Page 108
“They’re doing what’s needed, and I respect it.” Steel takes a sip of his beer. “Any one of these guys could probably lead this place. I trust you to pick who because you know them better than I do. But there is another option.” He glances my way. “You could do it.”
My attention snaps to Steel. For a second, I don’t know if I heard him right because my pulse is thundering between my temples.
“I’m not saying we can’t use you in Vegas. The guys will probably be pissed at me for even suggesting this. But you’re the one who pulled this place together. And I’ve got a feeling that’s not the only tie you’ve formed around here.” He tips his beer at Harloe, who angles her head back in the most beautiful laugh. “She seems tough.”
“She is.” I chuckle. “And smart, and way out of my fucking league.”
“The best ones are.” He glances at his old lady, who catches his gaze from across the yard.
When Tempe returns to her conversation with Harloe, Steel turns to me. “It’s up to you who the patch goes to. But that’s why I came here, to tell you it’s going to someone. I need to focus on Vegas, and Chaos is already on board. He sold this part of Ironside Ridge to the club, so I’ll hand it over to whoever will be running things. Either way, we’re cutting it loose from Vegas. What that looks like is up to you. Just let me know—soon.”
I nod, clearing my throat and trying to wrap my head around what Steel just said. This has always been a temporary assignment. Vegas is home. The guys back there are my brothers. That’s the first place I truly belonged.
But this… this is something I’ve helped build.
Glancing at the fire, I watch the guys talk and laugh. Harloe hops up to intervene when Aiden sets a piece of chicken on fire because I swear she is the only one capable of cooking around here. It’s a fucking mess, but it’s something more.
Something I’ve never had.
Steel claps me on the shoulder. “Think about it.”
“I will.” My phone dings, and I pull it out to see a text from Will. “Well fuck.”
“Something wrong?”
“Ranch rivalries and bullshit. We helped shut down a leasing agreement for the property next door, but Will is the one getting crap for it.” I turn my phone around, showing Steel a picture of rotting beef piled at the gates of Harrison Ranch.
“Someone put that there?”
“Zander Cross, if I had to guess.” I shake my head. “I need to head out and help him deal with this shit.”
After all, Will is the one always there when we need anything. If Zander is going to take out his frustration on Will for the deal we killed, then it’s only fair I step up and help with the fallout.
“Bikers wrangling issues in ranch land.” Steel chuckles, draining the final sip of his beer. “You really are dealing with a whole other world out here.”
“You have no idea.” I type out a text, letting Will know I’m on my way.
“All right, let’s go see what you’re getting up to in Texas.”
“You’re coming?” My eyebrow hitches.
“Might as well.” Steel shrugs. “It’s been a little while since I’ve had the chance to get my hands dirty.”
Steel and I swing by the barbecue to let Tempe and Harloe know we need to take care of something in town. The rest of the guys stay put to look after the girls, while Steel and I ride out.
His bike humming at my side reminds me of Vegas.
Another city.
Another life.
Another chapter.
The question is, what chapter comes next?
34
HARLOE
