Page 40 of His Flawed Ride (Sons of Lost Souls MC #16)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Leo

A ll brothers apart from Shane surround the table in the backroom. I spread a map of the country across the table and lean on top of it. The Lost Souls Motorcycle clubhouses are already marked.

“I want to know where every Hog fuck’s bases are.”

Dad is the only one to stand and he takes the marker pen and circles twelve locations across the country.

When Dad tosses the pen down, I pick it up and draw a line from each Hog’s base to the nearest Lost Souls base.

Looking to JJ, I instruct, “Get on the phone to these twelve chapters and tell them I want a meet with their presidents and VP’s.”

“Where?”

I point to a small town in the middle of the Hog fuckers’ territories.

“Here, they have three days to be there.” Looking around the table at my brothers, I inform them, “Me and Jay will leave today. While we’re gone, you need anything you see my dad.

You hold down what’s ours, by any means necessary. ”

“What are ya thinkin’, Leo?” Sparky asks.

“We’re gonna blow shit up.”

It’s all he needs and the grin on his face tells me he doesn’t need any more answers.

I slam the gavel down and the back room empties. Dad stays behind and questions, “Jay’s got a leg wound, you should take someone else. Zach? He’s cool and calm but ruthless if needed.”

“Jay will be fine. If I expect high standards from the brothers, I need to set them.”

“Jay’s leg…”

“Fuckin’ hell, Dad. We’ve had worser scratches. He’ll be fine.”

“If you say,” he says with a sigh.

I pick my son up as Holly lays him in his bassinette and she sighs. “I want him to sleep, babe.”

“I’m heading outta town. I’ll be gone about a week.”

“Why so long?” she frowns.

“It’s gonna be a three day ride there and the same back.”

She turns her back and fusses with the laundry. “Rayna’s with your dad. He’s teaching her how to fix up a bike.”

Confused, I ask, “Are you pissed?”

“No, I’m not. I’m just so tried I don’t even know what day of the week it is.”

“I know but the club…”

“Leo, you don’t have to remind me. I know who I married. I know the club comes first.”

I lay Roman in his bassinette and take Holly into our bedroom.

“The club doesn’t come before or after you.

You’re both the same to me. I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t have to, not only to keep the club protected but you and our children too.

You think I want a six-day ride, sleeping in shitty motels or on the side of the road?

I’d rather be here with you, don’t forget that. ”

A tear rolls down her cheek and I wipe it away with the pad of my thumb.

“I’m sorry. Like I said, I’m just tired. I don’t mind…”

“You don’t have to apologise, not to me.”

I claim her mouth like it’s going to be our last kiss. Even one night away from her kills me, but I do this, and it goes to plan, I won’t have to leave her often in the future.

“I’ll call every day,” I promise.

“I know you will.”

I kiss her one last time and fill a backpack with what I’ll need for the trip.

“Don’t come home shot or bleeding, please.”

I smirk. “I’ll do my best.”

Over in the garage, Rayna’s sat on the same wooden stool I remember sitting on growing up when I’d watch my dad and the other brothers working on their bikes.

“Hey, princess, come give me a hug.”

“Are you leaving us again?” she asks.

“Only for a few days.”

I pick her up into my arms and she asks, “Will Roman stop crying all the time by the time you get back?”

I laugh. “He doesn’t cry all the time, Ray.”

“Yes, he does. He wakes me up every night.”

“So did you when you were a baby. It won’t last forever. Anyway, he’s your brother. What did I tell you your job was?”

“To look out for him,” she groans, rolling her pretty little eyes.

“Yes, so that’s what you’re gonna do.”

I kiss her cheek and place her back on her feet. “And look after your mom, she’s gonna need you to help her out, okay?”

“Okay, Dad.”

“Here, Ray, take hold of this,” Dad asks her, passing her the wrench.

She takes it and sits back on the stool.

“Your mom will help out with Holly. Don’t worry about here while you’re on the road,” he tells me.

It’s easier said than done but I trust my mom will help when needed. JJ limps his way over to his bike and I hear Dad mutter under his breath. Ignoring him, I ruffle Rayna’s hair on my way out, much to her annoyance, and I’m met with JJ asking, “What if you’re met with resistance when you ask?”

“Then they’re not doing their job to protect the patch, and we have bigger problems.” I straddle my bike and add, “And I’m not asking.”