Page 64 of Ridin' Free
Twister nodded, propped his forearm against the table, and leaned toward his president. “Would love to sit here and tell you we don’t have an allegiance problem. As far as our chapter is concerned, I’m pretty damn certain. But given what happened with Viper, somethin’ tells me it would be short-sighted of us to assume.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Twister nodded. “Guess that means I’m hittin’ the road.”
“Not sure how much time we’ve got. With any luck, the judicial system will drag its feet, and we’ll have a few weeks’ head start.”
“Not we—me,” insisted Twister. “Wrangler, too, if you can spare him. The way I see it, you comin’ along for the ride is a heavier hand than we need. We’ll take our time. Spend a few days with each chapter. Do a little recon, party a little, make sure we’re good, and then move on.”
“Yeah, alright. I’ll speak with Wrangler soon as we’re done here.”
“And Shadow?”
“We’ll convene for the vote tonight. We’ll party tomorrow. You’ll roll out Sunday. Gives you a little time to get your affairs in order before you ride.”
Twister studied Bull, both amused and curious about his word choice.
“Myaffairs?”
“Word is that redhead is startin’ to tame you.”
Twister barked out a laugh, but he didn’t deny it. He knew better than to lie to the man next to him.
He hadn’t spent the night at the clubhouse in more than a few days. His president might have been a homebody himself, but that never meant he didn’t always have his finger on the pulse of the clubhouse.
While Bull seemed to be smiling underneath his curly ‘stache, he didn’t laugh. Instead, he added, “Don’t know whether to wish you luck or wish you well.”
“Little of both, I reckon,” said Twister as he stood.
“Sounds about right,” Bull replied, joining him on his feet.
As they both made their way for the exit, Twister brought them back to the matter at hand. “Let me know what you find out from Lexi.”
“Will do. Spread the word about tonight. I’ll get Winnie and the girls started on party shit.”
“Sounds good.”
It wasafter threeA.M. Saturday morning when I pulled into Twister’s driveway. Unlike every other time I showed up at his place, I didn’t arrive empty handed. I’d tossed a fresh pair of underwear, a toothbrush, face cleanser, my microfiber wash cloth, moisturizer, and a hair clip into my purse. I also brought a paper sack full of pantry items I procured earlier, after I enjoyed a cup of coffee from my new machine.
Before stepping out of my Bronco, I took off my blade and stowed it in my glove compartment. I gathered the rest of my things, locked my vehicle, then hurried toward the house. WhenI stepped onto his porch, I noticed he’d left the light on for me. Rather than ring the bell, I tried the handle of his front door and found it unlocked.
“Hey,” I called, poking my head inside.
“Lock it behind you, would you?” was his reply.
I granted myself entrance and did as he requested, following the sound of his voice into the kitchen. He was in a pair of gym shorts and little else, his backside leaned against the counter next to his stove, his bare legs extended in front of him, crossed at the ankle. He had a beer in one hand and his phone in the other—his Corona almost empty.
He jerked his chin my way, flashing me a crooked smile as he asked, “What’d you bring me?”
Setting the sack on top of the island, I laughed to myself as I began to unpack my haul. He was bound to be disappointed, knowing his eating habits. I took out a jar of salted, natural, creamy peanut butter, a box of mixed-nuts snack packs, and another of breakfast protein bars. It was when I set aside the package of rice cakes that he moved.
“No offense, sparky—but what the fuck?” he asked, tugging the bag toward him so he could peek inside at the rest of my items.
“If I’m gonna keep comin’ around, there needs to be some food in these cupboards. Especially on nights like tonight. Three o’clock shows up and I’m too hungry to even consider sleep.”
“Okay, fine, butrice cakes?They’re not even flavored.”
“It’s what the peanut butter is for.”
