Page 31 of Powerless
A twinge of uneasiness hit me. I was technically in enemy territory. Well-armed, but alone. What most of the club didn't know was just how badly Tash's betrayal put us in a bind. Not that it was a secret, most of them just didn't understand the logistics of a carefully balanced economy. It was all gone to Hell now and only I could risk my neck to put it back together.
And shitheads like Big G wanted to throw baseless accusations and point fingers. Fuck him. He had no idea what I gave up to be a Steel Demon. If I wanted an easy life I could've easily had it, even after the world went to hell in a handbasket.
I cut ties with most people I knew before MC life. The majority of which I wouldn't hesitate to shoot if I saw them on the street. But I still had one big favor to cash in.
It was a long shot in the very best of circumstances. Reaper had smoke coming out of his ears when I told him at breakfast, but he knew it was our best chance. Even though I brought it up, I almost wished he ordered menotto ride out so I wouldn't have to face this person.
Because there was a slim chance I might not make it back.
If this did work, though, we'd have the club well-provided for and Tash taken care of in one fell swoop. And that was worth the risk.
In a week, maybe less, I hoped to ride home with good news.
Colorado looked practically untouched by the Collapse as I rode through. Charming ranch homes on large plots of land decorated with aspen, pine, and oak trees dotted the mountainous landscape. I loved a scenic drive as much as the next person, but the ominous dread in my stomach over what awaited at my destination kept me from fully enjoying the view.
The sensation only grew, like a black hole in my body, as I turned off the highway to a hidden winding road. Anyone else would've missed it if they didn't know what to look for, but I knew too well.
The road was freshly paved and smooth on my tires, unheard of in the last decade unless you had enough wealth and power to afford it. Trees shading the road gave way abruptly to hills covered in vineyards. Rows upon rows of grapes created a repeating pattern as far as the eye could see. It looked just like the pictures of the Napa Valley my grandparents showed me, a place in California once world-renowned for their wines.
Apparently still a booming business, especially with free labor,I thought bitterly.
The road took me for another mile before leading to a tall, wrought-iron gate. It looked similar to Sheol's gate, but a fancier version that could be opened with a push of a button. This one also had what looked like a family crest on it, crafted from a bronze-like metal to stand out against the black wrought-iron.
Wait a minute...
The armed guards tightened their grips on their weapons and walked to the center of the road, but it wasn't them I was leaning forward to see.
That crest looked familiar. I hadn't seen it in years but knew those crossed rifles, the extinct grizzly bear between the stocks, and the letters YB above the gun barrels.
It wasmyfamily crest.
That was not what I expected to see.
"State your name and business." The guards' leader approached my bike and peeked over his sunglasses to eyeball the patches on my cut. "And your MC and position."
"Gunner Youngblood, Steel Demons MC captain of the guard and arms dealer," I rattled off before nodding at the dude's gun. "Better clean that barrel, sergeant. It's looking pretty fucking filthy."
His jaw clenched, as did his grip on his gun. "What's your business with Governor Youngblood?"
I must have heard him wrong. There was no fucking way.
"Governor?" I repeated. "When did my uncle go from general to governor?"
The guard smirked at my ignorance. "You haven't been around in a while, I see. The governor's become quite ambitious."
"I can see that. A winery in Colorado, huh?"
"You're in the Province of Jerriton, son," the guard said smugly. "Get used to the name, 'cause it's gonna stick around for alongtime."
"That's what they all say," I returned, still sitting astride my bike as I crossed my arms. "So you gonna let me in to chat with my uncle or what?"
"You haven't stated your business!"
"Family reunion," I said snidely. "The business I have with Uncle Jerry is with him alone. Just tell him his nephew Gunner is at the gate. He'll know what this is about."
The guy's jaw ticked again but he pulled out a radio and mumbled some string of code words into it as he walked back toward the gate. A response came through the scratchy speaker, then he said my name and waited for another reply.
I sighed as I took hold of my grips again.Jerry, what have you done?I wondered as I took in the neatly trimmed topiaries, the matching bear statues flanking each side of the gaudy, ornate entryway.
