“What bikers?” It better not fucking be the Wolf Knights. Not after we’ve had peace with them for so long. It shouldn’t be the Devil Demons MC either. Chaser’s club’s territory starts at least two hours from here. Our club ties go back too many years for them to start fucking with us now.
“Skinny, shaggy looking dudes.” He gestures toward my cut without touching the leather. “No patches, but they ride in on Harleys. Black and red paint jobs.”
Black and red. Could be half a dozen club’s colors. Or no club at all.
“What do they want?”
Eraser pats my arm with the back of his hand and gestures for me to follow him to a quieter spot where I can still keep my eye on Heidi’s car.
“We get a variety of people racing here. Hillbilly projects, drag racers, street legal, import, American, we don’t discriminate.”
“Spare me the sales pitch, Eraser.”
Not insulted, he grins. “Lot of the street racers got more money than common sense. College kids with mommies and daddies funding their hobbies.”
I roll my eyes. This isn’t news. Same kind of kids who hang out at the Castle betting on fights or who come into Furious in search of steroids instead of putting in the hard work. Entitled, lazy cocksuckers are everywhere.
Eraser senses my lack of interest and raises his voice. “Some of ‘em get cut off and look for other people to back their projects.”
“Sponsors?”
“Nah, not normal sponsors. More like loan sharks for a very specific market. Lose too many races and they’re in danger of losing their vehicle or worse.”
All right. Now that’s something I can picture a lower level MC getting their hands dirty with. Maybe a new club is already trying to get a foothold in this area. Even more reason to get this support club set up sooner rather than later.
“That’s normal in this business,” he continues. “Obviously.”
“Obviously,” I echo, and he smirks at me.
“Everyone respects the rules. If a driver owes his sponsor, that’s his problem, and they settle it outside of here.”
“Smart but hard to enforce, no?” I ask.
“It’s worked for years. Worked for my uncle before me.”
“So, what’s changed?”
“These new backers are coming in and trying to mess with the other drivers. Throw the races. Intimidating them.” He gestures toward the track again. “We have our own little community out here. Everyone comes here to have fun. Guys pick up some extra cash, gain bragging rights, show off for the ladies. Afterward, we all party.”
“And?”
“Getting terrorized by some Scarface wannabe is too much. Doesn’t fit with our laid-back atmosphere. Last week, someone tampered with a car, and the hood blew off as soon as it got off the line. Week before, someone’s wheel came off, and he almost crashed into the other car.”
Jesus Christ, maybe bringing Heidi here was a mistake.
“Was anyone hurt?”
“No, he’s an experienced driver, but I’m worried it’s just the beginning. I’m losing business because of these guys and those incidents didn’t help.” He gestures toward the track. “I’m shelling out extra cash to have more firefighters and EMTs here to make everyone feel safe. Word spreads quickly with this crowd.”
So much for community. “And you think my club can help?”
He shrugs and glances away. “Griff and Remy said you’ve been helping with security out at the Castle. Your club’s presence, your patch might be enough to keep them out.”
“And what does my club get in return?”
Now he faces me. A defiant don’t-fuck-with-me attitude that I respect pulls his shoulders back. “I assume you’d want me to kick up a portion of the track’s profits.”
Although money is a sign of respect, it’s not all we’re after. “You, Griff, Remy, and maybe Vapor ever think about forming a club of your own?”
He widens his eyes. “Vapor said you’d be trying to recruit us to your club. None of us are ready for that level of commitment.”
“I get that. And we’re not looking for anyone who isn’t dedicated. There’s another option.”
He raises his eyebrows but keeps his mouth shut, waiting for me to continue.
“A support club. You’d pick out your own name and patch.” Which we’d have to approve, but I leave that part out since I’m trying to present this in the most appealing way possible. “You’d wear some sort of support patch for our club, so people know if they fuck with you, your brothers in blue and gray got your back.”
“And?”
“You’d go on runs with us from time to time.”
“And be riding at the back of the pack?”
“No, our support club would come before any hangers on tagging along.”
“Would we get an invite to the big clubhouse?” he smirks at me.
“Yeah, most of our parties would be open to your club.” I smack his chest. “You’re invited now, Remy and Griff know that.”
