“Yeah,” I reply, finishing my beer in one swallow. Grabbing another cold one from the cooler, I pop the top as we walk toward the room where we make our plans and converse.
As soon as we’ve all taken our seats of position at the table, Kid begins talking, asking, “Any new news on Granger or the Bloodthirsty Bastards? Are they all still hidin’ like the cowards and pussies that they are?”
“The leads I followed up on in regard to Granger were a bust, Kid. I think his parents have assisted him in dissapearin’,'' I defeatedly admit. I’ve searched high and low for that fucktard.
“What makes you think that?” Ryder asks me, a look of fury sent in my direction. “Are the parents really that dense?”
“After losing Fern the way that they did, yeah, brother, I believe they are,” I answer him, giving him a scowl of my own in return. Ryder narrows his eyes further at me; I’m not sure why we still have the tension between us that we do. Kassi and I have long since made up and everything is kosher between us. “I’ve got a source down at their bank, I’m just waitin’ on him to come through and let me know if their finances are off.”
“Good plan, brother.” At least Kid agrees with what I’m doing. “We need to start makin’ some noise, getting those fuckin’ weaselly bastards out of their hidey holes. I’m thinkin’ it’s time to call in Dust, Riptide, Julius and Andre. They love causin’ chaos, this is right up their alley.”
“I’ll give ‘em a call as soon as we wrap up here,” Ryder states as he nods his head in Kid’s direction. He and the crazy ass fuckers bonded when they were here last. They’re friends of Justice’s from their military days. They managed to fit in well with our brand of life, but they’re travelers, nomads, they don’t like staying in one place for too long. But before they left the clubhouse, they told us we could always call upon them if the need ever arose.
Well, doomsday has arrived, and we need all the reinforcements we can get. “Should we call in Tic and Wasp?” I inquire, thinking they’d be of invaluable service to us. Plus, if we go initiating a war, it could cause tension between the two clubs if they weren’t knowledgeable in what we’ve been up to.
“Already called them, brother,” Kid states with a nod of his head. “We’ll be having some guests arriving in the next day or two.”
“Who’re they sendin’?” Tumbler asks. Out of all of us, he’s the one who’s been the most homesick. He, Ghost and Justice were thick as thieves. But, he wasn’t about to stay behind while his twin and best friends from childhood took off to start their own chapter of the Rage Ryders.
“Wasp needs to keep some men home in order to keep things contained on the home front. With sayin’ that, he also wants to make sure we’re not in over our heads. We’ll be gettin’ as house guests Justice, Ghost, Spidey and the VP himself, Tic.”
“Well, with this group of men it’s as if we’ll be preparin’ for Armageddon,” Travler chuckles. “Templeton won't know what hit them when those four arrive.”
“I’m more scared to find out if their Ol’ ladies will be accompanyin’ them or not.” As Tumbler states this with a look of horror on his face, we all begin a round of roaring laughter.
“Honestly, guys, I’m more worried about if ‘Lil Bit is making her way with them. That girl thinks she’s the head honcho and is taking over the world.” As I admit this, I hear a round of agreements.
“She’s a spitfire for sure. Takes after her momma on that one.” Kid shakes his head as if he’s got any room to talk. His troublesome duo make my balls shrivel up and hide deep inside my body. If there was ever such a thing as living, breathing birth control, it’s them. We begin ribbing Kid on it and he just smiles and shakes his head.
“Back to business,” Kid snaps, still wearing a smile on his face thinking about his kiddos. “We need to get the clubhouse prepared for visitors. I’ve not received confirmation on if the Ol’ ladies and kids are joining the men or not; we’ll be ready just in case. Now, let’s keep doin’ what we are and see if we can get any further leads before the men begin to trickle in. Keep it real, stay safe and nobody rides alone from this point out. I want none of you taken off guard. Got it?”
