“Does it matter?”
She shakes her head, swishing her long ponytail through the air. “Not one bit.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think so. Well, let’s get this over with.” I wait as Jolene vanishes, reappearing with the young buck. “So, you’re my kid brother, huh?”
“Looks that way,” Brendan speaks low, recoiled.
“You been pulling some stupid shit. You know that?”
“You can’t just start preaching at me. Besides, it’s not like you’re on the up and up around here.”
Jolene rests her hand on my shoulder, attempting to ease my building anger.
“You better watch who you’re talking to, boy.” I struggle for breath, burying my mounting concern when it comes to this kid and anything that has to do with Val. “Now, this is how it’s gonna be. You’re gonna get your shit in line, follow orders, and make a fucking life for yourself. You ain’t gonna like it sometimes, probably most of the time, but I don’t give a rat’s ass. You’re going to do it anyway. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
He stares up at me from his five-ten or so frame. He just looks so damn young.
Brendan eventually nods, and I know it’s not going to be easy, but I said it out loud. I have no choice but to follow through.
*
“Where we headed, Prez?” Clint saddles his ride.
“Got business to take care of down in Oceanside. Get everyone lined out with their jobs?”
He nods, and again, I’m thankful I have a Vice President I can actually trust and rely on.
Jolene waits beside my sled. I wrap my gigantic hand around the back of her neck and pull her in, clamping my mouth over hers. Everyone watches, and I don’t give a fuck. I take a solid handful of her ass and grip before releasing.
“Be careful,” she whispers, smoothing her hands over my wispy beard. “Get back here whole.”
Clint’s busy with his own goodbye with Pasty coiled up in his arms.
“Let’s ride.” I try not to look at the kid, but curiosity gets the best of me. I suddenly have a heavy ball in my gut, leaving him alone with my family. He might be blood, but he’s still an intruder.
We ride in silence, enjoying the early sunrise, landing in Oceanside a few hours later. I turn down Del Rio Dr., circling around to the office side of the church.
“I’m here to see Pastor Klein.”
“He’s on a conference call at the moment. Can I give him a message?” The old lady with short gray curls looks at me like I have leprosy.
“Yeah, you can tell him Ronin is here to see him.”
She snaps her mouth closed, scrunching up her judgmental face, disappearing behind a door. When she returns, the young pastor is with her.
I see his face, and I instantly remember why I don’t like his smug ass. He hit on Jolene when we made our Christmas drop last season. The fucker really pushed my buttons.
“Mr. Steele, what a pleasant surprise. What can I help you with?” He’s wearing a pair of Dockers, loafers, and his signature sweater vest.
“You wanna do this out here in the open?”
He glances around, surveying the old lady. “Um, why don’t you gentleman meet me in my office. Just around that corner there, first door on the left.”
We meander around the maze, following Pastor Klein’s directions. He’s sitting behind a large, hand carved desk, and all the religious mumbo jumbo gives me a bad case of the creepy crawlies.
“Gentlemen, have a seat.” He motions to the fancy couch on the wall. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, I got word that you’re buying from the Pistol Kings.”
He snaps his back straight, bounding out of the chair to shut the door to his office.
“You can’t just come here when you feel like and drop conversations that should obviously be held somewhere else.”
His new backbone makes me stand up, towering over his small stature. “You might wanna remember who the hell you’re talking to, good Pastor.”
He spreads his arms. “Come on, guys. Can we at least keep it civil?”
“Yes or no?” Clint asks. “You getting guns from the Kings or not?”
“Yeah, you know we deal.” He sits in the recliner opposite the couch, resting his elbows on his knees. “Why the big show?”
“Because, you can’t be in business with us and the Pistol Kings. You need to correct your priorities.”
“So, we’ve come up with a deal you can’t refuse.” Clint smirks.
“And let me guess. You want us to purchase our weapons and drugs from you?”
“Good guess.” Clint stands to his feet.
“And what kind of deal are we gonna get?” He tugs on the hem of his sweater.
I step forward, leaning past him to place my hand on the doorknob directly behind the pastor. “The kind of deal that will keep you breathing. Unless you’re ready to meet your Jesus today.” I jerk on the door, and he stumbles out of the way. “We look forward to hearing from you.”
Clint stops in the doorway, lowering his voice to a loud whisper. “You know, I’m curious. What do you do with your supply? Where does it go?”
He lowers his head, scrubbing at his chin. “Mexico.”
*
My mind races with images of home. Jolene waiting for me, dancing around in her long tee and barefoot toes, wiggling across the kitchen floor. It keeps me straight, thinking of her sweet ass.
I pull my bike in backwards, and Clint follows.
“You good, brother?”
I nod. “As good as I’m gonna get. Got some shit to make right.”
“I hear that.” Clint releases a deep chuckle.
Only Jolene’s not dancing around in her panties, waiting for me. As a matter of fact, she’s elbow-deep in shopping bags.
“What’s going on here?”
She pops her head up and turns, overflowing with emotion to see me. She jumps up into my arms, and I can’t resist. I lay a heavy kiss right smack on her begging lips. It’s not like us to be at odds, and it feels damn good to have her wrapped up in my arms.
