So, they were in. This was a 'thing'. Well, if he were being honest, the operation was spectacular. What he'd seen of the technology was extraordinary, too. There was quite a thrill to be making the kind of money they'd thrown about at their first meeting. He’d be banking a cool million in no time and there was more where that came from. The bonus was he'd be doing work he loved, with his friends, and the business of who's not paying, finding the work, and the like, wouldn't fall to them. Something Ford had been complaining about more and more lately.

Snagging his truck keys off the table he headed out the door. His house was newly built like Lincoln's house, but he didn't have a sister who was an interior decorator to help him out. Josie, Lincoln's sister, had offered to assist him too, then she'd gotten a big hotel job and that had taken all of her time. He had to finish the house on his own; it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the way he wanted it to be. Since he spent every spare dime saving to pay off his mom and dad's house for their anniversary, money wasn't there just yet for him to decorate his house. So, a few pictures had been hung, older furniture and white walls were what he had. And he didn't mind it, until last night. Walking into the mansion or what did they call it? The Compound. Seeing the little touches with the statues, colors of the walls, and the expensive furniture made him realize he needed to finish his house so he had that same feeling when he walked into it. After a couple big paychecks, he'd do that. It had been his dream for years to pay off his mom and dad's house for them and that was priority one. It was the least he could do for all they'd done for him. And if he were honest, he'd been a shit when he was growing up and living at home. Then there was the fallout when Adam died. He’d been depressed and in a bad state of mind and they’d been there. When he found out his wife was responsible for the accident that had killed Adam, he was inconsolable. They’d been with him through it all. So in his mind, this was a payback of sorts for all he'd put them through.

Inhaling deeply, he smiled and let the fresh clean air on this side of the mountain and the river cleanse him. Every time he thought about Adam his heart broke just a little bit more. Time did heal wounds, even deep ones, but not his. At least, not completely, probably never. You couldn't lose a child and not feel it deep inside - forever.

Shaking his head, he brought his thoughts back to the present and his peaceful place on the mountain. He was somewhat secluded over here, just across the river from Lincoln and Skye and at the bottom of the mountain, lovingly named Lynyrd Station on the Hill, that Ford and Megan owned and lived on, a couple miles up above him. They were all close enough in proximity so they could meet up in a moment's notice if trouble was lurking and far enough away that they weren't in each other’s business. It was perfect.

He took a good look around, hopped up into his truck, and chuckled as he did. Of course he had to drive a Ram, it would be sacrilegious not to. The deep charcoal color captured his attention the second he saw it and this baby was his. Love at first sight.

Turning the key, he smiled again when the engine growled to life. Sexy. He pulled out of the garage, hit the button on the headliner, and began his drive to the compound for the second meeting in as many days with his new team members.

Enjoying the drive, it was difficult to believe that yesterday he'd been in such a pissy mood. The saying is true - What a difference a day makes. Turning the knob to turn the radio up, Chris Stapleton crooned Tennessee Whiskey and he sang along as loud as he could. The sun made everything seem just a little bit better, life was looking good.

Pulling up to the drive of the compound, he pulled his card from his pocket and waved it before the electronic pad at the gate, the gorgeous black wrought iron gate silently slid open and he pulled in. He saw Ford's truck already there, but Lincoln's wasn't. Not unusual since he and Skye married; the lucky bastard was probably getting laid. Stepping up to the front door he entered the passcode he'd been given last night, smiled when it worked the first time, he didn't trust Jax not to fuck with him, then entered the house. The same feelings he had last night enveloped him. Opulence without being snooty is how he'd describe it.

"Dodge, come and join us, we're having a cup of coffee and shooting the shit til everyone gets here." Gaige called to him from outside the kitchen door. His Army boots, which he always wore, were soundless as he crossed the foyer and entered the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and muffins, or some amazing smelling baked delight, filled his nostrils and his stomach growled. Gaige laughed, "Same reaction from everyone else this morning. Grab a cup of coffee and a muffin and let me introduce you to the guys you didn't get to meet last night."

He quickly poured his coffee, he liked it black so no fuss. The muffins were in baskets on the counter each with little cards on the baskets stating the content. Apple, cinnamon and bran. Ick. He took a cinnamon muffin, set it on a plate, and made his way to the table where his new partners were seated.

Gaige began with introductions. "Axel Dunbar." He motioned to a man who stood across the table. He had broad shoulders, a bit shorter in height than him at around six feet two inches. His dark hair was long, badass looking but his hazel eyes were sharp and intelligent. Axel leaned across the table, hand extended, and a ready smile on his face. "Nice to meet you Dodge. I understand we missed the fireworks with Jax." He chuckled as he sat again and two other GHOST men at the table laughed as well.

"Wyatt Lawson," Another man introduced himself. Standing he reached over and shook Dodge's hand with a firm grip. "Don't worry about Jax. She’s excellent at her work, but she has a Spanish temper that flares up and then cools down. She's passionate in everything she does. She'll come around."

A stone sat hard in Dodge's stomach at hearing the familiarity with which Wyatt seemed to know Jax. Briefly glancing at the man, he guessed women would think he was handsome with his jet black hair and amber colored eyes. The dimples in his cheeks could automatically get him laid, even with the scar that ran down the left side of his face, and he wondered if Wyatt and Jax were an item.

The third man at the table that he hadn't met yet added, "She chewed me out once for not washing my dishes." He stood with his large hand out to shake, "Hawk." The massive man at around six feet eight, green eyes that sparkled and were mesmerizing against his tanned skin and thick black hair, was a beast. "I don't like doing dishes." He finished, nodded to the chair next to Dodge, then sat in his own. Man of few words.

Looking across the table at Ford, his old friend smiled, said, “Morning.” Then sipped his coffee.

Sitting in his chair Gaige began the preliminaries. "We don't talk business up here, this is social. When Lincoln arrives and Jax and Josh come down for breakfast, we'll head to the computer lab and discuss our plans for today. In the meantime, get to know each other. I'm going to check on progress on the unscrambling of the laptop, it's been running all night.

Gaige stood and left the room, refilling his cup on the way. He could be heard faintly in the foyer, "Good morning, Lincoln. They're all in the kitchen. Grab something to eat then come on down for mission briefing."