Chapter 5 Halo #2
Doors start opening and the guys get back in.
I had asked Jersey to pick me up a bouquet of flowers to give to the woman, Taz, for letting me come with.
Avalanche told me he had two bottles of Enforcer’s favorite booze for their group and for me to give to him.
Quietly I thank him for being so cool, which he just waves off.
As Avalanche heads back toward the ranch, it starts to dawn on me that all of Dottie’s friends live either on the ranch or close by.
Well, with the exception of Panther, but from what the guys told me; they’ve been there for years before any of them even met the Devil’s Handmaidens club.
When we get close to the ranch, I ask a question that’s been on my mind.
“Hey, why are there guards at the gates of the ranch? I’m just curious, that’s all.”
I hear the guys in the back before Chicago explains it to me.
“With what those women do, they’ve had problems in the past. So Tink’s dad, who is the president of the Intruders, decided to post guards.
Between the two clubs, the sanctuary, and Panther’s group of folks, the ranch is under protection at all times.
Think about it, Halo, they are rescuing victims from circuits of human trafficking organizations.
They promise to protect the people they bring back to the ranch, either from their current threat or even a past threat. ”
I nod my head as that makes sense. When Avalanche stops at the gate, I see a few guys I know like Phantom and Grey, along with a few of the bikers from the Intruders.
They all wave and say hi, which I return.
Once we get through the gates, instead of following the driveway straight to the ranch, Avalanche veers off to a road I never even noticed as it’s between two tree lines.
It’s almost like driving through an archway of trees, as it’s darker with all the branches and tree covering.
Avalanche keeps driving until up a head I can see some light.
Suddenly all the trees on both sides are gone and we are just on a regular road.
I start to see a few houses scattered here and there.
All are pretty good size, though nowhere near as big as Tink and Noodles’s ranch.
After a few more turns we come up to a house in the middle of nowhere.
As Avalanche starts to park the car, the door opens and a bunch of kids come running down the stairs.
One little boy stops in front of Avalanche, hands out, waiting.
“Teddy, you know the rules. Dinner first. Your mother will kill me if I ruin your dinner.”
“Come on, Uncle Avalanche, what she don’t know won’t kill her. Olivia and I have been waiting on you. I know you have something for us, so please just give it to us. Promise we both will eat our dinner too.”
Avalanche reaches down to where I saw him place a smaller bag.
He hands it to Teddy, who looks in and starts to do a who knows what move.
His arms are in the air as he’s hopping and swinging around.
When he pulls out a huge as fuck brownie, I get why he was all excited.
Then he hands it to the young girl, who leans over placing a small kiss on Teddy’s cheek.
The young kid turns all shades of pink while reaching back into the bag, this time pulling out what looks to be maybe an apple fritter.
The pure joy on both kids’ faces is priceless.
The girl hugs Avalanche while the boy gives him knuckles.
They both take off toward a pole barn that looks to be where some of the party is happening.
I grab the flowers and bottle of bourbon, then I follow the guys toward the buildings, trying not to trip on the small pebbles and rocks on the gravel driveway.
When we hit, I guess you call it the patio area, the woman with rainbow hair comes up to us, passing out hugs.
As she makes her way to me, immediately she puts a closed fist in front of me, which I bump.
Not sure how she knows I’m not a hugger.
“It’s written all over your face. Well, the fear is.
Anyway, I’m Taz and welcome to our home.
I think you met my son, Teddy, and his girlfriend, sorry nope, his fiancée Olivia.
My husband is Enforcer and he’s manning the grills.
This little one asleep on my chest is our daughter Mickie.
Welcome, we are glad y’all could make it. ”
I wait as the guys give her their gifts then I approach, holding the flowers out toward her.
“Thank you so much. I appreciate you opening your home to a stranger. This is for your husband, should I hand it off to him?”
“Yes, Halo, please do. And you’re welcome any time, don’t need an invite.
Now let’s get some drinks and some hors d'oeuvres. Though I ask ya not to fill up totally on the snacks as my ol’ man almost bought out the butcher shop.
Going to need some hearty appetites so I’m not eating leftovers for months. ”
Taz is giggling at herself as she makes her way to what I’m guessing is the outdoor man cave. A huge dude in a vest comes out and when his eyes meet mine, I feel like I’m facing death yet again. That is until his wife walks up to him, giving him a smack in his gut.
“Don’t do it, Travis. That’s Halo, and he’s a friend of not only us but Avalanche and the guys. And if you don’t already know by now, us is the Devil’s Handmaidens. Now go apologize for being a big jerk.”
The guy leans down, whispering in the rainbow-haired woman’s ear then turns, coming directly to me.
“I’m sure ya heard my ol’ lady tell me to apologize. Well, guess I am and then again guess I’m not. Don’t know you, so sorry if I came across like an asshole, but then again, I’m not sorry, so take it how you want to.”
“Enforcer, we all know you’re an asshole; glad to see you finally admitting it.”
Turning around, I see Avalanche looking amused as Enforcer flips him off. Yeah, this is laid-back so shouldn’t be a problem. That is until I hear Teddy screaming at the top of his lungs. “Auntie Dottie, you’re finally here.”