Page 68 of Harmless
I gotoff the phone with Shadow and left my room to find Val hovering on the stair landing. My cousin was pacing a hole in the floor, looking apprehensive.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked her.
She stopped and turned to face me with the same pouty lips and large blue eyes as her mother, my aunt Kyrie. Rather than her mother’s blond hair though, she had thick black hair in a long fishtail braid coming over the front of her shoulder.
“Carter wanted me to tell you that he and the Valkyrie riders are leaving soon. So are Gwen and Chasing Death.” Her gaze went to the floor. “Since you have your own club now.”
“Right. Guess I oughta say goodbye then.”
“They’re taking my truck and leaving some loaner bikes for y’all. Until your club gets a hold of their own rides.”
I cocked my head at her. “So where does that leave you?”
Val shrugged and played with her braid. “I dunno. Where do you want me?”
I gave a little punch to her shoulder. “You’re a grown-ass woman. You decide.”
She blinked at me, surprised. “You’re letting me choose?”
“I’m your cousin, not your mom.”
Val pulled in a breath and lifted her chin. “I want to be your road captain.”
I grinned, grabbed the end of her braid, and ignored her yelp as I pulled her into a hug. “I was hoping you’d say that, bitch.”
“Ow! Well I take it back if you’re gonna pull my hair, asshole.”
“That’s President Asshole to you.” I squeezed her tighter and said into her ear, “Thank you. I need another woman to keep me sane here.”
“And I need to be on the road. At your side.” She pulled away, her hands on my elbows and her grin ecstatic. “Look at us. A couple of chicks following in our fathers’ tire tracks.”
“Those poor guys will need therapy.” I laughed. “Come on, let’s say our goodbyes.”
The Valkyrie Network and Chasing Death MC were already packed up and out in the cul-de-sac, trucks and bikes idling as they prepared to head out.
I headed over to Carter first and allowed him to hug me before saying quietly, “I don’t know whether to be pissed off or grateful to you.”
He chuckled and planted a brotherly kiss on my cheek. “Oftentimes, we see the potential in someone before they see it themselves.”
Both of our faces were serious by the time we pulled away. “I’ll look out for LJ,” I told him. “I won’t let anything happen to him.”
“The whole club will,” he said. “You all gotta look out for each other.”
“Carter,” I breathed. “I barely know most of these people.”
“You’ll get to know them,” he said calmly. “And in time, you’ll know who to cut, and you’ll do it with confidence, no hesitation, and with the support of your inner circle.”
“Right,” I scoffed. “No pressure.”
“You’ve never been one to be too nice, Rori.” Carter smirked. “Just another reason why you’ll be a good president.”
“You’ve always been great at compliments,” I sneered. “Now get out of here and ride safe, jackass.”
“Call me if you need backup,” he said before mounting his bike.
When I walked over to where Chasing Death was lining up, Gwen and Lupa hopped out of a black SUV to greet me.
“What, no motorcycle for you?” I spread my arms out.
