Cambria
The drive from Aiken to Hunters Creek, Tennessee, was over.
Early this morning, we waved Dylan and Eagle off as they headed back to the Pagans’ compound with my stuff.
Shadow and I got on the road to Hunters Creek.
Without stops, the drive took five hours.
We’d stopped once to gas up and use the bathroom, and a second time to snag food.
It was nearly five o’clock in the afternoon.
We were staring at the large gate in front of us.
At first glance, I thought it looked like the Pagans’ compound. This one had concrete-block walls topped with razor wire rather than the steel walls of my new home, but the vibe was the same. There was no one there to open the gate, so Shadow pressed a buzzer.
Moments later, the gate began to open. We drove through as soon as the opening was wide enough.
Inside, the similarities were greater. I saw houses spread out everywhere.
However, what struck me was a large two-story mansion with several vehicles and a few bikes parked in front of it. That was where Shadow headed.
When he stopped in an open spot, I had to ask, “Is this their clubhouse?”
“It is. The unique thing about this property is that the previous owners ran a successful mortuary in town. They had their mansion out here, as well as their crematorium. When this property came up on the market, Bull snapped it up. The clubhouse has something like fifteen bedrooms and nine bathrooms or something crazy like that. Unlike us, over half of this club is settled down. Those that aren’t, which is about two handfuls, live mainly in the clubhouse.
The rest have houses. It was here, and at their Dublin Falls chapter, that gave us, and most of our friends, the idea to build our homes within the walls of the property.
Let’s go inside so you can see Brae, meet the others, and get the tour. ”
In no time, he was opening the door to the mansion.
There was the familiar chatter of numerous voices.
Walking inside, I first noted the number of bodies, then I was wrapped in a pair of arms as Braelyn hugged me.
I squeezed her back. She was gushing over how happy she was to see me.
I told her the same. It wasn’t until she eased away that I caught sight of the man standing behind her holding a baby boy.
The man was tall, a couple of inches taller than Shadow.
His dark brown hair was long on top, worn in two tight braids that ended in a single knot at the back of his head.
The sides were shaved into a fade cut. He had a closely cropped beard and mustache and dark blue eyes.
His smile made his eyes twinkle. This was Loki.
Brae had sent me a picture of him, but he was even more handsome than his photo.
“Spellbinder, hold our son, so I can greet Cambria and Shadow,” his gravelly voice said.
“Oh, of course,” she said, taking Branton into her arms. He was wide awake and watching us. At two-and-a-half months, he was already his daddy’s spitting image, with a few differences he got from his mommy.
“It’s great to meet you in person, finally, Cambria,” Loki said as he hugged me. I hugged him back. I was getting accustomed to the affectionate nature of the bikers I met.
“I’m so happy to meet you, too,” I replied.
When we were done hugging, he shifted and gave a back-slapping hug to my man. “About time, you came to visit. It’s been too long. Better be prepared. They’re all about to descend. All I can say is, they’ve all had their shots if they bite,” Loki said, grinning.
He stepped away, and then I found out what he meant. Like a wave, we were approached by a sea of people.
“Cambria, let me introduce Bull. He’s the chapter and charter president of the Archangel’s Warriors. And this beautiful woman is his old lady, Jocelyn,” Shadow introduced.
From there, it was an endless wave of faces and names. I knew I would be able to identify the guys by their cuts, but the women, I’d only know by their club names. As for the kids, there was no way I could keep them straight. There were two dozen, and several were all babies born this year.
After introductions, we were shown to a table to rest and offered drinks. I accepted but asked to use the bathroom first. Shadow showed me to the nearest one. When I returned, I soaked in more of the space we were in.
The common room was set up similarly to the Pagans’, but with the bones of the former house peeking out.
Walls had been knocked down to create a massive space from several rooms. Despite being a bikers’ clubhouse, it wasn’t neglected or in disrepair.
I not only got to chat with Loki and Brae, plus the Warriors who gathered around, but I also got my hands on Branton.
I enjoyed snuggling with him like I did with Dora at home.
As we began talking, tantalizing scents reached my nose. I inhaled deeply.
