Page 42 of Thunder

I speed up as I check my mirrors and follow the Untamed van as they come off the freeway. Gunner comes up beside me for the fifth time since we left the clubhouse, giving me a nod. I nod back so he knows I’m alright before he rides back to his position at the left side of the van.

Today is the first time I’m riding long distance to see how my shoulder and knee take it. So far, I’m doing alright, a little sore which is expected, but otherwise alright and fuck, I have missed riding fast on my bike. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve ridden around town with Scottie on the back, but being on the freeway, fuck, it is something else.

We’re on our way to meet up with my club to pick up a load of guns, ammo and weed that they’ve just picked up. I’ll be helping the Untamed sell them until I return home which will be soon. Scottie and I have a meal with her family at some point. I know she isn’t excited about it, but she hasn’t declined, instead she’s sent her dad her shifts so her mama can arrange a day around them.

I’m so fucking proud of her, of how she’s willing to try after being treated like an outcast most of her life. I fucking love her relationship with Sammie, I mean fuck, right now, despite being off work for three days, instead of having down time to herself, she is currently at home with the demon cat and Sammie. He is only fucking person the thing will go near and all I want is to go home and spend time with them, my family, but I have to do this.

Even though I’m at the Untamed, I still need to be the brother I was taught to be, and I’m lucky enough that my girl understands.

The club indicates right, then turns down a dirt road that leads to the air strip. I follow, my eyes going to my mirror, watching the blacked-out van that has followed us since we left town drive past, and I frown as I follow our van, my guard up.

It could be a coincidence that it followed us this far, but I don’t believe in coincidences.

I pull up beside Gunner, who looks my way, and I state, “A blacked-out van followed us but kept driving when we turned down the lane and something doesn’t feel right.”

He nods, then looks around before he calls, “Turner and Leroy, head to the end of the lane and keep watch!”

Two prospects nod and walk back down the road, and I turn when I hear, “Yo, fucker,” and I lock eyes with Tank, and I grin wide.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” I chuckle as I gently climb off my bike just as Stone grabs me into a hug. I slap his back because fuck it’s been a while since I’ve seen him, like nearly eleven months.

“Missed you too, brother,” I say when he squeezes me tightly, and he shakes his head as he pulls back, then looks me over just as Tank grabs my shoulder and begins checking it, and I roll my eyes.

“Mother hens much?” I chuckle, and both brothers glare at me while Dagger laughs at my expense.

“How is your pain level?” Tank demands, and I grin.

“It’s good, brother,” I promise, and he narrows his eyes at me, so I divert, “How’s Jasmine and the kids?”

“Pissed at you,” he grunts, and I wince slightly.

“I’ll be home soon,” I promise, and Stone snorts, “Sure…” Not looking very convinced.

“Got something to say, VP?” I goad with a smirk, and he narrows his eyes, as Trigger calls, “I fucking do,” gaining everyone’s attention, “You’re a fucking hypocrite,” and I chuckle while the Untamed openly laugh.

“Not really, brother,” I deny because I know I am not a hypocrite.

“Yeah, you fucking are,” Stone grunts, “You gave all us brothers hell about not being there for the club and blaming the club for shit we caused or let happen, and here you are…”

I cut him off and state, “Doing a club run and telling you all I’ll be home soon,” I look between my brothers, “Unlike all you all, I haven’t fucked up, I haven’t hurt the woman I am claiming and I haven’t once accused the club of shit. I rode because I felt lost with the pain, I’m now healing but I’ve also got a girl who has a nephew she won’t leave.”

“You going to kidnap the kid?” Stone asks with a smirk, and I grin and admit, “It isn’t really kidnapping, not with the plan I have. I just have to execute it with Axel’s and Scottie’s dad’s help.”

Stone grins wide, looking impressed while Trigger looks at me, mouth gaped, and I shrug.

“She’s mine, and she knows it,” I state and a grin breaks free on the man’s face.

“I’ve never felt so proud,” Tank claims with awe, and I laugh, I can’t help it.

“You got Doc to order a cut then?” Stone asks, and I nod, then lift my left hand up and show them the tattoo Hawk gave me this morning before we left, and my three brothers grin like idiots seeing Scottie’s name on my ring finger.

As I said, she’s fucking mine.

“Right, I need to see if these idiots are doing their job right,” I state and Stone pats my back as I walk past, Triggers, “I never thought I’d see the day where he’d exceed his plans from hurting himself to get his own way to kidnapping. I must admit, I’m really fucking proud too,” washes over me, and I shake my head.

Idiots…

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