“What else?”
“You have our back when we call.” I think on it for a minute, but since this is the first support club we’ve set up, I can’t come up with anything else at the moment. “You’d run this territory. No further than Syracuse. Let us know of any issues. Anyone who doesn’t belong.”
He rests his chin in one palm while he seems to think it over. “Griff and Remy have a tie-in to local law enforcement.”
“Yeah, I know Brady. He’s cool. We have a few other connections we can use to help you out. But you can’t be stupid and draw unreasonable attention your way.”
He cocks his head. Maybe that insulted him, but I want to be as clear as possible. “I already know Remy keeps the Castle locked down tight. From what I see here, everything’s low key.”
“That’s how we like it, Murphy. That’s why I don’t want these fuckers coming in and messing everything up. Another incident like last time and next thing you know someone’s parents are making a few phone calls, and State Troopers are all over us, shutting this thing down.”
I’ve said what I needed to say. This isn’t the time to continue with a hard sell. “Take some time. Talk to Remy and Griff. See where they’re at.”
“Will do. You going to stick around to watch the races tonight? Afterward, we’ll have a bonfire and party.”
“Yeah, I’ll be here. If these guys show up, point ‘em out to one of us.” I nod to Dex and Rooster who acknowledge my attention. Dex slaps Remy then Griff on their shoulders and jerks his head.
A few seconds later, the four of them join us.
“More of the sales pitch?” Remy asks with a slight smirk.
The attitude on this one. I can easily see the guys voting him in as their President.
“No sales pitch. Talking things out.” I clasp Eraser’s shoulder. “Seems like there might be a need for an alliance.”
“You know I got nothing but respect for you, Murphy,” Griff says.
“But?” Rooster prompts, drawing out the word.
“But nothing. I’m serious.”
Eraser gives Griff a slight shove. “Who knew Royal here was such an ass-kisser.”
They must be tight for Eraser not to get an arm yanked off. Griff returns the friendly shove. “No ass-kissing. Murphy’s solid. Fights clean. Never runs his mouth.” He dips his chin at me. “You’ve helped us out a lot over the last couple years.”
“Feeling’s mutual.” I decide some honesty might be helpful here. “I’m stone-cold serious when I say there’s no one else we even considered bringing this to.”
“Truth.” Rooster’s quick to back me up. “Your names came up first.”
“You three and Vapor,” Dex adds. “No one else.”
Griff and Eraser share a look. “Appreciate that.”
Not at all concerned she might be interrupting, Remy’s little sister bounds over and taps Griff’s arm. “Can I drive Black Beauty? Please?”
“You bring your helmet?” Griff
asks.
“It’s in Remy’s trunk.”
Griff slaps the keys in her open palm, and she races off.
“Bro, you seriously gonna let Molly drive your precious car?” Remy asks. “She doesn’t even have her license yet.”
Griff shrugs and glances over his shoulder. “Not like anyone’s gonna give her a ticket here. She knows what she’s doing.” He laughs. “She loves that car more than I do.”
“Whatever,” Remy grumbles.
Eraser cough-snickers into his fist, and Remy glares at him.
Rather than being annoyed by their antics, I’m reassured. They’re a tight bunch who will form a loyal brotherhood. I’ve watched Remy and Griff in the ring enough to know they can protect themselves and their territory.
“We’ll talk more.” Eraser gestures to Remy. “You running the Bullet?”
“Not tonight.” He nods at a group of girls about a hundred feet away who’ve been staring at us. “I’m just here for the blow jobs.”
“That’s sweet you blow each other.” Rooster taps Griff and Remy on the shoulders. “You do you.” He holds his hands up. “We don’t discriminate.”
“Fuck off,” Remy growls then laughs. “Let me clarify. Any other girls attending the party later?”
“Bro, I can’t keep track of your harem,” Eraser says.
Griff coughs into his fist. “Neither can he.”
I almost wish Teller had come with us tonight, if only to ask him if we were this dumb when we were their age.
Eraser’s gaze shifts, and he scowls. I follow his line of sight to three guys approaching Heidi and Ella. My immediate instinct to run over and protect Heidi burns hot.