Flynn grinned and lifted this beer. “I’ve missed you guys.”
“Yeah, right, you’ve got that hottie at home,” Tex said. “You don’t miss shit.”
Everyone laughed, even Hollywood.
Flynn ducked his head, almost bashful. “I love him. And his brothers are great. They’ve been a real family to me. But you guys are family, too.”
“Aw, Flynn, yousofty!” Tex crowed.
“Shut up. I’m serious,” Flynn said.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “I feel the same. I’m glad I’m not doing this alone.”
Aiden laced his fingers with mine, squeezing gently. “What time do we leave?”
I checked the time. “It’s a drive. We should head out.”
Everyone gathered their trash and helped Aiden clear up, a heavy cloud descending over us. The moment of truth was fast approaching.
I put Waffles inside, placing a kiss on his furry head, just above two big sad eyes. “I’ll be home soon,” I told him before locking the door.
I sure as hell hoped it was true.
Four of the guys piled into Joyride’s big Hummer.
Flynn waved Aiden and me toward his car. “I’ll drive too. Ride with me.”
Aiden got into the back seat, leaving me to sit up front with Flynn.
“How are you feeling?” Flynn asked as he started the engine. “If you change your mind, maybe it’s not too late to take Winslow’s suggestion and get out of town.”
Aiden leaned up between the seats, and I braced myself for another argument. I didn’t know if my heart could take watching him pale with fear again.
“Knight’s not leaving everything and everyone he loves.” His eyes met mine in solidarity. “We stick to the plan.”
My heart swelled. I didn’t know how much I needed that support until he gave it to me. “Yeah,” I rasped. “Let’s get it done.”
“Okay.” Flynn nodded. “Whatever you need to do, man. We’re here for you.”
With each mile closer to the fight, I was more sure. My nerves settled. A calm descended on me.
I knewhow to do this. I’d fought in dozens of these fights.
When we reached the highway exit, I directed Flynn to the abandoned warehouse where the fight was taking place. Puck had dropped me a pin earlier today. Joyride’s Hummer followed behind us.
We drove down an alley, circled into a parking lot broken and chipped by years of disuse, and parked near a back exit.
The building was a blocky, hulking shadow in the darkness. There were no streetlights. The place looked like it had been vacant for years. That made it the perfect spot for a fight like this.
We got out, using our phone flashlights to see where we were going.
A row of Serpent motorcycles gleamed to our left, a sure sign we were in the right place. This fight wasn’t only for the Serpents, though. It brought out the whole ugly underbelly of this region, drawing gamblers, drug dealers, even rival motorcycle clubs.
We were stopped at the door by a huge guy. He topped seven feet and looked like he could probably kill in the ring. My guess? He was big but slow. Brute strength could only get you so far.
“I’m fighting tonight. Name’s Knight,” I told him. “These guys are with me.”
He ran his gaze over all of us, then turned and called out. “Get the Serpents prez for me!”
