Chapter 18

Faith

The next morning, there was still no word from Jackson. I was terrified something might have happened to him, but I shoved my fears from my mind. There was nothing I could do. I found myself on the back of Grant’s bike, headed to the Socorro Valley, where the Brotherhood was based.

I was surprised at how beautiful the landscape was as we approached their home. Vineyards and orange groves covered the mountainside, which sloped down to the Pacific coast. Waves crashed against the jagged cliffs, sending spray up over the highway.

We left the highway at Rio Secco, and rode slowly through the picturesque town, which reminded me of the pictures I’d seen of places like Malibu and Santa Monica. It certainly didn’t feel like the base for a criminal group called the Brotherhood.

The road wound its way into the mountains, through a beautiful vineyard valley, and we stopped outside a colonial mansion shaded by high trees, a stream of crystal clear water flowing from the mountains down through the grounds. A colonnade of white pillars surrounded a central arcade where we parked the bike.

“This is where you live?” I said to Grant as he pulled up next to a number of other motorcycles.

“Don’t act so surprised,” he said. “Jackson wouldn’t send you anywhere you wouldn’t like.”

I admired the vineyard as we walked up the steps onto the veranda. Crickets chirped around us, creating an ocean of sound.

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

“Thank you,” a woman’s voice answered. “It’s a lot of work, but these guys are more useful than they look.”

I looked up at the woman. She was a few years older than me and very beautiful. She had long, blonde hair that framed her pretty face. Her bright eyes sparkled as she took me in.

“You must be Faith,” she said.

“My reputation precedes me.”

“Let me tell you,” she said, “it’s very unlike Jackson to call and have us pick up a woman. To be honest, he’s usually trying to escape them.”

“I guess I’m different.”

The woman looked into my eyes. “Yes, you are,” she said, nodding.

“Is this your house?” I said to her.

“It’s the Brotherhood’s house. It used to be my father’s, he founded the Brotherhood, but he passed on. My name’s Lacey Eden.”

“I see.”

“You’re welcome here as long as you want,” she said.

“I couldn’t intrude.”

“Nonsense. Jackson’s a brother in this place. He’s given his life for all of us. If he wants you here, you’re welcome. There’s nothing more to it.”

“You’re very kind.”

“As long as you don’t cross me,” she said, and winked.

A sly smile crossed her lips, but I got the distinct impression she wasn’t kidding.

“Go on,” Lacey said to Grant. “Take her inside and introduce her to Forrester.”

“Where’s Grady?” Grant said.

“Grady rode out to Nevada to see if he could intercept Jackson. If he rides against Los Lobos alone, they’ll kill him.”

I shuddered. Lacey saw my reaction and put her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. I smiled at her.

I followed Grant into the house and my jaw dropped when I saw the inside. The hallway was of a beautiful, white marble, with a big staircase spiraling up to the second floor.

We walked through to an enormous room with a fireplace at one end and a wall of glass overlooking the valley at the other. From the window I could see the river sparkling in the sunlight, the vineyards on the slopes of the valley, and in the distance, far below, the blue water of the Pacific.

There was a man sitting on the sofa by the window. He wore ripped jeans and a white tank top. He had the same muscular build as Jackson and Grant, the same intricate tattoo work, and the same rugged look. I was beginning to wonder if sex appeal was a criteria for joining the Brotherhood.

“Forrester,” Grant called, “meet Faith Shepherd.”

He stood and came over to greet me.

“We’ve been wondering about you,” Forrester said. “Ever since Jackson called.”

“What did he say?” I said.

“He said you were his girl,” Forrester said. “Or that was the gist of it at least. I didn’t speak to him.”

“Who did?”

“Grant.”

“Did he say what he was planning?” I said to Grant.

I was terrified that something bad was about to happen to Jackson, and I knew it was my fault. If he hadn’t met me, he’d be here in this mansion, enjoying the view with his brothers.

Grant shook his head. “Just what you already know. It didn’t sound good. It sounded like he was going to try to kill Wolf.”

“You guys know how much security Wolf has, right?” I said.

“Yes, we do. So does Jackson.”

“Isn’t there anything we can do?”

“Grady rode out to try and stop him,” Forrester said.

“And what if Grady doesn’t find him in time?”

“We operate under a strict code here,” Forrester said. “We look after our own. We’ll protect you to the last man, Faith, but we don’t control each other. If Jackson wants to take out Wolf Staten, he’s got a right to try. We won’t follow him into that place, but we’ll be here for him when he comes back out.”

“If he comes back out,” I said.

Forrester and Grant looked at each other.

“If he comes back out,” Forrester agreed.