Page 73 of Frisco

KALI

A bunch of bikes had returned thirty minutes ago, early in the morning, with their riders all smiles. No Shane, but the guys rolled up, parked, and a few grabbed the women up in hugs. There were whoops, wolf whistles, and cheers, but I still sensed an underlying tension.

They’d started a bonfire, and now they were partying.

Guys were drinking, and some women hung over them. In some ways, it just looked like a typical family party. Music started, and I could smell weed.

I sat in a chair outside the barn, a few yards from the front door. Some of the guys headed in, giving me looks as they went, but no one approached or said anything to me. These were Shane’s guys. I’d come to know that. His charter was staying here.

A minute later, an older guy walked toward the house—maybe a few years older than me. Bald, dark skin, and he was all muscle. Kinda looked like a square box. He gave me a look before heading over.

He wasn’t handsome, but he was striking in a rough way.

“Ghost and Boise went to run an errand. He’ll be back later.” His eyes dropped to my hands. “Guys will be partying tonight. You want a drink?”

I nodded. “I can grab it, though.”

He gave a small shake of his head, already turning around. “I’ll get your drinks. Just give me a nod, and I’ll know to refill you. Be back.”

The sound of dirt scraping had me looking behind me, and my sister was there. She watched the guy leaving, her arms hugging her stomach. It was chilly so she had a flannel on, hanging low and almost covering her shorts. Her hair was free, blown back by a breeze, and her eyes were troubled. Or no… Somber.

I’d only seen that look on her a few times in my life, namely when Connor was convicted. Not when he was arrested, and not any of the days we went to court. Just the day of the sentencing—and one other day.

“He’s my man.”

She wasn’t looking at me, but I knew she was talking to me. I gave the guy a different appraisal.

There was an edge of danger to him, but that made sense. He was a biker, a Red Demon. All these guys wore it in the way they moved, how familiar they were with their weapons, their bikes, but mostly it was in their eyes. They would be violent, without a second thought, if the moment called for it. I knew there were others who wanted to be violent. But so far, none of those guys had come near me.

“I thought you were with that other guy?”

She turned, looking at me. After watching me for a beat, she started forward, holding a beer bottle by its neck. She sunk down in the chair next to me, bringing the beer up for a drink.

“He slept with a sweet butt.” She glanced at me. “That’s what they call the girls who sleep with anyone.”

I nodded, already knowing.

She turned to watch the bonfire and the main house again. “Machete came in when I was getting ready to do something stupid to Roadie and told me I was supposed to leave with him.”

That’s how most couples get together. “What were you going to do?”

“Something that probably would’ve gotten me killed.”

Candor from my sister. Also something I rarely received. I was pro Machete. He was a good influence on her.

He came back toward us now, holding a few beers in his hands.

She sighed. It was soft, but it was there.

I felt like a frozen animal at this point. Who was this person next to me and what had she done with my sister?

“I like him,” she breathed. “I like him a lot.”

That was sweet.

She turned to look my way, a hard glint in her eyes. “Don’t fuck with mine. I won’t fuck with yours.”

Never mind. I relaxed. There was my sister.

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