Page 29 of Magnetic Temptations

Even without our colors emblazoning our backs, we ride like a well-oiled machine. Since I know this town like the back of my hand, I’ve been placed at the front of the formation next to Gunner. The men didn’t even bat an eye at that announcement which says more about their character than anything else could.

This ride isn’t about the hierarchy and rankings within the club, it’s about family and bringing one of our own home. If I hadn’t felt wanted and accepted by them before now, I most certainly do at this point. Not one grumble left their mouths when they were told I’d be helping lead this convoy. There was a nod of heads as everyone mounted their bikes and lined up behind us. Mane, sensing my drastic shift in emotions, tightened her arms around me and placed a quick kiss to the nape of my neck. Fuck, she’s the ultimate example of what an old lady should be, damn perfect for me.

I look over to the side of us and an abrupt burst of laughter flows freely from my lips. Before we hauled ass from the property, Maverick came over with a sidecar my dad used to use for us boys when we were little. Dad got rid of the bike a long time ago but could never seem to let that go. He says it’s because of the memories it carries. We attached that old rusty bucket to my bike, and Maverick is currently laid back, his feet kicked over the top of the lid using it as a recliner.

We decided before leaving the Triple M Ranch, named after my brothers and me, that our group would stop by Cotton’s and check in with him for several reasons, one of those being his welfare now that Myles is missing. At this point, we don’t want to take any chances.

As we swivel our bikes into his driveway, Cotton’s out front, kicking rocks… literally. I pull closer to him and shut down my ride as the rest of the brothers do the same. After making some quick introductions, I ask, “Cotton, what the hell’s going on? Why are you kicking rocks, man?”

“Just thinking,” Cotton mumbles underneath his breath.

“You good, Cotton?” Mav asks him as he crawls out of the sidecar. If the situation wasn’t so dire with Myles missing, I’d probably laugh at Maverick because he looks downright foolish right now. Almost like when a bunch of clowns pour out of a small vehicle.

“No,” he sighs. “Laura’s mad.” When I glance up at their house, the sounds of shattering and cursing resonate in my ears. My initial focus and concern was on Cotton so I missed the chaos going on inside their home.

“What set her off?” I ask, coming up to my old companion and placing a hand on him to stop his incessant pacing.

I realize my friend has lost weight when I see how bony his shoulder feels which further cements the reality that something’s going on because while Cotton’s never been fat, he’s built like a typical country boy; muscular and bulky due to the hands-on work he does. In fact, his clothes are hanging loosely as well. What the fuck has him so twisted up inside that he’s wasting away? His color is good, so I don’t think he’s ill. More like he’s worried enough about something that he’s forgetting to eat.

His feet stop moving as his head hangs, and he hesitantly states, “I don’t know. It doesn’t take much these days.” He turns and looks back at the house once the volume of her shouting increases. “I don’t think I can keep living like this.”

“Nobody deserves that kind of abuse,” Mane interjects. “Hi, Cotton. I’m Mane. I belong to this one.” She points her finger in my direction with a blinding smile spread across her cheeks.

“Cotton, this is my woman, Mane. We came by to check on you and introduce you to my friends,” I tell him then make the round of introductions. The brothers shake his hand then step back and act as observers instead of inserting themselves in our conversation.

I’m pretty sure several are paying attention to whatever’s going on with Laura judging by their stance. All of my future brothers look beyond pissed off right now at some of the creative insults being yelled.

“Nice to meet you all,” Cotton acknowledges.

His lack of effusiveness, which he normally has when meeting new people, is also concerning. He’s been beaten down, maybe not physically, but definitely verbally, and it sends my emotions into the stratosphere. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. While he may be a bit slow, his kindness and generosity toward others is a rarity in this day and age. He’s the first one to offer to help another farmer in the community who needs it, and because of how he treats others, when one of his barns burned down a few years ago, everyone showed up and not only did they help him build a new one, but several also brought their equipment to help get his harvest in so he didn’t lose it.

“Cotton! Get your stupid, no good ass in here and clean this shit up!” A female voice, I’m presuming belongs to Laura, bellows.

“Pardon me,” Mane whispers, rolling up her sleeves and marching past us. “I’ve got a mess to clean up and I don’t mean the debris from her tantrum.”

“That’s my girl,” Gunner proudly announces. “Get her, wildcat!”

“Oh, I plan on it,” she calls back to her dad. “Y’all don’t have to worry about that.”

Gunner turns to me, saying, “You don’t want to miss this. My girl doesn’t let her temper fly often, but when she does, it’s a sight to behold.” The men who accompanied us all grunt in agreement which isn’t surprising since they’ve all known her since she was a child.

“Mane’s never been one to sit back and let someone get away with bullying,” Tex adds. “It’s one of her pet peeves.”

Once Mane steps over the threshold, the men race each other up to the doorway so they can watch my soon-to-be old lady in action. I can’t formally give her that title until I have my bottom rocker sewn onto my cut, but the day that I’m officially voted in, I’m claiming her in the ways of the club.

Pushing my way through the crowd, I manage to peek my head through the jamb of the door in the nick of time to see Mane walking Laura around by the collar of her shirt. A trash bag is in the latter’s hands as my woman guides her to each sliver of glass on the floor.

“Don’t forget that piece next to your left foot, it’s a big chunk, no way you can miss it,” Mane growls, shoving her further toward the ground, sneering. “Don’t be a stupid bitch, Laura, someone could cut their sole on that shard of glass and need stitches.”

“Not only that, but where I come from, ladies don’t use those words,” Gunner adds, winking at all of us which Laura misses since her head’s down looking where Mane is directing. Several of them cough to hide their obvious amusement, because none of the women attached to the DreamCatchers worry about their word choices, especially when they’re upset or excited about something.

“This wasn’t how it was supposed to be,” Laura mumbles under her breath.

“How what wasn’t supposed to be, Laura?” I ask, leaning the upper half of my body further into the house so I can hear her clearly since she’s mumbling.

“This whole damn thing!” Laura shouts. “He promised me that if I was his spy that he’d make sure I ended up with all of Cotton’s money.”

“What?” Cotton sputters, backing up with a crestfallen look on his face. “What do you mean you’d end up with all of my money? I thought… I thought you actually loved me.”

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