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“We don’t wanna hear about any bullshit either,” Saint added at the end of Mark’s statement.

“You need to be out there representing the club in the best light possible so we’ll be invited to return.

This is how we stay legit, folks. We’ve already done the hard part in getting the businesses off the ground and turning enough of a profit that they are keeping us in the black.

We need to stay that way, so we don’t wind up back on anyone’s radar.

That also means not getting into shit that winds up spilling out onto a public road where anyone can come along and get caught in the crossfire.

That’s not the kind of publicity we need right now. ”

“In that case, Critter better learn to keep it in his pants,” Rainy snarled across the table at a red-faced Critter, who, upon closer inspection, looked to be sporting a few bruises that hadn’t been there when Kong had run into him on Wednesday night.

“I’ve got a series of engagements that kick off on July twenty-seventh,” Pope declared.

“Could use some help on the road, so if anyone knows someone who’d like to earn some extra money helping with setup, manning the merch table, and keeping the damned thing stocked so no one’s holding up the line while someone’s out in the van digging around to see if they can find more books, T-shirt, or whatever, I’d sure appreciate it.

I’ll have another series of readings and signings in September too. ”

“When are you gonna think about taking on some full-time help?” Dupris asked.

“When you learn to stop asking useless questions,” Pope snapped, glaring until Dupris sat down.

Pope was an easygoing dude who preferred to focus more on gathering the history and artifacts of biker club culture than dirtying up his fists, but only because he’d put in the work for years as a club enforcer and at fifty-three had finally stepped aside to let someone else take his spot.

His difficulties keeping a long-term, full-time assistant were almost legendary at this point.

He didn’t just want someone popping in and out and punching a clock, he was looking for a boy who could be both lover and personal assistant and the right one just hadn’t come through the doors of Joker’s wild yet.

“Since you have the floor, Pope, I think we’d all like to hear who you think should fill your boots,” Mark declared, pointing the gavel at him.

There was no doubt in Kong’s mind that Mark had recognized that Dupris had hit a nerve that might have led to an eruption of Pope’s infamous temper if he’d continued to poke at that wound much longer.

Moving to settle the issue of his former position gave Pope something else to focus on.

For several long seconds he drummed his fingertips on the table before his eyes drifted past Kong to focus on Creature sitting in the chair beside him.

“I think the majority of us saw the way you handled things at the accident site the other day,” Pope said.

“You know how to prioritize and keep a cool head. I think it’s that same kind of cool under pressure that we need in the enforcer role now more than ever.

You immediately clocked that there were enough bodies on hand to sort out the confrontation that was taking place, and you switched your focus to Rainy and how to get his bike out of that ditch.

A good enforcer knows when to be by his president’s side and when to step in and take care of the things the president can’t focus on in the moment.

It’s not all about fighting and settling the issues of the club by getting bloody.

It took me a while to discover that, which puts you leaps and bounds ahead of me already.

With a little seasoning, I think you could serve this club well in that capacity. ”

As he spoke, several other gazes settled on Creature, heads nodding while others stroked scraggly beards and neatly crafted goatees, pondering his words.

“Think you’re up to the challenge?” Mark asked as Kong turned to look at the man seated beside him.

Creature appeared equal parts stunned and contemplative before finally giving a nod.

“I’m up for it,” he declared.

“Then pass your kutte to Kat when the meeting is over, and she’ll add your new patch,” Mark said before running his fingers through his hair. “I think that brings us to the final order of business and some concerns I have about the management currently running the strip club.”

While there were several shocked expressions around the table, a few looked slightly uncomfortable while North just hung his head.

“Sorry,” he said. “I know I vouched for Killian and Trevor, but my boy started to notice some suspicious behavior that we immediately reported to Mark.”

“Danger’s been going over the books,” Mark declared. “And it’s starting to look like they’ve been cooking them. Once he has a full report for me, we’ll sweep through and gut the place, put our own people in those positions and any others that need staffed.”

More grumbled curses followed his words, along with discussions of retaliation he quickly put a stop to. A short time later, he banged the gavel at the edge of the table and brought the meeting to a close.

“Kong, I need you to hang back for a moment,” he said as folks started heading for the door.

Creature clasped Kong’s shoulder as he moved to step around him. “I’ll text the boys so they can head down.”

“Thanks.”

“Does that mean you guys have finally settled the bullshit between you?” Mark asked after the room cleared out.

“Not completely, but we’re well on the way.”

