“Good, let’s start.” He reached for the wooden gavel on the table and slammed it on the sound block. “First, let’s go around so everyone has a chance to put any business they need to address on the table.”
Though most motorcycle clubs around the country had bad reputations because some were connected to criminal activities, because of their nature, the Savage Wolves MC stayed away from any illegal behavior that would bring too much attention to them. Sure, a couple of them—Ransom himself included—had done some time in juvie or prison in the past, but as far as anyone was concerned, the club itself had no ties to organized crime, drugs, or other unsavory enterprises. After all, they had their secret to protect and all the members just wanted to have peaceful lives. Mostly, they spent their days working for the lodge or Bucky’s Garage in the nearby town. Once in a while, they did charity rides or helped with security for events, but otherwise, they kept to themselves.
“All right,” he said once everyone had their say. “Let’s get to some club business and why I’ve called you here.”
“Is it because of your old lady?” Axle asked, his blue eyes twinkling.
There was hooting all around, and Ransom rolled his eyes. “All right, children, settle down.” He knew he owed them at least an explanation about Isabelle and Evan. Trust was a key factor in keeping their bond strong. “I know you’ve all been gossiping like a bunch of old ladies at a knitting club, so let me give it to you straight since you’re all going to be acquainted with them soon. Isabelle is my True Mate and the mother of my son, Evan.”
All the men looked at him with varying expressions of shock and surprise.
“True Mate?” Hardy, his Vice President, said as his jaw dropped. “That’s real?”
“Apparently so. She and I got together a while back in New York. And due to … certain circumstances, I didn’t know about him until yesterday. But you’ll be seeing a lot more of them, so I hope you make them feel welcome and give them the respect they deserve.”
“So, she is your old lady?” Axle repeated.
Ransom wasn’t sure how to answer that. “We’re working it out. You got a problem with that?”
“No, man.” Axle waved his hands defensively. “I was just wonderin’, ’cause, you know, now that you got your own woman, maybe we could at least be allowed to bring home our dates onto MC property. You might like livin’ like a damned monk, but not all of us do. Besides, you’ve found the love of your life and all, we should be able to get the same chance.”
A while back, Ransom had banned the guys from bringing home women or having parties on their property because of an untoward incident. While they complied because he was president and Silke was more than happy not to have strangers on her land, they were all ornery about the whole thing. He wasn’t preventing them from hooking up with anyone, he only asked them not to bring it home.
“Somehow, I got the feelin’ you ain’t lookin’ for love, Axe,” Hardy quipped.
“Yeah, just needin’ to get that dick stroked,” Snake added with a laugh.
“Hey, love comes in all forms, fellas,” Axle said defensively. “’Sides, I still get plenty of action. But it would be nice to know I can bring a girl to a proper bed instead of banging her in the back of my truck or the alley behind—”
“All right, all right.” Ransom massaged his temple. “I’ll … think about it. Now, next business. I told you all about Cross and New York coming to us for help. We’re going to be taking in a few of their people, mostly elderly Lycans and humans, in the next couple of days. In turn, Cross is going to give us some protection from the mages.” He cleared his throat and eyed Logan carefully. “In the form of magical barriers around the property. There’s going to be a couple witches and warlocks from a nearby coven coming today to start—”
“What?” Logan growled. “No. Absolutely not.”
“You don’t have to be anywhere near them when they’re here,” Ransom said. “You can go into town with Silke—”
“Like hell I will.” He stood up to full height. “I’m not lettin’ those … those people near me or my horses.”
Ransom expected this, seeing as Logan hated witches, warlocks, or anything magical. “I don’t expect you to be okay with this, but I do expect you to comply,” he said in a serious tone. His own wolf did not like Logan’s stance one bit as it raised its hackles and emanated dominant vibes across the table, making all of the others look nervous. “You have no idea what those mages can do.” The things he’d witnessed in Central Park a couple of days ago, the evil, malevolent power he’d felt was nothing like he’d experienced before. “Witches and warlocks are nothing in comparison, and we won’t stand a chance against the mages by ourselves. They’re coming, and you can be assured they’ll want every last one of us dead, Lone Wolf or not. They already tried to take Evan.” He didn’t even realize he’d been squeezing the gavel so hard until the wooden handle cracked.
“They tried to take your son?” Hardy slammed his fist down on the table. “Damned bastards! Logan,” he barked. “Sit the fuck down. I don’t care what you think. These assholes ain’t gonna come here and try to take what’s ours.” Hardy himself was the father of a little girl. “Your girl and son are one of us,” he declared, looking menacingly at everyone. “Anyone who doesn’t want to protect them don’t deserve to be sitting here.”
“Didn’t know they took your kid,” Logan grumbled as he sat down. “I’ll make
