Page 2 of Falcon

The darkness that had hung over Ghost from his time undercover remained, but no longer slapped you in the face. Ghost actually fuckin’ smiled these days and not just at Carmelle and his kids. Texas was settling too. He’d been on edge at first, which had been surprising considering he’d taken the same role that he had before. Then I realised it was Rosie and Calamity giving him grief.

A few years ago, Texas had gone against Calamity for falling in love with Rosie and had Calamity kicked out of the club. That action had started a multitude of repercussions, which ended with Calamity being taken, severely beaten, and nearly killed. Rosie had disowned Texas, but Calamity had been the one to bring peace to their family.

Although amends had been made, Texas remained on edge, believing he still had to atone for his sins. Texas backed Calamity’s every decision and deferred to him constantly. Finally, last week Calamity had snapped and dragged him into his office. Two hours later, they’d emerged, and Texas was much more relaxed, even resorting to insulting Calamity a few times.

“Everyone present today?” our SAA, Steel, asked.

“Yeah. We’re all around this weekend for once,” I replied.

“Makes a fuckin’ change,” Steel quipped.

I grinned. It was weird thinking of him as Steel. Christian had finally earned his road name, and it suited him. Christian had a backbone of steel.

I snorted at his comment. He wasn’t wrong. Our inner circle’s jobs prevented some of us from attending—which went against the club’s charter. But with competitions and things, Calamity allowed us some leeway.

He’d installed a large monitor on the wall, and we would dial in from wherever we were. Ice remained on the road, playing ice hockey. Harley (we decided his name was kickass and didn’t need changing) continued his baseball career. I was also away a lot, for training or competitions, and so was Steel.

Calamity was happy enough with us being gone as long as we picked up our duties when home. He understood that when we retired from our various careers, we’d be staying permanently, and that was all that mattered. We were a young MC in terms of age. Calamity was only twenty-seven and president. He’d earned that. Most of the inner circle was in their twenties or thirties. The exceptions were Texas and Ghost.

“Hey fuckers,” Priest growled out, entering the church. He was our tailgunner. Behind him came Glitch, our hacker.

“Asshole,” I greeted as the rest of the brothers filed in.

We were still growing, but after a year here, we’d filled the inner circle and had members who didn’t hold rank. Speaking of new brothers, Fragment walked in with De Janeiro and Wolf. They’d all received their patch three weeks ago. Hunter, and then Klutz, entered on Calamity’s heels. Everyone finally took their seats.

Calamity banged his gavel, and silence fell.

“Thanks. We’ve got things to get through. We’ll start with the monthly finance reports. Texas?” Calamity asked.

I listened, already aware of the figures. Texas had run Calamity and me through them this morning. I gazed across the table at John and James, two cousins who still held prospects. Confused by the invitation to join, they sat quietly at the rear.

Once Texas finished, Calamity eyed John and James. Both looked calmly back.

“Stand up,” he ordered.

They did so.

“We voted last week,” Calamity paused and nodded to Texas, Ice, Steel, and Savage. “Strip them.” Ice and Steel took John and ripped his cut from him. He gritted his jaw but held his tongue. Texas and Savage tore James’s from him and flung it on the table.

“Nothing to say?” Calamity demanded.

“Thanks for giving us a chance,” James ground out. I heard the upset in his voice and inwardly smiled.

Calamity jerked his head, and they headed towards the door.

“Where ya going?” I snapped, and they froze. They faced me, frowning. I reached down, picked up a package, and tossed it to John. Calamity did the same with James.

“Thanks for prospecting,” I said. They began walking out again, and I tutted. “Didn’t take you two for rude. Open your fuckin’ gifts.”

James glowered and swallowed hard, but John did. A slow grin spread across his face as he saw what was inside. Moments later James tore into his and held his cut up.

“Sit down, brothers, and congratulations,” Calamity said. Both men beamed and accepted backslaps. Nightmare, formerly James and Anchor, previously John, retook their seats.

“We’re reallocating the businesses,” Calamity stated without further ado. He got immediate sideways looks and grinned.

“This is who’s running what now.” I slid around some sheets for everyone to study.

Falcon–swimming pool. (Dojo to open on retirement)