As Ace said a few days after I got hauled in, “You managed to fuck up so bad, even the cops had to pay attention.” He didn’t actually say it—he yelled it so loud in my lawyer’s office that the secretary taking notes started to cry. Reason number one why Ace would be the last brother I visited on my road to redemption.
“I’ll start with Fist or Speed.”
Seeking out my former brothers was another story. They were either gonna spit in my face or jump on board ready to bring it all back to life. I had a pretty good idea how my reception would go, but I had everything to gain and nothing to lose. Sometimes you have to take the bet. Especially in a town like Atlantic City.
Coming back to a club that imploded from the inside out and trusting a man who fucked up and sent all their lives to hell wouldn’t be easy. But, fuck, I’d never been known for doing easy.
“Only one way to find out.” I finish off the last of my beer, stand and dig my hand in my pocket. I pull out a wad of bills from the safety deposit box I visited earlier, peel some off and lay them on the table.
“What the fuck is that?” She pushes the money back at me.
“For watching over my baby all these years.”
“Don’t be stupid. You’re gonna need this money.”
“I got enough.” I lock eyes with her. “And I’m not gonna waste time arguing with your stubborn ass. Take the money. Keep it. Give it to charity. I don’t give a shit, but I’m not taking it back.”
She shakes her head, growling. “Fine, but just so you know, I don’t need it.”
“Good for you.”
She pushes away from the table, stands, and I stare at the closest person I’ve ever had to a mother. “You’re a good friend, Mags.”
“Friend?” She grabs me into a bear hug. “More like the son I never had.”
“Ahhh, shit.” This wasn’t good. My eyes tear up for the second time today.
I heft the Harley keys in my hand as I make my way down Maggie’s driveway and into the garage. I stare at the bike for a few minutes, wanting to take in every inch of her. Maggie stayed in the house, probably knowing I’d want this time to myself.
I waited a long time for this, and I want to savor every second. When I finally throw my leg over the saddle and settle into the leather, my dick gets hard again, and I’m glad I’m alone. How fucking embarrassing to get a hard-on straddling your Harley. Definitely need to get laid if my six-hundred-pound machine is jerking me off.
I slip in the key and kick my baby to life. The first roar, the smell of gasoline, then the subtle rumble fills me with hope and a new beginning. I wheel out of Maggie’s driveway with one thing on my mind—resurrecting the Kings of Anarchy, Atlantic City Chapter.
Chapter Two
DEUCE
First stop, Pizza King on the corner of Atlantic and Mississippi. I order a Coke at the counter, then take a table. No, I’m not going in for a slice; I’m waiting for my former road captain, Speed, to show up.
I keep my eyes glued to the back door, assuming he’ll come in that way from the parking lot. Ten minutes later, a guy in a red t-shirt with a gold crown on the front advertising “Best Pizza in Jersey” and a matching cap ambles up to the counter. The woman who served me the soda shoves some paper receipts at him, and I continue to stare.
I didn’t believe it when I found out my wise-ass road captain was a pizza delivery guy, but seeing is believing. I’m still not convinced until I see the familiar tats covering both his arms, some of which we got together after some wild nights of partying. Somehow the goofy t-shirt and cap give off a way different vibe. No way this is the same guy who threw fists with me side by side. My ride-or-die daredevil road captain reduced to fast food delivery.
I suck up more Coke, then push away from the table and head for the back of the restaurant.
“Hey.”
Speed turns, does a double-take, and his mouth drops open.
I spread my arms wide. “Surprised to see me?”
“Yeah.” Speed continues to stare. “When did you get out?”
“I’ve been a free man since seven o’clock this morning.”
“And you came back to AC?”
“You sound surprised.” I wait, not sure I wanna hear what he has to say.
