Page 29 of Marx

“Yeah, we are tough ladies. Come get it,pendejo,” Vi hisses back.

Looking around I almost laugh at the sight. One guy is on the ground thanks to Mad Dog, there are four covered in shakes of various flavors, and every member of the girl gang, including Pops, is holding a weapon. From my quick glance I saw knives, pepper spray, a small handgun and even knuckle dusters.

“In the words of the great Shania Twain, let’s go girls!”

Marx

“So, what are we meeting about?” I ask, eyeing the Landry brothers sitting across the dining table from me.

They share a look, before Vic clears his throat. “We like what you’ve got going here and we want to set up something similar in Louisiana.”

I stare them down. I’ve never once thought to set up a chapter anywhere other than here. Devil’s Rose MC is part of Rose Grove. Always has been, and I thought it always would be.

“We’ve discussed it between us, and we know you’d never open a chapter without us patching in so Dom and Chris will prospect first, and I’ll run shit back home. If, or once they’re in, they’ll go home and I’ll prospect,” Vic continues.

I run a hand down my face. It’s a good idea. A fucking good idea. Each of these men have shown their mettle, and time after time have driven the hours to help us out, no questions asked. I mean, it would be better if they stopped fucking bringing gators with them, but thats more a quirk of personality than anything else. I stare them down, one by one, and not one of them flinches. I can’t help but think how loyal these men must be. Their sister took a bullet for me and not once in the hospital did they give me the beat down I knew I deserved.

“You’re willing to patch in even though your sisters have been put in danger because of the DRMC?”

Chris waves a hand at me, “Our sisters were in danger in the loving christian environment we grew up in. They’re in danger every time they cross the damn road. Besides, even if we didn’t like the lifestyle you live they wouldn’t give a shit either way.”

“They’re not as helpless as you think, man.” Dom continues. “I know you look at Lovely like this fragile baby deer or some shit, but that one, she’s the one you have to worry about, not Blanche.”

Vic nods his agreement, “Blanche has an explosive temper and has always bucked the rules. We knew that she was going to be the one to bring about the downfall of the Keep. But Lovely, she lasted longer in there than any of us did. She’s seen some shit and probably done some shit that would have any other person spiralling. Instead, she has a way about her that galvanizes people together.”

I can feel my brow raising. “And you think that somehow makes her more dangerous than Blanche?”

“Fuck yeah. Lovely brings out the best in people, she bands them together, makes them feel a part of something. You must have seen it?”

He’s right. I have seen it. Fuck, Mad Dog was here for five minutes and saw it. Lovely’s manner, the way she treatspeople has them eating out of the palm of her hand. Not in a manipulative way, never that. It’s just that Lovelyseesthem. Their hopes, fears, dreams. She listens, she helps, she nurtures, she has their backs. And in turn, they have hers.

Vic snorts, “Now he gets it.”

Dom holds my gaze. “Men like you lead. Women like Lovely have people going to war for the greater good. Imagine what you could do together.”

I open my mouth to answer but the vibrating of my phone on the table interrupts me. The screen flashes with Mad Dog’s name and the letters SOS. Fuck! He’s on girl gang watch.

“Shit. Something’s going down.”

“We’re in,” Vic nods and then follows me through the house and out the door.

Their SUV doors slam moments before the roar of my bike downs out any other sound. The women are in town,mywoman is in town, and they need us. I crank the throttle and get lower, hoping that aerodynamics or some shit gets me there faster. I’m pushing my sled to her limits almost, but there’s an urgency rushing through my blood, pumping me to go faster, faster, faster.

I pull up at the alley Mad Dog said they were at, only turning when a loud rumble breaks through my panic. The Landrys and my brothers are all at my back. I’ll thank them later, for now I need to get my eyes on my woman.

Pulling my piece I walk along the alley wall, back to it so as not to draw any gunfire. Although there isn’t any of that. But there is a distinct sound, sort of similar to a wet dishcloth hitting the floor.

“I think you should give him a smiley face,” Mira’s voice drifts down the alley.

“What the fuck?” Tank whispers, coming to stand beside me.

Soon I’m flanked by the Ol Men, staring at the scene near the back of the alley.

Mad Dog is leaning against a trash can, arms folded, long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle. Pops is hovering over Lovely and Chewy and the body of some greasy looking guy.

“No! Do a cock and balls!” Vi cackles, the other women joining her.

“Oh, good idea!” Lovely’s voice rings out. She sounds light, like she’s been having fun all afternoon.

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