Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“I don’t know. I haven’t ever thought about joining the club.”
“Hell, we already consider you one of our own.” A smirk crossed his face as he said, “I should probably warn ya that there are a few brothers who are a bit squeamish about what you do. They think of you as some sort of mortician or something... They’d call you brother, but doubt they’ll ever shake your hand.”
“Seriously? Thought your boys were tougher than that, but I get it. Not everybody has the balls to stomach my line of work,” I teased.
“No doubt.” Viper chuckled, then asked, “So what do you think?”
“I don’t know, man. I’m too old for prospecting.”
“You’ve been prospecting for the past ten years, so you’re good there.”
“But what about everything else? Stilettoes, the partying, and all the running.” I shook my head and sighed, “I’m just too old and set in my ways for all that shit.”
“Oh, I get it. There’re times when I feel like I’m running a fucking daycare around here.” Viper chuckled under his breath. “But I think this is something you should really consider. Might do you good.”
“How’s that?”
“You’d have a family like none other, and I gotta tell ya. There’s something about knowing these boys always have your back. It gives you a sense of peace like you’ve never had before.”
I could tell by his tone of voice that he meant every word, and I couldn’t deny that I was tempted by the thought of having a family like theirs. It was something I’d always wanted for Kiersten, especially after her mother died. Country had given her that when he made her his ol’ lady, and now, I was being given the opportunity to do the same for Everleigh. “So, how would this work?”
“I’d present the idea to the officers, and if the majority approve, we’ll take a vote.”
“And if they don’t approve?”
“Then, they don’t. It won’t really change anything.” I felt an unexpected sense of comfort when he said, “In my eyes, you’re already one of us.”
“And then, I’d work solely with you and the club?”
“Yeah, that’d be a must. And you’d be expected to be there when we needed you... I have a feeling there’ll be times when we could use your expertise on some matters.”
“Then, I’m in.” I stood and extended my hand over Viper’s desk. “Just let me know what the brothers decide, and we’ll go from there.”
“And you’ll discuss things with Hop and Tripp?”
“Yeah, I’ll head over and talk it over with them now.”
“Good deal.” Viper shook my hand as he said, “It should’ve been this way from day one.”
“Yeah, you might be right, but better late than never.”
“You got that right.”
Viper saw me outside, and I was just about to head over to my bike when a thought crossed my mind. I immediately stopped and asked, “I meant to ask earlier, but how’s the girl?”
“Which girl?”
“The one from the club... The stripper with a switchblade.”
“Oh, you mean Misty.”
“Yeah, that’s her. How’s she making it?”
“Better,” Viper answered. “She’s been seeing a counselor—one that seems to know what the hell they’re doing, and she’s stepping away from stripping and has been working out at the nursing home with Delilah.”
“Glad to hear she’s doing better.”
“Yeah, well, she’d have been in a hell of a mess if it hadn’t been for you.”
“I’m sure you would’ve figured something out.”
After a quick farewell, I left the clubhouse and drove over to Hop’s.
I wasn’t there long. I simply informed him of my plan to pass the business over to him, and he was quick to accept. He knew that I was setting him up with a sweet deal and was beyond grateful for the opportunity. Tripp, on the other hand, needed a little convincing.
He looked genuinely wounded as he asked, “So, you’re just gonna walk away?”
“Never said that.” I’d always thought a lot of Tripp. In some ways, he’d been like a son to me. I’d done what I could to be there for him and give him some direction when he needed it, but he’d grown into a fine man who no longer needed my guidance. He just didn’t know it yet. “I’ll still be around if you need me.”
“You know how intimidating the Renegades and the Ruthless Sinners can be. You really think Hop can handle them?”
“I think he can handle them just fine. You both can, but as of now, you won’t be dealing with the Sinners anymore. I’ll be taking care of them on my own.”
“And when you have a big job like a few weeks back? There’s no way you can take on a job like that by yourself.”
“I won’t have to. I’ll have them to give me a hand.” I gave him a slight shrug as I added, “And I can always call on you and Hop, and you guys can call me.”