For now, I would play her friend. We were friends once, a long time ago, it wouldn’t be hard to play off that. Of course, I had to be mindful of where I took her, because of her watchdog, Seth. So, I figured a coffeehouse would be safe. I mean, how many badass bikers go to coffeehouses?
If they want coffee, they hit the local diner or the gas station.
“Reagen, it’s Kara, let’s grab a coffee and catch up.” I hung up and peeled out of the park. I arrived at the coffee shop. Reagen beat me to it since it was closer to the hangout than the park. I waved at her and then stopped to order a tall Americano before I joined her. She looked good considering what I had heard.
The coffeehouse was packed with people stopping in for a late afternoon pick-me-up. Reagen was sitting in an armchair with its back to the door. She was scrunched down, still a little scared of being out by herself. I didn’t know all the details of what had happened, but I knew it landed a guy dead – a Blue Diablo. Guessing it was her Ol’ Man. Eventually, they would come for her head because of it.
She had saved the chair across from her with her leather jacket for me. How considerate. Maybe this would be more than just a play for power. She clearly needed a friend, and it wouldn’t hurt to have one myself.
“Tall Americano for Kara!”
“That’s me.” I grabbed my cup and headed for the chair. Reagen smiled and grabbed her jacket.
“Kara! It’s so good to see a familiar face.”
“Reagen, I am so sorry I wasn’t there for you. I’m glad you got out. The Saints treating you well?” I asked as I perched on the seat across from her.
“Yeah, I’m good. This was an unexpected surprise.”
“Yeah, well, I needed a friend, and I knew you did too.”
“I do. I’m grateful for your companionship. I love Seth, but sometimes a girl just needs to vent to another girl, and Mom, well, she’s not much of a listener. I’m not allowed to hang out with Bonnie either, so I was so glad when you called. I’ve been going stir crazy. Ever since Seth found out I’m pregnant, he has barely let me out of his sight. Don’t be surprised if he shows up here.”
“I figured your watch dog wouldn’t be too far behind. Pregnant, huh? A last parting gift from what was his name . . . Jacob?”
“No, it’s Seth’s.”
“Seth’s? Well, okay then. Congratulations. He’s a decent guy.”
We fell silent, having run out of things to say. She sipped on her hot chocolate, and I fiddled with my cup. It was still too hot to drink.
“So, is there something you wanted to discuss with me or something?”
“Actually, yeah. So, I got news and I want you to be one of the first to hear it.”
“What news?” Reagen asked eagerly. I made her wait while I took a sip of my still-steaming coffee. It felt good burning my throat. Pain reminded me I was still alive, and I got a rush from it. Though I didn’t think anyone but a sicko could get pleasure out of the kind of pain my friend had been put through.
I made a mental note to make sure anyone loyal to Jacob was dealt with, but I figured Seth was already on it.
As if she could read my thoughts, she spoke up.
“I’m healing well enough. Were you there at the ride?”
“No. I was avoiding it. I don’t think I can do that anymore, so I’ve decided not to. Which brings me to what I want to say. In fact, I’ve decided . . . I’m taking over the Midnight Saints,” I whispered behind my hand.
“Really?” Reagen was thrilled. “Can you do that?”
“Well, the way I see it, it was my father’s club, and as his daughter, that makes me his heir, so technically, it’s mine by right of birth. I think men have fucked it up long enough, so yeah, I’m moving in and taking over. Before this war destroys everything. Not that Tony isn’t doing a good job mopping up this mess my father left, but if I can’t be left alone in peace, then I might as well come back and take over.”
“I think that’s great. It’s time for a woman to be in power. You are amazing, Kara. You’re finding your place in the world, sticking it to your old man. That’s awesome. I wish I had guts like you.”
“You’re amazing too, Reagen. You had guts leaving Jacob and returning to the Midnight Saints.”
I took another sip of the warm liquid before I continued. “I think it’s time we showed these men that we’re more than just whores here for their pleasure, that we have hearts and minds of our own, and that we’re just as tough as they are. You showed them that. Now, it’s my turn to show them that.”
“I don’t know about just as tough as they are.”
“Hey, you survived, didn’t you?” I took another sip of my coffee. My throat was already burned, so I didn’t feel it this time.
We fell silent again and she fiddled with her now empty cup.
“Can I get you another one?”
“I should probably get going.”
“Come on, you just got here. You’re safe with me. I promise.”
“Okay. It was hot chocolate.”
“Save my seat.” I got up to go back to the counter. “Can I get a tall hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream, and, oh, how about two biscotti cookies?”
“Will that be all?”
“Yeah.”
“Name on the cup?”
“Reagen. Do I need to spell that?”
“Yeah.”
“R-E-A-G-E-N.”
“That’s an unusual name.”
“It was the name of a President, just spelled different.”
“Yeah, but that was his last name.”
“Yeah, well, my friend was named after him. Just make her hot chocolate.”
I stopped to study the guy standing there in front of me behind the counter. He had thick eyeliner, tattoos, and spiked black hair. He wore a black poet’s shirt and
