Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TEXAS
T alon had called for church. The only difference to this one was that we had to head to Caroline Springs for it to meet up with that charter there. I didn’t mind at all. None of us did if it meant we got a ride out of it. It was easy to organise for the day off. I made sure my clients were pretty chill and understood that things like this could happen.
Talon rode at the front and centre, Griz and Blue just behind him, and then the rest were spread out. Coyote and I were someplace in the middle. Travelling with the brothers was always a goddamn thrill. It’d never get old, and always gave me a feeling of belonging.
This was family.
The weather was cool, but at least it wasn’t raining. All too soon, the time on the road flew by. It was nothing like the time since Maya had been away, which dragged, but at least she’d be home in just a few days.
Excitement rolled around in my gut.
Smiling to myself, I shook my head and knew I had to stop thinking about her to concentrate. We pulled into the compound’s car park and stopped. Slipping off our rides, we were greeted by the brothers as we made our way into the building.
When Dodge entered the common room first, he turned to say to Talon, “We’ve cleared the compound out.” On occasion, we all got together for church, and since there was a lot of us, we held it in the common room. Though, a lot of the time church was held separately, and then Dodge, like other presidents of different charters in Hawks, would report to Talon with anything that needed his attention. Honestly, I was glad today was the day we all met up, and damn grateful Talon had decided to take the trip to Melbourne for it instead of it being in Ballarat. It kept me occupied.
As soon as Talon sat at the head of the first table, the rest of us grabbed a seat where we could. I ended up at a table with Ruin, Coyote, Beast, Knife, and Cowboy.
Dodge sat on the other side of Talon, but I caught and returned his chin lift my way.
The room quieted as soon as Talon hit the gavel on the table. We talked about businesses and what was happening on the streets around both our territories, and that was when Dodge brought into the meeting intel about a new crew in town trying to push drugs and women. But it’d been noted that some of the women were turning up with bruises and cuts.
“The guys and I have it covered,” Dodge said. “We’re offerin’ up help to the women where we can, but if they don’t take it….”
There wasn’t much else we could do.
Dodge then added, “Parker and Lan have the cops involved as well.” Parker and Lan were detectives but had many contacts on the force who listened to them. “They’re monitorin’ them, gettin’ enough evidence to take them down fully.”
Talon grunted. “Good. And you know that if you need extra hands, the brothers and I from Ballarat aren’t fuckin’ far. Don’t work everyone to the bone. Reach out. We’re more than ready to help since things have settled in Ballarat.”
Dodge nodded. “We will, and I’ll keep you updated daily.”
Talon nodded and moved onto other items that needed everyone’s attention. All up, church lasted a couple of hours before he called it to an end.
Talon and Dodge stood, but it was Dodge who announced, “Time to fuckin’ relax.” He ordered some prospects to man the grill, and my gut growled at the thought of food.
Knife snorted. “Didn’t eat this mornin’?”
Smirking, I rubbed my gut. “I did, but I’m still a growin’ boy.”
He snorted, and Beast shook his head.
Cowboy straightened. “Anyone want a drink?” Everyone gave him our orders, but Coyote went to help him.
“So, how’s country livin’ been for you?” Knife asked me, but then he caught Ruin glancing at his phone, which he’d been doing a lot. “You know you can be separate from your guy for a few fuckin’ hours.” He grinned teasingly.
Ruin rolled his eyes. “Says the guy who has his man right next to him all the time.”
Knife glanced at Beast and back to Ruin. “We’re not always together.”
Beast chuckled, tagging the back of Knife’s neck with his palm, shaking him a little before he dropped his hold and signed. “He pouts if I’m not close.”
Knife sucked in a harsh breath and shoved Beast. “I do not, you fuckin’ dick.”
Everyone chuckled just as a seat was pulled back and Pick sat. His hard gaze stayed on me, and if I didn’t know the guy, I would have been more intimidated by the look.
“What?” I clipped.
“My woman has it in her head that you’re into her niece. If you are, I gotta see what your intentions are, brother, because Maya does not get fucked around.”
Tensing, I ground my teeth together and glanced around us. “Keep your fuckin’ voice down.”
“Wait, it’s true?” Knife asked.
Ruin said nothing, since he knew where I was at with my feelings for Maya. But Beast looked just as surprised as his partner.
“Talon doesn’t know?” Pick questioned.
“No. And seriously, until Maya knows anythin’, it’s not anyone’s business. Yet . But since this is Maya, and she means the world to so fuckin’ many, just know my intentions are nothin’ but good. I’d never fuck her over, and that’s all I’m gonna say on the matter.”
Pick studied me for a beat before he slapped a hand to my back. “All right then. Don’t stress—Josie will keep her lips shut. She ain’t like a lot of the women.”
I nodded and glanced around us again as he walked off. Fuckin’ lucky no one else with a big damn mouth overheard or I’d have more people to deal with.
“You knew.” Knife pointed a finger at Ruin.
“Duh” was all Ruin said.
Coyote and Cowboy handed out drinks and sat back down. “What’d we miss?” Cowboy asked.
The lot of us went silent.
Coyote and Cowboy stared at us. Until Coyote snorted. “Yeah, that’s not suss at all. We talkin’ about Texas and how he wants my sister as his old lady?”
Beast’s and Knife’s gazes widened.
Cowboy scoffed. “Oh, that.”
Wait.
“What do you mean by that ? You didn’t know.”
He huffed. “Please. If anyone saw you two in a room together lately, it’s clear to see your interest. I read it clearly that day at the Harley store.”
Well, fuck.
More laughs sounded around the table.
I didn’t think my feelings were that obvious back then. But shit, maybe I have had stars and hearts in my eyes for a long time. Not that I cared Cowboy had figured it out or even Beast and Knife. They’d keep their mouths shut, though, because I was yet to convince Maya.
“You know you’re gonna get hell from everyone, right?” Cowboy asked.
“Yep.”
“And you’re still gonna go for it?”
“In time… when I know she’s ready, then yeah, I am. She’s worth any shit I’ll get.”
Coyote gave me a nod. He knew I wouldn’t fuck around with his sister.
“Aww,” Ruin cooed while ruffling my hair.
I shoved his hand off. “Like you can talk.”
To prove my point, his phone chimed, and he was all over it in seconds. “Don’t care if everyone knows I’m smitten. Gotta call my boo.”
“I think I just threw up in my mouth, hearing Ruin calling anyone boo,” Coyote said.
“Fuck off,” Ruin bit out, but his grin told us he didn’t give a shit about the teasing. He left, taking his drink with him.
Knife hummed under his breath. “This explains why you moved. So, I’m guessin’ you’re lovin’ country life?”
Grinning, I nodded.
Knife turned to Cowboy. “Looks like you’ll be next.”
Cowboy’s cheeks shot to red, and he shrugged. “I’d be honoured to find my forever someone.”
Cowboy, who was only twenty and not long out of being a prospect, had the biggest damn heart out there. Any woman or man would be treated like a queen or king by that guy. I looked forward to seeing him fall.
Damn, maybe falling for someone did make us mushy, but fuck if I cared.