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Chapter One
WAR JERKED AWAKE ATthe sound of banging on his door. He moved the papers off his lap, kicking the recliner into the upright position. He’d fallen asleep going over the MC’s different businesses. At forty-three he didn’t feel old but for him to fall asleep in the afternoon said otherwise.
He’d hidden out in his room because Saturdays were crazy. Between everyone getting ready for the weekly party and the originals deciding they needed to liven things up, he’d craved a little quiet. Three months back he still felt like he was treading water. His view of what it took to be the president of the MC and a second-generation legacy had been skewed.
His door shook as the pounding started again.
“War, get out here.”
He stood, grabbed his cut from its hanger and slid it on, then grabbed his gun. Bear was his best friend but if he’d woken him up for some stupid shit, he just might shoot him. Grabbing the door, he swung it open.
“What?”
Bear shook his head, looking toward the ceiling, and then pointed toward the front of the clubhouse. War brushed past Bear, heading down the hall. Roam, his twin, waited by the hallway, hiding a smile behind his hand.
He’d wanted this. He’d dreamed of being president of the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC since he was old enough to understand what it meant. He’d gone away at eighteen to serve his country and then served in law enforcement. Baron, his dad, had always supported War’s path but he’d been ready to hand over the gavel when War came back. If he knew half the stuff Baron and the guys would get up to, he would have set some ground rules.
He walked in and stared. Out of all the things he imagined, two high school boys he recognized from the football team hanging from the ceiling in their underwear weren’t what he expected.
“Somebody want to explain what’s going on?”
He was proud of himself at how calm he sounded but honestly this seemed small potatoes to some of the incidents lately.
Baron pointed at Rascal, Bear’s dad, and he lowered one of the boys a little.
“Tell him why you’re hanging from my ceiling,” Baron grunted with a glare.
“I don’t know why.”
War catalogued the boy’s eyes shifting to the left and up. War walked closer until his face was in front of the boy’s.
“Well, then tell me this. How old are you?”
War waited. Whoever this was wouldn’t win against him in the waiting game. He’d once sat silently in an interrogation room for forty minutes until the suspect couldn’t handle the silence any longer.
“Eighteen.”
Not a boy, an adult. He’d been surprised when he walked in because the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC had stringent guidelines to protect children and those unable to help themselves. For him to be strung up, he’d guess Baron had deemed it a big offense.
“Somebody tell me what is going on. Now!”
“We got a call from a mother in town. Her daughter had beenbothered,” Baron air quoted the word, “and she didn’t think the sheriff would deem it a big enough offense. The punks before us had done it to one of her friends earlier in the week. I just decided we’d see how they liked someone messing with their clothes and touching them without their consent.”
“What exactly did you do?” His glare as he talked would have most men spilling their secrets. “Tell me and I’ll consider how we’ll deal with you.”
The punk’s eyes widened, and War looked behind him to see his mom had joined them.
“Ma’am, help me. They’re hurting me.”
His mom walked closer.
“You don’t want me to help you. I’ve heard what you did. I don’t like boys who think they have the right to do what they want because they’re bigger or stronger than someone else. When someone says no, you need to listen. I’m sure my boys will figure out a way to teach it to you.”
His mom turned and headed for the kitchen. Between her and Baron, he’d learned how a woman was supposed to be treated. These boys didn’t seem to understand that.
“I’m feeling magnanimous today and I don’t want someone to have to clean up blood before tonight’s party. I’m going to let you walk back to town. The two-mile walk without shoes should help you think about consequences. I’ll graciously allow you to keep your underwear. On the walk back, you can think about how the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC is giving you a second chance to change your ways. You will not accept any rides offered. If someone asks why you’re walking, you will say you’re doing penance. No more or less. You will not do anything to anyone that they don’t want. My brothers and I will all be keeping eyes on you. Don’t confuse my mercy for weakness. Are we clear?”
At their nods, Baron and Rascal lowered them and untied them. Bear walked over, grabbing an arm of each and pulling them toward the door.
