Page 9 of Colt

“You’re crazy,” Cash said, shaking his head. “Why the fuck would you wanna be a biker when your folks are as rich as the Rockefellers?”

I rolled my lips inward to stop blurting out that the Van der Cleeves made the Rockefellers look like fuckin’ paupers. I hated the thought of my brothers treating me differently, which was what every person I’d ever encountered did the instant they found out who I was.

Fuck that.

“That’s not quite right,” I replied, ignoring the underlying insinuation. “We’re nowhere near the Rockefeller’s league.” I wasn’t bullshitting. We had billions more than them. I had a trust fund alone worth millions. I gave most of the dividends to charities.

“Change of subject,” I announced, turning to Breaker. “Ed’s doin’ well at Grand Junction. He sailed through his first week. Nina says he’s not an addict, but they’ve gotta work hard to get him outta the mindset he’s in.”

“Thanks for checkin’ on him, brother.” Breaker gave me a hard clap on the back.

A slow smile spread across Prez’s face. “Good fuckin’ job, Colt. When Kit told us about Ed and all the shit he’d been through, I felt we needed to do more as a club. It’s terrible how our military’s treated when they pop smoke. My own fuckin’ son went through hell because he fought for his country. I never got offered help when I returned from the Marines, and you all know how crazy my pop went after ‘Nam.”

Breaker leaned forward to address Prez. “Been thinkin’ about that. I wanna talk to Nina about startin’ a program for the men who’re discharged from Grand Junction but haven’t got anywhere to go. The construction company always needs labor, and the military’s work ethic is as good as you’ll find. A decent job would help ‘em mentally and physically.”

Prez stroked his beard thoughtfully. “It’ll be a good way to expand the club, too.” His eyes slid to Atlas. “What do you think, Supercock?”

Laughter rose through the air.

“I ain’t gotta problem with it,” the SAA replied, ignoring Prez’s diss. “Ninety percent of the brothers are ex-military; it’s why we organize so well. Remember that day the Sinners attacked? They didn’t stand a chance ‘cause of how we mobilized.”

“It’s a great idea,” Abe added. “We can offer jobs, homes, even a family within the club if they need it. Don’t hurt that we also get good men out of it.”

“Cash? Bowie? What do you think?” Dagger asked.

Bowie nodded. “I’m good with it.”

“It’s a great idea in principle.” Cash turned to Breaker. “You think you can swing it?”

“Yeah,” he replied confidently. “Nina may wanna visit with a coordinator to check us out and see what we can offer. It won’t suit everyone, but men like Ed, who’ve lost everything, would be grateful for a chance.”

“Right then.” Dagger rubbed his hands together gleefully. “So we start with Ed. You go down, see where he’s at. The club will sponsor his treatment; we’ll take it from there. While you're down there, you can check Freya’s gettin’ her packing organized.”

“Gotta say,” Abe interjected. “Glad our princess is comin’ home. Been worried about her down there all alone with all the Sinner’s shit goin’ on. She all set to start her internship?”

Prez’s mouth thinned. “Says she wants some time out. Reckons she’ll apply for the intake startin’ next summer. She’s talking about movin’ state again.”

“Why?” I barked, my gut giving an odd, painful twist.

“’Cause assholes like you, Pop, and monster cock over there don’t let her live her life.” Breaker turned to address Prez. “Colt just smashed up another cell phone, gettin’ all pissy at her.”

Dagger’s mouth twisted. “What did she do this time?”

“You don’t wanna know,” I muttered, lip curling.

“Did it involve a dude by any chance?” Atlas asked dryly.

My eyes slashed to the SAA.

He didn’t miss a trick. Atlas may have looked like a fuckin’ meathead, but he was sharp as a blade under all his muscle and bad attitude. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable under the SAA’s unwavering stare. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he saw straight through the walls I’d carefully constructed over the years.

Breaker sighed audibly. “Timing couldn’t be worse, what with the Sinners’ bullshit. I feel like I should be here for Kennedy and the kids. Hate the thought of leaving them, especially after what happened with Kady.”

I must’ve had a brain fart because my mouth suddenly engaged before my brain. “Why don’t I go?”

Atlas’s hard stare narrowed on me.

“You okay with that?” Prez asked.

---