Rooster
“Preacher and Grim are here.” Torch motioned his head towards the door. “And they brought Preacher’s son.”
“Oh, really? Wow. They’re a long way from Little Rock. Something going on?”
“Yeah, the kid’s girlfriend got done over by some rival gang.”
“Ah hell, that’s rough.”
“Yeah, sounded like they did a real number on her.” Torch winced as he added, “Beckett’s the one who found her, and he’s having a hard time of it. Preacher’s hoping that a couple of months here might help get his mind off things.”
I followed him into the bar, and Prez and several of the other brothers were sitting at one of the back tables with our brothers from the Little Rock chapter.
Preacher, the president of the club, looked just as menacing as the last time I’d seen him.
He was several years older now with deep lines etching his face, but his eyes were still sharp and unyielding as they peered around the room.
Grim, his towering enforcer, sat next to him, and his imposing figure seemed to accentuate his president's fearsome aura.
Together, they exuded pure dominance and control.
They were a force to be reckoned with, no question about it, but the kid next to them looked anything but fierce or intimidating.
Beckett resembled his father but in appearance alone.
They shared the same dark hair, eyes, and tattoos, but this kid wore his anguish like a second skin.
His eyes smoldered with a mix of hurt and anger, and he looked like he could break down at any minute.
Losing his girlfriend had clearly done a real number on him, and I had no idea how bringing him here was supposed to help anything.
Knowing how protective Preacher was over his son, I asked, “So, what are they gonna do about the girl?”
“Nothing. He hadn’t actually claimed the girl. At least, not in any way that really counted. Hell, I’m pretty sure she was only sixteen or something, and they just aren’t willing to go to war with a gang twice their size over a hookup.”
“Can’t really blame them for that.”
Torch and I had just sat down at the counter when Beckett slammed his fist down on the table and roared, “That’s bullshit, and you know it!”
“That’s enough, Beckett!” Preacher growled.
“It will never be enough.” Beckett stood, and his chair fell behind him. “Not until every last one of them is dead and fucking buried.”
With his fists clenched as this side, he stormed out of the clubhouse and into the parking lot. Words were exchanged between Grim and Preacher, and after a quick nod, Grim got up and went after Beckett. Once he’d stepped back out, Preacher continued his conversation with Prez and Savage.
“Damn.” Torch grimaced. “The kid’s a livewire.”
I’d only been with Maggie a couple of times, but I would’ve felt the same as Beckett if someone hurt her. Hell, I would want to burn the motherfuckers to the ground and more. It was that thought that led me to say, “Can’t really blame him. The whole thing is fucked up.”
“Yeah, it is. Preacher thought the time away would help him cool off, but I don’t see that happening.”
“Yeah, me either.” I could feel the tension building in my neck. “I hate it for him. I know Preacher’s in a tough spot, but we’ve already got our hands full with the renovations and this Bruton change of hands bullshit. We don’t have time to babysit some heartbroken kid.”
“Busy or not, he’s here to stay, so we’re gonna have to figure it out.”
The room fell silent when the back door swung open.
I thought Beckett and Grimm were coming back, but it was Londyn, Savage’s ol’ lady, and their son.
Londyn must’ve realized that they’d walked in on something because she stopped at the entrance and didn’t come in any further, waiting for Savage to come to them instead.
He quickly excused himself from the table and rushed over to them.
After a quick word with Londyn, he knelt to say something to his son.
Dalton was the spitting image of his father.
He not only had the same eyes and hair, but he also had his father’s intense demeanor.
He listened intently as Savage explained that he had things to tend to but promised that he would be home soon.
He nodded with wide-eyed trust, then reached out and gave Savage a hug.
Emotion marked Savage’s face as he hugged Dalton back.
After giving him a quick kiss on the temple, he rose to his feet and watched as Londyn and Dalton slipped back out the door.
Savage stood there for a moment, letting their brief exchange sink in, and then, he headed back over to Prez and the rest of the group.
It was clear they were going to be there awhile, so I stood and told Torch, “I’m gonna get going. ”
“Where you running off to?” Torch cocked his brow. “Got another hot date?”
“Nah, I’ve just got some things to tend to, and while I’m out, I thought I’d go back and check in with Guardrail. I want to make sure they were able to get us back on track.”
“I’m sure they did, especially if Guardrail has anything to say about it.” Torch leaned back and crossed his arms. “So, you’re really not gonna tell me about last night.”
