“Fresh air will do me good,” I said and lapsed into silence as Bear grunted. Quietly, I studied Bear while he ate. His hair was light brown and cut short at the sides and long on top. Bear had a floppy lock that kept falling over his eyes, and he often shoved it ruthlessly away. His eyes were a light hazel, which looked amber when the light caught him just right. Bear had a strong face, not classically handsome but certainly eye-catching and attractive. His jaw was square, and a goatee hid firm but plump lips.
Bear was huge, at least six foot seven, by my calculations. His shoulders were as wide as a wrestler and his chest just as broad. I wondered how heavily muscled Bear was under the tee because it looked like the man boasted an eight pack. He shamed men with six-packs. His legs were long, and his jeans clung to them, showing thick muscles. Arms as wide as tree trunks finished the ensemble, and I wondered if he worked out.
“Finished?” Bear asked, amusement in his voice. I jumped.
“Umm?”
“Checking me out, have you finished, princess?” I blushed a deep red and rose to my feet.
“Stop calling me princess. I’ll be back,” I said and stalked off towards the ladies. Bear chuckled behind me, arrogant man.
???
We strolled around the park, the silence awkward between us. Bear towered over me, and my gut churned. I was unsure if that was from the greasy meal or the sense of not being wanted. He’d not driven us back to the clubhouse but rode a little further out, and we were walking in the Spearfish recreation park. Hellfire was built at the end of E. Lincoln St, with several shops around them and a motel complex opposite them. But Bear had headed away from Hellfire, riding towards a park.
Although it was November, the day was warm, although a stiff breeze blew in the air. I left my jacket undone as we strolled. Bear kept sending me glances as I sank deep into my thoughts. Chance had ordered Bear to teach me about MC’s and help get rid of my preconceived ideas. I was open to learning but wary about Bear. He’d threatened me once, and while I wasn’t going to be a pushover, I was dubious about interacting with Bear. I’d sent Kelly a text telling him where we were, just in case I didn’t return.
“Sit here,” Bear said, collapsing on the ground. Without a word, I sat and picked a blade of grass.
“What do you need to tell me?” I finally asked as Bear sat gazing up at the cloudy sky. The sun peeked out from the clouds every so often.
“Told ya Hellfire’s past. Now I’ll tell you Hellfire’s future. Chance has big ideas for the club. Rage has skilled people amongst the brothers, and Rage set them up in their own businesses, and they contribute to the pot. Chance plans to copy Rage and showcase our talent,” Bear said.
“Pot?” I asked.
“We have a pot. Before anyone takes a cut from the profits Hellfire makes, we pay into the pot,” Bear explained, which left me even more confused.
“Profits? Cut?” I asked.
“Don’t you know anything?”
“No, so explain it to me,” I snapped.
“Hold your horses, princess,” Bear drawled.
“Don’t call me princess,” I said and folded my arms. Bear snickered.
“Okay, Hellfire, as a club, owns several businesses. We have the garage where we fix and design cars. We have the parts and Hellfire shops, and we own half a bar in Rapid City. All profits from those businesses are calculated monthly. Once taxes are taken off, we put ten percent of what’s left into a pot. That pot is used for brothers that need help. Medical bills, repairs to homes, loss of a bike, which Pyro has mangled three times now,” Bear said with a sigh. I wondered who Pyro was.
“The pot is there for when a brother needs help. When Hellfire set Clio and Leslie up in the tearoom, the pot lent the money for it. When Chance bought the tearoom for Clio, he paid whatever was remaining on the debt back into the pot. The pot is there for emergencies,” Bear explained.
“So Hellfire have other jobs and pay into the pot?” I asked.
“No, some have other jobs away from Hellfire, doing what they love. And they ain’t required to pay into the pot. If they choose to, that’s a different matter. But when Levi can paint and Shotgun makes fantastic leatherware, they’re wasting their talents. I’m trusting you, woman. This is your first test. Chance plans to set the brothers up in workshops, and they don’t know it. We got other talents, glass blowing and tattooing, so Chance has eyes on the talented brothers. But none of them knows anything yet.”
“Bear, I can keep a secret,” I said, bristling.
“Don’t know if you can or can’t. Only know what I’ve witnessed so far, and shit ain’t pretty,” Bear said cuttingly.
“And you held a gun to my head and the head of my best friend. So you think you can talk?” I snapped and scrambled to my feet. “I want to be part of Clio’s life, and I’ll do whatever it takes, but you’re an asshole, and I hate you. Stay away from me, Bear. I’ll ask Clio for someone else.”
Annoyed and hurt, I stormed away from Bear. He was a fine one to cast accusations when he’d held a gun to my head. How conveniently Bear forgot that fact. Guns may be a part of Bear’s life, but they weren’t mine. Kelly did go shooting, so I imagine he was even more aware of the danger. Yeah, Bear was quick to cast aspirations but failed to own his own. I’d been terrified when we’d been kidnapped off the street, and if Bear hadn’t had led us to Clio, I’d have called the cops on him. A mischievous voice inside my head asked why, when there had been two cops in front of me last night, hadn’t I begged for help?
A hand dragged me around as I lifted my hand to dash tears from my face. I hadn’t even realised I was crying and wondered if it was because I was hurt or angry. It didn’t matter; no way would that asshole know he’d made me cry. I dipped my head and twisted out of Bear’s grip, and stormed away again. Or tried to; I got three steps before I was hauled against a hard chest and an arm wrapped around me. A gentle hand cupped my head and pulled my cheek to his chest.
“Thalia, I’m sorry,” Bear murmured as I swallowed hard to keep the tears back. “Don’t cry.”
“Fuck you,” I muttered, and Bears chest shook with laughter.
“Didn’t make a great first impression, did I?” Bear asked, and I shook my head against his chest.
“Neither did I,” I admitted.
“Well, we both fucked up. Shall we start again?” Bear asked as his big hand stroked my hair. Despite my anger towards Bear, it felt nice.
“Let’s try, shall we?” I agreed.
“Come, let’s sit away from everyone,” Bear said and caught my hand and walked me away from any prying eyes.