Free Haunt (Bayonet Scars #6) by JC Emery Page A

she’s the heart of the club.
    “Once shit settles, I’m meeting that boy of yours.”
    I choose not to ask who told her. The woman who was at the table with her diverts her eyes, giving herself away. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s Holly, Grady’s woman. Gossip runs rampant in the club, so it’s no surprise that word has already spread. The logical chain goes from Wyatt to Grady, and Grady to Holly, and Holly to probably half the old ladies.
    I don’t even realize I’m giving the poor woman a dirty look until she raises her hands in the air and says, “I was excited. I’m sorry.”
    I wave her off and head over to introduce myself. It’s time I settle in and make damn sure everybody knows who I belong to.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 6
     

    I lean back in my chair, waiting on Michael to show up. I told him five minutes, and it’s been at least that. I take a deep breath and force myself to chill the fuck out. We don’t have Church for another hour, so he’s got time. The club’s in a weird position with Michael. He’s not our prisoner, but he’s not exactly an ally yet either. And despite his age, he’s not some punk kid I can lay into whenever I want. If the shit Michael and Scavo have been shoveling to each other is real, then Ruby’s boy is making a bid to take over the Mancuso family. The boy taking over and doing all the shit he’s said he wants to do is good for the club, not just Fort Bragg but nationally. We’d be allied with not only Mancuso, but his allies as well, and that can only mean less violence, more peace, and less loss on both ends. This beef between Forsaken and Mancuso has casualties on both coasts.
    “Hey,” Michael says. His voice is so relaxed and casual that it grates on my nerves. I’ve got enough shit going on right now. Particularly Amber and Zander and figuring out what I’m going to do there. It’s only been a few days, but I’m itching to head out to Thumper’s and meet my boy. I know I should wait for Amber’s okay on that, but she hasn’t reached out.
    “Where’s Scavo?” I open my eyes and eye Michael standing there in a suit. He pulls on the cuffs of his jacket and rolls his shoulders in an uncomfortable fashion. The kid looks like he’s about to break out in hives in the damn thing. Not a moment after I’ve asked does Leo Scavo walk up behind Michael and invite himself into the chapel, closing the doors behind him. I’m pissed at the world right now, so I check my temper with these guys before it blows what could be a very lucrative and beneficial arrangement for both of our organizations. Scavo sits down in Duke’s seat, and Michael takes Grady’s.
    “Nice monkey suit,” I say and give the kid a firm nod. He’s still squirming in his seat like a madman.
    “Part of the whole being boss schtick, I guess,” he says.
    Leo nods and follows up with, “If you want to be a thug, you can walk around the city with your pants around your knees. If you want to be a businessman, you wear a suit. And stop fucking squirming.”
    Holding back a grin, I decide to just get on with it already.
    “Forsaken likes to keep club business within the club, but I need to run something by you since it affects Mancuso.”
    “Okay, shoot,” Michael says. His eyes go wide with alarm and he gulps. “But not literally, dude. Just, you know, figuratively.”
    Leo shakes his head and eyes the table. He’s probably thinking the same thing I am—that Michael’s going to have to get it together if he wants to take over the family. Nobody’s going to take a bumbling kid who’s about to crawl out of his suit seriously.
    “You guys want Junior to take over, but how’s that look if Carlo and Emilio are still around?”
    “I was hoping your club would take care of that,” Michael says. “We’re prepared to lie low until the time is right if you guys don’t tie up those loose ends. Way we see it, their debt is to Forsaken.”
    My hair falls in my face when I