Princess (25 page)

They all reply ‘aye’ except Blaze.

“I’ll lose my Death Dealer patch? But what happens when Odin is ready to take over as VP?”

“You can have your Death Dealer patch back, or we can vote on a different one if that’s what you want.”

“Okay, I vote ‘aye.’”

“We’ll be recruiting, but not many. I want us to get our feet on the ground and adapt before growing too much. There were at least nine more when I was at home. Where is everyone?”

Blaze takes a drink of water and replies since everyone else stays quiet. “Dead.”

“Fuck.” I shake my head, nine dead, plus the two from the other day, eleven members. That’s horrible. “I’m meeting with the Prez from the Oath Keepers Charter here later. I want to see if he’ll offer us a patch over and a few potential business partners.”

“What the fuck? South Carolina already has an OK Chapter,” Smokey declares. Being an older member of the MC, I’m expecting a lot of fight from him.

“I know, which will give you three options. One, if this patch over happens, you will be given the option to leave. Two, you will have a place in the South Carolina Charter or pretty much any other location. I actually know the Prez down there, and he’s a good man. Three, I will step up and run my family’s club, but my Ol’ Lady’s life is here. As it turns out, my life is going to be here with her, so my chapter will be built in this area, and you will be offered a place in it. I won’t have the Compound in this exact place, but close. There’s many clubs in Austin, and they have a good relationship with the Oath Keepers.”

Torch sighs, “Well fuck, some of us can’t afford to just pick up and move our shit; I have a little girl to think about.”

“Actually, since there’s only a few of you, yes, you can. I’ll make sure you get here.”

“And where will we sleep, what will we eat? I wasn’t really getting by, and that’s with anything from the club and a part-time job.”

“I’ll look into purchasing land and start a build on a basic clubhouse. Singles can have a room there, but you’ll have to keep it clean. Anyone with a family or kids, we’ll get it figured out.”

Bronx interrupts, “I’m in; I don’t need to go back at all.”

Smokey takes a drag of his cigarette, rasping, “And where will this money come from exactly?”

“For the past five years, I’ve bought a new bike, food and stayed in occasional cheap-ass motels. I don’t have a lot, but I have enough to put a chunk down to get started. I’m gonna ask my Ol’ Lady’s father for input and help. The Oath Keepers are different from the Widows; they make some pretty damn good cheddar. It’ll be tough at first; I’m not going to lie, but I believe in a few years, shit will be really good.”

Blaze sits up. “I’m in.”

Smokey releases the toxic smoke from his lungs as he talks, “Why would you do this for us? You took off when Jekyll fucked you up and sent you on a stripe, never coming back.”

“Because that stripe saved my life, they took me in and showed me what brotherhood is. After experiencing it, I know everyone deserves it.”

He nods.

“That’s another thing, the Nomads. You saw them the other day, except for one. If this works, I’m inviting them to join the Chapter and just saying this up front; they’ll be full members and offered officer patches.”

A few grumble and it takes everything inside to tamper down my temper.

“That’s fine, you feel that way, but one saved my ass the other morning from a fucking lion. How many of you know of a brother that has your six like that? I’ve never met a more loyal, fearless group of men before. Do not underestimate any of them, ever.”

Bronx rolls his eyes, but he’ll learn when Ex beats the hell out of him for that shit.

“We’re all invited to their barbecue later, and I think it would be in our best interest to go and make friends. The Prez offered to let you stay in their guest rooms if needed. I know a few of the members from handling a job with them and stopping through on runs. You can relax around them and have a beer; they won’t try to kill you in your sleep. You’ll get a good look at the Oath Keeper life.” They stay silent, so I figure it’s time to call it to an end. “Anyone have anything to add?”

Torch nods. “We’re in.”

Smokey follows. “Yup, me too. Been wanting to get outta SC for years, just wasn’t able to.”

“Welcome to Texas, brothers.”

Rapping my knuckles against the table to note the end of the first church I’ve conducted, I’m wearing a smile when it’s over.

