Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“You’re between crops, aren’t you?” Wrath asks Sparky.
“Well, yeah.” He glances at Stash. “But the dark energy of a funeral? I don’t want to bring that home.”
“You’re paying respects to a brother,” Rock says in the kind of voice you’d use on a kid who’s afraid to sleep without a night-light. For some reason, he’s always had infinite patience with Sparky.
“How is it dark energy, Sparky?” Rooster asks in a similar gentle tone. “We’re celebrating the life of a brother. Giving him a proper send-off into the next life. That should bring all of us good karma.”
Jigsaw side-eyes his best friend. “You start reading Tarot cards with Shelby? Gonna be jacking off with crystals next?”
“That sounds painful,” Stash mutters.
“What Rooster said.” Z points at his VP, ignoring the rest of the chatter. “Respect for our fallen brother is good for our combined karma.”
Sparky frowns but doesn’t utter another complaint.
Grinder sits forward and lifts a finger to let us know he has something to add. “This might not be my place to say, but as much as Priest might prefer the spectacle of us all in attendance at his little lovefest, we need some brothers to stay behind. Sounds like the whole damn world’s gonna know every Lost King in the country will be in Tennessee at a certain time. Leaves us vulnerable at home.”
“Grinder’s right,” Wrath says. “If Priest’s working with law enforcement to plan this, word will spread. Our clubhouses, businesses, and everyone associated with our club will be unprotected.”
“Uh, won’t we be at risk if we’re all in the same location at once?” Murphy asks. “What if the ATF decides they’d like to end their MC problem once and for all and drops a fucking bomb on the stadium?”
Everyone stops and stares at Murphy. He doesn’t flinch. He’s serious.
“I don’t know that we’re so important the government wants to risk civilian casualties just to wipe us all out,” Z says.
“Uh, maybe you should dial it back on the action movie watching, Jason Statham,” Rooster says.
“Please.” Murphy lifts his arms and flexes his muscles. “I look more like Channing Tatum than Jason Statham.”
“Nah,” Wrath says. “Papa Smurf maybe.”
“Discuss who’s gonna play you in your Lifetime movies later,” Rock says. “We’re not done here.”
He searches the table, checking to see if we have any more brilliant suggestions. When no one speaks up, Rock continues, “Grinder and Wrath are right. A lot of people knew Digger. Word will spread about this event.”
“Not everyone is a fan of the LOKI nation,” Butcher adds.
I suppress the urge to chuckle. We don’t have charters in every state. We’re hardly a nation.
“Is anyone worried Priest might try to use this for his documentary bullshit?” Jigsaw asks. “Or live stream it?”
“Fucking hell.” Z rams his fingers through his hair. “Priest hasn’t mentioned the documentary again but who the fuck knows with him.”
Rock stares at Teller. “I want you to stay home.”
“What?” Teller scowls and sits forward. “Why?”
“Because no one cares about the treasurer,” Murphy says.
“Because I said so.” Rock glares at Murphy, then Teller. “I want an officer here to watch over the compound and the ol’ ladies.”
Teller glares at the table. It’s gonna take a minute for him to move to acceptance on this one.
Grinder shoots a look at Z. “You need your SAA with you. And you know damn well after fifteen years, Priest’s gonna expect me to be there.”
Irritation ripples over Z’s expression. Knowing him, he was planning to have Grinder sit this one out since he has a newborn at home.
“You’re right,” Z says slowly. “Serena and the baby can stay with Lilly at our house.”
Grinder lifts his chin at me. “She’s been wanting to visit Emily.”
“Emily’s welcome to stay at our place too,” Z offers.
“Thanks, brother.” I’m not sure how Emily will feel about me asking her to pack her bags and move in with someone she barely knows while I’m away for who knows how long, but I appreciate the offer anyway.
“Our place is big enough,” Murphy says. “And they’d be safest up here.”
“Clubhouse is gonna be empty,” Ravage points out. “Girls can take over the whole damn place if they want.”
Considering Rav loves to bitch about all the changes the girls have made to not only the clubhouse but the club itself, I find his offer pretty damn funny.
“Careful,” Stash warns. “We’ll be coming home to candles and pretty pink fuzzy furniture all over the place.”
“I like candles,” Sparky says.
“All right.” Rock holds out his hands. “Make your housing arrangements later. We’re not done here.”
“Fuck, Rock.” Teller gestures to the drawer where Rock tossed the phone. “Priest’s going to think I’m one of the misfits you had to leave at home.”
“He’ll understand that I’m trusting you to take care of things here.” Rock’s voice sounds patient, but the shut-the-fuck-up glare he drills Teller with says volumes. “He’ll be leaving someone he trusts at home too.”