Blaze leans forward. "We know what they want. The question is how hard they're gonna push for it."
"Hard enough to come all the way from Houston," Thunder says, his voice a low rumble. The sergeant at arms is built like a tank, all muscle and intimidation. "They wouldn't make the trip for nothing."
"Maybe they just want the money," Rogue offers, though he doesn't sound convinced. "Four million returned, they walk away."
"We don't have four million liquid," Phantom says. "Ranch operations ate most of it. Improvements, expansion, new equipment."
"Then we negotiate payments," Blaze suggests.
Phantom's jaw ticks. "We'll see what they're actually after first."
The rumble of engines cuts through the conversation.
They're here.
We all tense, hands drifting toward weapons.
I stand, moving to the window.
Six bikes pull into the parking lot.
All Harleys, all customized, all expensive.
The Copperhead Kings aren't hurting for money—this isn't about need.
It's about principle, or revenge.
The riders dismount, and I catalog each one.
The leader is obvious—older, maybe late fifties, with gray-streaked hair and a face that's seen violence.
His cut says "Prez" and below it: Venom.
He moves like a man who's been in charge for decades, commanding respect without saying a word.
Beside him, a leaner man with a VP patch: Rattler.
Younger than Venom, maybe mid-forties, with cold eyes that miss nothing.
The sergeant at arms is massive: Moccasin.
Built like Thunder, all brute force and intimidation.
And then there's Flint.
I recognize him immediately even though I've never seen him before.
He looks enough like Bronco that my hands curl into fists.
Same build—tall, broad-shouldered. Same dark hair. Same arrogant tilt to his head.
His enforcer patch marks him as their muscle.
The other two are backup—full patches but not officers. Diamondback and Coil based on the names on their cuts.
"Six of them," I report to Phantom. "Venom's the Prez. Looks like he runs a tight operation. Rattler's his VP. Flint's their enforcer."
"Flint," Phantom repeats. "Bronco's brother."
