Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
“I’m told you have a woman?” He raised an eyebrow.
Now I snorted. “That’s a battle for a whole other day.”
He chuckled, and Crow headed our way. All the other guys were on their bikes or moving toward them.
“You still good with the plan?” Crow asked me.
I inclined my head toward Boise. “I’m going to add the new guys around the perimeter. They know what to do, but we’ll keep some here to guard the women and kids.”
Crow nodded, giving Boise a once-over.
There’d already been introductions. Crow had been the one to greet the guys as they drove in, but he was seeing a new dynamic here. I got it.
“When we ride in, do I need to know the reason you’re here?” Crow asked.
I felt Boise tense. I did too. I’d known this was coming. Just came faster than I thought.
“Your president reached out to Max,” I told him. “He’s in prison for the long haul, and he wanted us here to help situate you guys for new leadership. Said you were having problems with a few of the guys.”
Crow nodded because he knew that. He’d been told that. It’s the reason our trip here wasn’t a surprise, but it wasn’t the only reason, and he must’ve sensed that by now. His eyes danced between Boise and me.
“That’s true,” he said. “You guys being here has settled some of those guys, but I’m thinking we might need to have another conversation after tonight.”
I’d asked Max for three months. I wanted to smooth my way in, not kick over any rocks that had snakes underneath. But with Estrada’s presence and the new guys from our charter coming in, I didn’t have much choice.
“I got a call,” he added after a moment. “The food’s ready. A couple of the sweet butts stayed back to play pretend girlfriends. We’re ready to go.”
I nodded, and since I was the highest ranking member here, I led them out.
Crow came next, right beside me. We interspersed my guys and his guys so they were riding next to the new guys, but at the end of the day, we were all brothers.
The women came out to watch us go. I glimpsed Kali in the window as we rode down the driveway.
This part was sacred.
It was us, our bikes, and the open road—nothing separating us from nature. The wind. The sun.
We were free.
22
KALI
Watching the entire line of motorcycles leave was another reminder that this was an entirely different world, different culture. But I was still me, and I needed food. Or more importantly, I needed coffee.
So here I went.
I dressed, keeping it simple with the same clothes I’d had on yesterday. I put my hair up in a thick braid, and I was guessing I’d need some adaptability moving forward. No matter. I could do that. Been doing that all my life.
The barn was mostly empty. There were a few guys on the main floor. All watched me, but none moved to come toward me. I could see a couple women in the back, by the kitchen.
I guess that’d be where I go for food? Or the main house?
As I approached, the oldest woman glanced back as she washed a pot. “You Kali?”
I nodded. “You Shelly?”
She grinned wide and put the pot down. After drying her hands, she extended one to me. “I’m Rash’s sister, not his old lady, in case you heard different.”
We shook hands. Hers was a firm grip.
She was skinny, but I could see she was wiry with muscle. She had a gaunt face—not pretty, but not homely. Striking. High cheekbones. A bird-like chin and tiny lips. Straight, dark-blond hair, hers in a loose braid. Several strands had fallen free, but she just brushed them back, tucking them behind her ear. I took in her clothes too, now feeling somewhat overdressed. The other woman was dressed the same way.
Both had black biker tank tops that dipped low, showing a lot of cleavage, and skin-tight jeans with sturdy, functional boots—and not the hooker kind.
I’d guess she was in her forties. Maybe. She looked aged, and that wasn’t meant in a disrespectful way. She had old eyes.
“I was told to look out for you,” she said. “You guys got in late last night. This your first time venturing out and about?”
I almost laughed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Mom.” The younger version of her held out another pot, a towel thrown over her shoulder. “That’s the last of them.”
“Okay.” Shelly took the pot and motioned with her head to her daughter. “This one’s mine, Katie.” She gave me a nod. “Katie, this one’s with the national VP. Show some respect.”
Katie’s eyes widened, and she shot upright, nervously. Smoothing her hands down her jeans, she came over, giving me a quick dip of her head. “Hi. Sorry. I didn’t know. There’s a lot of—”