Rhythm of the Road

by Autumn Jones Lake

  “Close.” He reaches out and slaps my cheek a few times. “Church this morning.”

  I cock my head, listening to the still-silent clubhouse. “You trying to win a ‘first one there’ medal or something?”

  “No, smartass. I wanted to talk to you before we all sit down.”

  I glance back at Shelby, who’s thankfully still asleep. “Can you give me a few minutes?”

  “The girls will be over in a few.” Leave it to Z to know exactly what was on my mind. “Shelby can hang with them.”

  “Thanks.” I stop and grin. “So, how was it at Heidi and Murphy’s last night?”

  “Great.” Z’s quick, snappy answer seems sincere. “Woke up this morning to the kids singing along to Sesame Street.”

  “Yeaaaah?” I draw out the word like I’m talking to his three-year-old son instead of my club president. “You learn anything new, lil’ buddy?”

  He slaps my cheek harder this time. “Yeah, C is for cock-suckin’ VP better get his ass downstairs.”

  I frown and run my hand over my beard. “That doesn’t seem suitable for children.”

  He points at my bare torso. “S is for put on a damn shirt—no one wants to see that first thing in the morning.”

  I open the door wider, spreading my arms. “Take a good look, Prez. You’re the one who woke me up, remember?”

  “H is for hurry the fuck up.” He chuckles as he backs away.

  Shaking my head, I close the door as quietly as possible. Still, when I turn around, Shelby’s sitting, knees to her chest, arms wrapped around the sheet covering her legs and body, a soft smile playing over her lips. “He’s wrong, you know.”

  “About what?”

  “I definitely want to see you without a shirt first thing in the morning.”

  “This is your lucky morning then, chickadee.” I reach under the comforter and wrap my hand around one of her ankles, tugging her toward the end of the bed.

  She giggles and digs her other heel into the mattress, trying to scramble away. “I like waking up with you.”

  “Good, now let’s say good morning properly.”

  She stops her mad squirming and I slide her to the edge of the bed, resting her feet against my chest.

  “I like waking up with you too.” I kiss the top of one foot and then the other. “How are even your feet so cute?”

  “You got a foot fetish, Rooster?”

  “Nope.” I lean over and grab a condom off the nightstand. “Got a dick-in-Shelby fetish though.”

  She covers her mouth and laughs softly. “Sounds intense.”

  “It will be.”

  “Is it wise to keep your president waiting?”

  “He’ll understand.” Grasping her ankles, I spread her open and bend down to line myself up with her. “Put your feet on my shoulders and lift your butt for me.”

  “So bossy,” she murmurs, doing exactly as I asked.

  “You just noticed?”

  “Oh.” Her eyes roll back as I slowly push inside.

  I reach over, grab a few pillows and stuff them under her hips. “That better?”

  “It’s so good.” She lifts her hips higher, angling her body so I press into her in all the right places.

  I don’t want this to end. Not just this particular moment.

  Every moment with her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Rooster

  “I’m really not in the mood to get shot this morning.”

  “No one’s getting shot,” Z assures me with a smirk. “Rock loves when I show up for breakfast.”

  Yeah, right.

  Even if that’s true—which I highly doubt—our upstate prez is known for ruthlessly guarding his family and privacy. Rock and Z have been friends for decades. His tolerance for Z barging into his home unannounced might not extend to me.

  As we stomp through the woods, Z glances over at me, gaze lingering on my T-shirt. “Took you that long to get dressed and that’s what you came up with?”

  “Since when are you, of all people, the fashion police?”

  “It was really more of a way to express my displeasure at you taking so damn long.”

  I smirk at him. “I had things to attend to.”

  “Poor Shelby. The girl gonna be able to walk?”

  I ignore the question as I follow him onto the path leading around the side of Rock’s house. “Uh, shouldn’t we knock on the front door?”

  Z lightly steps onto the back deck of Rock’s custom-designed log cabin. “Nah, it’s fine,” he whispers, creeping over the porch to the back door.

  “If Rock loves you popping in on him so much, what’s with the stealth act?”

