Page 40 of Trip

I could hear the roar of another engine closing in from behind. Glancing in the side mirror, I caught sight of Enigma barreling through the mud, his quad spinning up a storm as he closed the distance with a devilish grin. “You think you’requick, but you’re not quick enough!” he yelled, his voice nearly drowned out by the growl of the engines.

“Hold on, Cameron! I’ve never lost a mud dog race, and I ain’t losin’ today!” I called out, slamming my foot down on the accelerator. The quad cab surged forward, the engine growling in protest as it clawed through the slick terrain. Mud flew everywhere, painting the world in shades of brown and chaos.

Cameron leaned out of the window, his arms flailing like a referee on a racetrack. “Go faster! You got this!” he hollered, his laughter mixing with the thrill of the moment.

Ahead, the field narrowed, a makeshift finish line marked by two battered barrels sitting unevenly in the mud. Enigma was gaining ground, a predator on my tail, but I wasn’t about to back down. The challenge wasn’t just in winning—it was in the pure, unfiltered adrenaline coursing through my veins.

As we hit the last stretch, I jerked the wheel sharply, the quad cab spinning in a calculated half-circle. Enigma’s front wheels clipped the edge of a shallow trench, slowing him down just enough for me to speed past the barrels with Cameron whooping in victory.

Enigma skidded to a halt, shaking his head as he pulled off his goggles, his face streaked with mud. “You got lucky, C.C.,” he called out, grinning despite his loss. “Next time, it’ll be me spraying you with mud.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “You know, Eugene, if you ever want the chance to beat me, you best have Sugar do the driving. My cuz knows her way around a mud bog.”

Flinging mud from his chest, he grumbled, walking off. “Figures. Woman knows everything.”

Gunner rode up and parked his cab next to mine, grinning. “Damn, that was fun.”

“Where is Banks?”

Gunner smiled, turned, and chuckled. “Getting his ass beat by the mud.”

Sure enough, when I turned around I damn near lost it because Banks was knee-deep in mud and every time he tried to move, he lost his footing and fell into the thick sludge. The man looked like a walking mud Boggie. Not one part of him was visible.

“Will someone help me!” the man shouted as his brothers all doubled over laughing.

“Not a chance in hell, Banks!” Scribe shouted.

“You got this, Banks.” Priest laughed. “Just one step at a time!”

“I fucking hate you all!” the mud-covered man sneered, falling backwards into the wet sludge.

“I’m hungry.” Cameron unbuckled, turning in his seat to laugh at Banks before adding, “Where’s a good place to eat around these parts?”

“Well,” I said, looking at the kid. “We can head into the city. I know this little deli that makes the best damn sandwiches this side of the Mississippi.”

The kid looked at me and challenged, “They better knock my socks off. I’ve got a manly appetite.”

Grinning, I simply said, “Well then, kid. Let me introduce you to a New Orleans muffuletta.”

After helping Banks out of the mud, we all loaded up and headed to my auntie Marabella’s house, where the Sons of Hell were staying while in New Orleans. As the brothers all headed for the showers, I snuck into my auntie’s room and quickly cleaned up and changed my clothes. Walking out of thebathroom, I saw my Auntie Marabella sitting on her bed, waiting for me.

“You look happy, Cosette.”

“I’m always happy, Auntie.” I grinned.

“No, sweetheart.” Auntie Marabella shook her head. “I mean, happiness is radiating off you. Haven’t seen you smile like this in a long time.”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m always happy.”

“I ain’t your momma, girlie. You can’t lie to me. I’ve known you since you came into this world, and I watched the light inside you fade when your daddy died. For years, you hid yourself behind any vehicle you could to escape the truth. But something’s changed.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whispered, turning away from her. She always saw too much where I was concerned.

“It’s that handsome young man, isn’t it?” she softly asked. “The one who’s here to help you. The brother in the Sons of Hell.”

“Trip.”

Auntie Marabella sighed. “Has he claimed you yet?”

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