Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
I nod. “Yeah, I just figured nobody was gonna take orders from a noob.”
“There is no noob, Joaquin. You’re in, or you’re not, and you are. You’re a brother, and I’ll let Ace know.” He claps me on the back as the room starts to fill with thick, black smoke. “For now, let’s get the fuck out of here before we pass out from smoke inhalation.”
I laugh. “Not eager to go back to the joint?”
“Fuck no,” he growls. “The scenery is so much prettier out here.” Dix shoves me toward the door where Shades and Tank wait for us outside.
“The van is full of cash, and we’re ready to go,” Tank assures us.
Dix nods and looks at the building, the orange glow of the fires now visible through the windows.
“Wait at the exit. Joaquin and I are gonna stay close to make sure this fire catches.” He gives a fist bump to Shades and Tank bump before they follow his directions.
“The fires are gonna catch,” I say and look up at the orange glow on the top floor. “I used to set fires all the time for insurance money back in the day.”
“I know,” Dix confirms. “But we don’t leave shit half-done. When we see it’s a full-blown inferno, then we go.”
“Got it.” Sure as shit, two minutes later, black clouds slowly waft out the slightly open windows. I point to the third and second floors. “We need to get back a little.”
Dix nods and hops on his bike without starting it, just rolling it back with his feet, gaze never leaving the building. Another minute later, the second-floor windows blow out, and he grins. “All right, Pyro, good lookin’ out.”
Before I can say anything, the third floor explodes, and we crank our engines to life and get the fuck out of harm’s way. I ride home alert but satisfied with my talk with Dix.
A bigger role in the club, more money in the bank, and a job I’m damn good at confirms that joining the Reckless Souls was the right move.
As the clubhouse comes into view, there’s only one thing on my mind.
Willow.
Chapter Seven
Willow
Another day of lockdown winds down. I make myself useful by helping the club girls lay out food and drinks for dinner on the tables that line the walls.
I can’t in good conscience call them whores like some folks do. The girls aren’t just fuck buddies. They keep the MC running when the guys are busy with real-life shit. They make sure everyone is fed and cared for during the lockdown. From what I’ve seen, they’re more like mother hens than just party girls.
“I’m gonna take a plate to Kelsey,” I tell Stella. “She’s still worried about Rocky picking up germs.” Not that I blame her for worrying about her baby. Hell, I can’t imagine her fear with a newborn on lockdown.
“Ruby is here too,” Stella says. “Ask her if she wants a plate.”
I nod and head down the long hallway where Kelsey and Coop stay with their little girl. “Food’s here,” I say as I tap on the half-open door.
“Thank you, Willow,” Kelsey says, flashing a genuine but tired grin and waves me inside. Ruby beams me a cheery smile.
“I can come out and get the food, you know. You girls don’t need to serve me.”
“You’re a new mom worried about germs. We all get it. I brought you a little of everything since tonight’s dinner is barbecue.”
Kelsey growls her approval. “Good. Who knew breastfeeding makes you so hungry?”
Ruby laughs. “I read somewhere it burns a ton of calories.” She grabs her big tits and releases them with a groan. “Maybe I should get knocked up.”
Kelsey rolls her eyes and laughs as she hands her daughter to her best friend. “How does that fit into your five-year plan?”
She shrugs. “I’ll delay my plans if it’ll burn up more calories. Thank you very much.”
“Even after your recent promotion?”
“You got a promotion?” I asked excitedly. Ruby isn’t a club girl or even a party girl. Well, not a big party girl anymore. She graduated from college and got a good job doing marketing somewhere. She’s living a real life. “That’s awesome.”
Ruby sighs. “Yeah, it is awesome. Actually, I really am stoked that my boss recognizes my hard work, but now I’m a boring old lady because my ride-or-die is all loved up and a mama to this gorgeous baby girl.”
She looks down at little Rocky with a wide, love-filled smile. “So, now I have no life. What’s new with you, Willow?”
I shrug. “Just working at For Goodness Cakes, making sure the place doesn’t go under while I’m looking after it.” I would never forgive myself if something happened to Maven’s business on my watch.
“Oh shit, that’s right,” Ruby says as she strokes the baby’s red curls. “I’m sorry. I heard about Maven. If I can do anything to help, say the word.”