“Fucking hell,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “Thanks Maestro.”
“Any time man. Appreciate what you do for my girl. Always here to help. Keep in touch.”
He ends the call and I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. I shouldn’t feel this old at thirty-eight, should I?
Picking up my phone, I send out a text calling for church this afternoon.
***
The brothers file in after locking their phones and keys in the cubbyholes we set up outside church. Years ago, after a club whore got into a brother’s phone while we were in church and found sensitive information from it then tried to blackmail us with it, we implemented the cubbyholes. Brothers had to change the codes monthly.
“Right fuckers, settle down. I won’t keep you long,” I tap the pipe that's always on the table in front of me to the plough disc hanging next to me. Some cringe at the noise but it gets their attention every time.
“Mamba came back with information on the property next door. Sale went through, and they’re already working it. There’s nothing we can find on them that will cause us an issue. I spoke to Maestro at the Queens Wraiths to see what he knew about them as they come from his town.
Taking a breath, I gaze around at the men to see if they’ve got questions. When nobody makes a murmur, I continue. “The only thing he mentioned that may be a problem is that the father is a retired Marshal, but according to Maestro, the only time he’ll be an issue is if you fuck with his family.”
I stare around the table and there are a few that look unhappy with this news, but most of the brothers nod. We understood not fucking with family, although none of my closest brothers had taken an ‘Ol Lady yet. Too busy fucking around and enjoying life. Who could blame them? Not all women were built for this lifestyle.
“What’s the problem then?” Spook, my VP and best friend asks. He looks at me with narrowed eyes. “You didn’t call church just to tell us this. What else do we need to know?”
My VP knows me well. “This is more of a warning than anything else. We don’t need an ex-Marshal’s attention, no matter how old he is. He’ll have connections. Maestro warned me he trained all the women in his family in self-defence, and that they wouldn’t hesitate to put someone on their ass if they needed to. While I know none of you fuckers are assholes when it comes to the ladies, I’m giving you a heads up that you be respectful when dealing with the four women who have moved in next door. Not only are they our neighbours, but I’d also prefer not to have any law-enforcement up our asses. And from what Maestro says, the father won’t bother us unless we fuck with his girls. Any questions?”
“No, Pres,” Roman says, shaking his head and grinning at me. “We got it. Don’t fuck with the women next door.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Roman is one of our older brothers, and the total opposite to his best friend Axle. He’s a bit of a shit-stirrer, and I wouldn’t put it past him to do something that will piss me off.
“I’m warning you Roman, don’t moan if one of those women puts you on your ass. No brother here is to interfere if they do. In fact, that goes for all of you. Don’t be dicks. Keep off their radar. Spook has some sensitive shit happening right now, and we’ve just taken on a major new client with the casino. We don’t need eyes on us. So if you get your pride hurt, you’d better all take it like men or leave the women alone. Understood?” I stare at each one of my brothers in turn until they agree.
“Right. If none of you have any other business, I’ll see you out there for a drink.”
The brothers file out one at a time, laughing and shit-talking with some shoving thrown in.
Spook, looking tired yet amused, catches my eye. I know why he’s tired. His boys are hell on wheels, and keep the man run ragged. I wonder if I should bring up hiring a nanny again.
“Come on brother, let's grab a beer and listen to the brothers moan about not being able to have access to the newcomers.” He grins and stands. We walk out, and I’m surprised when Roman shouts Axle’s name as Axle runs out the door. I’m not surprised when Roman follows him, and as it’s not like Axle to tear out of anywhere like he has, I’m worried. He’s the most stable brother out of all my brothers, and the saddest.
“Let’s go,” I say to Spook, following them out into the yard. Roman is disappearing out the gate as Spook and I get on our rides and follow behind. Axle is going at a speed that’s going to get him a ticket, and Roman isn’t far behind him.
Fuck it, we’ll deal with that later. Right now, a brother obviously needs us. I rev my bike and increase the speed. Spook’s right beside me with brothers bringing up the rear. This is why I love the brotherhood. None of them know what they're riding into, but they’re riding because a brother may need them.
Twenty minutes later, I know where we’re going and I grow concerned. I know both Roman and Axle have a fondness for the old lady who owns and runs the diner in the next town, and that they check on her regularly. Something could have happened to her.
We’re maybe two minutes behind them. I was right; we were going to the diner, but not for the reason I thought.
I park my bike and take off my helmet, watching as a tiny curvy blonde runs toward my brother and jumps into his arms, holding onto him like she’s never going to let him go.
My throat tightens. It’s an emotional reunion, and I hope it’s the woman he’s been searching for over the years. Most of us know about his Angel. He’s always said she’s the love of his life and from the looks of the way she’s clinging to him, I’d say he’s the love of hers.
“Jesus,” Spook mutters, watching them. There are three other women with her. I recognise them from the pictures in the file.
“Well fuck,” I mutter. “Let's meet the neighbours.”
Spook laughs. “Ah shit, Pres. You aren’t serious. Well fuck is right.”
Ignoring him, I get off my bike and walk with Roman to the group on the sidewalk.
I shake Siera’s hand when she introduces herself, and nod at her daughters. There’s no missing they’re related because they all three look alike, other than the difference in their colouring.