“How was your day?”
“Brought in some cash. And from the looks of your day, it’s a good thing.” I nod toward the heaping pile.
“Yeah, Brendan needed a few things.”
“A few things, huh?” I follow it up with a quick smirk, making sure not to cause any extra tension. “Looks like the kid needed the whole mall.”
“I know, I went a little overboard, but I just couldn’t help myself.” She spins, tugging out jeans, t-shirts, socks, and even new shoes. “I wanted him to have a fresh start. He didn’t have anything with him but one pair of holey pants. Babe, it’s so sad,” she whispers.
She rubs her hand along my shirt, caressing my chest.
“Are you trying to butter me up?”
“Maybe a little. There’s something else we have to take care of, and the sooner the better.”
I roll my tired neck. My whole body’s buzzing from the long ride. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Well, we need to go see Val. We need some paperwork and documents in order to get Brendan into school. I drew up a Power of Attorney for her to sign.”
“Where’s the kid now?”
“In his room. Well, your room. He was tired after the long day out. I don’t think he’s used to normal things like shopping for school clothes and going out to lunch.”
“I’m not surprised. Did he give you any trouble?”
Jolene shakes her head, and I want to feel that ponytail brushing against my cock.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jolene
Ronin asks me if Brendan caused me any trouble. I answer, shaking my head no. I couldn’t dare speak, not trusting my voice to lie.
There was a moment. One, brief moment when I took a step back, allowing him some room.
“Ok, so, we’ve done the mall. How about some lunch? Pizza?”
He shrugs. That’s all I seem to get from him, unless I ask a
yes or no question.
We sit across from one another at the local pizza joint for a solid fifteen minutes before either speaks.
“So, how was school back in Cherry?”
He shrugs, but I wait, prompting him to talk.
“I don’t know. Ok, I guess.”
“Good grades?”
A shrug…
“Well, I’m hoping to get you a fresh start at Jericho High. That’s where Ronin and I went too. I really think you’ll like it.”
I decide we’re making progress when he snickers.
“I’m sure you’re confused with everything you have going on. It can’t be easy, having to make this kind of transition.”
“Just another day,” he says dryly.
“Maybe, we can work to change that. A new school, new home. It’s only up from here. You just have to give it a chance.”
“A chance?” He scoffs. “A chance? What the fuck are new socks and underwear gonna do to give me a chance? Lady, you got your shit all screwed up.”
“I’m just saying…”
He slams both hands onto the table and leaps out of his seat. “Yeah, I know. You’re just saying. That’s all you’ve done is talk. Talk about new chances and fresh starts. I don’t know what world you live in, but it sure as shit ain’t mine.”
Brendan waves his hand backwards, slicing through the air and smashing the shakers to the floor before storming out.
I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t rattled my nerves.
*
“Well, come on in,” Val says from the screen door hanging off the hinges.
I look up at Ronin. He’s carrying all the tension in his broad shoulders. He sports that new President’s patch with pride. The pride it deserves, unlike my father.
“Have a seat.” She motions to the thread barren couch. I sit, and then Ronin.
Val paces, and I notice she’s tweaking, trembling and unable to remain still. The bruising around her cheek is now yellow and old.
“So, what do you want? To bring him back? It’s too late. You have him, you have to keep him.”
“First of all, Val, that’s not how it works. Not at all. This isn’t some sort of backwoods, wheelin’ dealin’. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it on the up and up. We need Brendan’s birth certificate and his social security card.”
“Should’ve known you’d have that high and mighty attitude.”
“Hey!” Ronin barks, and Val snaps to attention. “You will not speak to her that way. Got it? We’re trying to do something good. Something for that boy. You remember, the son that you’re just throwing away – getting rid of like a piece of trash? Yeah, so you’re gonna remember who the fuck you’re talking to, got it?”
All the blood drains from Val’s ashy, pale face. “I’ll, I’ll get the papers.”
Once we’re alone, I stand up, toe to toe with my big man. “I can handle myself, you know that right?”
“Of course, but you don’t have to when I’m around. You know that, right?”
He draws a giggle from my heated core. I could straddle him all damn day. My hero.
“Fine, here.” Val waves papers in my face, and her rude gesture causes Ronin to growl.
I pull the form from my bag. “And, you need to sign this.”
“What is it?”
Ronin widens his stance. “Does it matter?”
“Whatever. If it means you keep him, then good riddance. Got a pen?” She scrawls her name across the bottom.
I snatch up my bag, collecting all of the documents. “Let’s go, babe.”
He shakes loose of my hand, closing the gap between him and his mother. “You hear me, and you hear me good,” he seethes. “You are to stay far away from that boy. He’s mine now, and he’s gonna know what it means to fight. To know that he’s worth the fight. And I won’t have you drifting back in, stirring shit up. I need you to nod so I know that you understand me.”
She scowls, but to her credit, she offers a firm nod.
“Now, I’m ready.” He slips an arm around my small waist.
