But I think about Becca, and Molly. I have to be strong.
“When do we leave again?” I yawn.
“That’s my girl,” Logan chuckles, and for the first time in twenty-four hours, I smile.
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
Logan
Ridgehaven is hard to describe. It’s quaint, unassuming, and out in the sticks, but the vibe of this clubhouse is something else. Chaos would be one way to describe it.
Bane has been the Prez for as long as I’ve been in New Orleans, and Shadow, his VP, about the same amount of time. Then we have Viking, a scary motherfucker who lives up to his name, who is the Sergeant at Arms. Hornet is the club Enforcer. Other club members like Radium, Archer, Panic, Savage, Choker, and Max, who’s known as Eagle, are loyal to the club and in that sense they’re very much like the Rebels. A family. I don’t know Declan’s club name, but I sure as shit refused to be called Hustle when I patched in. My brothers nicknamed me that some years ago, but I don’t answer to it anymore. My days of hustling are well and truly over.
“I don’t know what I was expecting,” Payden says, adjusting her messy bun. “But this wasn’t it.”
The clubhouse is made entirely out of wood. Like a massive log cabin set out in the middle of the wilderness. It’s green, largetrees surrounding the expanse like a looming fortress set back a few miles from the road.
I’m inclined to agree with her, but somehow it fits the whole aesthetic of the Ridgehaven Hellions out here in South Mississippi.
I put Dozer on his leash, and he begins to sniff around.
“Sis!”
I glance up and a tall dude with mid-length hair, scruff, and a Hellions vest moves over to us. I assume this is Declan, running toward his sister as he engulfs her in a hug, lifting her off her feet.
“Dec!”
He spins her around as she tries to wriggle free. “Glad to see you in one piece.”
“Put me down!” she demands, and he does, but he laughs, his grin spread from ear to ear. To me, Payden says, “He’s been doing that since we were kids, and it’s still annoying. Declan, this is Logan. Logan, Declan, my little brother, and this is Dozer.”
Declan turns to look at me, holding his hand out as I glance down at his patch on his cut which reads, Drifter. We shake. Then he bends down to pet Dozer who sniffs his hand and gives him a lick. So much for being wary of strangers.
“What happened to his leg?” Declan asks.
“He was mistreated and was possibly hit by a car. His previous owners left his injuries for so long it had to be amputated.”
“No shit.”
“People are scum of the earth,” I say. “It’s why I stay indoors.”
Declan grins, pointing at me. “I like you, Logan.”
I nod to his patch. “Drifter, huh?”
He shrugs. “Used to be, not so much anymore.” He glances at his sister, who’s giving him the evil eye.
“Care to explain?” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. “You joined the Hellions and never told me?”
Declan palms the back of his head. “Yeah, about that…”
Payden holds up a hand. “Don’t wanna hear it. You dropped off the face of the earth for a while, and now I know why.” Her face drops, and I can tell this upsets her. She cares about him, hence the concern.
“I was gettin’ my shit together,” he explains. “Didn’t wanna burden you with any of it, and I know how Mom and Dad get.”
“Are you planning on telling them?”
