Page 103 of Bronco

“Holy shit.”

“I’ll call you later.”

“Okay, thanks, Star.”

We hang up and I take a few deep breaths. This is just too much information.

Erica is in trouble with a crime family. She’s still in Louisiana. She’s heavily in debt and being hunted. The club is going into lockdown over another matter… My head might just very well spin off.

I pull out my cell and call Bronco. He doesn’t answer. I quickly type a text, knowing he’s unlikely to listen to a voice message.

Me

Call me when you get this, it’s urgent

A few moments later, Hustler and a very pregnant Audrina come in through the clubhouse doors. Hustler’s brow is furrowed, his face full of worry as I make my way toward them from behind the bar. Little Tilbury, their tiny chihuahua, is on her leash at their heels.

“Hey, is everything okay?”

Audrina smiles tentatively as Hustler sits her down on one of the booth seats, then places Tilbury on her lap. “I’m fine. Kinda hoping this baby will show her face any day now, because I’m so over being pregnant.”

“But you’re so cute.” I smile.

Hustler still hasn’t said anything, but when his eyes meet mine, I see concern there. “Everyone is moving to the clubhouse temporarily,” he says, all business.

“Star just said something’s going on, but she didn’t know what.”

“All you need to know is that it’s for everyone’s protection. Safer here where we can all keep an eye on things.”

“What things?” I press. “Does this have anything to do with Erica?”

He shakes his head. “Separate matter, but still a concern.”

“Shit, I’ve gotta go pick up Olive at three—” I panic. If we’re going into lockdown, I need to get Olive’s things.

“No need, Bronco is on his way.”

“Bronco?” I did list him as an emergency contact when I enrolled Olive, so collecting her shouldn’t be an issue.

“Yeah.” He turns to Audrina. “Gotta go make a few phone calls, but I’ll be right here.”

She shoos him away. “Go, I’m fine. Amber’s here, and the other girls will be arriving soon.”

He kisses her chastely, then takes off toward the front of the clubhouse doors.

I take a seat next to Audrina. “Okay, what the heck is happening?”

Knowing Audrina would’ve heard some of it from her ol’ man, she doesn’t hold back. “There was a threat against the club with a rival underworld gang from Mississippi trying to infiltrate the Cut City Boys, or those that are left after the shoot out, and apparently they’ve been watching the women of the MC again, trying to find a chink in the chain.”

“What the fuck is wrong with these people?” I half expect Audrina to correct me on my cursing, but she doesn’t. She’s the most lady-like of the ol’ ladies and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad word come out of her mouth.

“I don’t know, but Cash was going to call Bane, the Prez of the Ridgehaven Hellions over in Mississippi, because that’s his territory, and I’m guessing Bane knew nothing about it because he and the club are tight.”

“You got all of this from one car ride over here?” I smirk.

She smiles a little devilishly, stroking Tilbury’s head. “I have my ways, and I think West forgets I have ears.”

I sober quickly, remembering Erica’s predicament. I fill Audrina in briefly on what Star told me, and she looks just as shocked as I am. “She didn’t say anything about the debt? Why would she not come to you?”

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