  “Where’s the fun in announcing my arrival?”

  “Jesus Christ,” I mutter, following him. Who knew I’d need to wear a Kevlar vest before breakfast?

  As he lifts his hand to knock against the glass, Hope calls out, “It’s open, Z!”

  I chuckle under my breath.

  “Why you leaving your door unlocked?” Z asks, shouldering through the opening.

  “You can come in too, Rooster.” Hope waves her hand at me, inviting me inside.

  “Thanks, Hope. For the record, this wasn’t my idea. I said we should use the front door like normal people.”

  “Aw, but then I wouldn’t know it was Z stopping by.” Hope wraps one arm around him and leans up to kiss his cheek. “Where’s Lilly?”

  “Still over at Murphy and Heidi’s.” His eyes widen and he grins down at baby Grace. “Morning, Gracie-baby.”

  She giggles and coos as Z picks her up and carries her around, babbling nonsense at her.

  Hope watches them together for a minute before turning my way. “How was Shelby’s show last night?”

  Pride—that I’m probably not entitled to, since I didn’t do a damn thing—ricochets through me. “Great. I mean, I’m not an expert but I think she blew the other two acts away.”

  “And you’re not biased, either.” Her mouth curves into a teasing smile. “Right?”

  “Nope. Not at all.” I grin at her. “Seriously, it was wild. She had guys hanging over the railing with banners begging her to marry them.”

  “She’s getting more popular. That’s good.”

  Now I kind of feel like an asshole. Hadn’t meant to sound jealous. “It is. Dawson Roads asked her to sing a duet with him. I guess it’s a big deal. First time he’s had her do that on the tour.”

  Z stops baby-talking to Grace and lifts his gaze to me. “Was that some sort of ‘fuck you’ to you?”

  “What?” The thought had never occurred to me. “No, I don’t think so. Her manager works with Dawson too. I think he’s trying to get her more exposure. Even if it was, it only helps Shelby, so I really don’t care.”

  Hope rests her hand on my forearm and squeezes. “You’re so sweet.”

  “Well, I didn’t particularly enjoy them singing their ‘let’s fuck all weekend’ ballad but, you know…” I shrug.

  Hope taps her chin. “‘Let Go the Night?’ He recorded that with his ex-wife or ex-girlfriend if I remember right.” She shakes her head. “Clearly, I spend way too much time scrolling through social media when I’m up with Grace.”

  I shrug. “I don’t know anything about him other than he’s got roughly fifty songs about beer, bars, and brawling in his set list.”

  She chuckles. “Some of his older stuff was really good, but yeah, lately it’s all the same good-ol’-boy, party anthem stuff.” She slaps her hand over her mouth. “Don’t tell Shelby I said that.”

  “I’m sure she’s aware,” I tease. “Her songs, though.” I press my fist against my gut. “Hits you here.”

  “Yeah, I heard she sang a song just for youuuuu.” Z’s high-pitched songbird voice makes baby Grace screw her little face up and start bawling.

  “Aww, I’m sorry, baby G,” Z coos. “We make fun of Uncle Rooster, that’s what we do. Yes, it is.”

  Hope chuckles and shakes her head.

 
“Asshole,” I grumble. “Uh, Z, I’m supposed to take Shelby down to Empire Med today for a thing. We got a lot to discuss at the table?”

  “Church won’t take long,” Z says without looking at me. “Family breakfast isn’t optional, either.”

  “What sort of thing?” Hope asks me.

  “I didn’t get a lot of details.” I shrug, feeling stupid now that I didn’t ask more questions. Not like I had all night or anything. “The children’s hospital. I guess a patient asked to meet her or something.”

  “Oh.” Hope bites her lip and darts a quick look at her baby daughter. “That’s a really sweet thing for her to do with her limited free time.”

  Yup, one more reason Shelby’s taking up all the free space in my heart.

  Rock pounds down the stairs and groans when he sees us. “Morning.” He nods at me but turns his annoyed president glare on Z before taking his daughter in his arms. “Is there a reason you’re in my house at this hour? Infringing on my family time?”

