Chapter Two
John ? Twenty-One Years Old
A loud bang splintered the air. My dad whooped and hollered before another gunshot exploded, making my ears ring.
Letting out a curse, I turned and hurried toward the kitchen.
If Pop were having a conniption, we’d need Mom to deal. God only knew there was nobody else on this Earth he’d listen to.
“Ma,” I called out, bursting into the kitchen. “Dad’s out there firin’ shots off. I think he’s havin’ one of his turns.”
She looked up at me from the counter, where she sat with Abe’s new wife, Iris, and laughed.
I took in her curled, dark hair, reminiscent of a fifties pin-up girl, and white dress with red polka dots, thinking how she looked like a beautiful ray of sunshine.
“He’s fine,” Ma assured me. “They just got a new shipment in from Texas. The boys are only testing the hardware. Your dad’s excited, is all.”
“Abe’s with him.” Iris’s turquoise eyes twinkled with mirth as she tucked a lock of her long black hair behind her ear. “He won’t let Bandit shoot anyone again.”
Mom stood and approached me. “Happy twenty-first, John.”
I lowered my head and pecked her cheek. “Thanks,” I murmured before pointing toward the bar. “Last time you told me Pop was fine, he filled a prospect’s ass with buckshot.”
Her lips twitched. “The little shit had been talking club business in Lorcan O’Shea’s bar. You know what your dad’s like; to him, buckshot in the ass is akin to a love tap.”
“Abe was tempted to shoot the little asshole, too,” Iris added. “The kid shouldn’t have been running his mouth.”
Footsteps sounded from the corridor as a deep, tuneless voice floated through the kitchen, barking the words from ‘Candy’ by Cameo.
“Your dad’s coming,” Mom muttered, rolling her eyes. “He’s driving me loopy with that damned song.”
I stared at her wide-eyed. “It’s fuckin’ embarrassing, Ma. A six-foot-three, two-hundred-and-fifty-pound, long-haired brute of a biker wanderin’ around the compound singin’ ‘Candy’ at the top of his lungs. You couldn’t make it up.” My voice lowered into an almost wounded tone. “I wouldn’t mind, but he puts on a weird computer voice like the singer and does that hip thrust motion like he’s fuckin’ someone. It’s embarrassing.”
“What can I say, Son.” Mom shrugged. “He loves that damned song, and at least it keeps him in a good mood.”
“Think I preferred the Johnny Cash phase,” I said under my breath, looking up just as Dad appeared at the door.
He pointed at Ma, did a hip thrust, and barked, ‘It’s like Candy’ at the top of his voice.
“Fuck me,” Abe muttered from behind him. “Somebody get the man a red codpiece.”
Iris laughed.
“Did ya see the music video on MTV?” Abe demanded. “Never seen anythin’ like it.”
“They must be from New York,” Dad muttered. “Them New Yorkers are all crazy motherfuckers.” He sauntered over to Mom and tagged her tiny waist, pulling her into him. “Mornin’, Queenie.” He gave her ass a slap. “Ain’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Baring his teeth, Pop growled before laying a big smooch on her.
“Jesus,” I exclaimed, almost gagging.
“It’ll be you one day, Stone,” Abe crowed, sliding an arm around Iris’s shoulders.
I grinned. Our enforcer was right. One day, when I was prez, I’d smooch my girl in this very kitchen until our kids gagged, too.
Pop came up for air, turned to me, and grinned. “Happy fuckin’ birthday, ya little bastard.”
I laughed. “Thanks, Dad.”
He sneaked a look at Mom, who gave a slight nod. “Twenty-one today. You’re a man now, so I wanna know your decision. You’ve already prospected, so are you gonna join the club? Or enlist?”
Straightening my back, I met Dad’s challenging stare head-on. “Me and Leesy are goin’ down the recruitment center later. I love the club, but I reckon I can do more for the Demons if I’ve got combat experience. Gonna complete my three years and learn everything I can about motor vehicles. Then I’ll come home, marry Elise, and become a Speed Demon.”
Dad jerked a nod. “I’ve taught ya all I can, John. You’re a crack shot, you can fight as well as any man I’ve known, and you’ve got gumption. The military will be lucky to have you.” He walked toward me, resting a hand on my shoulder. “You still set on the Marines?”
“Yeah,” I murmured, getting choked up by my dad’s praise. “I think I can learn the most with them.”
