Redemption (Rogue Nation MC #1)

32. Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

Mako

With Theo on my left, holding my hand on the table and Bear on my right, I relayed the entire story of my lock up. From the time I sat, cuffed, in the back of the sheriff’s car until Elsbeth gave her statement. The entire room sat silent while I spoke.

Theo cleared his throat and stood up. “So, it’s over, it’s really over?”

“Yeah baby, it’s over. They can’t touch none of us.” I pulled his hand to me and kissed the palm.

“I’m glad you’re safe sweetie. It makes everything worth it.” Bear spoke with clear worry in his voice.

Theo walked over to him and put his arms around Bear’s neck from behind and whispered in his ear, quiet enough that only us at the head of the table could hear. “I know what you guys did for me. I love you for it, big guy, but I hate that you’ve put yourself on the line.” Then he kissed his cheek.

“Wasn’t just for you, sweetie. Did it for my President, for my nephew, for my family.” The others at the table nodded their heads.

“Yeah, about that. It’s the reason I stayed so late at the cop shop. Elsbeth testified that she and Grey knew what Gavin and his buddies did to you. Told them how far they could go. They figured that since you weren’t really related that it could be a treat for Gavin. Sick fuckers.” Theo froze and just stared at me. “Teach! Get Owen in here, NOW!”

Owen walked into the room and rushed to Theo’s side the moment he saw him. “It’s OK honey, whatever it is, we’ll deal with it. It’s OK.” He petted Theo’s hair and rocked him side to side.

Theo’s breathing calmed a bit, and he looked at me from over Owen’s shoulder and mouthed, ‘Thank you.’ I nodded my head at him before I continued. “That’s the other thing. Regarding the disappearance of Gavin and 2 of his friends, the feds determined that under the circumstances, the boys went into hiding to avoid charges of assault on a minor. They knew his parents were gonna go down for everything, so they took off and disappeared. If Gavin is found, they’ll file charges, but they don’t really expect to find them.”

Bear let out a heavy huff of breath, as did Clip, Spuds and Teach. It really was over. Not one thing involving the Mossdales was gonna be able to touch us. Theo and Owen giggled behind Bear’s back. “Mister President, can I have a vote or bring things to the table?” Theo’s serious tone worried me a bit.

“Yes, you can. As fated mate of the club President, under the guidelines, you have the same abilities and rights at the table as a patched officer.” I narrowed my eyes at him. He was up to something.

He moved back to my left side and dragged Owen to stand behind him. Interesting. “Well, Gates let me read a copy of the club rule book.” Oh, this wasn’t gonna be good. “Mister President, Officers of Rogue Nation, I would like to formally table a request that Owen Michaels be permitted to attend Church when it’s called and doesn’t involve sensitive club business.” Every mouth at the table gaped open, and Theo grinned at me before he continued. “I understand that under current federal laws, omegas may not hold any power in matters of finance or politics. Therefore, I would like Owen Michaels to be able to vote on club matters that do not involve those 2 things or any sensitive club business. Just the stuff that involves our day-to-day lives. For the betterment of the family, that is.” Holy shit, my mate was making a fuckin power move. I wasn’t sure if I was impressed or scared. Maybe a bit of both.

“Well brothers. It seems we have motion on the table to be voted on. Since this motion involves membership rights, only patched officers may vote. My mates opinion will be taken into consideration with my vote. We will now discuss before votes are cast. Owen, please step out of the room.” Both Theo and Owen stared at me, slack jawed.

“Formality, baby boy. We don’t let prospects stay when we discuss and vote on them, either. It saves feelings and avoids conflict.” Leave it to Bear to soothe our boy. Theo reached around and hugged Owen tight, whispering in his ear. Owen nodded his head and shyly smiled at everyone as he left the room.

Once the door closed and it was just the 9 of us around the table, I looked to Theo. “What the fuck, baby?” I pointed around the room. “Did any of you know he was gonna pull this shit?” A chorus of nos reverberated across the table. “I guess I got me a smart one for a mate.” I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m not the only smart one, mate.” We all stared at him. “Are any of you aware of Owen’s history?” We all shook our heads, except Bear. I knew that Bear knew. “Well, it’s not my or Bear’s story to tell, so if Owen wants to share it, he will. BUT… I will say, your ‘baby boy’ has a history of bookkeeping and finance under his belt. Not formal school, but kind of ‘on the job training’ if you will. Guys, he’s smart. He’s proven he’s loyal. And he’s my best friend. Not that the last one should really matter. I know that he’s not any of yours fated mate, but he belongs here. In this room. With us.” He took my hand. “You even told me when I came here that Owen was officially in charge of ‘the troops’. He handles stress better than most alphas I’ve met, and he’ll fight for this family to the ends of the earth.” He dropped my hand and waved his own in a dismissing fashion towards us. “I’m done, discuss.” We all burst out laughing.