“It was good. We had dinner and talked. Nothing out of the norm.”
“Ah, come on. You gotta give me more than that,” he pushed. “Are you gonna see her again?”
“Planning on it.”
“So, you’re into this chick.”
“You could say that.”
“That’s awesome, brother. Look forward to meetin’ her.”
“Ah, I don’t know about all that. Wouldn’t wanna scare her off with your ugly mug.” I gave him a brotherly slap on the shoulder as I said, “I’m outta here. Call if anything comes up.”
Without giving him a chance to respond, I turned and left the bar.
When I stepped outside, I was immediately hit with a rush of cold air and groaned.
I didn’t exactly mind the winters in Port Angeles.
The snow and ice were pretty and all, but it sucked not being able to ride my bike.
I got in my truck and started the engine, quickly kicking up the heat.
I let it warm up a minute before pulling out of the gate and heading towards town.
When I pulled up at the site, I wasn’t surprised to find Guardrail’s truck parked at the club’s trailer.
I had no doubt that he was in the office hammering away at the plans for next week’s projects.
I pulled up and parked next to him, then headed inside.
And just as I expected, he was sitting at his desk with a pile of papers splayed out before him.
“Hey, brother.” I closed the door and sat down in the empty seat in front of his desk. “How’s it going?”
“It’s going.” He leaned back in his chair with a huff. “Might actually get this shit done if we didn’t have so much other shit going on.”
“Guess that means you heard about Preacher and his kid.”
“Yeah, Cotton called and told me all about it. Shame about the kid and his girl, but I'm not sure being here is gonna make things any better for him. If anything, it’ll only make it worse.”
“I hope, for his sake, that isn’t the case.”
“Guess time will tell. At least, it will give us another set of hands. We could certainly use it, especially with all the runs we got coming up.”
“Sounds like we got more than we were expecting.”
“Yeah, you could say that.” Guardrail shook his head. “Cotton’s been going through all the shit Grant gave him, and it looks like the next couple of months are gonna be rough.”
“You’d think Bruton would’ve given us some kind of heads up.”
“I got no idea what the hell was going on with Bruton, but it wasn’t good.”
“Afraid of that... I hope Cotton hasn’t bitten off more than he can chew.”
“It’ll be a lot. No doubt about that, but it’s Cotton. Nothing he can’t handle.”
“Sure hope you’re right about that.”
“I am,” Guardrail answered confidently. “Cotton’s spent the better part of his life juggling men like this. It won’t be easy, but he’ll get the job done and he’ll get it done right.”
“He’s definitely a one-of-kind.”
“That he is.”
I motioned my hand toward the stack of papers on his desk as I asked, “So, how behind are we?”
“Yeah, a little, but we can manage it. We’re just gonna have to hit the ground running.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Before I got up to leave, I asked, “There anything you need me to do while I’m here?”
“Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“Good deal. I’ll see you first thing.”
“Thanks, brother. Appreciate ya.”
I nodded, then headed back out to my truck.
I hadn’t heard anything from Torch, so I decided to call it a day and started home.
I was just a few miles from the house when my mind drifted to Maggie.
It had been hours since I’d left her place and the memory of her touch still lingered on my skin.
It left me with a dull ache that had me wishing I was back in her bed with her head on my chest and her legs draped over my own.
I couldn’t deny it. My night with her was out of this world, and not just because of the incredible sex.
It was her.
It was the way she looked at me, her eyes filled with desire and a hint of mischief. It was the way she touched me, like she knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it. Just thinking about it had me needing to adjust myself. Damn.
When I got to the house, I went inside and grabbed a beer from the fridge. As soon as I was settled in my recliner, I took out my phone and sent her a message.
Me:
How’s it going?
Maggie:
Pretty good.
The kids got home a few hours ago. We had dinner, and now, they’re holed up in their rooms.
Me:
And what about you?
Where do you hole up?
Maggie:
Usually in my room.
But tonight, I’m in the living room.
I have the fire going, and I’m watching a movie.
Me:
Sounds nice.
Wish I was there.
Maggie:
Me, too.
I could use a snuggle buddy tonight.
Me:
Is that right?
Maggie:
Yeah, my heat has been acting up.
Me:
You don’t have any heat?
Maggie:
No, but we’re okay.
Me:
Why didn’t you say anything?
Maggie:
Because we’re okay.
I’ve got some little heaters I borrowed from Mom.