Smiling, I dip my chin in a single nod. “The motel,” I whisper.
BREW
Dinner is consumed,drinks are flowing, and the women have begun to make themselves available. Very available. I attempt to disappear into the shadows. Atomic always seems to bring me back to the conversation.
I want to read that paper.
I want to reach into his cut and pull it out. I need to know what is on there. I need to know exactly what the fuck these assholes are offering and what exactly Atomic is essentially agreeing to by eating, drinking, and partying with these fuckers.
What are the goddamn terms?
King, Atomic, and I stand near one another, holding cocktails in our hands. Glancing around, I realize that we’re out of earshot of anyone who would or could want to overhear us. I decide to start asking questions.
“Are you going to at least give us an idea of the terms?” I ask.
King clears his throat, rocking back on his heels before he speaks. “I have to agree with Brew on this one. We’re standing around accepting their hospitality,” he says, emphasizing the wordhospitalitybefore he continues. “And we don’t know what they are offering.”
Atomic jerks his chin, his eyes flicking between us, and then he lets out a sigh, reaches into the pocket of his cut, and takes out the paper. “We will have to tweak this and then draw up the finalized papers tomorrow. I was planning on going over it all with you at the hotel tonight, but it’s clear you can’t wait.”
“I really fucking cannot,” I state. “And we’re not going to bring this up to a vote with the rest of the club?” I ask.
Atomic shakes his head, but it’s more like a jerk before he answers. “We’re going to vote on it with the office-holding members. We’ll do a call with Gnaw, Fate, and Piston for thefinal vote. As much as I want to include the whole club, this shit needs to be dealt with tomorrow. I’m ready to go home.”
I am, too. More than ready. I want to go home to my woman. It’s been too many days without her. I’m not sure what she’s even thinking. I haven’t been able to find the time to get in contact with her.
She’s probably got a million things running through her head. She knows what a trip like this would typically consist of, which is what Nash is up to. I know it would kill her, and I’m trying to make an effort to be a better man for her—for us.
I want this with her.
I never realized how badly I wanted this kind of peace and security, and at the risk of seemingly like a big pussy, I can’t deny that it’s exactly what I want. I fucking love knowing that she’s in my bed waiting for me.
Atomic extends the envelope to King. I watch as he slips it from his fingers and opens it. Only a few things are written on the plain piece of paper. Glancing down at it, my eyes scan the scribbled words, and I frown.
Five members follow the truck from Austin to Biloxi, Mississippi.
Be guards for trucks and ensure the safety of cargo arrival.
Do not disturb cargo or driver unless needed to ensure safety.
The cut includes a direct deposit of ten thousand dollars per guard, totaling fifty thousand dollars per trip.