PRINCESS

Having Odin ask me
for five grand in cash, had me a little skeptical, but being Viking’s brother, I figure I should give him a chance. I went to drop it off, and he climbed in the car asking if he could come back to the apartment with me instead of staying with his older brother. I ended up taking him with me grocery shopping to get a few things for the barbecue tonight, and we left with two hundred dollars’ worth of food.

To see him so excited over having that much food, kind of broke my heart a little. He shared with me that he never really went grocery shopping like that before. I guess he only visited the store for basic things that he could stretch out to last him a long time, like peanut butter and bread. Once I heard that I encouraged him to throw whatever he wanted into the cart. Viking had stuffed five hundred dollars in my purse a few days prior, making up for all the food I was cooking them, but I didn’t want to use it. If it’s for his brother, though, then I don’t mind.

Never in a million years would I have thought that he’s only fifteen. I knew he was young, but he’s weathered for his age, and that makes me so sad for him. My father sucked, but Odin grew up without love, like my Viking. And shit can he eat; my God, he clears his plate and eats anything else I load it with.

Viking had brought his stuff over to my apartment so Odin would be able to sleep on the couch and not be left alone. He’s worried that Odin may get pissed about something and just leave without letting us know. I was a little nervous about them being in my space twenty-four hours a day, but I love it. I didn’t realize before that I was so lonely all the time when Bethany wasn’t around.

I’ve loved having Viking talk to me a lot over the past few days and ask my opinions on everything. We’ve been trying to come up with a plan that would make us both happy. He’s so distraught about the fact that he has to leave the Nomads. They’re his family, people who get him and don’t judge. Now he’s being thrown into something he never wanted in the first place.

When he told me that he was going to stay here and be home a lot, I almost did cartwheels I was so excited about it. He wants to find a small two-bedroom house for us to rent, so he can give Odin some stability here, and I can’t blame him. After meeting Jekyll, Odin’s going to need every ounce of help and structure he can get. I’m young and know jack about teenagers, but I swore to Vike that I’d do my best and support him as much as I can.

My father and I haven’t spoken since our blowup, but I’ve been thinking a ton about what all he and my brother were saying. I was so upset that I didn’t pay much attention at the time it was all happening. Now, though, I’m growing curious.

We stopped by my mom’s yesterday, but again, she wasn’t home. I wanted her to get to meet Viking. It was the same way as before with my dad and brother’s Softails parked there and the truck missing. I’m starting to freak out; it’s been two months since I’ve physically seen her and about a month that we’ve spoken to each other and not just in random messages.

Viking told me that he was meeting with Prez today but that he wasn’t going to the barbecue. I’m relieved I won’t have to worry about a confrontation, but I was kind of hoping to at least ask if he’s seen her. I just want to make sure she’s okay. In her last message she sounded like she was desperate to see me, but now it’s almost as if she’s avoiding me.

There’s nothing I can do, besides keep trying and ask my dad or Brently if I see them.

Once my mom’s famous Italian pasta salad is complete, I paint on some light makeup and dig through my closet. I need to find something that’s fit for a biker bitch to wear but also says I’m the Ol’ Lady to a President of an outlaw MC. One benefit of having my mom as the Prez’ Ol’ Lady, she knew how to dress.

Settling on some thigh-high black leather boots with four-inch heels, I pair them with a cherry red leather miniskirt and my black Harley tank top. Finishing the look, I use a blood red lipstick that’s smudge proof and tie my hair in a high ponytail. We’ll be riding his bike, and I’m not showing up with my hair looking like a hot mess.

His stack of bandanas that I washed sits folded perfectly on the counter spurring my idea further. I pick out the nicest looking black one, fold it a few times and wrap it over my hair. It reminds me of those workout headbands you use to hold your bangs back; only this one is much more badass.

“Odin, do you drive? I can’t carry the pasta salad on Viking’s bike; the bowl’s too large.” He doesn’t respond, so I turn around to make sure I’m not waking him up or something.

I’m met with large eyes and his mouth slightly hanging open.

