“We think he’s a bear.”
“What do you mean, ‘you think?’ Should be a straightforward thing to know.”
“He’s covering his scent. But we picked up enough to track him. He’s some new guy working at the old Saint Laurent. He’s running the bar there.”
“Well, how about that? Seems to me it’s mighty rude of him to show up in a bear territory without pledging loyalty to me. Besides, he needs my permission to work here, even if it is at that rundown roach hotel.”
“You want us to drag his ass out here, boss?”
“Naw. That’s not a hospitable way to welcome a new bear, now is it? I just happen to be out of cold beer. We’ll just have to drop in on our new friend for a drink. Explain the rules to him. I’m sure he would like to set things right for being so rude.”
Despite his outwardly calm demeanor, Gavin was pissed. There was a primary rule among bear shifters … any bear entering a new territory is obligated to seek out the local clan leader and submit to his authority. Not doing so represented a direct challenge to Gavin’s leadership, and that was beyond unacceptable.
Gavin threw one leg over his motorcycle and started the engine. No further signal was needed. The others quickly returned to their bikes and followed him on the road to Misfit Bay.
Gavin dropped his kickstand and eyed the hotel. “Someone’s been busy.”
Mule admired the restored building. “Yeah, it sure is looking real good, boss.”
“Shut the fuck up, Mule,” Gavin said, dismissing him. Stepping inside the lobby, he immediately spotted a sign above a door that read Saints and Sinners. The bar was closed with the chairs stacked on the tables. Disregarding the obvious, the bikers went inside. Leaning up against the bar, Gavin eyed Nick carrying a case of liquor bottles out of the storeroom.
Smacking his open hand down like a cracking whip, Gavin shouted, “Four pitchers of beer! That is if you’re not too busy.”
“We don’t open for another hour. But if you give me a minute, I’ll take care of you.”
“Oh, excuse us,” Mule sneered, accompanied by the laughter of the other bikers.
Setting the box on the bar, Nick drew four large mugs of draft beer and set them on the bar. “Want to open a tab?”
“I don’t care what you open. You’re buying,” Gavin said, his voice low and with a deadly serious tone.
“Hey, he asked for four pitchers,” Mule growled.
“Maybe he doesn’t think we can handle it. Is that it?” one of the other bikers added.
“Now, now, boys. Maybe he doesn’t understand English,” Gavin replied.
“Or he’s just fucking stupid,” Mule said.
Gavin laughed along with the others. “Hmm. Could be. Are you just fucking stupid, boy?” He didn’t give a fuck if this guy was double his size. He was the fucking alpha who controlled Misfit Bay. He’d teach him a thing or two.
“Drink your beer, or not, and get the fuck out of here,” Nick said, glaring at the grimy bikers.
Gavin chugged down his beer and dropped the mug on the floor. “I’m not feeling particularly welcome here. What about you boys?”
“I have one rule, assholes aren’t welcome in my bar,” Nick said, his right hand balled into a tight fist.
Gavin’s arm shot out like a striking rattlesnake, his thick gnarled fingers grabbing a fistful of Nick’s shirt. “I go wherever the fuck I want to go. I don’t know why you think you can hide what you are from us, but you better listen to me, bear. You know the rule. You’re in my territory. Mine! Come out from behind that bar, drop to your knees and submit to me. That’s my fucking rule.”
Nick moved with lightning speed, snagging Gavin by the wrist. Holding the dick in place, Nick repeatedly drove his clenched fist into Gavin’s head like he was a punching bag. Before Gavin’s wobbly body even hit the floor, Nick vaulted over the bar and nailed Mule in the head with one of the heavy glass mugs. Obviously outmatched in size and courage, the other two bikers stepped back.
Stunned by Nick’s sheer ferocity, the bikers dragged their leader out of the bar. Now carrying a baseball bat, Nick followed them out. Ensuring there were no witnesses, he offered a warning of his own.
“I don’t submit to anyone. You stay out of my business, I’ll stay out of yours, and we won’t have any problems.”
“We already have a problem. A big fucking problem. You think this is over? You don’t know me.”
“Oh, I know you. I’ve known asshole bears like you my whole life.”