Page 118 of Bronco

“You know desperate people do desperate things,” Ryder says as we wait in the lot for Rock and Pipes to finish fueling up.

“Know it. Just fuckin’ hope the Olgettis didn’t get to her before we do. She’s still on the move, so that’s a good sign, but if she’s running around all over the city, then she’s scared out of her mind, and I would be too.”

“How’s Olive been takin’ things?”

I shrug. “She’s got questions that we can’t answer, but she’s doin’ good in school and makin’ friends. Amber can’t run with the ‘mom had to go away for work excuse’ for much longer, and Olive isn’t stupid. She knows something’s up.”

“Poor kid. Not easy on her, or on Amber.”

“She’s takin’ it well, but if anythin’ happens… Erica is like a sister to her, they’re close. It’ll devastate her if we don’t get her back.”

“We will,” he promises. “We’re close.”

Cash agreed to settle the debt until Erica can pay the club back. It’s only because of Amber. She’s been an integral part of the MC with her loyalty and work ethic. It’s a lot of money, but it’s not worth losing a life over. The most important thing right now is getting Erica back and her being able to start over. I want that for her and Olive, and for Amber.

With the news that the flames have been put out in New Orleans where the Cut City Boys are concerned, and with the cops now involved in sniffing out the Disciples, they’ve scurried back to Mississippi where Bane will be waiting. Of course, it’s a good enough excuse for Bane and the MC to start a new beef with the Skeletons for letting it get this far, but that’s on them to figure out. As long as they stay out of NOLA then we don’t have to intervene.

The fact that we came so close to another threat wreaking havoc, tells the entire club and our allies we need to tighten our belts. That fight is for another day.

I call Amber while I have a few moments before we head out.

“Bronco, are you okay?” are the first words out of her mouth.

“I’m fine,Princess. What about you? How's everything goin’ there?”

“Everything’s good,” she says. “Just been keeping myself busy, waiting to hear from you.”

“I know, babe, and we’re close, I promise.”

I hear the fear in her voice. “You’ve done so much for me and for Erica and Olive, heck, this entire club, and she has no idea you’re coming for her.”

“Don’t get all choked up. You know I’ll turn this sled around and come find you if you do.”

“We can’t have that.”

“No, we can’t. How’s Olive?” Even though I only left Amber last night, I still want to know.

“She’s fine. She was happy to have a day off school to play with her friends.”

“That’s one bonus about bein’ stuck there, I guess.”

“Titan has been following her around like a hawk,” she says. “I think he’s attached.”

I smile, but sober quickly. “He’s a good boy.”

“Please be careful,” she whispers.

“Always am.” I hear the straight pipes fire up behind us as Rock and Pipes climb onto their sled’s. “I gotta run.”

“Be safe, I mean it.”

“I love you, AJ.”

“I love you, too.”

We hang up and I smile at my phone.

“What in the fuck?” Ryder’s gaping at me. “When did this happen?”

---