Page 14 of Stone
“Jealous, much?” Scoop teased.
“Can we get back on the subject? You all can fight it out for who is the best later, though I can tell you that it’s going to be me,” War said.
“Why, what are you doing?” Baron, his dad, challenged.
“Wouldn’t you like to know? I can tell you that Remi is going to think I’m the best. You just wait and see,” War bragged, grinning.
Stone soaked in the comradery of the brotherhood. They might razz and tease each other, but Stone knew down to his bones that if he needed them, they’d be there.
“Now, back to business. Finn; what has he done, and what should the penalty be?” War demanded.
“He roped Phoebe into a prank in my drawing class for fifty dollars to ask me if I planned it or half-assed it. I actually thought it was kind of funny she said that until I learned it was a prank. I guess I don’t know why he’s acting this way. Every time they visited or Emmie wrote, she always indicated Ben and Finn were acting as the men of the house. Now it seems like Finn’s gone wild,” Stone said.
“Stone, how old were Finn and Ben when you went to prison?” Scoop asked.
“They were fifteen,” Stone answered.
“So you went to prison for killing your dad while he was trying to rape Harriet and had beaten your mom. I’ve heard some stories, but how did it go from that to everyone traveling around in the RV and tattooing?” Cannon probed.
“My mom blamed me for my dad dying. She didn’t think it was a big deal that he’d tried to do that with Harry. She stuck around for the trial, and once I was convicted, she left during the night, emptying what was in the household bank account. I was twenty and had no need for anything. I had Emerson sell my truck that was paid for and some of my other belongings. I told her to sell my bike, but she kept it. I’d worked with a neighbor who was a mechanic and rebuilt it. The truck and other items gave them enough money to survive until the boys graduated. Harry was home-schooled for her final two years because she hated how her classmates treated her. Frankie and Emerson decided an RV with a mobile tattoo studio would be the best way to survive. They did well, which helped because I despised leaving them alone,” Stone revealed.
Stone wondered what they were thinking about Finn.
“Maybe we’ve been going about this wrong,” Baron said.
“What are you thinking?” Flick asked.
“Finn and Ben both had to grow up fast. They’re both jokesters. Finn is actually fantastic with the kids, and I don’t think he meant to do something that would enrage everyone. He’s heard the stories about the pranks Remi and War pulled on each other. I wonder if he finally feels safe enough to let loose?” Baron wondered.
Stone thought about Finn and Ben, who had been fifteen. They’d gone to school, and he remembered Emerson talking about the boys playing sports, but they’d each chosen only one. Before that, they’d played sports year-round.
“What are you thinking?” War asked again, pushing for clarification.
“Let me ponder it a little. I know Stone is having him wash bikes for now. I think that should be it before we pass anything else. I guess I want to figure out if he’s being a little asshole or isfinally feeling safe enough to relax a little. Maybe he’s testing us to see if we’ll still want him?” Baron surmised.
“Well, War, Bear, Brew, and I definitely tested you and Mom over the years,” Roam said.
“Yes, you did. I only hope your children bless you with the same,” Baron retorted, chuckling.
“Hey, that’s not nice,” War complained.
“No, it’s karma,” Baron corrected.
“Okay, let’s table the Finn issue for now. Scoop, anything on Jared and Aaron?” War directed.
“We’ve confirmed the accounting business is for sale as are the three other businesses he has—a laundromat, car wash, and handyman service,” Scoop revealed.
“They’ve only mentioned the accounting business. I didn’t know he had more,” Locks said.
“They don’t know. I texted all five of them asking if there were any other businesses that were part of the family company. Each sister said it was only the accounting firm. Sarah and I have done as deep a dive as we can without crossing over a line. With your approval, I’ll contact Pit with Saint’s Outlaws MC or Mace with Honey Creek Badgers MC to see if their tech people would like to help us out. They don’t have a problem crossing over the lines,” Scoop proposed.
“All in favor?” War called out.
Ayes echoed around the room.
“Looks like you’re good to go, Scoop. Anything else before we break?” War asked.
“Meeting Tuesday for everyone on the D-Day commemoration. Meg and Regina said that any late arrivals will be given the crap jobs,” Rascal said, grinning.
