With a hitched sob, he took off running. A harsh lesson was gonna be learned.
Amy
What type of fucked up, warped world were we living in? I kept shaking my head against Vortex’s back as we rode home. Someone was willing to post images of Vortex and me for likes. We’d been stalked because my name was in the news because of the explosions. I wasn’t famous for anything other than refusingto court the media and give interviews. What was wrong with people?
Why did they feel the need to lie, make up stories, spread rumours, and stalk their victims? Were their lives so sad that they couldn’t live without tearing someone down? How could somebody be so insecure that they needed to destroy others? The age of the internet and social media has destroyed common decency and courtesy.
Trolls existed who could cancel careers with a few harsh words. Cyberbullying was out of control, and social media was a weapon used to wreck lives. Nowhere was safe anymore. Privacy was an illusion; there was always someone lurking in the street, ready to take pictures or video, whether you wanted them to or not. Strangers felt entitled to pry into lives without giving a damn about the consequences.
I wished I could hide away from the world and just let it implode, but I couldn’t. Attention seekers, fame hunters, social media stars, all with no morals and ethics. That’s what we’d turned into. I had fallen victim myself to watching memes and videos that had been posted. Now the shoe was on the other foot. I hated it, but I’d been a part of it too.
No more. It was time I made a change, and although one person wouldn’t make a difference, I’d be cutting the poison from my life. I held on tightly to Vortex. This man, and the future we were building, was what really mattered. We’d build a relationship that meant something to us, in spite of those ready to tear us down.
Inglorious
“Ya need more brothers or not, Drew?” I demanded over the radio. Today was opening day, and although it was only seven in the morning, there were crowds outside the barriers we’dinstalled. Drew had called me two hours ago demanding help, and now he was on the radio again.
“Yes, fuck it… Stay on that side of the barrier, ma’am, or you will be arrested! The town isn’t open yet! Inglorious,” Drew growled.
“Moon, Chill, and Sabre are on their way.”
“Send fuckin’ King and Tracker too! Screw that—sir… this is your last warning. I will arrest you… Add Nanci, she’ll terrify them!” Drew snapped.
The saloon doors banged, and I spun just in time to see my woman disappearing through them.
“Got your wish, Nanci’s on her way!” I grinned. Nanci would rip everyone a new one.
“Thank God.” Drew sighed and cut the radio.
“Sounds like we’ve got crowds,” Vortex said, yawning.
“Yup. Between the draw of seeing one of us, you know, bullshit heroes, and the sight of the zeppelin crash. Amy being here and maybe catching a glimpse, we’ve triple the crowd we expected.” I frowned.
“Add to the fact that we’re being touted as a restored, live Wild West town, yeah, we’ve got fans,” Vortex added. He yawned again and scratched his belly.
“Did you get Moon to post those pictures?”
“Fuck yes. Moon blacked out any women’s faces or identifying marks, but that little shit is trending all over.” Vortex smirked. Moon had uploaded it with a warning.
‘Stalk an innocent person with the intent to blow up their life, and we’ll hit back twice as hard. This guy stalked Amy Wright to a private cabin, intending to post pictures and footage of her. A complete invasion of privacy, and one we won’t take sitting down. The shoe’s on the other foot, motherfucker. How do you like it when your life is invaded? This is a warning to anyone who seeks to fuck with us.
The Unwanted Bastards MC.’
“Moon says it’s hard to get over one million views and continues to spread,” Vortex continued.
“Maybe the asshole learned a lesson.”
“Fucker also got fired because his employer didn’t like the lack of privacy, and as an accountant, privacy is highly regarded.” Vortex smirked.
I chuckled. I could understand that. “Ready for today?”
“Sure. Has someone warned Gravey?” Vortex questioned.
“He’s got Joe up there, and Rory is guarding the clubhouse,” I replied.
“Let’s get this day done with,” Vortex replied, looking resigned. I nodded and steeled myself for chaos.
Chapter Fourteen.
