Page 110 of Mouse Trapped

“Nah. As much as possible, I’ve got it handled. We’re taking some stuff for her in case the worst happens. I’ll take some shit too; I’ll be on the first plane I can and following her.”

“You got a visa sorted?”

I have. I’ve kept it from Mariana as it would upset her to know how serious I think the threat of deportation is. “Yeah, Prez.”

Drummer wipes his hand over his beard. “I don’t know if everyone’s realised, but if Mariana gets deported again, Mouse will be gone for years, if not forever. Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

I shake my head. “Sorry, Prez.”

“No need for apologies, Brother. If it were Sam, I’d be doing the same thing.”

“Losing too many good brothers lately. You’ll be off yourself soon, won’t you, Paladin?” Beef frowns, then turns to his neighbour. “I presume that’s still happening?”

Slick shrugs. “Yeah. Drummer’s setting it up.” He doesn’t seem happy.

“What about Drew?” Blade interjects, getting us back on topic.

I glance at Prez who replies, “Sam and I will take care of him. Least until we know the score. Mariana and Mouse will need to get shit organised for if, and when, he decides to join them. Seems like we’re getting a reputation for picking up strays.” There’s a chuckle, though Heart looks uncomfortable. Drummer and Sam looked after his daughter when he couldn’t after the death of his first ol’ lady.

“Drew okay with that?”

I nod at Slick. “He knows he should finish his education. Once we get settled, he can come for visits. I’ll need to check out the ground first, make sure it’s safe.”

“Don’t like the idea of you being on your own down there, Brother.”

Me neither, but I don’t respond to Peg. What choice have I got? I’m not leaving Mariana to fend for herself.

“Her father’s still out there,” Wraith reminds me unnecessarily.

“There are MCs in Colombia. One in Bogotá. Might be safer if you joined up with them.”

And start all over as a prospect. “I’ll think about it, Prez.”

“Leastways they might give you protection if you need it. Worst happens? I’ll get in touch.”

I raise my chin, showing my gratitude to Drummer. Fuck, this meeting is making me depressed. I’ve had these discussionswith Mariana and Drew, but it’s always been in a hypothetical sense, the worst-case scenario. Sitting around this table is bringing it home that I could very soon be leaving this brotherhood. Not for weeks or months, but as Drummer had said, years. It’s possible I’ll never be around this table again.

I glance at the faces around me, it looks like the seriousness of the situation is dawning on my brothers too. I try to imprint the features of the men I’ll continue to call brothers wherever I end up, on my brain, committing them to memory. I might be thousands of miles away, but that won’t change how I feel about them. I take in Wraith, Blade, Dollar, Viper, Beef, Slick, Road, Paladin and Shooter. Joker and Lady at the bottom of the table, then Marvel, Jekyll, Hyde, Bullet and Peg. A wave of emotion washes over me.

“Hey, I’ve got this picture in my mind. A ranch, horses and lots of them. Lush green scenery, mountains behind. Mouse and Mariana and a houseful of kids behind them.” Beef grins at me. “Great place to come for a visit.”

“Put like that,” Road says. “May even come with you.”

“You could grow your own marijuana,” Hyde suggests, a quick glance shows he’s serious.

As other comments come to me, some of course inane, I shake my head, my lips curving. I’ll miss this.

“You’ll get your dues paid, long as you’re still our computer guy,” Dollar reminds me.

Drummer bangs the gavel. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

The night before we set off for LA there’s no party in the clubhouse. Just people telling us to get our asses back here fast, grumbling we’re going to be away, all avoiding mentioning that we might not be coming home. We’ll be leaving early the next morning. Drew wanted to come with us, Mariana persuaded him not to, thinking if the outcome wasn’t what we werehoping, it would be too devastating for him. Both sister and brother are struggling to stay strong for each other.

We walk up to the suites together. Drew hugs Mariana, holding her tight, and I give them the space to say what they need to. At least I know he’s got the horses and Jacob to keep him occupied. Old man and boy seem to have taken to each other.

When she comes into my room, she’s crying. She grabs a tissue, blows her nose, and tries to wipe the tears away. “Make love to me, Tse?”

She doesn’t need to ask me twice. Although I’ve vowed I won’t be parted from her, I love her so gently, so reverently, scared something could happen that would upset our plans.