Weeks rolledby and I felt fucking on top of the world. Everything with the club seemed to be running smoothly, Raine was doing great, Abel was staying off my back, and work was slammed with fun assprojects.
“Hey, Ryder,” Jesse called from theoffice.
“What’s up brother?” I started to wipe the grease from my hands, making my way up to the front oftheshop.
Jesse was standing in the doorway, talking to a guy with another MC’s cut on. “This dude says his buddy is here with him to check out Holt’s bike that he listed for sale. Is it stillavailable?”
I realized the guy he was wearing a fucking Sinners’ patch on his chest. His tattoos looked really familiar but I couldn't placethedude.
I crossed my arms. “It is, but not for someone that can’t show a little morerespect.”
“Do we have a fucking problem here?” The Sinner glared at me, taking a step forward. “I have cash, you want to sell a bike, what’sthedeal?”
Jesse and I both put our hands on our concealeds. I took a sharp breath in and let Jesse answer. “I have a problem with the lack of respect you’re showing to thisestablishment.”
Couldn't have said it bettermyself.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Red peek around the corner and figure out that we needed a little more backup than just him. He ducked away with his phone to his earalready.
“Can I check out the bike or not?” Dude took another step forward and I saw his buddy start to walk up from where he had been leaning against the bike his old lady was straddling, leaving her to watch theirmotorcycles.
“You know what, sure.” I pointed over to my old man’s hog. “Let’s checkitout.”
Jesse stood by the door, keeping an eye on the situation while I walked outside to show the two Sinners what they were wantingtosee.
We started talking numbers and specs until their attitude changed and I realized that the humming of at least ten bikes was getting louder andlouder.
“What the fuck?” The second Sinner pulled his gun out of its holster and had the hammer back in seconds. Unlucky for him, Jesse and Red were both waiting for that shit to go down and he fell to the ground just as fast as the banging noise that exploded from Jesse’sBeretta.
The dude with all the America tattoos up and down his arms hopped on his bike with his old lady, hauling ass downtheroad.
Abel, followed by a bunch of Unacceptables, chased after them, opening fire on the two as they made a very narrowescape.
Jesse and Red trotted overtome.
“You all right, Ryder?” Jesse slapped me on the back as I stared down at the Sinner bleeding out atmyfeet.
I shrugged. “Better thanthisdude.”
Red snorted. “That’s for damn sure. Now we have a mess tocleanup.”
The two older members eyed me down; I had no other choice. “What am I supposed to dowithhim?”
Right then, Abel got off his bike, pulling off his helmet. “Cut him up, mix some cement in a cooler, and toss that son of a bitch into the lake.” The coolness to his voice was unhinging, but it was a solid plan. “Just don't be late for family dinner tonight. You know how Raine and her mother get about us being late for dinner when there isn't a good excuse.” Abel winked and made his way into the office to make his usual calls to order moreinventory.
* * *
After doing allthe club’s dirty work and cleaning up from my overly eventful shift at the shop, I was finally able to textRaineback.
Me: Hey babe, how’s your daygoing?
Raine: Pretty good. What time are yougettingoff?
Me: Just got out of the shower. I’ll be headingoversoon.
Raine: Good. I’ll order the pizza and I have Dirty Dancing all ready for your viewingpleasure.
Me: You’re lucky there’s going to bepizza.
