“See, you get me, Charley.”
“Now who is the beast?”
“Shit, please don’t say that when we’re in bed. I’ll end up picturing his face.”
“It’s okay, my mouth will be too busy.”
“Fuck, I think I like cheeky Charlie.”
Chapter Sixteen
Nashville
I’m not in the least bit surprised when my brother is waiting outside the airport in a G-Wagon with tinted windows and red trim on the alloy wheels. It’s so shiny I need sunglasses to look at it.
He’s leaning back against the side of the hood with his arms crossed in dark fatigues and a tight black T-shirt that his muscles are practically bursting through. There is a holster strapped to his thigh but there is no gun in it. Which makes sense given we’re at an airport.
“Subtle,” I stop beside the monster truck.
“Get in the car.”
“I might need a stepladder.”
“Cos you’re a short-ass.”
“Fuck you.”
Camden slaps my shoulder and grins. It’s been a couple of years since I saw him in person so this is nice. The banter never changes but we have each other’s backs and would die for one another, no questions asked.
“You gonna go to Nashville and see mom while you’re here.”
“It’s not exactly a social call.”
“That’s why I didn’t mention it,” Camden starts the car and pulls away from the collection point. “You need to come see her soon though.”
“Yeah, just with everything going on, it’s hard to get back.”
Technically I’m not supposed to tell anyone about club business, but Camden is different, I know I can trust him. It also helped him when he was looking into finding Sheridan and Nero gave his blessing, so long as I didn’t give him too much information.
“Ronnie wants to throw her a sixtieth birthday party, so be prepared for an invitation.”
I could say something stupid here but don’t because mom deserves to be treated to a party. She should receive an award for raising us four boys and not tearing every hair out of her head.
“Okay. How’s dad?”
“Same old,” he shrugs. “Getting on mom’s last nerve but god forbid you tell her he needs a kick up the ass.”
“They’re set in their ways,” I watch the dark road ahead as we make the forty-minute drive to Elizabethtown. “I don’t think it would be normal if they weren’t communing through shouts and exaggerated hand gestures.”
“Truth. I’ve left Martinez watching the house where she’s at,” he looks over at me quickly, the seriousness in his expression is a stark change to the grinning idiot. “It’s not pretty, Cal.”
I nod but don’t say anything.
“We haven’t seen her but have solid intel she is inside.”
“Any way of knowing her condition?”
“No, but I’d say be prepared for the worst.”