  “I told him it was inappropriate, Rock.” I slap Z’s back, harder than necessary.

  Z pulls a seriously offended face. “I’m family.” His trouble-making eyes land on Hope. “Right, Hope?”

  “Yup. You’re the big brother I never knew I wanted.”

  “See?” Z grins. “That’s better than Wrath. He’s the big brother you never wanted.”

  She snickers but doesn’t agree with him.

  Grace fusses and wiggles in her dad’s arms until Hope finally takes her from him. “I’m going to feed her.” She leans up, kisses Rock’s cheek and whispers something in his ear.

  Rock keeps his eyes on his wife as she disappears down the hallway.

  “Now that they moved out, you turn Alexa’s room into a downstairs nursery for Grace?” Z asks.

  Slowly, Rock turns his head. “Yeah. Left Heidi and Murphy’s room for guests, though.” He holds up a hand. “For Alexa or Chance—not you. Just so we’re clear.”

  “I’m wounded.” Z presses his hand to his chest.

  “Z’s welcome too!” Hope shouts from the other room.

  Z grins at Rock. “Hope loves me.”

  I snort. “I think she feels sorry for you.”

  “Fuck off.” Z punches my shoulder.

  Once the fucking around is out of his system, Z settles down and finally gets to the reason he dragged me out here this morning. “A certain phone call woke me early this morning.”

  “I thought Sesame Street woke you?”

  Rock side-eyes me.

  “That was after the phone call,” Z says.

  “So, what? You decided to spread the cheer?” I ask.

  Rock pads into the kitchen and starts a pot of coffee. “Do I even want to know?” he asks over his shoulder.

  “Priest.” Z glances between us.

  “Fuck. What now?” Rock grumbles. “And thank fuck he’s calling you instead of me.”

  “Yeah, it was a real thrill for me too.” Z rolls his eyes.

  “What’s he want now?” Rock asks.

  Z pulls out one of the dining table chairs, sits, and leans back. Stretching out his big body, he tips the chair onto its back legs and tucks his hands behind his head. “Washington’s still a clusterfuck.”

  “And that’s your problem, why?” Rock asks.

  “Well, it turns out, since I’m so amazing—”

  “For fuck’s sake,” Rock mutters.

  “For the way I turned downstate around…” Z lifts his chin at me. “No offense.”

  I’ll always give credit where it’s due, and Z’s accomplished a lot since he took over. He shook all of us out of our complacency. Weeded out the bad apples in our charter. Brought everyone closer together. As much as I love to fuck around and give him shit, he will always have my loyalty, respect, and full support. “None taken.”

  He holds one finger up. “Hold that thought.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “He wants someone more responsible to check up on Washington and a few other charters.”

  Rock turns to face Z, leaning back against the counter. “Let me guess. He wants that someone to be you?”

  “Correct.” Z focuses on me. “I was, of course, obligated to explain that change did not come to downstate without the help of my loyal brothers, especially my VP.” His serious expression doesn’t change.

  “Appreciate that.” I grunt.

  “I didn’t say it to get out of a road trip, brother.”

  “What then?” I work to keep my voice on the respectful side and dial back the suspicious tone.

  He glances at Rock. “We need to put together a small, casual team of brothers we trust to visit Priest’s ‘problem children’ over the next couple months. It’s the only way to get Priest off our backs.”

  Rock stares at the ceiling for a few seconds before speaking. “Fuck. We’re short-handed enough.”

  “I thought you wanted me helping Murphy with the support club, Prez?” Expanding and securing our existing territory was also high on Priest’s list last time I checked.

  “I do. I also want to avoid more six a.m. phone calls from Priest.” His mouth twists into an annoyed smirk. “He lovingly reminded me he’d like to see our charter kicking up more money.”

  “Fuck me.” I run my hands through my hair.

  “Washington’s bleeding the coffers dry with their never-ending legal fees and fines,” Rock says, staring into his coffee.

  “They gotta get out of guns for good this time. Not the half-assed shit Pony’s been doing since he took over. It’s gonna end up bringing the entire organization down.” Z points at me and then taps his own cut. “We all wear the same patch. Feds could decide every charter deserves a one-way ticket to the Graybar Hotel.”