Dad’s mouth curved into an evil smile. “They’ll either break ya or turn you into a machine. Just remember, if they break ya, don’t bother comin’ home. Don’t want no little pussy asses in the club.”
Abe barked a laugh.
“Don!” Mom scolded.
Dad held his hands up defensively. “He knows I’m only havin’ a bit’a fun with him.” But the warning glare he gave me silently told me he meant every damned word.
People who knew Pop from old said that Don ‘Bandit’ Stone always had a screw loose. Even as a teen, he danced to his own tune, which was weird considering his best friend growing up was the mayor’s son, Robert Henderson, who was straight as an arrow.
As an aspiring politician, Bert enlisted, which was the norm for any man who wanted to run for office eventually. Pop decided his friend would get himself killed if he wasn’t there to look out for him, so he enlisted too, which was just as well because Dad’s prediction eventually came true.
Ten years later, they arrived home with honorable discharges after being shot while fighting side by side during a battle in Saigon.
Although Pop never spoke of it, the consensus was that he’d saved Bert’s life that day.
When they got back to Hambleton, they started the MC as a place for vets to call home after ‘Nam. Pop got into runnin’ guns and weed because he couldn’t hold down a job with his screwed-up head. Being a one-percenter wasn’t exactly conducive to running for office, so Robert walked away, though strangely, they remained buds.
“Got you a birthday gift outside, John,” Mom murmured, walking over to stand next to Dad. “I can’t believe you’re twenty-one already. It seems like only yesterday you were running around the clubhouse pretending to be Harry Callahan.”
Pop slid his arm across Mom’s shoulders and turned toward the door. “Come on, ya little pissant. Let’s see what you’ve been spoiled with this year.”
“Don,” Mom snapped as we all headed into the corridor. “He’s a good boy and deserves a treat now and again. Plus, he’s going away to fight for our country. There’s not enough cash in the world to show our appreciation.”
“Hush, woman,” Dad retorted. “It’s not like there’s a fuckin’ war on. I got sent to fuckin’ ‘Nam. That lucky little bastard’ll sit on his ass for three years. The only action he’ll see will be with the Marine groupies who hang out at the bars near the base.”
“No way,” I protested as we hit the bar. “Got my woman. Don’t want another.”
Abe gave me a knowing look as a roar went up through the bar.
My head jerked up to see the place full of brothers calling out birthday messages. My steps faltered as I took in the beautiful sight of all the men who’d had a hand in raising me.
I was born the year before Pop started the club, so I’d known the brothers all my life. At one time or another, every one of them had either disciplined me or given me their version of advice. I’d had more slaps upside the head than was probably healthy and more profound and meaningful chats than I could remember, but it had taught me the meaning of loyalty.
Betrayal was abhorrent to me and could never be excused. There was no lie anyone could tell me that would be preferable to the truth. Even if the truth hurt, I could deal with it better than later finding out someone hadn’t been honest.
Growing up in an MC had instilled a resounding sense of loyalty deep within me. I’d seen the pain betrayal brought, not just to the brothers but to the traitor, too. The boys had my back, and I had theirs. It was a beautiful thing and had made me the man I was.
There was no place in my life for betrayal of any kind, and there never would be. Not that it was something I’d ever have to worry about with this crew. They were as loyal as the days were long.
A slow grin stole across my face, and I raised a hand to silence everybody. “Thanks, brothers. I appreciate you all.”
“We partyin’ tonight, Stone?” one of them called out. “Twenty-one deserves a shindig.”
I grinned. “Well, it is Friday, so I’m not likely to say no.”
Laughter rose through the air.
“Come on, Son,” Mom murmured, threading her hand through my arm and pulling me away. “We need to get to the parking lot.”
I covered her tiny hand with mine and asked, “What’s goin’ on, Ma?”
She angled her face up and beamed. “You’ll see, Son.”
Abe pushed the door open and waved me, Mom, and Dad—who loomed right behind us—outside.
I pulled my sunglasses down to protect my eyes from the bright May sunshine bouncing from the long line of bikes leaning on their kickstands.
My heart warmed at the beautiful sight, and as I breathed in the familiar scent of motor oil, leather, and a hint of tobacco, I couldn’t help feeling on top of the world, because it represented everything I loved: brotherhood and family. My time in the military was necessary, but I knew I’d miss this place and the people. Going away would be the hardest thing I’d ever do, but the result would justify the means.