“Good, keep at it,” he said. “I want you to go ahead and start blueprints for a factory remodel to encompass the businesses I mentioned earlier. If you can work out how to set up some forges out there, that would be a bonus. I need you to work with Danger on the figures too but be careful when you stop by his office. That kid, Roan, who tried to use you as a stripper pole, has been hanging out in there playing fetch and carry to keep his ass out of trouble.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Kong replied. “Scout was pretty pissed when I caught up with him after that.”

“I bet he was,” Mark said. “Not sure how you’d fare if him and Axel decided to gang up on you.”

“Yeah, well, I’m certain that I don’t want to find out.”

“I’ve got an ask.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“My sister’s son, Seth, just graduated from college with an architectural degree, and already he’s running into some challenges getting work.”

“Such as?”

“You’ve met Seth, right?”

Scowling, Kong had to think about it for a moment. “Red hair, used to rub lemon juice all over himself trying to erase his freckles?”

“That’s the one.”

“So what’s the issue?”

“Mainly getting people to see past his wheelchair,” Mark explained.

“There’s nothing wrong with his mind, his hands, or his creativity.

I took a look at his portfolio when he got back to town, and I’d like to have you look at it too and tell me if he shows enough promise that it would be worth me investing in an architectural firm.

Obviously you’d be the one to run it and act as a mentor to Seth while he finds his feet in the industry, but eventually the hope is that it would become a partnership, if you think he’s got what it takes to make a real go of it. ”

“He gonna be here today?” Kong asked.

“Yeah, and I asked him to bring his portfolio.”

“I’ll take a look when he arrives and let you know,” Kong said. “I did a bit of research before returning from Kill Devil Hills, so I know the area could use architects who have grown up in the coastal region and understand the challenges some of our weather can bring.”

“Perfect. Let me know what you think after you take a look.”

“Will do.”

“You gonna be at the poker table tonight?”

“Creature, the boys and I will all be there,” Kong explained. “He’s going to give them their first taste of what being a service sub is like. Scout was beyond excited.”

“Because he’s a natural.” Mark said. “It isn’t just the praise for him. The task matters. He gets lost in the rhythm and flow of an assignment. Took a few times before I noticed it, but he does things the same way and in the same order every time.”

“Creature mentioned a few ritualistic things at the shop too,” Kong supplied.

“Especially when he was filing. With each task, he established steps, and Creature said he never deviated from them, even going back to check the previous steps if he got interrupted by something. He said it never slowed Scout down to take those couple seconds to make sure he didn’t mess anything up. ”

“I’ve noticed something similar while teaching him to surf,” Mark said.

“At first I thought he was getting better through sheer repetition, then I kept noticing his lips moving and realized that he was repeating my instructions while he executed them, until he’d committed the movements and the words to memory.

It dawned on me then that he draws as much comfort from the steps as he does from completing the task.

Pretty sure Teddy had already picked up on that when he brought him to work behind the bar. ”

“He’s like that when he cooks, too,” Kong said, thinking back to the night he’d helped prep the fried rice. “Guess we both owe Teddy a word of thanks for still looking out, despite what’s been going on with him.”

Mark sighed at that and ran his fingers through his hair, scowling. “Yeah. As much as I was against it at first, Scout’s a good fit for the club, in several capacities.”

“I’m curious to see how he and Axel do tonight,” Kong admitted.

“Want me to lob a few commands their way and see how they respond?”

It was a good question and one Kong hadn’t even considered when they’d started setting up the evening.

“Why not?” Kong said, when no plausible objection came to mind. “At the very least it would be a teaching moment and a chance to school them about the rules and boundaries of different parts of club life.

“Alright, I’ll let you get them settled first, then we’ll see how they react when I toss a monkey wrench their way.”

“Just not too big of one,” Kong said. “They’re still finding their footing.”

“You know I’ll keep that in mind,” Mark said before something on the other side of the door caught his attention and he yanked it open.

“Hey, Seth, get your ass over here and bring your portfolio with you!” he bellowed.

If he’d been standing any closer, Kong’s ears would probably be ringing.

At least theywere taking care of this now, before his boys arrived.

Kong knew Scout would have gone over the evening with Axel, detailing what they would be in the room to do and where they were to remain throughout the game.

He’d already taught Axel a great deal about terms and protocols.

Neither was shy about asking if they had questions or needed something expanded on, either, so Kong didn’t expect any issues tonight, as long as stripper boy Roan stayed the hell away from him.

The last thing they needed on Creature’s first night as the new club enforcer was for their boys to try and rearrange the poker room with some kid’s face.

Though damn, what a sight that would be.