Saving Dallas Forever (Saving Dallas 3)

“Bryce. Right. Sorry, I’m terrible with names. It’s very good to see you too.” Bryce was a monster in size, with fingers so huge there was no way he could pick his nose. He looked so much like the wrestler The Big Show that he could easily have been his twin brother. Where Shark was the Sergeant At Arms that screamed ‘killer,’ Bryce was the one that whispered ‘peace.’ Luke had informed me that the Sergeant At Arms was in charge of the club’s security and the protection of the president, and Brooklyn had told me that although one would think a Sergeant At Arms was supposed to just kick ass first and take names later, he actually needed to be level-headed, and must avoid confrontation at all costs, yet be prepared to meet confrontation head-on with an iron fist if need be. My guess was that Bryce was the peacekeeper who tried to reason with people, and Shark was the one they called when reasoning was no longer an option, not that Bryce looked like he needed any kind of reinforcements. I was sure he could take on the whole city of Lake Charles without breaking a sweat.

“Y’all ready?” Ronnie asked, his voice rising over everyone else’s.

“Yes!” Red agreed in excitement, causing Ronnie to laugh that breathy laugh I loved. Well, used to love. Now it pained me that it wasn’t me who would be making him laugh anytime soon.

“I got some sausage for you, baby, if you that hungry.” Regg said with a smile, and when my eyes found his face, it was looking at mine. “Hey, darlin’,” he said, his thick country accent pouring out like warm honey. Well, at least Regg still loved me. “Don’t hit me,” he added, pulling his hands back when he got close.

“Ha ha ha.” I said, narrowing my eyes at him, but unable to hide my smile. Big Al must have thought that was the funniest shit ever, since he was doubled over in laughter. I’m glad at least someone was finding humor in my turmoil. Regg hugged me hard, then wrapped his arm around my shoulder, as he led us out the door and to the bikes.

“Ain’t nobody tried to kill you lately? Well, other than Chi Chi,” he added with a laugh. I ignored his last remark.

“No. Not lately.”

“Well, shit.” I slapped his arm playfully. “What? There ain’t ever a dull moment around you.” I rolled my eyes at him, but what he said held so much truth that I actually felt guilty. He felt my tension and squeezed me tighter. “Just kiddin’, babe.”

“You sure are a funny fucker today.” Luke said, coming up behind us. Regg winked at me, but didn’t say anything, as he walked off toward his bike to join Red. I followed Luke to his bike, taking my helmet from his hand and putting it on, waiting for him to mount. I looked down at the perfect line of bikes that were in order of officer positions. It started with Ronnie and Brooklyn, then Luke and myself, Possum and Punkin, Big Al and Mary, Bryce, Shark and Chi Chi, Regg and Red, Kyle and Katina, Marty and Maddie, and finally Chris. My eyes swung back to Marty and Maddie, who nobody seemed to notice were riding together, other than me. Everyone wore full-face helmets and drove black bikes. I wasn’t sure if that was mandatory, or just the way it had happened to play out. Luke patted my leg, letting me know he was ready for me to get on, and I stepped on the foot peg with my left foot, and slung my right leg around the back of the bike. I was getting pretty good at this. The bikes were cranked in the same order they were parked, starting with Ronnie. No one turned their bike over until the one to their left did first. We pulled out onto the busy side street, the pack riding so close that traffic was forced to stop to let everyone out. I held on tight as we rocketed down the road, surpassing the speed limit before shifting out of third gear. Cars seemed to move out of the way when they saw us coming. When we passed a business or a residence where people were outside, they stopped and watched until we were out of sight. I felt superior, important, and intimidating as we flew through lights; although they changed in the middle of the pack, everyone surged forward. We stopped at a busy intersection that was a four-way stop sign, forcing us to remain patient as the cars slowly moved in front of us. Luke adjusted the volume on the radio, that sat inside the big, black fairing on the front of the bike, allowing Bon Jovi’s ‘Wanted, Dead or Alive’ to rattle the windows on the car in front of us. How fitting that this song was playing. I caught a motion out of the corner of Luke’s rearview mirror and found Red flailing her arms around like she was flying. I tapped Luke’s shoulder and pointed, and he just shook his head as his abs flexed under my hands, letting me know he was laughing. I looked over at Brooklyn to find her studying her fingernails, and Ronnie bobbing his head in rhythm with the music. My grip tightened as we made it to the stop sign, and before Luke could put his feet down, we were off again. Ronnie led us up a steep hill to a restaurant that served breakfast twenty-four hours. Once the bikes were parked, everyone who smoked pulled out a cigarette and lit up, while we talked about the ride. I watched as all the women, except Mary, gathered together, while the guys did the same. Mary was wiping down the bike with a towel, and I started to ask if I should do the same when Red chimed in.