Page 6 of Rogue's Path

Havoc spins it around, flicking the tabs open. The case is full of neatly packed stacks of hundred-dollar bills.

I know the Deathadders have money, but the amount of money in there could buy way more than he’s asking for. It’s probably enough for a healthy down payment on a house in the city. Some of our bikes cost bank, but not that much.

“Take Colton to pick a bike from the reserves.” Havoc nods to me.

We always keep a few special bikes in the back in case a brother needs a new one or something happens. Which it always seems to. “Sure.”

Colton follows me out of Havoc's office and through the labyrinth of our clubhouse. We keep the shop on site for convenience, even though our official office and showroom are downtown. “What kind of bike were you looking for?”

“A chopper or cruiser.”

Hmmm.

“With space to store all the stuff you’re getting me.”

That’s even more of a challenge.

“Do you have something that will work?”

It’s one of my favorite bikes. We built it to give to a brother, eventually. The compartments are virtually invisible, which is perfect for transporting items you don’t want found. “Yeah. We’ve got something.”

The extra bikes are stored in one of the empty bays at the back of the shop.

It’s always loud back here thanks to all the pneumatic equipment we use. The scent of oil and hot metal fills the air. If I had to pick one scent to consider home, it would be this. I grew up in a garage and I’ll probably die in one.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the push of a button, the bay door opens letting in enough light to show the row of bikes in the back.

“I’ll take any one of them.”

They’re all sweet. “The one you want is the gunmetal one on the end. It’s all handmade.” I tooled most of the parts myself. “She isn’t the fastest bike, but she handles like a dream. Let me show you the hidden compartments. Each of the saddlebags has a key lock with a secret release latch and the key needs to be within ten feet for them to open. The hidden compartment isinside the engine.” I squat down to show him. “You press here and here at the same time to open it.”

Colton nods. “That’s big enough for a semi-automatic and quite a few mags. No one would ever look there.”

That’s the point. “Do you need a lesson?”

So many guys think they can handle a bike like this without any experience. Given Colton’s height, or lack thereof, it will be especially challenging without understanding the mechanics of it.

“Nah, I’m good. Had a chopper when I was a kid.”

You’re still a kid. Then again, anyone in their twenties seems like a kid to me. “Feel free to ride her around. We’ll have your other toys ready in a few minutes.” It doesn’t take long to get things out of the armory. I toss the keys over to him and walk away.

***

Havoc and I watch as Colton rides off and the gates close behind him.

“That kid is looking for trouble.”

Oh yeah. “He’s going to find it.”

“Do you think he’ll get through whatever this is alive?”

Young impetuous men rarely do. “He’s well trained.” Another gift from the Deathadders. None of their members walk anywhere without years, maybe decades, of training in all types of fighting.

“The only things our guys are well trained in are bar fights and drinking.”

Those are two important skills. “Half of us were in the military.”