“Odin?”

“You’re wearing that?”

“Umm, yes. Is it not good?”

“Do you want my brother to kill someone tonight? ‘Cause if you wear that outfit, that’s what will end up happening.”

“Whatever, it’ll be fine.” I laugh and roll my eyes. “Do you drive?”

“I can.”

“Perfect, I need you to follow us with the pasta salad.”

“Cool.”

“Thanks.”

He nods and the front door opens; Viking’s finally back.

“Hey! How’d it go?”

Viking takes his boots off next to the door like I previously asked him to and started peeling the few chunky rings he wears and such off, not glancing up yet. “Fucking perfect. We did a little tweaking and shit, but overall it’s going to work out. We’re going to settle about twenty miles out at an old pig farm. Best fuckin’ part is, your dad’s gonna work with me on making him payments so I can start the build on the club right away.”

“That’s amazing news!”

“Yeah, I’m so fucking stoked.” He glances up and goes silent, just standing and staring.

“Vike?” I raise my eyebrow.

“I’m going to kill someone tonight,” he finally answers, and Odin pops in.

“Told you.”

“Should I change?” I don’t want to and wouldn’t any other time, but this is the first time he’s riding with his club to meet another MC. I want it to be his night.

“Fuck no; you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Hell, yeah,” Odin comments and Viking growls.

“Shut up.” His eyes glaze over looking at me again. “I need to shower, or we’ll never fucking leave.” He storms off, and I do a little dance inside, knowing that I’ve made him proud.

The ride over isn’t
bad at all; if anything, I’m really starting to enjoy Viking sharing this with me. I know he loves the wind and road when he’s on his Harley, and that means something special to me because I love him. Pulling into the Compound is a little nerve racking. I was made to stay away basically my entire life and now to be invited, is just surreal.

The night passes in a blur; Viking’s introduced me to so many people. Blaze and Torch actually smiled at me; I thought their faces were going to crack or something. I think my favorites are still the Nomads. I got used to their banter and rough exteriors. Plus, I know they truly have Viking’s back, and that’s important to me.

God, I wanted so badly to rip Nightmare a new one, but know that I can’t. He’s Bethany’s baby’s dad, and she needs to fight that battle when she’s ready. I’ll always support her decisions even if I don’t agree with them.

However, I was a little taken back though when he was talking to me like nothing was different. Nightmare has to know I’d be pissed at him on my best friend’s behalf. Once he said hello and started telling me that Viking had to patch him up on their run, I just walked off in the middle of him talking. He’s Vike’s brother, not mine.

I met the Oath Keepers Ol’ Ladies, which was interesting. They all have big personalities, and you can tell they love their own type of sisterhood that they’ve formed. I was nervous, but Ares and 2 Piece’s Ol’ Lady, Avery, walked right up to me and started talking like she’d known me for years. I couldn’t believe it when she told me she had two Ol’ Men; I wasn’t sure if I should feel bad for the woman or congratulate her.

There was also a rumor floating around that my dad may pass the gavel to his VP, who happens to be Ares. I was freaking shocked, and now I do want to speak to him. The only part of the night I’d take back if I could, would be catching Odin with an Oath Keeper’s little sister bent over the trunk of my damn car.

Pretty sure that it was Spin’s little sister too, but I’m pretending like I didn’t see a thing. Maybe Oath Keeper women will end up falling for Widow Maker men, who knows. I did warn Vike, though, and he had a ‘talk’ with Odin. The kid was mortified, but it was hilarious and the least he deserved. I don’t think he understands what kind of hell he can stir up for himself messing with a biker’s little sister.

After this brief time, I’m starting to see why my mom loved this life in so many ways; I can understand why it made her so happy with my father. Bikers don’t just love you; they obsess over you. With that fierce love, comes a protection like no other, willing to kill for their women at a drop of a hat. Getting together didn’t make me feel uncomfortable or out of place like I imagined it would. I felt like I was finally home and surrounded by family. I was hugged and welcomed, complimented on my food and asked to come back.