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‘Thank you,’ she said, ‘but I’m done.’
*
Marcus’ wake had lasted two days. The funeral had been raucous, with bikers from all over the country coming to pay their respects. Chief among the visitors had been a contingent from Daddies MC — a Daddy Dom biker club based out in LA.
Rock, Hawk, and Dane, had driven all the way cross-country to say goodbye to Marcus, who’d been an inspiration to the other MC. The three of them had been a big presence at the party, recalling stories about Marcus that few people at the MC had ever heard before.
Seeing as Wolf ran the Den, he’d been responsible for the organization of the funeral and the wake, and he’d tried his damnedest to make the events less about mourning and more about celebrating Marcus’ life.
Today, though, months after the MC had said goodbye publicly, they were saying goodbye privately.
When the crematorium had finally sent through Marcus’ ashes, there had been almost no debate about where and how to spread them. The delay had come because they had needed to get special permission from the state. But finally it had come through.
‘Drifters,’ Wolf said, pulling his helmet down over his head. ‘Start your engines.’
He was out with Rainer, Baron, and Crank. Tatiana was also here, riding on Marcus’ old hog. Each of them had equal parts of Marcus’ ashes strapped to the backs of their bikes. As the engines sounded, he thought about Marcus — about what a titan of love and support that man had been. Wolf hoped that he would approve of this.
The stretch of road they’d chosen had always been Marcus’ favorite — a glorious stretch of winding asphalt in the northwest of New York State. It was the route back to Marcus’ old cabin — the cabin that he and Tati had lived in for a decade.
As the drivers started their stately, side-by-side, ride down the highway, the sun rose over the hills. Light — filtered through pine needles and tattered clouds — illuminated the chrome and leather of the group as they let Marcus fly out behind them. One last ride across the beautiful country he’d loved so much.
It was half an hour later, with the sun fully up, that the four of them sat around a picnic table. There was a flask of coffee — black and sweet, just the way Marcus drank it — and the smell of the morning was all around them.
‘I feel better,’ Tatiana said. Although her face was still etched with sadness, a little light was managing to peep through.
‘I’m glad,’ Baron said.
‘I’m never gonna be totally better,’ she said, sipping from her cup. ‘But I know Marcus wouldn’t have wanted me to be sad forever.’
‘You’re right,’ Rainer said. ‘All he’d want is for you to be happy. We’re here to help.’
‘I’ve been thinking about that,’ Tatiana said. ‘I know that girls aren’t exactlyallowedto be members of the MC.’
‘A new Prez might be willing to look at that rule,’ Wolf said. No way would anyone turn down Tati.
‘That’s kind,’ she said. ‘But I don’t know if I want to be a full member, or maybe just help with the administration and that kind of stuff. You know, help to plan a memorial ride for Marcus or something.’
‘Whatever you want, sweetheart. The MC will provide,’ Baron said.
‘Now that Whip’s behind bars, the Death Division are basically a non-entity,’ Rainer said. ‘Means that our club can finally concentrate on the good things in life. Living like bikers instead of soldiers.’
‘Damn straight,’ Baron agreed.
There hadn’t been a decision about a new Prez, of course. That was a choice for the future. No doubt there would be a heated debate when the time was right.
‘Thank you,’ Tati said. ‘Wolf, there’s something I want to talk to you about.’
‘Course,’ Wolf replied.
‘In private.’
‘Damn,’ joked Rainer, ‘I know when I’m not wanted. ‘Baron, shall we? Thought you might want to check the site for my new garage. Wanted to run it past you before I sign the lease.’
‘Sure,’ Baron said.
Wolf watched his two friends as they mounted their bikes. They’d been an incredibly tight unit recently and he was grateful for them. Baron, for his cool-headed practicality, and Rainer, for his courage and grit.
‘So, what can I do for you?’
