Yeah, they knew. The more spots in the strip mall they ‘rented’, the more income they could account for. As it was, four storefronts sat empty in reality but were ‘rented’ by businesses who never missed a payment.
“Great,” Prowler agreed. “Monster, all set for the ride?”
“Yeah, Prez. It’s a go. Chef and I have it in hand.” Prowler nodded.
“I heard there’s a situation with a dicer?” Prez turned to Ghoul.
“Yeah. Not typical. Cliff Lewis, you know the guy who loves craps but dresses like he’s hiding from the paparazzi and smells like his cologne is made of cat urine and hot garbage?”
“He’s been with us for what, a year now?” Prowler asked.
“Yeah. For eight months, like clockwork, he took ten k and always settled within two weeks. Then rinse and repeat. A few months back, he upped his betting to fifty large, and everything was smooth, so we allowed it and allowed another increase. Again, he paid on time. Then he started slipping. Just a little at first. Nothing a quick visit couldn’t fix, but last time he copped an attitude and Golden and I handled it, but now he’s slipped even more.”
“Interesting. I assume he’s already off the approved list until he’s paid?”
“Of course, which he isn’t happy about.”
“Family? Contacts?” Bulldog asked practically.
Not that they were into hurting families, but Cliff didn’t know that.
“He passed all our checks to even sit down at a table, but digging deeper, his ID is too clean. Not even a traffic ticket, and the name is only a few years old. Can’t find any family to speak of, not for a Cliff Lewis.”
That wasn’t good. A fresh ID was a red flag for sure. One they couldn’t ignore.
“Moving forward, let’s tighten up our initial vetting process. Between my ol’ lady’s brother last year, and now Cliff with a new ID, I think we’re courting disaster.”
Everyone agreed. They loved their way of life and would do what was necessary to protect it.
“I think a more, uh, impactful visit is in order for Cliff,” Kansas added.
“Monster, why don’t you join Ghoul and Bulldog. A new face might be the thing to get him straight. If he comes flush, we vet him again, give him a two-week ban, and then he can come back, but at ten thousand until he earns more privilege.”
A temporary ban and drop in funds was the last chance before someone got banned permanently.
“Next item of business is our incarcerated brothers.” Prowler seemed to age ten years between talking about Cliff and mentioning Hunter and Sleeper.
“Hunter’s in a bad way. The latest ink has all but decimated his wolf, and he—” Prowler got choked up. They were locked up for the club and that weighs heavily on their Prez. Sleeper was doing his bid in stride. Being human, it was just time for him. But Hunter, Hunter was dying. There was no way to sugarcoat it. A shifter can’t live without his wolf, and a wolf can’t live in a cell.
Guilt washed over Monster. That’s essentially what he was doing to Ulf, just a hell of a lot slower. Monster could take the cuff off occasionally and give Ulf a break, but Hunter could not let his wolf out in prison. The world of shifters would be exposed, and they’d be hunted to death or end up in a government lab—or worse.
I’m sorry, Ulf. Are you sure there’s no other way?
After his parents died and Monster tossed all the silver, it was Ulf who convinced him to put it back on.
Mate. Mate will help. Find her. Free me. Free you.
Prez cleared his throat. “He’s been moved to isolation because of recent attempts to harm himself. Sleeper called right before church. He thinks we should let him go. With his wolf either weak or dead, it’s just a slow, painful end at best for him. If, on the chance his wolf isn’t gone, isolation is the best place to ensure the secret stays in that room. Sleeper can get the means to him, and his fate can be in his own hands, on his terms.”
There was a heaviness that settled in their sanctuary. The shifters in the room knew it was for the best, but that didn’t make losing a brother—even if he wanted it too—any easier.
“All in favor,” Prowler asked somberly.
The ayes were whispered one by one.
After a few moments of silence, Prez spoke again. “Any other business to present?”
Everyone shook their heads, except Kansas.