Affirmation of agreement goes around the table before we all stand up and begin to exit the room. The next few weeks ought to be fun. This town is fixing to be flipped on its axis. They’ve just gotten used to having us around, and now we’re adding a bit of crazy, gun toting lunatics to our band of brothers. I can picture it now; businesses will be locking up and no one will be wanting to leave their homes. Just like back in the day that Bonnie and Clyde were around and would be announced as coming into a particular town.
14
Malibu
My man at the bank came through for me. I’m gonna owe him a marker for doing this for me. He could get into some serious trouble and lose his job for doing this, but I’ll make it worth his while for putting himself out there the way he did. Dust, Riptide, Julius and Andre are due to make it to town today. The earlier three will be staying with us at the club. Andre? Him we’ll never lay eyes on while he’s in the vicinity. He’ll be around, no doubt about that, but more in a protector role ; we’ll receive phone calls and text messages, but we’ll never know he’s been there watching us.
He’s that fucking good at what he does.
Kinda creeps me the fuck out that I could be being tracked and never know it. But if anyone was to be doing so, I’d really prefer it to be Andre. At least I know he doesn’t have any ill-will aimed my way. With him, I won’t have to worry about the sonofabitch putting a bullet between my eyes or stabbing me in the back.
Today, I’m meeting my bank informant, Steve, and Tumbler’s riding with me. No man alone is a pain in the ass, but a necessary evil that we all have to live with. I’m not sure if Steve’s gonna be comfortable meeting with me with a brother at my side or not, but I’ll have to convince him it’s still in his best interest to show me the intel he’s dug up.
“Are ya gonna be alright shakin’ down the parents if we find out they’re in on hidin’ their son?” Tumbler asks me as we sit in the parking lot of the twenty-four-hour supermarket. “It’s gonna be tough on ya knowin’ those are Fern’s folks you’ll be gettin' down and dirty with.”
“I’ll deal,” I inform him, lighting up a smoke. After taking a deep drag into my lungs, I continue, “He’s gotta be found, brother. There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. This isn’t about Fern and her memory. It’s not about what she would or wouldn’t approve of. It’s about ensuring Kassi’s safety. I need her to be able to live her life to the fullest, and not be havin’ to look over her shoulder each and every day.” He grunts as I finish talking. “Is it gonna be hard? Yeah, it will be. I still love and miss her, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that I’m pissed off at her too. She chose that slime ball brother of hers over our woman… and man, that’s not okay. I’m angry as fuck, but I’m also grievin’ for what we had. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss seeing her smile or hearin’ her feminine giggles. Then, I hate myself because I feel as if I’m betrayin’ Kassi. I’m caught in a crosshair here and don’t know how to deal with it all. I can’t talk to Kassi about the way I’m feelin’, it’d devastate her and make her think I’m choosin’ Fern over her. I can’t, I won’t, put her through that. She’s always felt second and third best throughout her life, it ain’t fair, brother.” Noticing that my cigarette burned out, I toss it to the ground and grind it out with my boot.
“Not gonna lie to ya, man. We’ve all got issues of our own where Fern’s concerned. But you’re our brother, and we’ll always put those feelin’s aside and be there for ya. We’re your brothers, lean on us when you need to share and shit.” Tumbler looks uncomfortable with this conversation so I lead us in another direction.
“Appreciate ya, brother. But I think for now, we’ll hold off on sharin’ Kleenex and shit. Here he comes,” I say, pointing in the direction that Steve’s hybrid clown car is coming.
“Jesus
Christ, how the fuck does he drive that? I won’t even let Sadie get nothin’ like that. It’s a death trap waitin’ to happen,” he mutters, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Know what you mean, brother,” I commiserate with him. There’s no way in fuck I’d let Kassi drive one of those death machines. If she would even get clipped while driving it she’d lose control and her survival rates would be zilch to nothing. A shiver dances throughout my body at the thought of losing her. Nope, I’ll do everything I can to ensure her safety, even if it means I have a hand in choosing all things in life for her.
We watch as Steve unfolds his long legs out of the car and basically has to crawl his way out of it. ‘What’s the damn point of owning something like that if you can’t get in and out of it without contorting yourself like a pretzel?’ A snort leaves me at the thought rumbling through my head. Tumbler looks over at me and I can tell he’s thinking the same damned thing.
