“My turn,” Iona said. She walked to the bike, confidence oozing from her with every step.
Elias followed in her wake. Once Iona sat on the bike, he explained the basic mechanics of operating a motorcycle, even though Iona didn’t need the lesson. “Ready to give riding one of these babies a try?”
She nodded and cranked the engine. Soon, she was riding along the path laid out by the MC.
By the time she returned, her riding skill astonished Elias. Shouldn’t have. After all, she owned two motorcycles.
When she turned off the engine, Iona beamed at him. “That was fun. You might have to buy me a motorcycle, Elias.”
He chuckled. “If you really like it, I’ll see what I can do about getting you a bike.”
One by one, the remaining three women took their turns at instruction and a practice run. Violet was the last one to go. Surprising all of them, she begged Noah for a second run and then a third. When she finally turned off the engine, the medicturned to Noah, beaming. “When we go back home, we’re going shopping. I want my own motorcycle.”
He laughed. “Anything you want, babe.”
Dutch clapped his hands, soon joined by the rest of his men. “Very impressive, ladies. I can’t believe how easily you took to the motorcycles.”
“They’re sharp,” Seth said.
“I believe it.” Dutch turned to his men. “Now that we’ve helped the ladies, it’s time we had some fun.”
His men exchanged puzzled glances. “Fun doing what?” one man asked.
He chuckled. “I’m not exactly sure. Seth?”
“Dutch wants us to take you through our workout routine this morning. If you’re game, we’ll meet you in front of the clubhouse in twenty minutes.”
The Blackthorn leader eyed his men. “You’re all game, aren’t you?”
He received slight nods in return.
“Good. Seth, we’ll see you and your men in a few minutes.”
Echo’s leader inclined his head. “Wear comfortable running shoes and clothes to work out in,” he said as the other men climbed onto their bikes.
Once they were gone, he turned to the operatives. “Ladies, let’s have some fun. Go change.”
When the women were ready, Echo unit changed into their workout clothes and rejoined the women. “Load up. Keep your phones on you as well as a weapon. Dutch sounded as though he was genuinely interested in physical fitness, but I’m not taking that interest at face value.”
“Stay with the group,” Noah said. “No hot-dogging.”
“Yes, sir.”
They rode to the clubhouse and parked at the side of the building. Seth spoke to Dutch for a moment, then turned to thegroup. “My name is Seth. We’re members of Iron Wolves MC, based out of Nashville. Morning physical training is part of our routine.” He grinned. “Our president acts as if he’s still in the military, and we go along with him. That means we do PT with him every morning. Dutch thinks you would enjoy the challenge. Are you ready?”
A few low-voiced grumbles were his response.
He chuckled. “You’ll do fine. According to your president, Blackthorn Riders can handle anything. Let’s prove him right.”
Seth warned Echo and Artemis to remain alert for trouble as they ran. He looked at Iona, then set off at a warm-up pace. Artemis fell in behind Seth. The rest of Echo followed next to keep a barrier between Artemis and Blackthorn. After the first half-mile, Seth picked up the pace.
The farther they ran, the more Elias’s shoulder ached. He continued to run the last three miles on pure grit. When they returned to the clubhouse, Elias joined the rest of the operatives in cooling down while the members of Blackthorn staggered into the clearing in front of the building. Dutch was the last one to arrive.
“Good job, all of you.” Seth glanced at his watch. “Catch your breath, and we’ll go on to the next set of training exercises.”
Groans filled the clearing. Elias didn’t blame them. He’d groan too if he wasn’t used to this routine. The fact is, though, Seth had taken it easy because of Elias and their guests.
Echo’s leader gave the group five minutes. After giving Elias a hand signal to stand down, Seth took the operatives and MC members through the physical training regimen he’d created for the good of his team.
