“I wouldn’t do anything to hurt the Redemption Riders.I can’t believe that they would wade in and protect me like they have.Never, ever would I want to upset any of the guys.”
Etain reaches out to take my hand and gives me a smile, “I know, Tessa.There are a lot of people who see bikers in a bad light.They assume that bikers are drug addicts and guys who make up their own rules to cause trouble.And to be honest, there are clubs out there that are like that.They’re called 1%ers.The Redemption Riders is not that.They want to live life their way, but within the law as much as possible.
“But the truth is, there was a rival club that caused the Riders deep trouble, and because they trusted the wrong people, one of the members is in jail.Hawk swore never to make that mistake again.Their businesses are clean, and that’s the way he wants to keep it.But even Hawk has rules, and one of the big ones is staying out of sight as much as possible.The pictures we take of the club, our birthdays, and parties, they’re only shared between us and no one else.Even the biker bunnies who come to party with the club have their phones confiscated at the door before they come in and are returned when they leave.Too many women have tried to trap the guys into making them their old ladies.Hawk is selective about who comes through the door to protect his brothers.”
“Motown says I’m his old lady,” I say shyly.
“You are.Just like I’m Hawk’s and Sasha belongs to Drifter.We’re the only three who really matter to the club.You’re untouchable because Motown has claimed you as his own.The respect they show you is because the guys know what you mean to him.Don’t get me wrong, we adore you for you, but coming into the club is a big deal.We’d still love you if you weren’t with Motown, and we’d have coffee and come visit, but the club would be closed to any outsiders.That’s just the way it is,” she explains.
“My parents want to meet you guys when they visit.They’re so happy I met Motown and want to get to know you,” I say in a worried tone.
“And we will meet them.Hawk might invite them to the club because they’re an extension of you, so they’d be family too, or else we’d come to your place and have a great time getting to know them.We aren’t a cult, we’re just a very close-knit family that takes care of our own, and with the difficulties that are happening, Hawk and the guys are keeping their lives quiet,” Etain says soothingly.
With everything that’s happening with Bronson and the drugs he’s running through town, I see what Etain means about keeping a low profile.It sucks that one man could create such a mess, but I understand where Hawk is coming from.
I lift my hand and cross my heart.“I promise the album can stay at the club for Motown to look at anytime he wants,” I declare with a grin.
Etain pulls me in for a hug.“I’m glad Motown met you,” she returns with a laugh.“Let’s finish our lunch, and then you can show me more of your store, because I’m in the mood to shop.”
All is calm until Ruth barrels through the door as mad as a bull raging toward a red cape.Both Etain and I look up when the door chime rattles angrily.We set down our cups and brace for the onslaught about to explode from Ruth’s mouth.
“I can’t believe that motherfucking asshole!”she lets loose, looking around the shop.“Where’s Hawk?Or Motown?”She throws her hands in the air like a wild woman.“There’s got to be a Redemption Rider around somewhere!”
“You need to calm down before you have a heart attack,” Etain says gently, coming to her feet and going to her, then looping her arm around Ruth’s shoulders.
“Fuck calm!”Ruth continues.“Do you know what the lowlife, poor excuse of a man did?”
“Bronson?”I ask, to be clear we’re talking about the same A-hole.
“Who else?”she replies sarcastically.“Of course, it’s Bronson.”
I hurry to my feet and grab my phone to text Roar.Motown made sure to add all the Riders to my contacts just in case an emergency arose, and from the way, Ruth’s going on, I think this would be considered an emergency.
“I get you’re upset, but you need to sit down and tell us what’s going on.”Etain leads her to the chair I was occupying earlier.
“Roar’s on his way.He’s close,” I inform Ruth, seeing that she’s adamant about talking to one of the guys.“Do you want some tea?”
“This is a tequila problem,” Ruth snaps.I let her have her rampage.I’ve seen Ruth pissed off, even annoyed or peeved, but never have I seen her this upset.I bite my lower lip, not knowing what I can say to make things better.She sees my sadness, runs a hand over her face, and takes a deep breath.“Sorry, girl,” she says, exhaling another breath.“I don’t mean to take this out on you.”She pats Etain’s hand, looking at her.“Or you.”
Roar and Tacitus both come in together.Roar takes one look at Ruth and mutters, “Shit!Things just got worse, didn’t they?”
Ruth doesn’t respond with words, but her face says it all.Shit must be worse.
Tacitus is on his cell phone immediately, while Roar asks, “Did Bronson come to your place and threaten you?”
“I wish he had.I would have shot his ass full of buckshot if he did,” she sputters.“Oh no, that dickhead went to Don and Clara Evans and threatened an elderly couple with burning down their corner store if they refused to cave to his demands.”
I gasp loudly.I’ve only met Don and Clara once, but they’re the sweetest people.The corner store belonged to Don’s parents before him and his grandfather before that.The corner store has been a fixture in this town for longer than most people have lived here.
“Hold that thought, Ruthie,” Tacitus says, then he speaks into the phone.“Looks like Bronson didn’t succeed with Tessa, so now he’s going after Don and Clara.”
“And Dina Gonzalez, and Liz Browning.He’s going after the older people and scaring them half to death,” Ruth shouts, so she can be heard through the phone Tacitus is holding to his ear.
“That’s what she said,” Tacitus confirms.“He’s a fucking piece of work, all right.”There’s a pause before he answers.“I’ll see what else she knows.Meet you at the club when Tessa closes.We don’t want her left alone.”Tacitus is silent for another moment, then says, “I’ll let Ruth know that Shooter and Decker will be at the bar tonight, just in case he shows.”
“I don’t need a babysitter!”Ruth pipes up.
“Ruth, please.I won’t be able to sleep tonight if you’re on your own,” I tell her.“Please.”I give her my best puppy dog eyes.