“What’s the plan?” Dope asks from across the table, hands clamped together on top of the heavy oak table.
“We ride to the LA Rebel’s clubhouse. We plan from there. The Old Ladies and the whores are to be on lockdown here. We’ll call in the Chapter from the state over to come and guard.” Prez blows out a breath and runs his hands down his face. He’s aged over the last few months. The fine crinkles in his face and deep frown marks are proof that this life is taking its toll on him.
“The sooner we do this the better. When do you think we’ll be heading out?” I ask, scratching my eyebrow and chewing my top lip. Lauren is not going to like being on lockdown here without me. And what if Alexis goes into labor? Fuck.
“We ride tonight, boys. Make sure the girls are here safe and sound. Settle any current affairs you have. This is fucking war.” With that, Prez bangs his gavel and we scuttle out of the room.
Reaching my Harley outside, I swing my leg over and pull my helmet on in record time. I need to get to my woman. The need to keep her safe is strong, and adrenaline is surging through my veins, ready for the fight.
Pulling up to the house, I notice no bikes, no prospects, and the lights in the house are off. Fuck. Where the hell is everyone?
Wrenching my phone from my jean pocket, I call Mikey, one of the six prospects guarding the girls.
“Where the fuck are you?” My voice angry rings clear in the quiet street.
“At Maddy’s diner down the road. The woman were hungry.” His timid voice is barely audible. “We’re all here. Three outside and three inside.”
“I’ll be there in five.” I end the call and shove the phone back in my pocket.
***
I storm into the diner unceremoniously, and my eyes scan the dinner crowd. I find them huddled in a corner booth that’s seen better days and eating, what seems to me, as rabbit food.
“Lauren,” I state as I reach the booth. “I thought I said to stay home?”
“Uh…We were hungry, and being cooped up is shit. You know I like to be out and about as much as possible.” She looks up at me with her twinkling eyes and I melt a little, my tense shoulders relaxing with just one look from the woman that has changed my life.
“You’re not gonna like what I’m about to tell you, babe.” My shoulders are immediately tensed again, ready for her to blow her attitude at me in front of club prospects.
“What?” She places her knife and fork neatly in the middle of plate and uses the folded napkin to wipe the corners of her mouth.
“You and Alexis, along with Rhonda, Kristine and the club whores, are going to be on lockdown at the club for a few days. No point trying to argue, Lauren, you have no choice. We ride out tonight to sort this shit out.” I lick my lips, bracing myself for the blow.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now? Alexis is about ready to pop!” Her voice raises and a few heads in the diner turn our way.
I lean down on the table with my fists and get my face close to hers, saying, “Don’t speak to me like that in front of club prospects. Damn, Lauren, you should know better.”
My serious expression has her cowering in her seat. I keep forgetting she’s not the strong woman I first met. She’s been beaten down and is afraid of her own shadow. But I have no choice but to be like this when she disrespects me.
“I…I’m sorry, Champ, I really am. Do we have time to grab a few things?” She hangs her head and twiddles her fingers in her lap, a frown creasing her forehead.
“Yeah. But you don’t have long. How did you get down here?” I ask, hoping to fuck they never walked or the prospects will be in deep shit.
“Mikey gave us a lift in the truck,” she whispers. “Let me just pay and we’ll be ready to go.” She stands and shuffles out of the shabby booth, walking toward the checkered counter without giving me a second glance. Fuck. I knew she wasn’t going to be happy about it, but the silent treatment? Fuck no.
I make my way outside and the prospects follow close behind with Alexis and Lauren in tow. “Mikey? I’ll drive the truck back to the house. You need a ride?”
“Nah, it’s cool. I’ll ride with Smoke.” With that he walks toward another of the prospects and jumps onto the back of the bike as we all pile into the truck.
The ride back to the house was uncomfortable to say the least. Tension was thick in the air and I couldn’t help but shift around in my seat.
I first drop Alexis back to her house where Cobra is outside waiting patiently with a smirk on his face.
“Are you okay, Lauren? You’re being rather quiet,” I ask, giving her sideways glance as we slowly drive down the street to our house.
“I’m fine,” was her curt answer and she turns her head to look out the window. I growl low in my throat as I pull up outside our place.