“Don’t do parents,” Voss growled, shaking his head.
“That’s a parent,” Fallon said, nodding toward his father.
“Different,” Voss declared. “Family shit. Not used to that.”
He’d have to get used to family shit eventually if he wanted to make it into the club. But I understood that for people who didn’t really have a good family, coming to accept that aspect of the club took some time.
“Alright. So, you’re crashing here tonight,” Fallon said. “Brooks, you want to give him a tour and some basic information about the club and the rules?”
“Yep. Got it,” Brooks said, nodding to Voss who followed him as he led him down toward the door for the basement.
“He’s… charming,” Fallon said, smirking at Valen.
“He might not be one for conversation, but he can be trusted. And he will be loyal once he knows everyone. And there’s no one you’d rather have your back in a fight. He’s fucking ruthless. Doesn’t hesitate. This,” he said, pointing toward his throat, “was from facing down four guys. He tore through them in seconds, took the knife from the guy who sliced me, and stabbed him through the eye.”
“Why’d he step in?” Fallon asked.
Valen shrugged at that. “I’d asked the same thing. He said he used to get jumped by assholes like that when he was young and hates an unfair fight.”
“What did he do before you came upon him?” Reign asked, always ready to have Chris up at Hailstorm run a file on a new prospect. We didn’t usually hold anyone’s past against them, but we liked to know what we were getting into.
“He worked overnight security at a junkyard.”
“Like a dog?” Dezi asked, smiling.
“I think anyone who jumped that fence would have rather run into a rabid dog,” Valen said, shrugging.
“Where was here before that?” Reign pressed. “He doesn’t have an accent like he’s from Louisiana.”
“No. He bounced around a lot. He was raised mostly in the outskirts of Chicago. But when he aged up, he took off. He stayed in a bunch of areas, never anywhere longer than a year or two.”
“Because he got into trouble?” Reign asked.
“He hasn’t done any real time. Was in county a few times, but never went to jail. He doesn’t have connections to any organization. I know that question is coming. Any trouble he’s been in has been because of his bad attitude and tendency to settle disagreements with his fists.”
“So, a biker,” Cary said, shrugging.
“Exactly,” Valen agreed. “When he said he wanted to prospect, I figured it might be a good fit. I know you can’t guarantee him a spot, but he deserves a shot. I figure we can always use some rough-around-the-edges guys here.”
“What about you?” Reign asked. “How rough around the edges have you gotten?”
It was a mix of the president and the concerned uncle in that question.
“There have been some rough spots that had me laid up for a bit,” Valen admitted. “Hell, I once got my ass kicked by a goddamn mountain lion.”
“What?” Cary asked. “They almost never attack humans.”
“I know. That’s what the hospital said when they stitched up my arm,” he said, shaking his head. “I figure I tried to set up camp too close to her babies or something. But yeah, I’ve gotten into some scuffs. But like Voss, I’ve managed to stay out of too much trouble, and stay away from any organized sort of crime.”
“Good,” Fallon said, nodding. “Just so you know, though, you prospect with the rest of the guys. And you get the same treatment. We all had to.”
“Understood. I’ve always known that was how it was going to be.”
“You should get going to see your mother before she hears you are here from someone else,” Reign suggested.
“Yeah, I am gonna shove off. Anyone know if my sister is in town?”
“Vi has been crashing with Billie,” Fallon said. “I can text you the address if you want to pop over.”
“Eh, I’m gonna let her figure out I’m here secondhand,” he said, smirking, making it clear that he and Violet had an antagonistic sort of sibling bond.
“Dunno, man. She’s a lot like your ma these days,” Fallon said. “Won’t hesitate to whoop your ass for being an asshole.”
“That’s how we show our love,” Valen said with a smile before turning and making his way toward the door. “I’ll be back in the morning. Tell the Girls Club if they are planning a big shindig, that I haven’t had a home cooked meal in years, and that they should do it up.”
“Well,” Fallon said, nodding as Valen left. “That’s it. Now we wait for Nave, and that’s everyone who is old enough to prospect.”
“What about Bennet?” Seth asked, meaning Cyrus’s son.
“Didn’t you hear?” Fallon asked, shaking his head. “Bennet’s band just landed a record deal. He’s going to be going off on tour in the near future.”