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“I’ll find you when I’m done. Love you.”
Her lips curl into a grin. “Love you more,” she whispers before kissing me like I was going off to war instead of ranch chores.
I slip on my shit-kickers and make my way downstairs, expecting to see Ivy and Ma, but the house is empty and quiet. I find a paper bag with a couple sandwiches and my name on the front in Ma’s familiar scrawl. Smiling, I take the bag with me and step outside.
I finish the ranch work with just thirty minutes to spare, which is enough time to get back to the house and shower before heading over to the clearing. When I ride up, I notice a shit-ton of bikes—not just ours—lined up, and I wonder what the fuck is going on.
I know these bikes. Worked on them in California. Okay, y’all. This is getting creepy now.
There are tables and chairs set up—nothing fancy—and I wonder what my dad’s up to without my mom here. When I reach the crowd, I find out why.
Reckless Souls.
Holy. Fuckin’. Shit.
Ace, Lucky, Coop, Shades, Preacher, Dix and Tank are all here. “What the fuck are you guys doing here?” I ask, bumping fists and giving bro hugs all around. I smile wide, still asking, “What’s up? Is something wrong?”
Ace grins. “Such a worrier,” he says and claps me on the back. “We told you we’d come see you in Texas. Made a road trip.”
Yeah, he did. “I didn’t think you’d just show up, but fuck, I am happy to see all of your ugly mugs.” I don’t know why they’re here, but I don’t give a shit. I’m just happy to see them all.
“Hollywood is here, fashionably late as usual.” Gray’s teasing is met with laughter all around.
It’s been more than a year, and the Hollywood jokes never let up, but I take it all in stride. “You know all of these guys are from California, don’t you, Gray?”
He shrugs. “But you look the part.” His teasing is all in good humor. There were a few rocky months after Ivy moved in with me, but we all talked it out and managed to get our friendship back on track. Come to find out, he wasn’t really in love with her. He wanted to be me. Thought a relationship with Ivy would move him up in the ranks of the MC. I’m just glad it all worked out.
“Yeah, yeah. But seriously, what’s going on? You fuckers on the run or somethin’?”
“Funny.” Shades crosses his arms over his chest, his sunglasses hiding his eyes. “You gonna help us hide out if we are?”
I shrug. “Of course. We have stables and barns you can all use.” I smile, still feeling a little strange about this surprise visit. “What’s going on?”
“Sit down, son.” Dad’s smile fades, and he drops down into a plastic chair, fixing his gaze on me.
One by one, the patched members of the Opey Chapter of the Reckless Bastards sit around the table. The Angel Harbor Reckless Souls stay on their feet, standing tall.
“What’s going on?” I’m on edge. My arms and fingers are tingling. My legs feel unsteady as I take my seat at the table.
“What’s going on,” Dad begins, “is that we’re naming a new President.”
“Here?” I ask, still confused. “Don’t we do this in church?”
Dad gestures to the men standing and says, “Yes, but we wanted the Souls here. Sin Room is too small, and I didn’t want these guys to get distracted by tits and ass.”
My gaze finds Ace. “Is this for the Reckless Souls? Is there something going on I need to know about? Am I going back to California?” That thought turns my stomach. Hell, I’m home. Right where I belong.
“No,” Ace smiles, shaking his head. “This is all for the Reckless Bastards.”
For Opey? This is the first I’m hearing of it, but immediately, my gaze swings to Dad. He looks fine. Healthy. Fit. Still big as an ox, even though he’s well into his fifties.
“Why do we need a new Prez? And why the hell didn’t I know about this?” Wait a minute, there’s only one reason I wouldn’t know. Someone else is going to sit in the head chair.
“Because it’s time, son.” His eyes stay on me, and I know he’s watching my reaction, waiting for me to throw a fit, to freak out.
“Then I guess we’re putting it to a vote?”
Dad’s shoulders relax, and he nods. “Yeah, I guess we should.” He sits taller, his gaze resting on every member around the table. “Nominations? You can nominate yourself or any patched member in good standing.”
