Burning Bridges

Endings

Monday morning came way too early. Greek has been up for hours getting all the paperwork and recording equipment ready for the s**t-show that will begin in an hour. Making this call to Top (Bridger) was not something he thought he would ever do. Granted, Top forced the situation, but this isn’t what any of them thought it would come to. When Bridger was first forced into the CEO position when their parents died, he found a way to balance business and club life. He didn’t come down on Lia all the time; he was happy for the most part. Now, he’s been voted out of the club; they had gone on the run for a while, then at Sturgis, things went scorched earth. Drake had decided that Lia was his meal ticket and tried to force her to go to Vegas and marry him. Drake is dead, and Lia was just starting to sleep with the knowledge that she had taken a life.

Board members were starting to file into the conference room, most hungover. Thankfully, this first call will be audio only. Vee stumbles through the door looking rough, hair in a messy bun, dark circles under her eyes. “Not sleeping, Vee?” he asks, concerned.

“Did you?” She snarks back. “It was bad enough we voted him out. I know it was necessary after what he had Drake do, but…”

“You still love him.”

She hangs her head. “Yeah.” She whispers. Louder, “I was his old lady. We have been together since I was in tenth grade. I’m just having a hard time letting go of the man we all knew, or thought we did.” Her heart had been chewed up and spit out, all the crap that Bridger has pulled; this last summer was the last straw. Now one of the original crew is dead, and the other, her love, a ghost.

Once everyone is situated and properly caffeinated, Greek dials the phone.

At precisely nine, the ringing begins. “North Bay Technologies, how may I direct your call?” the feminine voice answers.

“Bridger North, please. This is Terrence Burns representing Auralia North and Mason Ayers.”

“Mr. North is in a conference and can’t be disturbed. I can connect you to Nathan Zachery, his assistant. One moment, please,” she informs them.

A few seconds later, “Nathan Zachery speaking.” The sound of papers rustling and keys typing is in the background. A telltale click shows the call is being recorded.

“Mr. Zachery, my name is Terrence Burns of Burns and Ayers. I am calling regarding Auralia North and Mason Ayers. I must also inform you that this call is being recorded per international law.” Greek begins. “I will be representing both Ms. North and Mr. Ayers in all things from this point forward.”

“Mr. Burns, I don’t see why a family matter requires legal representation.” The condescension is evident. “A spoiled princess just needs to do her duty to her family and return to her job.”

“Mr. Zachery, do you like your job?” Auralia chimes in, b***h mode activated. “I suggest you stick to that and keep your personal opinions to yourself. I am still the current Chief Operating Officer of North Bay and a one-third majority shareholder. Know your place.”

“Seeing as Mr. North has tasked me with tracking you down, I believe this is my place.”

“Mr. Zachery, this is counterproductive. Please inform Mr. North that we would like to set up a meeting to sell Ms. North and Mr. Ayers' shares of North Bay Technologies. If we have not heard from him by the end of the day, we will sell those shares publicly, and Mr. North may find he is no longer CEO.”

Alarmed, Nathan says, “If I know my boss, he will not take this tantrum well, Mr. Burns. Making threats is not a good way to return to Mr. North’s good graces.”

“Is this guy for real?” Para exclaims.

“Mr. Zachery, relay the message, and we will be waiting for his call,” Greek states before he cuts the call. Allowing pandemonium to reign will not help. He texts Bridger’s cell. ‘Get your PA in line before you lose control of your company’

This jackass hung up on him. Who does this b***h think she is, like a figurehead has any say over his job? Nathan thinks to himself.

Back in Springfield, chaos has descended.

“This guy thinks he can talk to you this way?” Brax is incredulous.

“Stone, please tell me we can get him in the ring with me?” Para begs.

Pan says, “Nope, I get a shot at this one.”

“Holly. You, Hill, and Tony get everything on this guy. I got a bad feeling about him,” Stone barks.

In Frasier, the meeting has ended and Bridger is in his office. A knock on the door signals his PA's entry. “Mr. North. I received a call from Terrence Burns. He would like to set up a call about your sister and Mr. Ayers.” He hesitates. “They want to sell their shares of North Bay.”

Looking at his phone, “And why is Greek telling me to get my PA in line?”

“I’m sorry, sir, Greek?” Nathan questions.

“Greek is Terrence Burns' road name. He is part of Helios MC and an attorney in international law. He is also one of my oldest friends. He is also one of the hardest people on the planet to ruffle, yet, one phone call with you and he is chastising me?” Bridger looks pointedly at Nathan. “Why is that?”

“I may have chosen some of my words poorly,” Nathan admits. “I may have told your sister she needs to stop throwing a tantrum and return to her job, not in those exact words.”

“So, not only did you insult my sister, you pissed off an entire MC?” Bridger pinches the bridge of his nose. “I can’t decide if I should fire you or let you face the shitstorm you just started. I guarantee you at least two of the females are asking to get you in the ring.”

