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“We might be rural folks, but we’re high fashion here. There’s a biker club in town. The women in it have a particular taste for leather.” I jerked my chin toward the wall full of leather skirts, pants, vests, and jackets. “But I’m a denim girl.”
“Me too.” She smiled and checked me out. “Do you buy all your clothes here?”
“Mhm. Most of it.” After the customer paid and left, I got that stupid weird feeling like someone was watching me.
Could it be Raymond? I wasn’t about to peer out the window to search for him. Why give him the satisfaction of seeing me check for his truck at Bastion Bites? Not happening. I’d finish out the day, then relax with my friend at The Bullet.
7
Dante
If the walls in church could talk, I could hear some of the grittiest and darkest conversations the club had had over the decades. Back when Matt was president, then Storm, and now Maddox. From what I’d grown up hearing, Storm’s reign had seen some awful shit. Lives had been lost. Women had been harmed. And Knight’s Legion MC had grown in numbers and power.
Damn, I wished the walls could replay the goings on at the massive oval table in front of me. I wanted to hear the fury and rage spewing out of Storm’s mouth. The jokes and sarcasm from Lynx to lighten tense moments. The serious collaborations on how to deal with issues between my great uncle Raul and Ember’s dad, Hero. And in the end, Storm would’ve had the final say.
My cousin Track had told me once to never take attending church for granted because we never knew when our number would be up. I wouldn’t. I’d dodged death a handful times during raids and assault missions.
I was fucking honored to be in the glorified space. Hell, I was a bottom-of-the-chain prospect. An ass kisser. A boot licker. I was reminded of how I had to climb my way up to the top during boot camp. I’d succeeded and I would here, too.
Pictures lined the walls. The OG members stared at me with brutally cynical expressions. I was slightly intimidated by the images—a teeny bit. Some of them would be sitting across from me, much older than in the photographs and with a lot more mileage behind them.
Without a doubt, I could be a Knight and make my MC family proud. Nothing scared me. I didn’t fear death or the enemy. My attitude had made me a damn fine ranger and it would serve me well in the MC.
I inhaled the scent of leather and cigarettes wafting in the air. But I’d be remiss, if I didn’t admit to being nervous. Why had I been told to attend church?
“Awfully quiet, there, son.” Lynx grinned at me. “You’re not in trouble… Yet.” He clucked his tongue and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
“Are you trying to screw with me?”
“Always.”
“Where is everyone else? Did I get the time wrong?”
“Nope. They’ll be here when they get here. You afraid to be alone with me? I’m harmless.”
I shook my head. “I know you’re cool. How’s the family? Sadie’s wedding is coming up, right?”
“Jaynee and the kids are fantastic. After Sadie and Bryce tie the knot, I’ll have twin granddaughters, Cat and Tori. They are the cutest half-pints any granddad could ask for. Of course, a grandson would be extra.” He winked.
“I can’t wait to meet them all.” I dialed into the voices out in the hallway. They were getting louder and louder.
“Here they come,” Lynx said.
The door blew open and Maddox entered like a deadly hurricane, knocking the air out of my lungs.
“Prospect. Glad you could make it.” He eyed me as he went to the head of the table.
“Maddox, good to see you.”
“Where’s your manners? Stand for your president!”
I jumped to my feet and stood at attention. “Sorry, sir.” My heart hammered against my ribs and despite it being subzero temperatures outside, I immediately began to sweat.
Suddenly, snorting broke out on my right. Storm had taken the chair at the opposite end of the table from Maddox. Hero and my dad were on either side of him, hissing with laughter. On my left, my cousin Ray sat beside me, and Bjorn, the club’s enforcer, was seated across the table.
“Sit, prospect,” Maddox ordered, then dropped into his leather chair. He picked up the gavel and held it firmly in his hand.
I lowered myself and folded my hands on the table.
