rinsed the shampoo from my hair, it was Thunder’s turn. He had made me feel so good, and I wanted to make him feel good, as well. As the hot water rained down on us, I got to my knees and let him use my mouth however he wanted.
As I toweled off, I looked around at Thunder’s life. I pictured myself with him in the future. It gave me a warm feeling. I understood that there were parts of Thunder’s life that I didn’t exactly understand or agree with, but he was his own man. He managed his life just fine. Was there a place for me in it? Was there a place for me with the Rising Sons?
My hair was still wet as I pulled Thunder’s smallest T-shirt over my head. It was soft and broken in like a cherished guitar. Staring at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but see myself as Thunder’s girl. It felt more than right.
Thunder popped his head into the bathroom, “Ready to head down to slugger field?”
I gave him a nod and a smile. Everything was planned out between him, myself, and Trask. I knew it was going to be risky, and I knew it could be dangerous. Trask believed that my loyalty laid with him at the club, Thunder believed my loyalty was with him. And me? I had no idea what to believe.
The air seemed thick and hot, but it was probably just the tension. It was evident on every face. The two biker factions eyed each other with heavy suspicion. More than half of the bikers there had handguns at their hips. Too many hands were held close to those pistols.
Thunder’s fingers were intertwined with my own, and he gave me a reassuring squeeze. None of the other bikers gave me as much as a single look. The few that had supported me at the meeting looked the most nervous.
Trask stepped forward from the clump. An older man with a long ponytail and goatee came forward to meet him. The patch on his cut read PRESIDENT and below that, CAPTAIN. Captain looked like a man that had lived in the sun his entire life. He wore a deep tan that was probably ever-present, and his skin with cracked like old concrete. Despite the worn and weathered face, Captain’s smile took a decade off his age. He had a perfect set of teeth, and he was showing them all off.
"Trask Rivers. How's the old man? I hear he's back at the top in Bakersfield. Damn glad to hear that." Captain extended a hand.
Trask shook it, "Full recovery. Fuckin' miracle of miracles. I appreciate you asking. How's Maggie and the kids?"
“Julie just started college, and the wife is at home. Gage is right behind me. Following in the old man's footsteps. Enough with the nice nice. Let's talk business.”
It was a surreal sight. Thirty some bikers sitting around picnic benches behind baseball diamonds. It was a nice, neutral location, but damn, everybody seems so out of place.
Trask and Captain sat across from each other, with the rest of the bikers from the two gangs surrounding them. The president of the Devil's Branch had a briefcase with them. My heart jumped the second I thought. My identity was inside. Not Patience, but me.
“Normally I'd ask for money for something like this, but I know you don't have any. Between starting up the new club and rebuilding the old one, I know you guys are tapped out. I'm open to offers.” Captain turned his hands up, maybe still expecting an envelope of cash to be laid into his open palms.
Trask spoke like a business man, not like someone who pulled bugs out of his teeth after a hard ride. “I’m glad you understand our financial situation, Captain. Yeah, we don't have money right now, but we will. We've got jobs lined up, and here's what I'm willing to offer you: ten percent. Ten percent across the board on all jobs that the Rising Sons work for the next year.”
It was news to everyone but Trask, Thunder, and myself. None of the Sons said anything, but they couldn't hide their displeasure and anger. It was like Trask said: we had a plan. They were angry, but they trusted their leader.
Captain looked behind him
Brent Weeks
Karen Ann Hopkins
Olivia Cunning
Franzeska G. Ewart, Helen Bate
Fay Weldon
Helene Tursten
Elicia Hyder
Ivy Smoak
Chunichi
Guy Adams