“Nah, I get thatpleasure,” the biker said. “And once I yank it, I’m gonna beat the shit out ofhim with it.”
Hatch chuckled,turning to the blonde woman. “And you’re here because…?”
“It gave me anexcuse to visit my big brother,” the blonde said.
“You mean, spyon me?” Hatch retorted.
She scoffed.“Why are you always so paranoid?”
“I’ll stop bein’paranoid when you and my wife stop conspirin’ against me.”
“Did you hearthat, babe?” she said to her man. “Hatch is accusing me of being shifty. Aren’tyou going to defend my honor?”
“I would ratherget in the ring with a grizzly bear than put myself in the middle of one of yourbrother-sister spats.”
“Coward.”
“Is this yournew recruit?” the biker nodded toward me.
Hatch turnedtoward me. “Huck, meet Minus, president of the Burning Saints, and this is hisold lady and co-pilot, Cricket. She’s also my pain in the ass little sister.”
“Rude,” Cricketsassed.
“Accurate,”Hatch retorted.
I nodded. “Niceto meet you. I appreciate you bringing my truck back. I owe you one.”
“Least I cando.” Minus crossed his arms. “I heard you and my VP got into a contest of whocould piss in each other’s face better.”
I scrubbed theback of my neck with my hand. “Yeah, somethin’ like that.”
“Well, I’veknown Clutch for a million years, and I’ve seen him do a million and one stupidthings, but this is no way for a new recruit to start out.”
“Yes, sir.”
“For instance,where’s your cut?” Minus demanded.
“We were gonnagive it to him tonight,” Hatch said. “But seein’ as y’all are here, may as welldo it now. Daisy, honey, go in my office and look in my closet.”
Daisy walkeddown the hall, returning with a leather cut, which she handed to Hatch.
“You understandwhat this is?” Hatch asked me.
“I think so.”
“I doubt it,”Hatch said. “But let me tell you. This cut represents two things. Freedom andbrotherhood. Now those two things are diametrically opposed, which is exactlywhat club life is. The pursuit for absolute freedom while living by a strictcode of self-enforced rules. Once you put this on, it never comes off. I don’tmean that literally, of course, although, you are expected to show the clubcolors whenever possible. What I mean is, once you’re a member of this club,you’re a member for life, unless I say otherwise. Now, although, you’re onlyprospecting to become a member, the rules and regulations of this club stillapply. First and foremost, you must ride. Every day possible, your ass is onthe road. I understand Booker is loaning you a bike. You either buy that oneoff him or get your own by the end of this week. Second, if I or any otherofficer tells you to do something, you do it, no questions asked. I don’t careif he tells you to clean out his ass crack with a toothbrush.”
“Ew, Connor,”Cricket said with a groan.
“I’m trying toprove a point, Christina.”
“You’re tryingto make me puke.”
“And last, butmost importantly,” Hatch continued, “you will faithfully and dutifully serveyour club brothers and sisters and this community. Never disrespect the club,and never disrespect your patch. I’ve assigned Booker as your Road Captain.You’ll report to him, and he’ll present you with your cut. Oh, and one morething, first thing tomorrow morning, you make an appointment at a tattoo shopand get some goddamn ink on that lily white skin. You don’t have the right towear club ink until you’re a member, but if you’re gonna ride, you need tostart looking like you ride.”
“Or, his body,his choice,” Cricket sassed.
“I got one foryou,” Hatch replied. “How about my prospect, my boot, as in, up his ass if hedoesn’t do what I say.”
