There’s nothing left to discuss.A brief silence as we think about Tempest Aherne’s brief but brilliant life.
Banging the bottom of an old beer bottle on the bar counter to break up the meeting, I move out.We like to leave the clubhouse littered with human touches to make the place look more authentic.Not that anyone would dare come in here once they know we are back.
Rundas calls after me.“Would you accept a wager?”
The others freeze.If I make a wager, they will lay their own bets right afterwards.
“I’m listening.”I’m also smiling.This is just what we need to lighten the mood after hearing the bad news about Tempest.
“I’m betting Tempest’s niece doesn’t realize the truth until June or July next year.”
Jaecar whistles.“Whoo!That’s quick.I say it will take her at least a year.”
We all look at Artim.“She’s from the city.I doubt if she will ever understand.”
Theron debates within himself before saying, “She’s Tempest’s niece.And don’t forget she has access to the room and the distillery.I say she’ll start asking questions the moment you step through her door, Shadow.So, I bet she’s onto you within a couple of weeks.”
The other three riders shake their heads.
I have to ask.“Why so quick?She has no idea.And I was touching her and holding her.”I don’t say anything about Luna’s troublesome stubbornness after I pretended the first aid kit was in the mud room.
Theron smirks.“You’ll tell her yourself, Shadow.Because you’re going to give her the best delightful nightmares of her life.”
The other three riders roar with laughter.
Damn.It’s at moments like this when I miss the distillery so much.I could really do with a drink right about now.Drinking brings the MC closer together.Celebrations, consolations, and just plain old shooting the breeze; it all goes better with fluids.
I think about Luna before accepting the bet.
“On behalf of my beguiling new victim, I have to side with Theron on this one.But your wagers are in the laps of the gods.Luna will be the one who ultimately decides, not so?”
“What is she like?”the riders want to know.
“Luna is a lot like Tempest physically, but their temperaments are different.She’s sharp enough to make bold assumptions, but her logic is still very biased towards city life.”
“When are we going to meet her?”Artim wants to know.
“I’ll leave that up to Luna.It’s gotta be organic.”
“Here’s to the laps of the gods, brother.”Rundas gives me one last smirk before flickering into the darkness.
Using the secret passage, I enter the distillery.The craving hits me hard when I inhale.The place reeks of fluids.I can barely suppress my salivation as I strip off my clothes and creep inside my bed.
I already knew that updating my appearance is what I wanted to do when I returned to Landslide, so I drank on the mainland.
I’m ready for a change.I keep telling myself this is the right time for us to represent ourselves in a different way to the locals, but I’m lying.
I’m doing this for Luna—because I want to be with her during my most flattering outer presentation.
Feeling the moon rising outside, I make the change.The fluids I took inside me at the seedy Minneapolis motel tingle and burn as my body obeys my command.
Moments later, it is done.I can crawl out again and ride to the white painted house on the hill.
I see the light go on in Luna’s bedroom when she hears the bike revving up the incline.I hear her hasty preparations to receive her guest.The sound of teeth and hair being brushed.The rustle of cotton as she lets the dressing gown fall to the floor.
It saddens me to know she plans to open the door with day clothes on.How I would love for Luna to invite me inside wearing nothing but her dressing gown—like some delicious present longing to be unwrapped.
The porch steps creak as I mount them; my heavy biker boots make the weathered planks shake.
