CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The sun had dropped to below the line of the trees as they pulled up to his house. In the drive, the prospect sat in the truck talking to Twofer, who sat in the passenger seat. The tall man’s motorcycle was parked in front of the house. From the look of things, they hadn’t started unloading. A few yards away, resting back on his bike, legs spread, and arms crossed over his chest, Cutter stared down at his feet.

Wolf had a sinking feeling he was about to hear bad news again. If that continued, he would grow to dread seeing his best friend.

“Sofia, go show Twofer and Chicken where to put your stuff.  I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”

She silently looked over to Cutter and back to Wolf and nodded.

“Come on, fellows.” She waved them over. “We’ll do this together and you two can tell me how you got your road names.”

Wolf swung his leg over his bike and walked to the solemn man. “Twice in one day. What do I owe this pleasure?”

Cutter eyed Wolf’s bike. “What the fuck did you do with your ride? It isn’t a dirt bike, man.”

Mud caked the tires and even some twigs poked out from around the mufflers. He looked down at his jeans, mud splattered the legs. He bet Sofia’s clothes were in the same shape. “Had a little problem with her ex, and we hid in the woods.”

“Why didn’t you shoot his ass?” Cutter preferred taking care of a problem in a more direct way. That was why he held sergeant at arms for three years before becoming VP.

“Not in front of Sofia. Fuck, she had feelings for the asshole at one time.” Just saying it pissed off Wolf. The way that bastard had treated her like shit, cheating on her and talking down to her. But he had to be a little grateful. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be with him.

Cutter nodded. “If you need help in taking the bastard down, let me know. You know all the brothers would help.”

“I’m thinking the fucker will screw up soon and Toro will take care of it.”

A dark eyebrow lifted on his friend’s face. “You’re really into her,” Cutter said matter-of-factly.

He knew what he meant. Before meeting Sofia, he would have preferred taking her ex out himself, never caring how it would affect her. His honor being more important. It was strange to consider someone else’s feelings first.

“Easy wants to see you.”

Wolf looked off into the trees surrounding his house. He didn’t want Cutter to see his frustration. He paid his dues, went to church, and rode to the designated runs. Like most of the single brothers, he enjoyed the parties that the club held, even the ones the old ladies put on with all the kids and married brothers. But the prez of their club couldn’t keep out of his personal business. He knew what the old man wanted. That was, he was pretty certain he knew.

“When did you become his errand boy?” Wolf asked.

“When I let you talk me into running for VP. Anyway, your calls are going into voicemail and the box is full.”

“I fucking hate voicemail.” He inhaled deeply to rein in his temper. “We were south of Oak Mountain. No towers out in the middle of fucking nowhere.” Brushing his hair out of his eyes with his fingers, Wolf stared into his friend’s face. “What does Easy want?”

Cutter shrugged. “How the fuck would I know? He doesn’t tell me no more than he has to, but I think he heard you were seen at Toro’s. I don’t think it has anything to do with your brother, if you’re thinking that.”

“So? He already knew Toro is Sofia’s cousin.” Damn it. Just as he guessed. He knew Easy had taken the news too well at church. “And he knows I refuse to talk about or to my brother. The traitor can go fuck himself.”

“The best way to find out is to get going. I’ll call and let him know you’re on the way.” Cutter pulled out his phone.

“I’ll go and give Sofia a heads up of where I’ll be. Chicken and Twofer can stay with her.” Before he took a step, Cutter stopped him.

“She’s to go with you.”

“What the fuck? She doesn’t need to go there.” He fisted his hands.

“The boss made it clear, she’s to be there too.” Cutter’s voice was cool as if he hid his true feelings. The big guy was good at it.

“Well, that confirms it. It must be about Toro.” He hated to let suspicion seep into his voice. There was no way Cutter would tell Easy. He just hated for Sofia to be anywhere near the prez. Easy was known to be rough with women. Wolf grimaced. What an understatement. Usually Cutter or Twofer, the new sergeant at arms, had to pull him off them.

He’d expected Easy to question him further about his relationship with the Thirty-Second gang’s leader, but not involve Sofia. Toro was like Easy, he didn’t involve women in club business, in his case, gang business unless necessary. Even if they overheard anything, they never knew the full details. So it wasn’t like Easy would get any information out of her.

But the man was crazy and scary dangerous when it came to manipulating the other brothers.

Wolf planned to stick to Sofia. He knew he could depend on Cutter’s and Twofer’s help to get through whatever Easy planned.

