Page 41 of Goose's Wren

We stand there in silence for a long moment, just two old warriors watching a field full of love, laughter, and leather vests.There’s peace today but it’s the kind that sits on top of a loaded gun.

I take another swig of my beer.

Yeah.Let 'em come.

We’ll be ready.

I take a long pull from my beer, then glance back toward the far edge of the yard where the prospects are setting up a second table under the trees.All six of 'em.They’re laughing, giving each other shit like usual but they’re watching, too.Always watching.Waiting for their turn.

“Hard to believe it’s been two years,” I say, nodding toward the group.“Think Prez is gonna patch any of ’em in soon?”

Blade follows my gaze, his face unreadable for a second.Then he exhales through his nose and gives a small shrug.

“He did mention it last week,” he says.“We’ve been watching real close this last six months.They’ve put in the hours, done the dirt.They’ve bled for us.All six have stood tall.”

I nod slowly.“Slick, Bones, Cutter, Tex, Pyro, and Roach.They’re solid.Don’t mouth off.Do what they’re told.Watch each other’s backs.”

“Tex took a knife for Timber,” Blade says.“Didn’t even hesitate.”

“I saw that,” I mutter, jaw tight.“Not many men would have stepped in the way like that.Especially not for someone who still calls you a prospect.”

Blade nods.“They’ve earned it.All six.”

I glance back at the younger guys, kids, really, compared to me.Hell, I’ve got boots older than Slick.But they’ve put in the work, and they haven’t broken.

“You remember your patch night?”I ask, almost absently.

Blade grins.“How could I forget?Blood made me puke from nerves.Kept tellin’ me they were gonna beat my ass before I got it.I half believed him.”

I chuckle.“They told me I was gettin’ kicked out.That they’d had enough of my ‘loud mouth and ugly mug.’I was halfway through tellin’ ’em to go to hell when Timber tossed me the cut.”

We both laugh for a second, quiet and low.Then Blade gets serious again.

“We’re gonna vote next week,” he says.“Prez wants every officer's opinion.Probably announce it at church after that.”

I nod slowly, eyes still on the group.Cutter notices me watching and straightens up a little.The others glance our way too.They’ve learned the rules.When to talk.When to shut up.

“I hope they’re ready,” I say.“Because after the shit with Tim and that suit with the goons?We’re gonna need every set of loyal hands we can get.Club needs to be airtight.”

Blade nods.“They’ll be ready.And they’ll be ours.”

I drain the rest of my beer, then grin faintly.

“Guess I better start remembering birthdays and buy some damn cigars.Looks like we’re about to have six more brothers.”

I pop the cap off another beer and take a long swig, the burn rolling down smooth as Blade keeps talking beside me.But then my attention shifts.Something cuts through the laughter.

A woman I’ve never seen before walks into the yard.She’s not flashy.But she carries herself like she belongs, shoulders squared, head high, eyes scanning the crowd like she’s been here before.

She heads straight toward Pyro, one of the prospects.He sees her and his whole face lights up with something damn near like pride.Pulls her into a tight hug before they start talking close and quiet.Family stuff no doubt.

“Who’s that?”I ask Blade, nodding toward the pair.

Blade glances over and nods like he already knew I’d ask.“That’s Pyro’s sister.Her name’s Brenna.”

Brenna.I roll the name around in my mind for no reason I want to admit just yet.

“She looks a little older than Pyro,” I say.

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