Starting the engine, I point my bike toward the gate. It opens automatically thanks to the remote attached to my girl. Then, I head south toward the city.
The air becomes cooler as I grow closer to the ocean. I make my way through the traffic, steering clear of the touristy zones, like the zoo and SeaWorld as I’m nearing Mary’s house. The nearer I get, the more my anticipation grows at seeing her again.
I’d slept with this woman last night. I’d like to sleep with her again, this time without clothes coming between us. There, I’ve admitted it at last. Not that it’s likely to happen. She’s got a kid in the house.
I park my bike in the driveway, sighing when I see no other vehicle here. Damn. I’d forgotten Niran had had to make do with the prospect’s ride. Well, there’s no way in hell I’ll let the prospect ride my bike. I take out my phone and place a quick call, and of course, my answer is an affirmative.
The door opens, and Wrangler is standing there. “Grumbler.” He raises his chin respectfully.
“I’m taking over from you,” I tell him, noticing the gleam in his eyes as he views my baby behind me. “No fuckin’ way,” I growl. “Connor’s going to swing by and pick you up.”
“I ain’t riding bitch…”
“With the fuckin’ truck.” As I pass him to enter the house, I slap him around the back of his head. Quite hard.
The fucker just laughs. Must be losing my touch.
I realise Mary’s standing right behind him, her hand over her mouth as though she’s trying not to laugh.
Immediately, I want to take her in my arms, nuzzle my face against her hair, and just take comfort from her. Which is weird, I’m the protector. It should be me comforting her.
“You look tired, Grumbler.” Her eyes soften. “Long day?”
For a response, I simply nod.
“Come in. You look like you could do with a beer. Alicia’s watching some junk on TV, just ignore her.”
“Hey, Grumbler.” Alicia turns as she hears her name. “I’m learning all about MCs.”
What the fuck? My eyes narrow. “Whatcha watching?” I step over to the sofa and stare at the television, the characters recognisable immediately. It’s fuckin’ Sons of Anarchy.
“Aren’t you too young to watch this?” Now I half turn toward Mary.
“Pah.” Alicia waves her hand in dismissal. “I’ll be eighteen in three months.”
I suppose she’s not going to change much in twelve weeks. Mary shrugs, then goes off, presumably to get my beer. “You get her into this?” I growl at the prospect.
Wrangler doesn’t look contrite. “She asked me to find something about MCs.”
Thinking I’ll be speaking to him later, I go and sit on the chair opposite the couch, and half turn so I can watch the television. “This isn’t how we roll, sweetheart.” But my eyes narrow as I view the president of the fictional club, recalling in later episodes he meets his comeuppance. Maybe a bit too close to us and Snake, a prez leading a club in the wrong direction.
“What’s different?”
Now that’s a question, and I hesitate to reply. I can’t tell her we never do the shit they’re into, because during my lifetime with the Satan’s Devils, I’ve seen and done most of it. Gun deals with the mafia are well in the past, but sure, I’d had a hand in it. The difference is, it never was a daily occurrence. MC life is about earning enough to survive and living with like-minded brothers while you’re doing it. A daily routine, sometimes broken by bursts of activity where we mete out our own form of justice. The last three years have been quiet, and while it might be that I’m getting old, that’s how I like it. I struggle for something to give her, words which don’t show us in a bad light.
After a moment, I dredge something up. “You already know we run a number of businesses. That’s how we earn our money. We’re not into guns or drugs, and we don’t run around shooting people just for the sake of it. We also don’t openly carry, not in California.” I struggle to come up with the differences.
“Sounds boring.” Just like that, I’m dismissed, her attention caught by the screen once again.
Mary’s hand lands on my shoulder, lingering there for a moment, then she passes me a beer. Taking it, I thank her.
“Want another, Wrangler?”
I glare at the man who shouldn’t have been partaking of her hospitality. Seeing my expression, he shakes his head. “Nah, my ride should be here in a moment.”
There’s a shoot-‘em-up battle going on. For a few minutes our attention is held by the scene playing out in front of us. Despite myself, I become as vested in the outcome as anyone else.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Mary
Wrangler was good company for Alicia. He’s a good-looking guy, and I’d seen the way my daughter had been looking at him, but also noticed how he was around her. Respectful and keeping his distance. Friendly enough, but not encouraging anything. To be honest, if his presence helped take her mind off what had happened on Friday, I wasn’t too upset about it. Just as long as Wrangler knew her teenage attraction didn’t mean anything.
Alicia, who I normally have to prompt to be a host, couldn’t do enough for him, offering to get him a beer, and even making a sandwich when his stomach had growled. I actually didn’t mind the television programme she was watching. Sure, technically she’s too young,
