by Debra Kayn
As if in a dream, all she could do was stare at Whip's sister as she led the conversation. She hadn't talked to Whip about Tracy or knew how much he had told her about their relationship.
"You have no idea how thrilled it makes me that he found someone." She lowered her voice. "My brother deserves to be happy."
She relaxed at the onslaught of warmth flowing through her. That was one thing she and Tracy could agree on. Whip deserved so much to make up for a horrible past.
"I will do whatever I can to make sure he's always happy," she said quietly. "I never expected to meet someone like him. I wasn't looking to meet someone or thinking about a relationship, and he came into my life and turned it upside down—in the greatest way possible after a lot of up and downs. I can't even explain to you how he makes me feel."
Tracy wiped at her cheeks, set her cup down, and stood. "Can I hug you?"
She barely nodded, and Whip's sister threw her arms around her neck and squeezed her tightly. "Thank you."
"I didn't do anything."
Tracy pulled back and sniffed. "You have. Someday, you'll realize how much."
Her vision blurred, lost on what had happened, but feeling the impact of their conversation. She hadn't wanted to come inside, and now she was glad that she and Tracy had found a common connection. They both loved Whip.
Tracy plopped back down on the chair. "Lord, I'm tired and hormonal."
Reminded of her children, Twyla glanced toward the hallway. "Are your kids asleep?"
"Yes." She laughed softly. "Thank goodness. Bethy is cutting her first molars, and Rocky had one of those days where all he wanted to do was destroy the house and pull out every toy."
She smiled, amazed that one small woman could handle two rambunctious kids all day by herself, and still make the effort to stay up to midnight to talk with her—apologize even.
"Whip never mentioned where you work," said Tracy.
"Mama Jean's Pie Shoppe."
"No way." Tracy perked up. "We were talking about that place the other day. The other ladies at Tarkio, I mean. We're thinking of places to go, without the kids, and enjoy ourselves while the men are in meetings."
"You should come. The pie is good." Earlier excitement over her raise and change in position filled her now that the nerves over meeting Tracy were gone.
"Definitely."
Tracy went on to tell her about the others who belonged to Tarkio members. While she'd seen some of the women, she knew their husbands better by seeing them all the time at the clubhouse.
In a small way, she felt like Tracy offered her membership into a private clique the way she openly shared information on her friends.
An hour had gone by in a flash. Whip walked in with Rick and looked at her with his brows raised. She smiled, letting him know she was okay.
Better than okay, she felt like she belonged.
Chapter 26
Whip
Priest planted his elbows on the table. The Tarkio officers and the top ten members by seniority filled the room.
Whip had listened to the options put before him. What Priest described was a world none of them knew. Roles would shift, and the power on the insides of the prisons would dictate who controlled the outside.
It was the opposite of how things were done now.
Having been in prison, he understood how control moved in waves within the cells. Up until now, what happened on the inside never spread to the outside.
"As you can see, if Tarkio and Moroad come to an agreement, everyone incarcerated outnumbers all other groups within the different penitentiaries," said Priest.
"What about Reds and Blues?" asked Rick.
The street gangs throughout three states usually kept to themselves. They worked with Mexico and had control of the illegal drugs on the streets. On occasions, Tarkio and the gangs were known to cut temporary deals out of respect for each other's territories.
"Currently, we would have enough to influence their activities." Priest looked around the table. "For this to happen, there could be times when we'll need more men on the inside."
"Fuck," murmured Paco beside Whip. "How will that be decided? Some of us have kids involved. We can't separate families."
Recently, Paco had announced Josie was pregnant. Whip understood his concern. The last thing he wanted was Rick going back inside and leaving his sister and their kids.
"Obviously, if we need to send anyone in, it'll be singles first. Tarkio takes care of families, and we'll do whatever we can to keep them together." Priest pointed at Whip. "Rick and Whip will be in charge of correspondence with those in prison, making weekly trips. They'll let Walker know what needs to be done, and he'll pass it on."
The news wasn't a surprise to him. Priest had pulled him and Rick into the meeting room beforehand and gone over the idea. Because they'd both served time, they knew the codes and could have conversations during visitations without anyone picking up on what information was passed back and forth.
While he had no desire to revisit the penitentiary, it was a job for Tarkio he couldn't refuse. He could see the benefits.
With Moroad Motorcycle Club inmates and Tarkio inmates siding together in prison, they could control the Cusclan members on the inside, keeping those threatening the club on the outside in line.
Twyla would be safe.
His sister would be safe.
The club would be safe.
The job put him in a position that kept him on the outside.
"What did Walker say about the job?" Curley thrummed the table with his thumb. "He's risking adding more years to his sentence."
"He's on board," said Priest.
Hell of a risk. Walker was currently serving a twenty-five-year sentence. By now, he had no life outside waiting for him. Walker deserved his freedom. He'd lost half his life already.
"So we back off on Cusclan?" Banks, standing by the window, stroked his beard.