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Hands folded in her lap, Sofia sat in the room where Wolf told her the MC held church. Group pictures hung on one wall. Mug shots covered the opposite one. A large metal design of the club’s skull hung behind Easy where he sat at the head of the long table. The last wall was glazed glass panes, letting in some natural light during the daytime. The only light at the moment was from the bare fluorescent bulbs above them. It was pitch black outside being near to eight in the evening.

Sofia wanted to hold onto Wolf’s arm, but she understood the importance of showing no weakness in front of the Brothers of Mayhem MC’s chapter president. She’d heard a few scary tales from Cherry while they waited. The man had an evil, short temper. Needless to say, the man wasn’t named after his temperament.

Two hours had passed before someone brought them to the room. The president’s little game didn’t endear the man to her at all.

Wolf had remained calm and quiet as he stared at the TV above the bar. Unsure how she knew, she was certain he stared at the football game without really seeing it. He held a beer, probably more out of habit than thirst. It had gone hot in his hand. He hadn’t taken a sip in the last hour. When she asked a question, he would mutter an apology for not hearing but never answered. She couldn’t help feeling bad for him. She knew he loved the club, but since his brother’s betrayal, Wolf’s life in the MC had been hard. Most of the brothers trusted him, she could see that, but she’d heard he was often pushed away by Easy when more critical issues were discussed.

“Have a seat.” Easy pointed to the second chair on his left. When Sofia made to take a chair next to Wolf, he shook his head. “You sit over there.” He nodded toward a long bench seat beneath the mug shots.

Before Wolf opened his mouth to protest, Sofia reached for his hand and squeezed. “Don’t worry. I don’t mind,” she whispered up to him.

He looked down into her eyes. His barely there grin showed he understood. She’d rather be miles away from Easy, but a few more feet would work for the moment.

Then the rest of the MC board wandered in. Cutter, as the VP, sat on Easy’s right, Twofer, sergeant at arms, on his left followed by two men. She couldn’t remember their names but were most likely the secretary and treasurer.

She noted before the door closed that two big men, arms crossed over their chests, stood guard. Her gaze darted to Wolf. His whole demeanor had changed. Leaning to the side, his right arm hanging over the back of the chair, he stretched out his long legs, one ankle on top of the other. A smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth. He looked as if he didn’t have a care in the world, his demeanor so different from moments earlier.

He was putting on a front.

Easy clasped his hands together and pursed his lips, pressing his forefingers to them as if in deep thought.

“We’ve all done some stupid shit,” Easy said in a fatherly tone. “So tell me how her cousin found out about our raid.”

Not fooled by the act, Wolf’s eyebrows lifted. “I have no idea.”

“Funny how she turned up as your girlfriend not long after the job went tits up. You didn’t try to impress her while she was sucking your dick?”

His hand hanging out of sight from the president balled up in a fist and then relaxed. The only indication of how much Easy’s question bothered Wolf.

“You know I’ve been lenient since you lost your position. By rights, I could’ve had you kicked out of the club. Even now, some of the Brothers are curious as to how you didn’t know your own brother could be an undercover cop.”

“What the fuck? We settled this. I have the scars to prove it. I’m fucking loyal to the Brothers. Forever Mayhem, Mayhem Forever!” Wolf jumped to his feet and shouted, thumping a fist over his heart.

All but the president repeated the words and gesture.

Easy waited until the room quieted, and Wolf returned to his seat before continuing.

“But here you are again.” Easy’s disbelieving tone made clear he didn’t believe Wolf’s voiced allegiance. “You’re fucking Toro’s cousin, and from what I’ve been told today, you and Toro are best buds. The clincher came last night. I heard you knew for the last four years where your mother-fucking, asshole brother is living in Tennessee. In a pretty little cabin near the Smoky Mountains. You just happened to ride up there a couple times last year.”

Despite Wolf’s vocal loathing of his brother she’d sensed in their conversations, Wolf didn’t want his brother dead. How did he remain so impassive as he stared at Easy?

“I went on runs into Tennessee. With you.” His gaze remained on Easy’s. “I’ve heard the rumors. I’ve also heard he was in Washington state. You don’t see me running up there.”

Easy slowly nodded and narrowed his eyes.

What she feared, happened next. His cold blue eyes turned to her.

“I think it’s time that you prove your loyalty to the club.” His words were directed to Wolf.

“Leave her out of this.”

“I gave my word. She’ll be safe.” Easy’s gaze moved to Twofer. “Bring Trick in.”

What did Wolf’s uncle have to do with all of this?

A chill traveled down Sofia’s spine.