“Crazy fucker,” he mutters through his disdain.
“You got that right.” I emphatically agree with his assessment.
Steve glances around the parking lot, taking in the surroundings before marching his way toward us. “Here,” he says as he comes close to where we’re straddling our bikes waiting for him. His eyes shift to Tumbler and his hands begin to shake as he holds out the folder for me.
“Steve, this is my club brother, Tumbler. He ain’t gonna hurt ya man, don’t piss your pants or nothin’,” I sarcastically state as his entire being begins to tremble in fear. “Nobody’s gonna rat you out, I promise.”
“I need to get going, you can call me if you have any questions about what’s in there,” he wobbly states as he points at the folder now secure in my hand.
“Will do, Steve. Have a good one,” I state, dismissing him. He’s the one who chose this spot, I just complied with his wishes; wanting to see in black and white what Fern’s folks have been up to. Tucking it into my saddlebags, I rev my engine and Tumbler joins me. Without another look or word spoken to Steve, we head back to the compound. The need to look inside is eating me up.
Kassi
Skylar, Rylie, Sadie, Kaci and I are sitting in the main room watching a movie on the seventy-inch television screen. “Fucking hell, that’s one dumb bitch,” I announce as we watch the blonde running from her pursuer and tripping over her own damn two feet. Cash, Kaci’s son—my nephew, is spending some time bonding with the men of the club out in the shop. With him teething, I can tell my sister needed some female time, minus the leech that’s usually attached to her tit. She’s been complaining about how he yanks on her nipple and uses it as a teething ring. I make a mental note to myself to check and see if my birth control insert is still good and doesn't need to be updated anytime soon. My luck, I’d be the one who ended up cooking a set of twins. Hell to the fucking no! runs through my mind at the thought of that possibility.
“Never fear, the party is here,” we hear yelled out. Turning toward the door that’s just slammed open with the announcement, we see Tic quickly chasing after his daughter, Lila. It’s funny to watch him pursuing her, she’s quick and even though his legs are longer, she still manages to beat him to us.
“’Lil Bit,” Skylar hollers in excitement, opening her arms for the little pixie to run and jump into. “I’ve missed you so much. How’s your baby brother?”
“Why does everyone always wanna know about him?” Lila harrumphs, crossing her arms over her chest with her bottom lip sticking out.
“Kori’s got Kingston, she’s coming in behind me,” Tic states as he bends over giving Sky a hug and rustling his daughter’s hair.
“Daddy, stop!” she shouts, smoothing her hair back down while giving her dad a dirty look. “Don’t mess up my hair, Momma worked hard to get it pretty.”
“Sorry, baby girl.” Tic smiles adoringly at her.
“Just don’t do it again,” Lila berates her daddy.
“Damn, Tic, you just got schooled by a munchkin,” Sadie snickers, slapping her hand over her mouth.
“I’m not a munchkin, I’m a big girl now. I go to school and everything.” Lila gives Sadie a scowl. It’s kind of scary how well she’s learned to use that look. Isn’t she a little young?
“Seems I’m always in trouble by one of the women in my life,” Tic mutters, a forlorn look on his face.
“What’d you do this time?” Kori asks as she enters with a struggling to get down Kingston on one hip and a baby bag barely hanging on the opposite shoulder.
“He messed up my pretty hair, Momma. Get ‘em please,” Lila Rose demands of her mother.
“Tic,” Kori groans, “you know she freaks out if anyone messes up her hair after it’s been styled. How many times are you gonna annoy that daughter of ours before you learn not to do it?”
“As many as I want. It’s my privilege as her dad.” Tic’s eyes alight with mischief as he says this to his wife. “Now, hand over my son, woman, before you drop him on his head. We already have one who acts as if her brains have been scrambled, we don’t need to add another one to that list.” As soon as baby Kingston, who is on the cusp of toddlerhood, is in his arms, Kori whacks him on his arm. “Disengage those claws, Angel.”