Pop walked to the far end of the line before stopping next to a Sportster 1200, the same bike I’d had my eye on for months. She was beautiful, all chrome and metallic, jade green, the exact color of my Elise’s eyes, which was what drew me to her in the first place.
“Jesus,” I muttered, reaching out and stroking my fingers over the bulbous fuel tank. “Did someone buy her? I’ve been saving up, but I still have a way to go.”
“It’s yours, Son,” Dad announced. “Ya know how I feel about spoilin’ kids, but you’re a man now, and you’re goin’ away to the military to learn the tools you’ll need to one day run this club. You’re a little bastard, but you’re my little bastard, and I’m proud’a ya, John.” He held up a silver ring with two keys attached and threw them at me. “Happy birthday, ya little fucker.”
I caught them mid-air and stared at them while everything sunk in. “You bought it for me? All of it?”
Pop’s eyebrow quirked. “Well, I ain’t gonna pay out for half a damned bike, ya fuckin’ idiot.”
“But you don’t buy me shit, Dad,” I pointed out. “The bike I’ve got now is your old cast off, and you made me buy the parts I needed and fix it up myself.”
His lips pursed. “I fuckin’ know. Blame your mother for this. She talked me into it.”
“Are you gonna stick me with half the bill?” I questioned.
Abe hooted a laugh.
“I was tempted, but nah.” Dad’s lip curled. “It’s bought and paid for. I’ve even paid your insurance for the year.”
“You did?” Studying my new bike, my mouth curved into a wide grin. “Thanks, Pop. She’s fly as fuck. Can’t wait to pick Leesy up on her.” I walked over to my dad and clapped him on the back. “You’re gettin’ generous in your old age. This is the best thing you’ve ever gotten me.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t get all fuckin’ soft on me.”
Turning back to Mom, I hugged her and whispered, “Love you, Ma.”
She pulled back slightly, cupping my cheek with her hand. “You deserve every happiness, John.”
I slid an arm across Mom’s shoulders and watched Dad stick two fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle before bellowing, “Officers, Church. Now!”
My gut jerked as the brothers started filing back into the clubhouse, allowing the officers to precede them, bored now the big reveal was over. “Is that new club over in Mapletree still causin’ shit?”
“Yeah,” Mom stated. “Dad had a face-to-face with their President, Thrash. They want in on the Demon’s business. He offered Dad their backup if needed.”
My brow creased in thought. “I don’t trust ‘em.”
Mom’s amused stare slashed to meet mine, and she smiled knowingly. “That’s exactly what your dad said. Needless to say, he passed. Told Thrash to keep the Burning Sinners out of Hambleton or get shot in the head.”
I hummed, deep in thought. “Maybe Pop should’a shot him there and then. It may have saved us some hassle in the future.”
Mom shrugged. “It’s not for me to say, John. I don’t get involved in club business. Your dad knows what he’s doing.”
I rubbed at the stubble on my face thoughtfully. “Right.”
“You coming back in for coffee?” she asked. “We’re about to take some fresh biscuits out of the oven.”
“Sorry, Ma.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I gotta new bike to ride. I’ll grab somethin’ at the new coffee place in town.”
“New coffee place,” she grumbled. “Why are people gonna go out and pay exorbitant prices for something they can make at home? It’ll never take off.” She patted my cheek lovingly. “Ride steady, Son.”
After watching Mom and Iris disappear back into the clubhouse, I went to the garage to grab my helmet. Returning to my new bike, I threw my leg over the saddle and turned on the engine, a wide grin stealing across my features at the unmistakable pop-pop-popping only a Harley engine could make. Then, I raised a hand at the guys milling around the parking lot and cruised through the gates toward town.
It was the perfect day for riding, albeit a little hot. My bike felt good between my legs, something I hadn’t experienced for a while, seeing as I hadn’t had any other girl between my legs since the day I’d noticed Elise. She was still a month away from eighteen, and although we’d experimented, we hadn’t gone the whole way yet. I wanted to wait until she was legal for a couple of reasons.
First, Leesy’s dad wasn’t my biggest fan. He already had a low opinion of me because my dad was the prez of a one-percenter MC. That little diamond patch meant we were criminals, even though Pop made sure to donate money to the town and the local church. It seemed our ill-gotten proceeds were acceptable in some cases.
Second, I respected Elise. I knew she’d be mine the instant I saw her down the creek on her sixteenth birthday. It was the day I’d noticed she’d turned from a girl into a woman and the day my heart started beating only for her. She’d always been a pretty girl—the town’s sweetheart—but growing up in an MC, I was more jaded and didn’t buy into all the all-American prom queen and town bad boy shit. Then that day, down at the creek, the sun had come out from behind a cloud and hit her with its beams, and something exploded inside my chest.
