“Just get on your damn bike so we can head to the clubhouse,” I snap and fire up my own.
I don’t wait for Heart but guide my bike onto the road.It’s a nice afternoon and the streets are quiet.I love living in this town.My parents were both born here in Nowalk, Maryland.My great grandfather used to tell me stories about our family history.How brave soldiers held their ground against larger forces.
The mere thought boosts my motivation, knowing whatever shit lies ahead I will face it head-on.It’s in my blood; I won’t ever back down.I’m the president of the Kings of Anarchy, Maryland chapter and no one fucks with The Kings.
Norie tightens her arms around me, as if without words agreeing with my thoughts.Damn, talk about a connection.It’s like the state motto...the deeds of a man combined with the gentleness of a woman’s words.Fuck.It makes me feel as if there’s already a sweet balance between us, as if it’s meant to be.
I reach out to cover her thigh with my hand and give her a gentle squeeze.Never thought about claiming an old lady.When Big Daddy suggested it when I called him to share details of the fucked-up shit we were dealing with, it did sound like a solution.These past few days were enough to thoroughly think things through.
The smile on my face isn’t just from feeling great after fucking her sweet pussy.Yet, it doesn’t last long when I notice a motorcycle on my left.I release a curse and speed up.Heart glances in the same direction and also notices the Norlick Ways biker giving chase.
Any other time I’d palm my gun and shoot at the fucker.There are no innocent people roaming the street who could get hurt in the crossfire.Though, this very moment?I have precious cargo sitting on the back of my bike.
Heart slows down his bike, as if he can hear me, and is pulling up on my other side to block Norie and give cover.The Norlick Ways biker moves, getting to a position that exposes my woman, and I see him pull a gun.
I reach for one of my guns and swing my arm back while keeping control of the bike.It’s hard as fuck to aim correctly, even more when I’m trying to shoot a moving object.Then there’s the fact Heart is in my line of fire, and I need to keep an eye on the road in front of me.
Norie covers her hand with mine and I have no damn clue if she can fire a weapon, but I let her have mine.All I can do now is focus on getting us the hell out of here safely.I hear gunshots and a moment later Heart is riding next to me.Norie is holding the gun out to our side and I take it from her to flip the safety back on and shove it into my shoulder holster.
Anger flows through my veins and the rest of the ride doesn’t do shit to regain my calm, even if I know we’re all okay.The image of the fucker swerving away from Heart to get a clear shot at Norie is still a haunting memory.
The gate slides open when we’re almost at the clubhouse.Once both of us ride through it closes behind us.As soon as I come to a stop, I hit the kickstand and slide off my bike to face Heart who parks right next to me.
“Was it me or was he aiming for Norie?”I grit through clenched teeth.
“From what I could tell?He went for your old lady,” Heart confirms.
Norie snorts.“I knew you were there the whole damn time.”
I ignore her comment; we have more pressing matters to deal with.“Which means they think she knows things or the fact she’s my woman.”
“No one knows you claimed me besides pervy here.Maybe he was aiming for me to get rid of the dead weight so he could shoot you right after.”Norie shrugs when Heart and I both look at her.
“It’s a possibility,” Heart slowly states.“Yet, we also can’t ignore the fact that we took her in because she was going through the books at the brewery.Meaning Gilpin might consider her a threat.If he’s still working with Norlick Ways, he’d want her gone to eliminate the risk.”
I shake my head.“There’s no if in my opinion.Gilpin and Melon were the main ones setting up the deal with Norlick Ways.Both are responsible and he will be dealt with as soon as we figure out if there are more members involved.”
“Huck has been hanging around Gilpin, and he’ll give us an update later.I need to know if the fucker called in the hit or whatever details Huck might have.”I turn to Norie.“You’re going to ask Swade some questions, and don’t feed him any information.”
Norie places her hands on her hips.“He’s not in on anything.Swade is loyal to the club.”
“Right, and the man never lies, gotcha,” I fire back and instantly regret it when she winces.
I huff out a breath in frustration and am about to say something...the fuck if I know what...when she waves me off.“Whatever.I get it, and I will try to get some answers.”
“Good.Oh, and your ass is on lockdown.I won’t risk your life and the ride to the clubhouse almost got you killed.”I brace myself for her reaction.
Her shoulders sag.“Understood.It’s been a while since I fired a gun and it’s completely different when you’re doing target practice in the backyard or trying to actually shoot at a person.”
“Let me guess, Swade taught you?”I ask.
Norie nods.“My mother always had to leave once a month for a day or two.During those times Swade would keep an eye out.When I was sixteen, he asked if I would like to learn how to shoot a gun.I thought it was badass, so he taught me.We did some target practice whenever my mother was gone for more than a day.Though, like I said, I haven’t shot a gun in years.”
“You did good,” I murmur, and I like the tiny smile as she gives me a nod.
I reach out and pull her close.Fuck.This whole thing could have gone so damn wrong.
“We need to end this,” Heart grunts.“Fuckin’ bullshit for them to go after your old lady.”
