Page 67 of StoryTeller's Tale

I want to jump in and defend myself, but I’m feeling pretty damn stupid right now. Instead, I look toward the enforcer.

In turn, Tequila nods across at the small Mexican man. “You fancy wearing a wig, Mex?”

Taking his cigarette away from his face, and staring at the glowing tip for a moment, Mex laughs. “I’m small, but I ain’t that small. But yeah, I’m up for hugging the hell out of ST over there. Long as the getup includes body armour.”

Suddenly a conversation starts, one from which I feel excluded, but only because of the brotherhood between these men, that having ridden together they communicate and understand each other without spelling it out for a newcomer. Slowly, though, the gist comes over.

This club, which owes nothing to me, is going to have my back to take out a Dominator, and possibly draw down blowback on their charter.

Chaz, my own prez, wouldn’t take on my war. But even there, Strider seems to read my mind and have the answer.

“It wasn’t worth bothering with Knuckles when he was an annoying gnat buzzing around without having a target. Arizona would have had your back, Brother, if he’d come for you head-on.” He shrugs. “Now he’s brought his war to Texas. We’re happy to teach him a lesson.”

An opportunity to take down a Dominator and get rid of the threat of Knuckles for good? That makes me sit up and take interest. I listen carefully to the plan Buzz has come up with and find nothing to argue about—a baited trap with only me and the Texas brothers putting themselves in danger, Sheri protected by staying back here in the club.

As Strider wraps up the meeting, I feel more optimistic than when I entered the door. Now I can’t wait to get back to Sheri and check that she’s alright. But as I eagerly leave my seat, Strider beckons that I should stay back.

Reluctantly, I wait until the room is vacated with the exception of the president and myself.

Strider lights a cigarette and offers them. I decline. He sits back in his chair, blowing out smoke lazily, while I’m on edge.

“She’s pregnant from that debacle with Knuckles?”

Debacle. What a way to describe it. I indicate to Strider that I might need to take him up on his offer of a cancer stick for this conversation. Smirking, he slides the pack down the table to me. I take one out, shoot the pack back, then use my own lighter. Looking down, I tap my fingers on the table.

“Knuckles was torn between taking her story that she was a virgin and mine that she was my old lady.”

Strider snorts. “Sounds like the beginning to one of your stories.”

Breathing in smoke, I huff it out. “Yeah, fuckin’ unbelievable. But it’s the truth I’m telling you. I assumed she was lying to get them to keep their hands off, and Knuckles, too, was of that opinion.”

“You going to give me the full narrative or cut this one short?”

Seeing as I want to get out to see Sheri, I give him the concise summary. “It was either him or me, so I did the deed.” As I pause, he raises an eyebrow. “She wasn’t lying.”

“Fuck me.”

“Yeah.” I meet his eyes, then sigh. “Clearly, Knuckles wasn’t handing out condoms. You called me stupid, I probably am. I didn’t give any thought to what the outcome could be.”

“But your swimmers scored a goal the first time.”

It’s not a question, so I don’t answer, only explain, “Only found out today. And she only did the test this morning, so it’s all pretty new.”

“She want it? Do you?” Strider sits forward. “Bringing a kid into the world we live in shouldn’t be done casually. You’re a fuckin’ nomad, ST.”

I tilt my head back as if to indicate the rocker. “Arizona, remember?”

“Pah.” He waves his hand dismissively. “You’re a nomad, here.” He thumps his hand over his chest. “Unless you can change, ST, you’re setting that woman up for a world of hurt.”

“I think she could be enough to change me,” I admit. Then agree, “But I need to be sure. And so does she.”

“She want the baby?” he asks again.

“I don’t think either of us considered being parents.”

He gives a half-smile. “I’ve got the solution if you want it.” His eyes close for a brief moment. “One of the whores got herself into a predicament. She wanted the medication to sort it, and we got hold of some stock. Seemed a good thing to have handy.”

I suppose an MC can get drugs of all sorts. I frown, thinking over what he’s just offered. Turns out, if Sheri doesn’t want to be pregnant, she won’t even have to leave the state to sort it.

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