It had taken a year, but eventually, her dad allowed me to take her out on a date, and she’d been my girl ever since.
I always enjoyed the ride to town. Hambleton was a small rural town in southern Wyoming, adjacent to the Utah border. Our climate was warm in summer and cold in winter, and picturesque countryside, mountains, and streams surrounded us.
Living here was idyllic. Leaving for the military would be a wrench, but it would only be for three years, and I knew I needed to escape if I wanted the independence that came with being a man. Although club life could be challenging, in a way, I was still protected. Joining the military would stop me from being reliant on the brothers and make me learn to stand on my own two feet.
Main Street was busy with people going about their business. Still, I managed to find a space to park close to the café—or coffee shop as the new owner called it. I dismounted and removed my helmet, then angled my bike onto its kickstand before going inside.
The smell of coffee beans hit me, along with the aroma of baking. I looked around to see a couple of my buds sitting at the back of the room. After being served, I grabbed my coffee cup and weaved around the chairs and tables to join them.
Steve Hardin was one of my best buddies. We went through school together and ran in the same circles. He sat with Robert Henderson, the mayor’s son and somebody I knew well through our dads.
“Hey!” Steve exclaimed, standing to clap me on the shoulder. “Happy birthday, Stone.”
“Thanks.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Remember that Sportster I was looking at last month? Well, Dad finally put his hand in his pocket and bought it for me.”
Steve’s head reared back slightly. “He won”t stick you with the finance bill, will he?”
“Apparently not.” I took a sip of coffee, my stare sliding to Rob. “How’s life at the mayor’s office?”
He shrugged. “Okay. My dad’s passing the bill on the bar you guys want to open, so you can tell Bandit he can start work on the old Jenkins building next month.”
“Looks like that donation Pop made to the town council worked like a charm.” I smirked.
Steve raised a hand to cover his laugh.
Robert’s eyes narrowed. “My dad’s not crooked.”
Rolling my eyes, I shrugged. “Mine fuckin’ is. There”s no need to cry about it, Rob. So your dad likes to accept little incentives for the town. As long as things in Hambleton tick along nicely and the residents are happy, who cares?”
“The town’s not hurting for it, either,” Steve interjected. “We’re overrun at the estate agency with inquiries. Everybody wants to move to Hambleton, but there’s no stock. It’s driving house prices up.”
“Driving your commission up too,” I joked.
“Not complaining, bud.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Business is good.”
“You finally gonna join the MC, Stone?” Rob asked. “You can’t hold off much longer. You’re twenty-one now. You need a job.”
I took another swig of Java. “Enlisting later today. I”m picking Elise up from school, and we’re riding up to the Marine Corps recruitment office in Rock Springs together.
Steve studied me thoughtfully. “About time. You’re goin’ the engineering route?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll train to be a mechanic. Pop said if I do okay, he’ll lay the money down to open an auto shop at one of those warehouses on the long road outside town. I’m keepin’ it all crossed that Elise’s dad will be more open to me marrying her if I’m a business owner.”
Rob tensed at my words, and then he picked up his cup and downed his coffee. “I gotta get back to work.” He rose from his seat and jerked a nod in our direction.
We said our goodbyes before I sat back and watched him turn and stalk out.
“Trust you to put your foot in it,” Steve grated under his breath.
My gut gave a pang, but I sat straighter and took a swig of my drink. “He has to get over it. Elise is my girl. If she wanted Rob Henderson, she wouldn’t have chosen me.”
“I don’t think he sees it like that, Stone,” my friend replied, his eyes sliding to mine. “She went on a few dates with him before you saw what was in front of you all along. I think Rob thought he’d scored a home run with Elise. Then suddenly, you notice she’s all grown up and slide into home instead.” Steve quirked an eyebrow. “He never stood a chance once you made your interest known.”
One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “They weren’t goin’ fuckin’ steady, Ste. She went on two dates with him to make her dad happy. Leesy never looked at him romantically; she saw him as a friend. They wouldn’t have ended up together whether I was in the picture or not.”
