“What do you mean?”
“The last time, it was bedlam. Reporters in our face day and night, camped out on our lawns, showing up at my mother’s work and our school. By outing us, he’s opened a can of worms. I’m wondering how hard it would be to observe the KOC and pick me out.”
The picture she paints has me on edge. “Fuuuck.”
She sighs and moves from the bed.” Let’s get moving. You go see your brothers and I’ll shake down my family and see what inside information I can get out of them.”
“I feel like I need to send someone with you.”
“No, that’ll just make her clam up,” Ruthie counters.
I frown. I could care less about her bitch of a mother. I want her to be scared and uncomfortable. “This time, I’ll let you go solo. If you see your father, you high tail it out of there. I don’t want you anywhere near that asshole.”
“Understood.”
“Come on, let’s conserve water,” I slip from the bed and wrap my arm around her waist.
“Is that what we’re calling it now?”
“I don’t know, did it work?”
“Why don’t you get me wet and find out.”
“You know I love it when you talk dirty to me,” I say nibbling her neck. She giggles, and I know my job is done. I’ve distracted her from the cluster fuck we’re both getting ready to walk into.
An hour later, I’m apprehensive as she drives away. Pulling my beanie lower I focus on getting to the clubhouse for the mandatory meeting Stone put into effect after I called him back. The wind and sunshine clear my head. Stone is sharp as hell and viscous when it comes to protecting one of his own. I know he’ll do right by my Old Lady. My Old Lady. I never understood why brothers took one on. Now, the pride swelling in my chest and the emotion behind it adds to my strength and determination. The right one helps build you up.
The lot is crowded as I pull in and more brothers are coming in behind me. I park, kill the engine and climb off not sure what to expect. If this goes to vote, it could one of two ways, unwavering support, or the request for peace. We’ve been through a lot, brothers are weary. The fact that Hells’ Dominion is involved doesn’t help things. The group her old man exposed are hardcore outlaws to the core. They sell drugs, pussy, and anything else that’ll stack their bank accounts. Women are property to be used as they see fit, and loyalty is tentative. It’s the type of M.C. you have to watch your back in.
I walk in and spot Echo, Shadow, and Charm at the bar. I still can’t get over the changes the months have brought the younger brother. I walk over and rap the bar. “Hair of the dog?” I ask taking in the whiskey they have lined up in front of them.
“Shit, wake up call,” Shadow says. He scoots the bottle tow
ard me. “Figure you need it more than all of us.”
I take a long pull off the amber liquid enjoying the burn that slides down my throat.
“How’s Ruthie?” Echo asks.
“Going to grill her mother and her sister. This shit is stressing her out. Last thing she needs.”
“You need to keep her calm, brother. She wasn’t looking too good at the festival,” Shadow says.
“Trust me I know. Been doing my best. Things are bit frenzied right now. Hard to keep it copasetic. Especially with Ruthie. Girl’s smart.”
“It’s why she’s such a good Old Lady,” Shadow says.
“Doubled edged sword, that is,” Echo says.
“Yeah, I’m good living the single life,” Charm speaks up.
We all chuckle.
I turn to Charm. “How you been, man? I haven’t had a chance to catch up.”
“Good. Saw a lot of shit on the road. New faces, new shit to do. It was a nice change of pace,” Charm answers with a shrug.
“And a lot of gym too, huh?” I nudge his muscular arms.