“I guess so,” I said.
Grant looked me over, head to toe. He wasn’t leering at me, but he made no effort to hide that he was looking. “He always had good taste,” he said.
“Excuse me?”
Grant laughed. “You heard me.”
“Is that supposed to be a complement?”
“It’s just a fact, Faith. Don’t worry, I’d never make a move on a brother’s woman. You’re safe as long as you’re with me or anyone else from the Brotherhood.”
“Good to know,” I said.
Grant stood up. The fire had grown strong.
“I saw a deer hanging in the pantry,” he said.
“Jackson shot it yesterday.”
“I don’t suppose he’d mind if we cut into it.”
“I don’t suppose he would.”
Grant left. I looked into the flames while I waited. I thought about my next move. I’d go with Grant to the ‘valley’, wherever that was. If I was ever going to see Jackson again, that’s where he’d find me.
He returned with two large cuts of meat, skewered and seasoned, and he put them to roast above the flames. The smell was delicious. It reminded me how hungry I was.
“So, are you coming back to the valley with me in the morning?”
I looked at him seriously. “If you were in my position, would you?”
He didn’t answer.
Chapter 18
Faith
THE NEXT MORNING, THERE WAS still no word from Jackson. I was terrified something might have happened to him, but I shoved my fears from my mind. There was nothing I could do. I found myself on the back of Grant’s bike, headed to the Socorro Valley, where the Brotherhood was based. I was surprised at how beautiful the landscape was as we approached their home. Vineyards and orange groves covered the mountainside, which sloped down to the Pacific coast. Waves crashed against the jagged cliffs, sending spray up over the highway.
We left the highway at Rio Secco, and rode slowly through the picturesque town, which reminded me of the pictures I’d seen of places like Malibu and Santa Monica. It certainly didn’t feel like the base for a criminal group called the Brotherhood.
The road wound it’s way up into the mountains, through a beautiful vineyard valley, and we stopped outside a colonial mansion shaded by high trees, a stream of crystal clear water flowing from the mountains down through the grounds. A colonnade of white pillars surrounded a central arcade where we parked the bike.
“This is where you live?” I said to Grant as he pulled up next to a number of other motorcycles.
“Don’t act so surprised,” he said. “Jackson wouldn’t send you anywhere you wouldn’t like.”
I admired the vineyard as we walked up the steps onto the veranda. Crickets chirped around us, creating an ocean of sound.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“Thank you,” a woman’s voice answered. “It’s a lot of work, but these guys are more useful than they look.”
I looked up at the woman. She was a few years older than me and very beautiful. She had long, blonde hair that framed her pretty face. Her bright eyes sparkled as she took me in.
“You must be Faith,” she said.
“My reputation precedes me.”
“Let me tell you,” she said, “it’s very unlike Jackson to call and have us pick up a woman. To be honest, he’s usually trying to escape them.”
“I guess I’m different.”
The woman looked into my eyes. “Yes, you are,” she said, nodding.
“Is this your house?” I said to her.
“It’s the Brotherhood’s house. It used to be my father’s, he founded the Brotherhood, but he passed on. My name’s Lacey Eden.”
“I see.”
“You’re welcome here as long as you want,” she said.
“I couldn’t intrude.”
“Nonsense. Jackson’s a brother in this place. He’s given his life for all of us. If he wants you here, you’re welcome. There’s nothing more to it.”
“You’re very kind.”
“As long as you don’t cross me,” she said, and winked.
A sly smile crossed her lips, but I got the distinct impression she wasn’t kidding.
“Go on,” Lacey said to Grant. “Take her inside and introduce her to Forrester.”
“Where’s Grady?” Grant said.
“Grady rode out to Nevada to see if he could intercept Jackson. If he rides against Los Lobos alone, they’ll kill him.”
I shuddered. Lacey saw my reaction and put her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. I smiled at her.