Once everyone calmed down, Gates spoke first. “Well, I can tell you, he helped me get Theo’s financials situated and helped me understand the codicils of his Poppy’s will. I can attest that he’s smart, really smart and he’s level-headed. Prez, when you were arrested, he explained everything to Theo better than any of us could have. Without him, your mate would have hauled ass to the cop shop within minutes of you being put in that car.”

Trashcan, the man who rarely speaks jumped right in. “He’s been helping me figure out how much of what chemicals and other supplies I need to keep on hand to take care of what I do. He never asks details though. It’s like he just knows.” Well, shit. That’s some high praise from the man who never talks.

Clip sat up straight in his chair and folded his hands together. “He’s the first one to help me, Spuds and Doc if something happens to one of us. No matter how bad it is. He plays nursemaid and mother hen when it’s needed. I know he doesn’t have the best rep in the clubhouse, but none of that should matter. If you’ve ‘had’ him, it was consensual and if you’re thinkin it matters, it don’t. Not to me. He’s a brother, even if it’s not in name.” Doc and Spuds nodded their heads in agreement.

Teach sat up. “I’m not gonna say anything about Owen that any of you haven’t already said, even if it’s not out loud. I respect the hell outta that little omega and that’s that.”

Everyone in the room put their eyes on Bear, who hadn’t even looked up from his hands on the table. “I’ll speak after you, Boss.” He still never looked up.

“Well then. You all know that I was the one who found Owen on our doorstep that night, so long ago. I’ve watched him heal and not just grow but thrive under our protection and care. Owen is what my Gramps envisioned when he founded Rogue Nation. Hell, Owen is the reason we exist at all.” Theo leaned over and kissed my cheek and took my hand and squeezed.

Bear, still looking at his hands, cleared his throat. “Theo. I’m glad you were the one to bring this to the table. All of you know my story. You all know that Mako and I are brothers in all but blood. Owen is the same for me. He is the little brother my parents could never give me. I’ve wanted him at this table for a while now and once everything with Theo was cleared up, I was gonna bring it. There’s nothing more to say…LET’S VOTE!” his last 2 words were a loud, clear growl.

Teach leaned out the door. “Owen, come in here, please.”

Owen entered the room and stood next to the door. Quiet as a mouse, hands folded in front of him, eyes cast down. He looked scared. “Owen Michaels, come to the front, please.” I couldn’t look at Theo or I would crack a smile. Once he reached head of the table, I spoke again. “Mister Vice President, it is your duty to inform Mister Michaels of the results.”

Owen looked up at Bear. I could tell my brother almost broke seeing the tears welling in the boy’s eyes. “Yes, sir. Owen Michaels, a request to have you, a non-mate omega, be permitted a place at the table of Rogue Nation has been requested by Theodore Sharkey, mate of the President. That request was tabled and, after discussing, voted on. The results are as follows…” Goddess, I fuckin hated the formality of this. But it was the one thing that Gramps instilled in all of us. Tradition. Without it, we have no past, therefore no future. He loved to say shit like that. I had to grip Theo’s hand to stop him from bouncing on the balls of his feet. Owen still hadn’t taken his eyes off Bear. “By unanimous decision, you will be seated to the left of Theodore Sharkey, holding a permanent seat at this table. You cannot cast votes regarding finances, politics or sensitive club business, but your opinion will hold weight with the voting members.”

I felt a shift to my left and looked over. Owen and Theo were hugging one another in a death grip. When they let go, Owen plopped into the chair beside Theo and bounced. “Do I get a name? Do I still get to do all the other stuff I was doing before? Am I a real member now? Ooh, ooh, do I get a cut? I want a cut. That would be so awesome.” Shit, he was regressing, and he was excited.

Clip laughed. “OK, little buddy. Calm down or no snacks.” Bear growled at him. “Shut it brother. If you think none of us realize he’s a little, then you’ve lost your mind.” Owen froze and stared at Clip. “No one cares, little buddy, we love you just the way you are.” That seemed to relax him. “Alright, you get to choose. You’re Little Man or Little Brother, you decide. We’ll decide on a cut later and no, none of your other duties will change. You just get to hang out for the important stuff.” With all the grinning going on, it looked like a shark feeding frenzy in the room.

“I wanna be Little Brother. That’s what I am, Uncle Bear says so.” Well shit, way to throw himself under the bus.

Once the laughter died down, Spuds punched the nail in the meeting’s coffin. “Well, Little Brother, you’re not mated, so your official title will be Bear’s Emotional Support Omega.” I grabbed my gavel and banged once to officially end the meeting. I’m surprised anyone heard it over the roar of laughter and Bear growling ‘Fuck you’ at everyone.