“Ah, you smell it, don’t you? That’s why I said not to eat dinner before you got here. We’re having a club dinner tonight. And I have to say, it’s a feast. The way these women cook is fantastic,” Brae told me.
“Like you don’t cook the same as we do,” the one called Treasure said. I had to think before I recalled she was with Tank, the VP, and her actual name was Brynlee.
For a while, we chatted about what I’d been through the past two months.
When it was time to eat, I insisted on helping to set out the food at least. They had it set up like a buffet, which was the only way to feed such a large crowd.
There was too much to choose from, but I ate until I couldn’t hold any more. It was delicious.
Cleanup was left to the prospects, allowing the men and women to relax and not only visit with Shadow and me but also to play games and watch their kids.
It was during this time that Outlaw approached us, and the conversation turned to computers.
I discovered he was Crusher’s and Shadow’s equivalent in Hunters Creek.
As we chatted about how we followed the trails and such, I heard his old lady, Tarin, also known as Jewel, teasing.
“That’s the end of tonight. You know how he is when he gets to talk computers with someone who understands what he’s talking about.
I was hoping to commiserate with Cambria about being a computer widow, but she’s one of them,” she pseudo-whispered to those closest to us.
Her antics made the others laugh, as well as me.
“I know, we’re horrible, aren’t we? Sorry,” I said.
“No, don’t be. I’m kidding. I like seeing him in his element,” Tarin said.
“It’s what it’s like when I get with other medical people,” Zara, who was a doctor I discovered and Demon’s old lady, said.
The evening was full of laughter and learning about their club.
I was very interested in the variety of businesses they had.
While there were a couple, like the ones the Pagans had—a tattoo shop and a bar—the rest were different.
And in some cases, a total surprise. I would’ve never pictured an MC owning a bakery, a spa, a real estate company, or a refuge for abuse victims. I asked to hear about them all, but I was particularly drawn to the Warriors’ Haven, the refuge.
As the evening grew later, I was shown around and taken to the massive children’s room in the clubhouse.
It was set up not only as a play area but also as a place where they could stay overnight, like tonight, when their parents wanted to stay at the clubhouse.
The room had monitors that let their parents see and hear what was happening inside.
Additionally, if necessary, it could serve as a safe room.
Like the Pagans, the Warriors were no longer an outlaw MC, but that didn’t mean they never ran into issues.
It was reassuring to know that they had measures in place to keep the most vulnerable safe.
With the kids in bed, the alcohol became more freely consumed.
No one was getting shitfaced drunk, but I had a nice buzz going.
It was good to let go. I was explaining to a group of ladies about the first time I met the Pagans in mass when I heard someone sigh.
I glanced over to find it was Madisen, Rebel’s old lady.
She and Jessica, Ajax’s lady, ran the bakery.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing. I’m not sure how much exposure you’ve had to club bunnies and hang arounds in Oconee.
They’re somewhat of a staple in most clubs.
And I can’t disagree that the club is the home of single guys.
Don’t be upset by them. You have your property cut on, and they’ll see Shadow’s cut.
They’ll stay away. Only ones who might not are a newbie hang around,” Madisen warned.
She cast concerned glances toward the main door.
I looked over my shoulder to find that seven women had entered. They were spreading out. Their sexy walks, skimpy clothing choices, and inviting smiles showed they were here to have a good time. I shrugged and went back to the conversation.
“It doesn’t bother me as long as they stay away from Shadow, or if they need to be told, they listen, then no biggie. I’ve had to deal with them in Oconee. Unfortunately, for one of the hangers, she had to be shown how to behave.”
“Really. What happened?” Raina, Joker’s old lady, asked.
“Have you heard of the bunny bonfire Jalisa instituted there?” I asked.
“I heard a rumor of something called that, but wasn’t sure what it was or if it was real,” Raina admitted.
“Oh, it’s very real and not something to fool with. Let me explain first what it is,” I told her.
I launched into an outline of what the bonfire was all about.
Shadow was standing not far away in deep conversation with several of the guys.
The women were astonished by what I told them, as evidenced by their facial expressions.
When I was done explaining what it was, I then recounted what happened with Eliza.