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“Maybe, but in terms of power and intel, your club is a tiny David and The Firm is Goliath on crack. They wouldn’t have even given you a second thought unless they knew your plans and, of course, your motivation.” I can see the kindness in Ophelia’s eyes, even when she’s speaking hard truths.
“Well, joke’s on them, ain’t it? Tiny David fucked Goliath up the ass then bled him dry.” Grinder’s imagery makes us all groan but he’s not wrong, they underestimated us.
“Credit where credit’s due.” Ophelia’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes as she responds to Grinder. “You did some damage, but the Grouses were just one part of the beast. And if we’re right, you’ve got bigger problems ahead.”
Before I can voice my question, Psycho beats me to it. “Right about what?”
We know what she’s about to say but we need to hear the words.
“I’m sorry but… you have a rat in your club.”
“Keep ya traps shut. We tell Hoops and Shade and that’s it. It’s fuckin’ bullshit, but it’s just in case. Got it?”
Every last one of us nods at Sledge’s command, knowing he’s right. It’s impossible to believe we actually have someone betraying us in the club. We’re so tight and I would give my life for any one of them in that building, but Ophelia sowed the grain of doubt in all of us with her hunches.
While we wait, Ophelia’s crew unloads our things from the plane, placing them on the tarmac, ready for the trucks.
“What did I miss while I was sleeping?” Athena brings her hand to her mouth as she yawns big and loud.
“I’ll fill you in later, Baby Girl.”
“Okay.”
The rumble of trucks on the tarmac gets our attention, and from where we stand, I can see Axle driving the first truck while Boner follows in the other. I’m guessin’ Diablo or Jonesy is following behind. As much as I’d love to get back on my bike, I can appreciate them coming to get us like this since Athena is in no shape to ride.
“Remember, until we talk to our prez, we don’t mention this rat business to anyone.” Sledge eyes us all, one after the other, and because he just can’t help himself, Grinder chimes in.
“We can talk about Ninja and Bandit, right? I mean, they’re the good rats.”
“Damn right.” Psycho lifts his fist and they bump knuckles. Fucking toddlers.
It doesn’t take us long to get all of our shit down from the plane to our trucks, and with hushed goodbyes and promises to keep in touch, we head home.
Fucking finally.
Thankfully, we weren’t at the international airport, instead, the whole time we’ve traveled, we’ve landed on private air strips. I guess it’s a good way to go incognito.
As soon as we pull up to our compound, a sense of relief washes over me. It’s not exactly home as in a house that’s allmine, but it is home to our family. The club, the brothers, the camaraderie. Hoops and Shade are standing tall, front and center, as we pull up and their relief is palpable. If one of us is hurting, all of us are in pain.
“Thanks for coming to get us, brother.” Psycho slaps Axle on the shoulder as we file out of the truck. The prospects hurry to the beds of the trucks, bringing our shit inside and storing our weapons in the garage.
“Always, man. It’s good to have y’all home.” Axle is a good guy but I can’t help but wonder if maybe he’s the rat. That’s when it hits me that once a seed like this is planted, the rift is immediate.
“Oh my goodness, Bear! We were so worried about you.” Vanessa hugs us both, careful not to hurt Athena as she looks her in the eyes and whispers. “Welcome home, beautiful girl.” I don’t miss the twin tears streaming down Athena’s cheeks or the fact she doesn’t try to hide them. It takes courage to show your vulnerability, and my girl is braver than a mama bear protecting her cubs.
From the corner of my eye, I see Mac hand off baby Gryffin to her mom before she takes off in a sprint and jumps into Psycho’s awaiting arms.
“That’s my Cherry Pie. Fuck, I’ve missed you!” Mac kisses her husband all over his face before they assault each other’s mouths. Anywhere else, it would be indecent, here though? It’s the appropriate way of welcoming home the love of your life.
“Come on, y’all. That chicken parm ain’t gonna eat itself.” And just like that, Vanessa gets everyone’s attention with just a few words. We don’t walk, we run inside, needing a homemade meal like we need air in our lungs. The best way to get grown ass men to do what you want is to starve them for a couple of days then prepare a feast.
That buffet was inhaled in less than ten minutes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten this much so fast in my entire life.” Grinder leans back in his chair, rubbing his belly and smiling like a fool.
“Fuckin’ A, that chicken parm was on point, Sabrina. It’s like you knew we’d be hungry.” I chuckle when I catch Sabrina rolling her eyes, but I don’t miss the slight pink in her cheeks at Sledge’s compliment. We would starve without her here and make sure she knows it at every turn. The fact she hasn’t spoken a word in all the years she’s been here doesn’t deter us from talking to her like she talks right back. All the women in our lives learned sign language to be able to understand her when she does want to communicate. We tried, but we’re too fuckin’ lazy to keep up the lessons.
“While I have you here, don’t y’all forget about the toy drive for Christmas. It’s next week and I expect you all to be there. Or else.” Mac’s voice carries across the room and down the long-ass table that the brothers set up for our arrival.