Chapter 9
CHAPTER
NINE
BamBam
“That’s the last of it,” I state, dusting my hands as I glance around the room that Livy and Theo will be living in for the foreseeable future.
It took a week before Doc would sign off on her leaving the ranch to move into Hope House.
Every day, the therapist met with Livy, and I watched with great interest how she responded to whatever they discussed.
Some days, she had a haunted look in her eyes, as if the old demons had been reawakened.
Others, there was a fierce light as though she was pulling on metaphorical armor in preparation to fight.
Every day, though, she got up and showed up, and for that, I’m suitably impressed.
It can’t be easy to drag your inner demons out to examine them so they can be slayed. Yet, she’s doing it.
“Thank you for helping, BamBam,” she says, looking around at her space.
“Proud of you, Pixie,” I reply. “I can’t say as I totally understand how just talking to someone is gonna help, but I respect the fact that you’re willing to try. Hell, you already look healthier so that’s gotta mean something, right?”
My gaze runs over her once again. While she still has a few lingering bruises from the beating she took, her eyes are now both open, she’s filled out slightly thanks to the filling food that Constance and Maria have fed her, and she’s got a little bit of color because some of the days, she and her therapist walked around the ranch while they talked.
Theo, the little chunk, doesn’t even seem to be as stressed as he initially was, and is now sleeping all night long, which means that Livy is getting unbroken rest. The changes are subtle in some ways, dramatic in others, but I already can’t wait to see how she is after spending thirty days here.
“That means more than I can say,” she admits. “With me here, you’ll be able to actually do the stuff you’re supposed to instead of babysitting me.”
“Wasn’t babysitting anybody, Livy.” My tone is a bit gruff because I kind of was based on the fact that she wasn’t an ol’ lady or a club girl, so one of us had to be with her when she was out and about.
Even during her therapy sessions, when she walked around, either myself or Mongrel followed at a discreet distance.
I set a debit card and checkbook on the top of the dresser, then watch her eyes widen when she sees what I’ve done. “What’s that?” she asks.
“Pokey opened a checking account for you.”
“But how? I mean, I still have the cash I took that day. Where did it come from?”
I snicker then say, “Let’s just say that Pokey has his ways and leave it at that. Did you want to hold onto the cash or put it in the bank?”
“Um, I should probably hold onto it in case I need it here for some reason,” she replies.
“You already have money on your account here, Livy, but that’s not a bad idea in case they take y’all anywhere and you see something you want to buy.”
“Then that’s what I’ll do,” she asserts.
Holding out Theo, I tell her, “I’m going to relinquish little man to his mama then and get out of your hair.”
The giggle she emits has me grinning. I can almost see her personality peeking through and can’t wait until she grows more confident in herself. “Thanks, BamBam.”
“When you’re allowed visitors, I’d like to come see y’all,” I brusquely admit. “Will you make sure you put my name on the visitor’s list?”
“Um, sure,” she replies. “I just… I don’t want to interfere with your life, though, and upset a girlfriend or anything.”
“Don’t have a woman or ol’ lady,” I retort. “But everyone can use a friend and I’d like to think we’re that if nothing else.”
“We are,” she murmurs, cuddling Theo close. Kissing his head, I watch as she seems to settle into her new environment a little bit more.
“Then I’ll see you soon, Pixie,” I promise as I leave her suite. “You’ve got a lot to do with settling in here.”
With the truck back at the ranch, I go in search of Rio. “She’s settling in, Pres,” I tell him. “Gonna go for a ride, clear my head.”
“Take a few brothers with you, BamBam,” he instructs.
Since it’s never a hardship to ride with my brothers, I merely nod then head out to where my bike has been sitting. “Sorry for neglecting you, girl. But I have a sneaky suspicion that she’s going to do more than upend my life.”
Because ever since I spotted her at that tree line, my head’s been all over the place. I could probably do with some therapy of my own, but instead, I’ll keep pushing forward with my wind therapy. With her safe and secure at Hope House, I have a few things to take care of that I’ve let slide a bit.
Once several other brothers emerge, I swing my leg over the saddle and slip my helmet on, eager to feel the wind in my face. “Let’s ride, brothers,” Abyss says, twirling his hand in the air.
Unsurprisingly, all of my brothers are here, and I grin, knowing that we’ll probably ride until we get hungry, stop and eat, then come back home. When I see Issy behind Rio, I know that’s what the plan is going to be.
One of the best things about living in Texas is how far you can ride and still be in the state.
It’s also one of the worst things, especially when hauling the horses for a rodeo event.
Still, having my knees in the breeze while surrounded by my brothers, who I’ve fought and bled beside is unlike anything else in the world.
As we back our bikes into our spots, I look at Issy and say, “Thinking I want to ride tomorrow, too.”
She grins and says, “Got the perfect horse who needs your magic touch, BamBam.”
My dad was what many would call a horse whisperer.
Didn’t matter the horse’s age or temperament, Dad was able to train them.
I think it’s one of the reasons why Paps asked him to prospect for the club; he saw something that would ultimately benefit the Kings.
I’ve apparently inherited the same ability and am equally at home on the back of a horse as I am on my bike.
“I’ll come down after breakfast then,” I tell her.
“Not too early, fucker,” Rio growls. “We might have a working ranch, but that’s why we have ranch hands, so the big boss doesn’t have to get up at the asscrack of dawn.”
“Wasn’t asking you to, Pres,” I tease. “I was telling your ol’ lady I’d be there at that time.”
“Who do you think she wakes up when she gets up, asshole?” he retorts, flipping me off.
“Apparently you,” I reply, shrugging. “Sucks to be you, Pres, not sure what you want me to say here.”
Issy is doubled over laughing at this point as Rio and I trade barbs back and forth. “Rafe, stop. You know I have a hard time sleeping past seven.”
“Giving bikers and their women a bad name, Issy,” he advises. “We party all night and sleep all day, remember?”
She snorts out, “Since when? This has always been a working ranch and I know damn well that Paps didn’t lie around much past sunrise.”
Rio walks off, shaking his head while mumbling to himself.
I know he’s joking; the Triple R is his pride and joy, and it makes the club a helluva lot of money.
Both traceable and not, since we use it to filter funds, just like we use the laundromat.
Of course, transports for other chapters and shit are on a pay-as-you-go situation, or in some cases, we’re given a marker.
Except with the East Texas crew. Since most of them came from here originally, it’s more of a given that if we need help, Rip will give it and vice versa. Pays to have family in the club that’s blood related, that’s for damn sure.
As the rest of us head inside to see what we can find for a late-night snack, I spot Mongrel at the bar and motion for a beer.
When he hands me the long neck after popping the top, I say, “Got her settled in just fine.” I know he’s got a soft spot for Livy.
He’s always respectful of course, but it hasn’t escaped my attention that he went out of his way to ensure she and Theo had whatever they needed.
It’s gonna make him a good brother at some point once we’re ready to vote on his patch. I’m sure some of it has to do with having younger siblings, but I’ve noticed that he sees things that need to be done before they’re pointed out and he just does them. No muss, no fuss.