“Females are weak, why would I get in the ring with them?”

Bridger laughs. “That settles it. You are stuck. Two of those females are MMA fighters, twins. Another one is my wife, if she doesn’t divorce me. What actual knowledge do you have of Helios MC?”

“I have only begun my investigation. I know that they aren’t a one-percenter club and most of them are ex-military or government, and that you are one of the founders. I can see that many of the men of this club would be deemed as dangerous,” Nathan says carefully.

“The females are just as dangerous. Pandora and Paradox are both MMA fighters, and weapon experts. They have more degrees than you have zeros in your salary. My wife is a Greek princess and can drop a fly at a thousand yards. My sister got her first PhD at thirteen. You are a misogynist. Never count a female out, they can and will f**k your world up.” Bridger is almost boasting about the club. “This may actually be entertaining. Call them now, and set up a video conference.”

’Yes, sir.” Nathan thinks he needs to do more research.

A few hours later, everyone is gathered around the conference table waiting for the video call. ‘Make sure your end is secure, no recording,’ Greek sends to Bridger.

Bridger’s face comes on the screen. Looking at the faces at the table, he asks, “Where is Drake?”

Lia answers. “Dead. You secure?”

“Yes, satellite connection, soundproof office, and only my PA, no recording. His NDA is ironclad, for anything business or club related.” Pausing, he sees Vee. “Where is your patch, V?”

“My new cut has been ordered,” she says non-committally. “I’m RC now. I took over for Drake. I’m not property anymore.”

“A lot has changed, Bridger,” Stone says. “You were voted out. You aren’t part of Helios anymore. What you did with Drake sealed that.” Suppressing his rage, “What the f**k were you thinking? You knew he was unstable. Yet, you thought he would settle for being your mole?”

“What happened?”

“He decided your money wasn’t enough. He drugged me and took me to Vegas to force me to be his wife so he could have my money. He didn’t want me, per se; he planned to be a widower. So, I cut his throat.” Lia reported to her brother emotionless. “I’m done, brother.”

“Li, oh my god, baby girl, I am so sorry. He was only supposed to keep tabs on all of you.” Tears are gathering in his eyes. “When?” a pause. “f**k!!!!” Bridger slams his fist on the desk. “Come home, Li" Please, all of you, come home. Vee, tell her, please, love, tell her to come home.”

“We have a new home,” Vee answers. “I’m done as well.”

Greek takes over. “Lia and Stone are offering you the first chance at their shares in North Bay. Vee has started the paperwork for a divorce. Brother, you went too far this time. All of the new leadership is present, and the club has been incorporated. Per the new rules, no one can hold shares in any competing corporation. If you decline first rights, the shares will be sold at the current price publicly.”

“NO. You can’t do this. Mason, talk to them. Lia, this is our legacy.”

“I never wanted the company. I have a different path. Dad forced this on me, and you know it,” Lia answers. “I want out, for good.”

Greek continues, “We are far enough away that we won’t compete for much as far as business goes. Maybe a fifteen percent overlap on territory. Lia and the girls will continue the research on their intellectual property and sign off on any North Bay research rights. Any shared intellectual property will be assigned to you personally or to North Bay, as you decide. As for the divorce, she wants nothing. Just a clean split, however, King Pargos would also like to meet with you to sign off on any rights restored to Vee when the divorce is final. I hate this part. Vee, do you want to leave?” He looks at his friend. She shakes her head, tears falling down her face. “When Drake took Lia, we were on his ass. Vee had just returned from a check-up, and she was getting out of her car. He shot her. I’m sorry, brother, your son didn’t make it. She lost the baby.”

“How long?” Bridger whispers. “Is that why her dad was in the country a few weeks ago?”

“Yes. She was placed in a medically induced coma for two weeks to recover from the surgery. She was released last week.”

“No one thought to tell me?” He is angry.

“We were chasing Drake; he made it look like he was going to Sturgis. We didn’t find them before Lia killed him,” Stone adds. “Pargos made the call.”

“I’m not going away, V! I don’t care what your dad has to say. You are my wife! That was my SON!” He is screaming by now. “I will not give any of you up! It may be too late for the MC, but you are all my family. I will not let that go! I want a face-to-face!” Bridger looks at Nathan off-screen. “Cancel everything for the next two weeks. Tell them it’s for bereavement.”

“Yes, sir. I am sorry for your loss, sir,” Nathan adds.

“Also, set up a conference at the Burrows. They won’t meet anywhere else.”

“We need a week to get there,” Greek tells him. “I will have all the paperwork ready.”

“f**k you, Greek. You can’t throw all this at me and expect me to lie down and take it,” Bridger says low and dangerous. “I think all of you have forgotten who I am, don’t think you are going to corner me.”