  “How exactly do you expect to convince them of a career switch this late in the game?” I ask.

  “I don’t.”

  “We should go in low-key and see who’s receptive to a change,” Rock says. “Build on those relationships. Push out the die-hards.”

  “That was my thought,” Z agrees. “I impressed upon Priest that it can’t be you or me.”

  Rock raises an eyebrow.

  “You’re welcome.” Z smirks.

  Rock grunts at him.

  Z shrugs. “You’re seen as Priest’s golden boy.”

  “Thanks,” Rock says slowly, not sounding at all thankful.

  “I’m just saying. If Rochlan North comes riding in, brothers are gonna piss themselves.” He touches his chest. “I can’t go, either. Another charter sees me coming, they’ll assume I’m there to clean house.”

  “That leaves my favorite motherclucker.” Z settles his gaze on me. “Rooster. You’re in a position to commiserate with them on how mean ol’ Z came in and stole your charter—”

  “Except you made me your VP, so they ain’t gonna trust me either,” I point out.

  “Flip their worldview, brother. Show them how much more money they could be making with porn instead of guns. Pony will be receptive to change, but he needs some hand-holding.”

  “Great choice for a president.” Rock lifts his gaze to the ceiling.

  I chuckle at Rock’s observation before commenting on Z’s suggestion. “Setting them up could take forever. And Stella won’t take a trip out there to help me recruit.”

  “You don’t need her.” He waves off the mention of his ex. “I know a girl out there.”

  “Of course, you do,” I mutter.

  Rock stops pouring coffee and turns a slow glare Z’s way.

  Z holds up his hands. “Not who you’re thinking. Ease up, Rock.”

  “So, what do you want, Z? Want me to go out there and see if the brothers are eager to be porn kings?” I ask. “I don’t anticipate any of them saying no.”

  “I’d rather you find out if they’re a good fit. If they’re a bunch of dicks who are gonna wag their tongues instead of providing protection—”

  Rock snorts.

  Z slides his gaze Rock’s way
. “You trying to say something?”

  “Not at all.” Rock takes a sip of his coffee and leans against the counter. “You’re the epitome of professionalism.”

  “Protection? This girl plannin’ to steal Stella’s fuck-a-stranger-in-every-city schtick?”

  “She’s got a different angle, but similar idea. I need someone technical enough to set it up and assess the situation.” He sets all four feet of the chair down with a thud. “Washington’s gonna be tough. Virginia is where I think you need to start.”

  “More film-making?”

  “See? You’re smarter than you look.”

  “What exactly are we trying to accomplish here?” I ask. “One giant amateur porn network?”

  “Ice has expressed an interest.” Z shrugs. “Help ‘em out.”

  “It’s still regulated to some degree. They up for that?”

  “Not this amateur shit. That’s why I need you to set it up so it looks like the girls own everything themselves, but we still have access to the back end.”

  “Regulated or not, it won’t bring the same heat other shit brings,” Rock says.

  “I suppose you know a girl down there too?” I ask Z.

  “Not anyone specific. Ice says a few of his club girls might be interested.”

  “Bro, there’s a big difference between a girl fucking her way through the clubhouse and fucking on camera for the whole world to see. I’m not settin’ up shit if they’re forcing girls into it. That’s not cool.”

  Z’s expression turns hard. “You think I’d ask you to do that?”

  No, I really don’t. “Then what’s the plan?”

  “Same thing. Feel the situation out. If you get a bad vibe, make up an excuse for why it won’t work.”

  “They’ll figure it out with or without me. Any asshole can throw some videos on PornHub.”

  “You know by now there’s a lot more work involved. And money to be made for quality content.”

  “And I gotta spend half my days sending notices to take down illegal shit people post everywhere.”

  “So, hire a company to do that.” Z jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “Hell, Hope can do it.”

  “Hope has enough to do,” Rock says, cutting that idea off.

  “What mindless, legal drudgery are you trying to sign me up for, Z?” Hope asks, carrying Grace over to Rock.