Page 129 of Thug

I licked the sand from my teeth and leaned forward. “How much farther?”

“Dunno,” he replied. “Never been there.”

Irritated, I tried to make the best of it. Afterall, I was on Price’s motorcycle and we were officially a couple. I was sure it wouldn’t be the last time we’d be following one of the club’s members somewhere—likely in the winter—because Price wouldn’t ride in a car. I decided to thank the weather Gods for the nice weather and enjoy the ride.

In the distance, a ranch emerged. A monstrous steel gate with crooked “B” in the center blocked the entrance. A winding paved road led to the home, which was positioned half a mile away from the gate. Surrounding the home was a wooden fence, marking the property, which I guessed at hundreds of acres. Inside the fence, there were several horses running. I grinned at the sight of the beautiful horses and hoped it was our destination.

Through the cloud of dust, I saw Brisco’s brake lights illuminate. Then, his turn signal. I mentally clapped as we slowed to pull into the drive.

Brisco spoke into a steel box, and the gate opened. As we followed him down the winding road, I imagined meeting a drug dealer who had an affinity for horses. Maybe a bike builder who was hired to make Price a new custom cruiser, complete with shock absorbers.

Or, Price was going to buy me a pony.

I coughed out a laugh at the idea.

“What?” Price asked over his shoulder.

“Nothing,” I said. “Inside joke.”

We parked in front of the massive ranch. Eager to know more, I dusted myself off and followed Brisco to the door, not caring if Price was thirty feet behind me.

“Hold up,” Price said.

Much to my dissatisfaction, Brisco waited for Price before he rang the doorbell. In an instant, the door opened.

A petite gray-haired woman stood just inside the door. Wearing a cream and red flowered sundress and an apron, she was adorable. She dusted her hands on the apron and gave Brisco a hug.

She leaned around him and looked at me. “Is this her?”

“That’s her,” Brisco said.

She offered her hand. “Nice to meet you, Gray. I’m Marbella.”

I wondered how she knew me. “Uhhm.” I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

She shook Price’s hand. “Nice to see you again, Price.”

“Likewise.”

She stepped aside and waved her hand toward the living room. “Have you given any though as to what qualities you’re after?”

I looked at Price. “Who’s she talking to?” I whispered.

His brows raised.

“Me?” I asked, still whispering.

Marbella turned around. She looked at Price and then Brisco. I did the same. The look on their faces told me there was a secret being kept.

She fixed her eyes on Brisco. “She’s going to have to find out at some point.”

“I ain’t tellin’ her.”

“Me neither,” said Price. “It’s a surprise.”

“Well,” Marbella said, giving each of the men a playful scowl. “I’m not having her scare the babies.” She looked at me. “Sweetheart, you’re here to pick out your new kitten.”

My heart burst from my chest. I covered my mouth with my hands. “Ohmygod. Are you serious?”