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“W hat do you have planned for this weekend?” Malice asked as they lay curled together in Bonnie’s bed. He would have to get up and go soon, if he was going to sleep at his place.
“I don’t know. I don’t really have any.” She rubbed her face against his shoulder then tilted her head back to look up at him. “You want to do something together?”
“The Souls are going for a ride Saturday.” He paused, waiting to see if she would say anything, then continued when she remained silent. “Significant others are welcome. I think all the other women are going along. I wondered if you might like to go.”
She tilted her head and watched him for a moment, then spoke. “Significant others? I take it Talon won’t be bringing his latest hookup?”
“No,” Malice said with a chuckle. “No hook up. It’s not a free for anyone who wants to tag along event. It’s for the Souls. It’s about brotherhood and building relationships among us. But our women. The ones we’re serious about are welcome. We want or women to feel the bond too. To know that if something happens to one of us, then they’ll be taken care of.”
“I like that.” She lay back down and remained silent a moment, then spoke up. “I’d like to go. Where will we leave from and what time should I be there?”
“We’ll leave from the ranch, and probably early, but I’m not sure on the time yet. It might be easier, if you want to, to come out the night before and spend the night with me.” He glanced down at the top of her head as he tried to keep how much he wanted her back in his bed, and to wake up beside her again out of his voice.
“Sounds like a plan.” Her voice started sounding drowsy. He wanted nothing more than to stay here with her, but it would mean waking her far earlier than she needed to be up, so he kissed the top of her head, then got up and dressed. With one last kiss, he told her he’d see her soon and left.
S aturday morning Malice couldn’t keep the grin off his face as ran through the check on his bike and waited for Bonnie to join him at the barn where they stored the bikes.
“Your girl riding with us today?” Lurch asked as he made the rounds, making sure everyone was present and had everything they needed.
“Yep, I left her at my place, getting ready. She’ll be here soon.”
“Good. If she’s going to be more than just a fling, she needs to be comfortable around the club. I was surprised when she moved back to town.” Ghost put in from where he sat on his heels checking his own bike a few feet away.
“I was and I wasn’t,” Malice said. “It wasn’t supposed to be forever, and I know she’s fiercely independent, but I’d hoped she’d stay.” He shook his head. “But she insisted it was taking back her independencefrom the fuckwad who terrorized her. I can even understand where she’s coming from. That doesn’t mean I don’t wish she’d stay.”
“How long she’s been back at her place?” Lurch asked.
“A little over a week.”
“And how many of those nights have you spent the night at her place?” Ghost gave him a knowing look.
“None. I won’t say it isn’t tempting, but I’d have to wake her at the ass crack of dawn to be here in time to start the day.” Malice shrugged one shoulder, as if saying it wasn’t worth that.
“Has she said she’d mind that?”
“No but it’s being considerate. That’s not to say I haven’t seen her. I’ve gone into town nearly every day since she went home.”
“And she stayed here last night, unless she got a car and gave your truck back,” Talon said with a knowing grin as he walked up and stood watching them, his arms folded across his chest.
“She hasn’t found a car yet, and I’m trying to talk her into a pickup instead of a car, or at least something a little more high slung than the average sedan. It will make it easier for her to come and go out here once winter gets here.”
“So you’re planning on her still being around come winter. That’s good to know,” Ghost said with a grin.
Malice wished he was close enough to knock the smug bastard over. He was screwing with him, and Malice knew it. “If I didn’t, she wouldn’t be coming today and you sure as fuck know that.”
“All right, children, settle down. While we’ve got a few minutes I want to go over some club business,” Lurch said scanning the group of men, and waiting for the chatter to die down. “I know we’re not all here, but that’s okay. I’m just sharing some news and I can share with the others later. First. Tuck’s required time here is up. He’s fulfilled the required year to keep this place, which means he’ll be going back to Tucson soon. It doesn’t mean he’ll be staying there full time. Last I checked with him his plan is to go back down there, get everything taken care of there, settle back into being pres down there, but he’ll visit here at least a couple times a year.”
He paused and looked around the group, then continued. “He’ll head home in about six weeks or so, and because the shit with the Diablos still isn’t one hundred percent settled, he won’t be riding alone.”
Everyone glanced around. Malice wasn’t sure what everyone else was thinking but he couldn’t help but wonder who would be riding with him and how long he might have to be gone if he was one of those chosen.
“No, none of you will be volunteered to be his escort. That’s not saying if you want to, you can’t ride along. In a month or so we’ll have a group of Souls come up from the original chapter. They’ll spend some time up here, then ride back with Tuck. I’m not sure yet who all will be making the trip, but as of right now, the only one I’m sure of is Sadist. Some of the women may come as well, that’s not yet decided.
“For those of you who are newer to the Souls, Sadist is my preferred ink slinger. I haven’t found anyone up here I’d trust yet, especially not with the colors. If you’re wanting some work done, the plan is for him to bring his gear. I’ve got a piece in mind, and I’ve been talking to him about it for a while.” Lurch scanned the men again then continued. “He’ll do whatever you like, but he excels at custom pieces. If you have something in mind, I suggest you get in touch with him now so he can start working up some ideas. If you need his number, get with Jake or any of the members who came up from the original chapter.” His eyes skimmed the group once more, pausing for a moment in the direction of the main house, then continued. “We’ll be ready to head out soon so finish up your preparations.”
Malice would need to get that number. He needed to get his colors done. And he’d been thinking lately about something else, but he hadn’t decided on just what yet. He wanted something that would always bring Bonnie to mind when he saw it. Maybe some bit of her artwork, but he wasn’t sure yet.
Malice turned in the direction of where Lurch’s gaze had seemed to stutter, and found Kerry headed toward them. He didn’t know if Lurch had more to say, but that was all he would be saying about club business. Not that any of that was sensitive information, but it likely wasn’t public knowledge, at least not yet.
From there, it only took about fifteen minutes for all the women to make their way to the barn, and five minutes later they were all mounted up and heading out.