matt to get Sugar to stay.
She stopped and faced me. “Okay. I don’t like it but I understand. The boys and I will stay for as long as necessary.” She twisted her lips. “What’re you doing about the dead woman that was found?”
“That’s what church is for.”
“Right. I shouldn’t have asked. I need to pack a couple of bags for the boys and me.” She reached for the door handle.
“Take them with you. I’ll send AJ and Copper.”
She placed a hand on her hip. “Two prospects? Is that necessary?”
“Why are you questioning me?” I had no patience right now. Couldn’t help being an ass.
“Fine.” She bit her bottom lip. “Before I go, are you and Angel okay?”
Standing from my desk, I stalked toward her. “Yes. You know what Dane did to her, don’t you?” I suspected Madeline told her and Tina. I hated being the last to know important stuff about my woman.
Sugar nodded with an almost pained expression. “She told Tina and me a little bit.”
“I figured.” I jerked my chin toward the door so she’d open it.
“She doesn’t want you to do anything to Dane.”
“I know.” I gritted my teeth. Last night I promised not to go after him. Then I warned Angel if Deputy Miller so much as looked cross-eyed at her, he was done. She agreed. It wasn’t like me to be controlled by anyone, but I saw her point. What happened to her was before me.
Madeline was strong as fuck. She’d dealt with her own demons and moved on. I could stand to learn a thing or two from her.
Sugar patted my bicep. “We won’t be too long.”
I grunted, following her out.
Raul and Track sat at the counsel’s table for church. Grizzly was at his desk in the corner. Not only was he my techie guy, but he also helped Boxer setting up security systems.
I raised my chin to them. “I’m really tired of these fuckin’ Hunters.”
Track and Raul nodded in agreement, their faces solemn. They knew about the young woman who was raped and murdered. I felt awful and responsible for this bullshit.
I dropped into my chair at the head of the long, oak table. There were always carafes of coffee for our morning meeting and sometimes an egg bake Tina made, or breakfast pizzas a kitten picked up at the Stop & Pump on her way to the clubhouse. Other times, Sugar spoiled us with homemade rolls… cinnamon rolls.
Pouring myself a cup of joe, I inhaled the aroma as I took in the room. This was where the council voted a man in or out. Or, in my case, into a new position. We celebrated a newly patched member. Got sloshed after one had fallen. We plotted retribution for an offense against our club and family. It all happened within these four walls.
Since I’d been a member, the club only had one other MC war. Most of the club’s dealings were with gangs or the Mafia. I was ready to turn my territory upside-down to get the Dirty Hunters wiped off the plant once and for all. Word would spread if we couldn’t get rid of them. We’d look weak. Vulnerable. Fuckin’ pathetic.
I growled low, imagining what my father, the president of the mother chapter, would say. He didn’t want me to be president. He wanted Raul holding the gavel. I needed to get this shit taken care of.
The rest of the council entered: Hero, Boxer, Justin, and Lynx. Hero had breakfast pizzas in his hands as he kicked the door closed. He set out the boxes and took his seat.
I hit the gavel on the table, bringing this meeting to order. “Hendricks will do all he can to help us. Sugar and the boys will stay at the clubhouse until further notice.”