“Don’t think he sees it that way,” Steve muttered thoughtfully. “For most of the girls in town, he’s a catch. Mayor’s son, law school graduate, good family, and a future in politics. His head’s up his own ass, so it’s easier to blame you for taking Elise from him than accept his shortcomings. He’s not been the same since he came back to town from Yale. He’s harder and more calculating. I get a bad feelin’ around him sometimes, Stone, but I can’t put my finger on why.”
Steve”s words resonated with me because it hit me that lately, Rob had made me feel uneasy, too.
We’d never been close friends—we hung out, mainly because of our dads—but even I’d realized that since he’d come home from law school, he seemed harder somehow. Rob had always been reserved, but he knew how to have fun. Lately, he’d been dismissive of people to the point of rudeness and even had gone so far as to threaten the younger guys in town.
Steve’s forehead creased in thought. “I assumed he’d been around the rich asshole Yale grads, and their asshole ways had rubbed off on him. Thought after he’d been back in town a while, he’d go back to being his old self again, but something starting to feel really off.”
“I’ve noticed the same thing,” I admitted. “Hadn’t really thought about it until you just brought it up. Maybe we should distance ourselves. It’s like my dad says: you are the company you keep. I don’t wanna keep the company of pricks.”
Steve nodded, still deep in thought. “So, we start distancing ourselves?”
“Looks like it,” I agreed.
“We have to watch our backs,” Steve stated firmly. “Rob and his crew could make life difficult.”
I barked a laugh. “Stevie. What’s he gonna do to an entire MC? Henderson, Stafford, and Barrington can lord it up together all they want. They won’t start any shit with the Demons, and if Rob tries, his dad will rein him in. Senior won’t like Junior putting his relationships with the townsfolk at risk.”
Steve shrugged. “Yeah. I’m probably worrying over nothing. Just got a gut feeling.”
“We’ll keep an eye on him,” I assured him. “But I don’t think he’ll have the nerve to turn on us.”
“You’re right.” A slow grin spread across Ste’s features. “Sounds like things are goin’ well with Elise.” He took a swig from his cup, lips twitching. “One minute, you’re fucking around all over town; the next, you’re wifed up with a sixteen-year-old.”
I couldn’t stop the eye roll that ensued. “I was hardly gonna notice a fourteen or fifteen-year-old, Ste. Sixteen was still too young. I couldn’t date Leesy until her seventeenth birthday, and I won’t touch her until she’s eighteen.”
“Not long to go,” he muttered.
“Four weeks and one day,” I informed him. “But who’s counting?”
“You got anything planned?” he asked.
My heart warmed. “I’ve got everythin’ planned. My girl’s sticking by me even though I’m leavin’ for the Marines. I know deep down she doesn’t want me to go, but she’s supporting me regardless, and I can’t tell you how much more I love her for it.” I leaned forward to stare Steve in his grey eyes, trying to convey the seriousness of what I was about to say. “Promise me you’ll look out for her while I’m gone.”
“Of course. Jesus, Stone, it goes without saying,” he exclaimed, his forehead furrowing. “Just want you to be careful of Robert. I see him watchin’ her sometimes, and it creeps me out. Make sure you tell Elise to keep away from him when you’re gone.”
Raising a hand, I rubbed my chin contemplatively. “You think he’s that snaky?”
Steve’s lips thinned. “I can’t shake that feeling. There’s more to him than meets the eye. Only time will tell whether it’s good or bad. Until we find out, we shouldn’t underestimate him.”
“Agreed,” I told him. “While I’m away, the club’s there for you, Steve. If you need anythin’, you go to Abe, got me?”
“Yeah.” He smiled broadly. “I can protect Elise better with the club behind me. Your pop’s got sway over Rob’s dad, so if any shit goes down, at least Bandit can get involved.”
Something stabbed in my chest, but I tamped it down. I couldn’t go there. I was enlisting in a few hours. If I let what Steve was saying affect me, I’d never wanna leave.
“This is all speculation,” I muttered. “Rob’s not actually done anything wrong. Until something happens, I gotta keep on keepin’ on.”
Steve nodded. “Yeah. Ignore me. I’m probably reading too much into it.”
I leaned forward, resting my hand on his shoulder. “We both are. Jesus, we need to chill the fuck out and enjoy the damned summer. It may be my last one for a while.”
“You’re right,” Steve said before launching into an anecdote about a house he’d shown last week, which he didn’t know had a leak in the bathroom.
As I nodded along and smiled politely, I couldn’t help noticing the uneasy feeling I’d felt minutes ago had settled inside the pit of my gut, and to my chagrin, it wasn’t going away.