Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“That’s because he doesn’t know I’m here.” He gave me a look, so I added, “He checks in from time to time, making sure I’m still breathing, but that call came last week.”
“So, he doesn’t know you’re back?”
“Never said I was back.” I cocked my head. “Just here to share a brotherly warning.”
The second the words left my mouth, the air shifted. Grim’s back stiffened, and Creed uncrossed his arms and glared at me. Preacher’s smile faded as he asked, “What kind of warning?”
And just like that, whatever welcome I’d first walked into was gone and replaced by the kind of tension that came when danger stepped in and pulled up a seat. All eyes were on me as I told them, “I’ve been up in the Dakotas for a while… Colorado before that, and Utah… Never stayed in one place too long, but I stayed long enough to hear that you boys have some trouble coming your way.”
“I’m not following, brother.” There was no missing the doubt in his voice when he added, “We’ve got no qualms with anyone in the Dakotas, at least none that I’m aware of.”
“You heard of the Coyotes?”
As soon as I said their name, Preacher glanced over at Creed and Grim, letting me know I’d gotten his attention. “Yeah, we’ve heard of ‘em.”
“Well, they had lots to say about Fury and mentioned Little Rock outright.”
“What’d they have to say?” Preacher asked, his voice dropping into a calm, dangerous tone.
“A lot of mouthing about getting revenge… and they weren’t quiet about it.”
I laid it all out and told them exactly what I’d heard, and the tension in the room grew with every word. When I was finished, Creed leaned back against the bar counter and asked, “Said we made ‘em look weak, huh?”
“That’s what they said.”
“There’s a reason for that.” Creed’s eyes skirted over to Grim. “The assholes thought they could get away with fucking with a couple of our boys, and we proved them wrong.”
“And when they thought they could rob the Vault, we proved them wrong about that, too,” Grim added.
“Wait… They started this shit?”
“Every bit of it.”
“You gotta be kidding me.” I shook my head. “They fucked up, and now, the entire charter is looking to show you guys who’s who. And from the sound of it, they aren’t planning on doing it small. They’re pulling together anyone pissed off enough to take a swing at you.”
Grim muttered a curse under his breath, but Preacher didn’t even flinch. He just stood there, stone-faced, taking it all in. After several moments, he finally asked, “When?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, but I got the feeling it will be sooner than later.”
Preacher ran his hand over his beard and grumbled, “Fuck.”
Yeah. That about summed it up.
Preacher studied me for a moment, like he was trying to figure me out. “You came all this way just to warn us about the Coyotes?”
“Figured you deserved a face-to-face, especially in a situation like this.”
“That mean you’re planning to stay awhile?”
The answer was supposed to be no. Hell, that’s what I’d told myself the entire ride down here. I was just going to deliver the message and be on my way. No stopping. No making ties. No getting sucked into club business that wasn’t mine, but I couldn’t deny that being in the clubhouse had stirred up old feelings of belonging and brotherhood.
Which led me to answer, “If that’s good with you… I’d like to give you guys a hand with things if you’ll take it.”
He didn’t smile, but something eased in him, like he expected me to tell him that I was heading out and was pleased when I didn’t. “I’d appreciate that. We all would.”
“Then, consider it done.”
“Good deal.” I felt an unexpected wave of relief when he said, “I’ll set you up in one of the spare rooms, and you can make yourself at home.”
Damn. I must’ve been more tired than I thought. I gave him a nod, then said, “Appreciate it, brother. I’m in dire need of a hot shower and some shuteye.”
“You got it.” Preacher motioned to one of the guys by the door. “Go grab Walker’s stuff and show him to the east wing.”
And that was my cue to step back and give them some space to talk in private. My warning had caught them by surprise, but I had no doubt they were already planning on how they’d counter their attack. They just had to map out their defense and decide which bridges to burn and which ones to lean on.
When I turned, Creed clapped my shoulder and nodded, thanking me for coming. Grim didn’t say a word. He just stood there watching me like he always did, too damn perceptive for his own good. The prospect and I walked out to my bike, and he helped me gather my things.