"The announcement about the deal goes out at noon on Friday. By the end of the day, the news will spread throughout the Montana State Pen. Walker believes it'll take twenty-four hours, and the prisons in Idaho will know. A day after that, Washington State Prison will come into play—by the way, we've got Brikken on board already. Chief just came out himself and has one of his sons in state custody now. He suggested word of mouth would be faster than him getting word in." Priest tossed the folder to the middle of the table. "For the next two days, stay in position. We want Cusclan to believe that we're still on high alert."
"What's stopping them from coming at us on Saturday after Cusclan gets the news about the changes," asked Chrischris.
"Because the first hit we're making is taking out five percent of the Cusclan members in custody. If they don't listen after that, more will die." Priest paused and looked each of the members in the eyes. "We're not playing around. In six weeks, we can guarantee Moroad will be in charge of the illegal weapons trade again. As a result, Cusclan will become a former shell of itself."
A quiet uniformed chuckle spread through the room before a cheer deafened each one of them. Priest hit the table with his fist, calling the meeting to an end. Whip stood, taking the slaps of congratulations.
It was a win for Tarkio and a change of operations for everyone.
If someone would've told him four years ago when his ass was in prison that he could make changes for the club from inside, he would've called bullshit. Then, he would've jumped at the chance to participate.
But desperate times, not only for Tarkio, but all motorcycle club organizations called for change. It wasn't the seventies anymore where they could take their fights to the street, then go their separate ways.
MC life had become more dangerous. Men grew more ruthless, the more perilous their life became. The Feds were coming down hard on everyone.
His gaze connected with Rick. He lifted his chin at his brother-in-law. They hadn't had time to talk about their new job privately yet. All he knew was that Rick believed Priest had made the right decision.
As an ex-Cusclan member, Rick would be the best at knowing if the change would push Cusclan back out of Missoula. That's all Whip needed to know.
He trusted Rick with his life and his sister's life. He'd proved his loyalty many times over the years.
"Congrats brother." Paco clamped his hand on Whip's shoulder. "It's good that you're settling down."
Brought back to his announcement at the beginning of the meeting, he grinned. "Feels good to have her in my life. I want to keep her there."
"I hear you." Paco pulled him in for a chest bump. "Maybe it'll keep your ass safe having a pretty lady to come home to."
"You never know." He looked around the room. "I'm going to get out of here."
"Yeah, me, too."
He stepped toward the door and stopped. "If you hear of anyone having a rental available or a house for sale, let me know."
As soon as shit got done, he wanted to get Twyla a place to call home. The clubhouse was fine when it was only him, but it was no place for a couple.
"Will do." Paco raised his hand and walked toward the back door.
Whip walked into the hallway and out to the main room. Spotting his sister first, he gazed around the table and found Twyla. The ladies of Tarkio had planned a luncheon, knowing the meeting would take most of the day.
Already, Twyla was included with the other old ladies. None of the women who hung around the bikers were around. Going by her expressions as she talked to Nicole, she had no trouble fitting in—he knew she wouldn't.
They would see what he sees in her. She's a tough woman. A caring woman. Only Twyla was the one who needed to learn how much she could offer others.
She caught sight of him and straightened in her chair, but stopped herself from jumping up and coming to him.
He crooked his finger, letting her know he was finished with the meeting. She moved fluidly until the last three steps when she lunged, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Jostled from the back as Tarkio members poured out of the meeting room, he lifted Twyla off her feet and stepped to the side of the room. Kissing her hard, his adrenaline pumping from the discussions in the meeting. She had no idea how his life would change.
The high security he'd provided since meeting her would soon be a thing of the past. She could come and go as she pleased. A big part of him wanted to pin her down, keep the same restrictions in place, and hope she would be content staying in a bedroom in the clubhouse where he knew she would be protected.
But he couldn't ignore how nice it would be to have a house of their own and the freedom to have her all to himself.
She came out of the kiss, peppering his lips. "Good meeting?"
He grunted. She would never know what they had discussed. But she'd feel the results.
Not wanting her to get her hopes up in case things changed in the next two days, he would continue on as they had been going. She worked both days, and he'd be there one more day to watch her.
"I'll be gone on Friday." He smoothed back her hair. "I'll have another member stay at work with you."
"Is that necessary to have someone else watch me? We haven't seen or heard from Big in quite a while." Her lower lip came out. "I like having you there. I'll be okay for a day."
"Do it for me." He gazed around the room.
There was tension, excitement, and testosterone think in the air. He rubbed the front of him against her. He needed a house, so on days like today, he could take her back and enjoy the comforts she provided.
His life could be blowing up, but having Twyla near grounded him.
Catching his sister's gaze, he winked. She understood enough to know that something big was happening and to worry.
Tracy nodded in unspoken understanding that things would be okay. They were both alive, loved, and together. Whip planned to keep it that way.
With the direction Priest was taking Tarkio, they could both move on.