She simply bats her eyes at him as she states, “But you love my claws, my bad boy. Don’t lie, just the other night…” she doesn’t get to finish that sentence before Tic’s hand is covering her mouth.
“Not in front of the children, Angel,” he admonishes her.
“They don’t know what it means, Tic,” she huffs out.
“Maybe not,” he agrees, “but they do.” He points in our general direction.
“We don’t have a kitty cat, silly Daddy.” Lila giggles, holding her hand over her face and laughing as if her dad has no brains whatsoever. “Daddy must’ve hit the sauce,” she laughs causing all of us to widen our eyes in Tic’s direction.
“Fuck me, she’s your daughter, Kori, deal with her,” Tic declares as he hangs his head down facing the ground.
“Why is she always mine in situations like this?” Kori demands of her husband as she tosses the diaper bag onto the ground.
“Are they fixing to fight?” Sadie inquires as she looks around wide-eyed at the rest of the group.
“Nah, this is foreplay for those two,” Skylar answers, and she’s not joking by the look upon her face.
“Seems to be a common trend with our guys,” Kaci dictates as she blows a fly-away hair that’s come out of her ponytail from her face.
As soon as that last statement is made, the clubhouse begins to flood with members from the mother chapter and three men I’ve never met before.
15
Malibu
As Tumbler and I come pulling into the lot at the clubhouse, recognition dawns on me that the mother chapter is here and in full force. There’s not just my brother’s bikes, but there’s SUVs letting me know that the women did accompany their men. Kassi’s gonna be thrilled to have the other women here, she’s missed them since the move. We get to see them, but not as much as she’d like to. It makes me happy that she’ll have more people to talk to about what happened to her, not that I mind being there for her to talk to, but women seem to understand the situation better than I ever could. As I shut off my bike, and begin walking it backwards into my designated parking spot, I see Justice standing back with his arm thrown over Lizzie’s shoulder. Looking over next to where he’s standing, I see Ghost mimicking what Justice’s doing with Bristol.
Damn they look happy.
I’m glad to have a smidgeon of that back for myself as well. The days of doom and gloom are hopefully behind us. Well, they will be as soon as a few people are eliminated and no longer a threat to those we love. As soon as I’m off my bike and both feet are planted on the blacktop, Lizzie comes running up to me and throwing her arms around my neck. “I’m so sorry, Malibu. I heard about what you and Kassi went through. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Just be there for Kassi, she needs her girls now more t
han ever,” I answer, not knowing what else to say.
“Of course. What about you? Do you need anything?” she asks, pushing back away from me.
“As long as you’re helpin’ take care of my woman, that’s all I need.” She rapidly blinks up at me before nodding her head in affirmation.
“Always, you don’t even have to ask.”
“Thanks, Lizzie,” I say, affectionately squeezing her shoulder. “Justice,” I state as he walks up to us. I stick out my hand and give him a welcoming shake.
“Malibu, my man, it’s good to see you. How’s Kassi doin’?” he asks me.
“She’s holdin’ her own, but I know she’ll be thrilled to have her girls here for a bit,” I inform him and he gives me a look letting me know he gets where I’m coming from. “Tic already inside?” I ask the two of them.
“Yep, he went chasin’ after ‘Lil Bit and Kori went chasin’ after him.” Justice and Ghost both laugh as soon as these words leave Justice’s mouth.
“Guess we should go make sure the clubhouse is still in one piece,” Tumbler supplies with a grunt.
“She’s probably already got all of her girly, pink frilly shit out, unpacked, and redecoratin’,” Ghost helpfully states.
My hands dramatically clutch my chest as I announce, “Say it ain’t so. She’s turned all girl like and not the rough and tough tomboy she once was. Be still my cold dead heart. Does she at least still ride her motorized Harley I got her last year for Christmas?”
“Sure as fuck does.” I smile when Ghost tells me this, then it falls again at his next words. “She had her dad spray paint that shit purple and pink.”
Forever Yours: Rage Ryders Templeton Chapter Book 2 Page 10