We climb onto the bike, and it’s my turn to snake my arms around his massive, heaving chest, knowing that he will go to hell and back, no matter the extremes that he will do anything – anything to protect his brother.
*
Brendan waits up for us to return. I wave the folder in the air and offer a sly grin.
“So, I guess this means I have to go to school?”
“No, smartass, it means you get to go to school. If I were you, I would take it as the opportunity it is. This is your last stop before you end up making some seriously bad choices. Go ahead and nod and let me know you get what I’m saying.”
Just like Val, Brendan gives one, slow nod.
I know what Ronin’s doing. He’s protecting me, trying to make things easier on me.
“Come on, baby. Let’s make it an early night.”
“I got some business with the boys, but after that, I’m all yours, sugar.” He smacks me on the ass, leaving a sting on my flesh and a tingle between my legs. He disappears for a couple hours, and I go over the checklist for Brendan to get into school.
Birth certificate, check.
Social security card, check.
Immunizations and records, able to get from the other school.
Power of Attorney, check.
School supplies and new clothes, check.
I think about what it will be like to register him in the morning and consider asking Ronin to join us. As I’m thinking about him and the daunting task, he strolls through the door, already stripping his clothes.
“Hey, babe. Thought you’d be asleep by now.”
“No, too much going on. How about everyone else? Down for the night?”
“Yeah, Jessa’s staying at Bear’s tonight. She said to let ya know.”
“I love their new relationship. They’re so great together.”
He nods, letting his jeans fall to the ground. “It’s good for Bear too. He’s a good guy.” He slithers up from the foot of the bed. “You waiting up for me?”
“Kind of. I was thinking you could go to the school with me and Brendan tomorrow.”
“Aw, sugar, I would, but I gotta go back down to Oceanside. It’s gonna be an overnight stay this time. Sorry, babe.”
“Ok, no problem. The girls and I can handle things on this end.”
“I think you should handle me right now.” He hovers over me, and it takes my breath to see his large frame begging for me.
“I think that’s something I can do.” I tug on his thick beard, directing his mouth to mine. His tongue slips past my full lips, and he explores my hot opening. Ronin’s large hands roam the length of my inner thigh, leaving goosebumps stippled along my pleading flesh.
I press my palms to his chest, rolling him over onto his back. I slip my shirt over my head and wiggle out of panties before straddling his hips, feeling him throbbing for me. I glide myself over his length and rock my hips. He matches my rhythm, rolling his to meet mine.
I want this and so much more from him.
CHAPTER SIX
Ronin
Pastor Klein sits at the diner, fidgeting with the napkin on the table, tangling it up into a knot.
“I don’t see where it’s any concern of yours. Or the club’s.”
“Because, you buy from us. We don’t deal with the Pistol King’s. It’s plain and simple. You’re not let out of your obligations just because the old man is dead.”
“Jesse didn’t operate like this.”
“That’s because he was a snake. He didn’t care about loyalty. I’d assume as a pastor, you might have a more loyal bone than the old man.”
Klein distorts his face into a twisted knot. “And if I don’t?”
“Well, I haven’t given that much thought since I was sure you’d make the righteous decision. But, now that you ask.,” I say, jutting my chin toward the window.
Klein follows my gaze, landing on Herc, t
he Enforcer. His six-foot-eight frame casts an ominous shadow across the parking lot.
“I think you get the idea.”
“Violence isn’t the answer, Mr. Steele.”
“Don’t try that sermon shit on me, preacher. I’m not gonna sit here and deal drugs and guns with you, and then let you give me shit about the good book. I’m not your target audience, I can damn sure guarantee you that.”
“Basically, I have no choice. That’s what you’re saying.”
“Your God’s the one that works with freewill, good pastor. Not me.” I slide out of the booth and stand to my feet. The Pastor does the same, and I tower over him. He’s lucky I’m giving him the chance in the first place when I just want to pulverize his face.
“I expect to hear from you within the next 48 hours with your first order. Payment due up front.”
I don’t give him a chance to respond.
*
It’s Sunday and that means one thing.
Family dinner.
It’s the only thing I’ve known since leaving Val’s and moving in with the Millers fifteen years ago. I hear that perfect sound, laughter billowing out from the large kitchen.
The bitches bustle around, setting the table and finishing up barbacoa tacos. Jolene helps, but not because she has to, Patsy either. Being an old lady is a lot different than being one of the bitches.
A bitch knows nothing.
But, Jolene knows everything. I learned a long time ago that nothing good comes from keeping her in the dark. Not after Jesse and Ruth died. Now, I fill her on everything. Even the parts she doesn’t want to hear. That’s because there’s a difference between being an old lady and being the one, true matriarch.
My queen.
I take my place between her and Brendan, who has his head pointed to the floor. He has yet to open up to anyone, including Jolene. I notice he’s wearing his new clothes. That’s got to count for something.
“So, how was the first day of school?” I ask as Jo plants a cold beer in front of me.
Brendan shrugs. “Didn’t go.”
All the clatter falls silent. I try to control my words and my temper by guzzling the much-needed alcohol. “Why the hell not?”
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