But, he would never stop going after Cusclan. He had a score to settle. His parents hadn't died in vain. He would seek retribution for their deaths until the day he died.
Chapter 27
Twyla
"What?" Twyla laughed, grabbing Whip's upper arms. "Are you kidding me?"
He dangled the keyring from his finger. "It's ours if you want it."
Three days after news of the shift in power within the prison systems, Banks tossed a set of keys to him. The club owned house, two streets south of where his sister lived with Rick, was his. It came with his new job of corresponding with Walker at the prison.
"Where is it?" Twyla leaned back. "Is the house in town? In the county?"
He put the keys in his pocket. "Not far from where my sister lives."
Twyla squealed. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Told you I'd get us settled."
"I know, but we've been staying at the clubhouse for what seems like forever." She caught her lower lip between her teeth. "This seems...exciting and scary."
His body tensed. "Scary?"
"I don't want things to change between us." She lowered her gaze to his chest. "You might get tired of me if I'm the only one around you all the time."
"Bullshit." He wiggled his brows. "I'll be too busy getting inside those pretty panties of yours whenever I want."
"Mm." She grinned. "I like the thought."
"Do you want to take a look at the place?"
"Now?"
"We can move in anytime."
"Oh, my God. This is the last thing I expected." Her gaze intensified. "How much is the rent?"
"Does it matter?"
"It does. I don't think I make as much as you do." She frowned. "Do you get paid for being a member?"
He nodded. "You're not paying rent."
"But—"
"We're not fucking roommates, sis." He hung his arm around her shoulders and walked her out of the clubhouse. "This is us. Our future. I'll pay our bills. You spend your money on whatever you want, but I take care of the family."
"Family?" she whispered, unsure if he heard her because all her breath left her.
In the parking lot, she turned. "I forgot my purse."
"You won't need it." He led her toward his motorcycle. "You're riding with me."
"Wait." She gawked. "On your Harley?"
"Last time I looked, that's all I got." He studied her for any hesitation. "You okay with that?"
Her head came back, and she blinked. "Yeah, of course."
Thanks to him explaining the significance of a woman riding on the back of a Tarkio member's motorcycle, she couldn't wait. Not just anyone could ride with him.
What his confession of love, renting a house, and promises failed to do, his offer of letting her ride with him had done. Her heart beat fast enough to burst.
Emotions clogged her throat. A light flutter took up permanent residency in her stomach. He was the real deal.
Whip loved her.
He really loved her.
The thought scared her to death. What if she somehow messed that up?
Their relationship was moving fast and permanent. It was hard to keep from being nervous.
Whip gave her instructions on what to do during the ride and plopped a helmet on her head, quickly latching it. After an awkward start, she managed to sit behind him and plaster herself against his back.
The helmet made her top-heavy. She held on to him tightly and tried not to freak out when the motorcycle tilted underneath her.
Trusting Whip to safely get her to the rental house, she held on as he left the parking lot. Her mind told her they were going the speed limit through town, but it felt like they were flying. The pavement blurred. The wind dried her eyes. The air stole her breath.
The distance to Tracy's house wasn't far from the clubhouse. That meant the house would be a short trip from the clubhouse and the restaurant when she had to go to work. She'd have more time to spend with Whip instead of making her commute longer.
At the edge of town, Whip pulled into a drivewa
y. She looked straight ahead, over his shoulder. A brown single-story house with brick halfway up the siding sat nestled on the property with a backdrop of birch trees.
It was fancier than anything she'd ever rented and much bigger.
He stopped in front of the double garage and shut off the engine. "Hop off."
She slid to the side until her foot touched the ground, then climbed off the seat while holding on to his arm. She fingered the strap of her helmet, figuring out how the material weaved through the metal ring.
"I got you." Whip made quick work of taking the helmet off her.
She gazed around the front yard as she walked with him. There was nothing fancy in the yard, only a lone flowerbed at the foundation line, but it was lovely with several roses planted outside and a clump of three birch trees in the front yard, providing some shade.
Whip unlocked the door and stepped out of her way. She went inside, excitement filling her.
A brick fireplace took up half the far wall. The carpet looked in good shape and newer, not quite the shag she was used to in all the places she'd rented before.
"There are three bedrooms. Our room will be at the end of the hall. There's a bathroom in the room, too." He walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. "There's enough space in the backyard to build a shop."
"You can't build or change anything in a rental." She walked over to the sliding door in the kitchen/dining room. "Oh, it is a big yard."
"It's not a rental."
She looked over her shoulder at him. "I thought you said—"
"I bought it."
She went to him. "That's...congratulations."
"Congrats to you, too." He grinned.
She shook her head. Everything was going too fast. They were boyfriend and girlfriend, in a committed relationship.
Inhaling deeply, she studied him. He'd told her they'd get married if she wanted to, and he claimed her in front of his club. She knew deep down what they had together was special, and she loved him.
"We're really going to be together forever," she whispered.
"Yeah, sis." He kissed her softly. "We need a bed."