“Before we leave, I wanna ask if you have any underlying problems with me after running Lily outta town?”
It doesn’t take me long to mull it over and shake my head. “Lily’s at peace. Whatever went down between you, died with her.”
He nods and I turn to head over to my bike. “Zach?”
I stop and face him. “You might not believe me, but I am sorry about Slade. He was around so long it’s hard to remember he wasn’t an OG. He should never have gone out like that.”
I believe him. Luca doesn’t speak for the sake of it. He certainly doesn’t offer condolences when it’s not sincere.
“I appreciate it, thanks.”
Luca puts his fingers to his mouth and lets out an ear-piercing whistle. “Let’s ride!” he hollers once he has everyone’s attention. “We know where we’re heading. Once we get there, anything goes, everyone dies who ain’t wearing our patch.”
Brothers agree and motorcycles are brought to life. There's always been a therapeutic vibe to riding with the club. I ride behind Angel and as one we leave Willow’s Peak.
Mom will be okay with Nina watching out for her. Having Sebastian around helps her from sinking into herself like she did when India was killed. I feel for her; I'm not made of stone. Yet I'm not going to uproot my family and leave the club. She wanted to leave town after India, but back then, it was dad who changed her mind. I don’t want her to leave, I’d miss her for sure, but at the same time after everything she’s been through, I won’t ask her to stay. A change could be good for her. If it’s not, she has always got the option of coming home. I'm not looking forward to the conversation, but she must know deep down what my answer is going to be.
We stop for gas after a few hours and get straight back on the road. It’s strange to think that if this goes sideways, I’ll be the only brother alive in the Willow’s Peak chapter. I assume Luca would return and take over but who knows, I don’t take anything for granted and nothing is set in stone until it is. Late afternoon approaches and we stop for gas once again.
After I’ve refilled my tank, I lean against my bike and light a joint. It hits in all the right places, and I take another hit as smoke curls from my nose.
“That shit stinks,” Luca lets me know.
“Yeah, but it’s so fuckin’ good.”
“I’ve never been a fan, myself.”
“I thought the same about my mom, but the other night she asked me to roll her one. She smoked it all.”
He snorts. “I would not have thought of your mom as a pothead, but then again, she’s lost her husband, she probably doesn’t give a shit anymore.”
“That she doesn’t,” I murmur.
Luca's prospect bangs on the bathroom door, hollering, “How much longer are ya gonna be?”
Luca smirks. “Go piss around the back and let’s go!”
He glances at me and adds, “The fucker acts like he hasn’t been in more unhygienic places. I’ve seen some the women he goes for.”
I laugh and it feels good.
He bangs his fist against the door again and Luca sighs. He turns to Angel, and instructs, “Go hold his dick and let’s get back on the road. We’re wastin’ time.”
“Don’t fuckin’ think so, Luc. What the fuck?”
It’s rare when Luca laughs but it’s soon gone when the bathroom door opens, and Leo falls out. Luca and I are on our feet, running over to him.
His cut and hoodie are saturated in blood as he holds his side. We've been resting here for nearly half an hour, and he’s been here the whole time.
“Brother!” Luca demands. “Talk to me!”
He drops to his knees at Leo’s side, and I lift up Leo’s hoodie to see what we’re dealing with. Blood soddened tissue sticks to his side, just above his hip.
“Shot, there’s two wounds, I'm sure it was an in and out,” he tells us.
His face is ashen white and sweat speckles his forehead.
“Where’s everyone else?” I ask him.
