Page 113 of Irons

I smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “That’s true, but I think maybe Creed led an example with Karter and Weston?”

Travis chuckled. “Not really. Creed made those boys prospects, and he did straighten them out, but that’s not what I’m doing with Brock. He already paid his dues, and he doesn’t need discipline. He needs…” He paused so I finished it for him.

“He needs someone to love him and treat him like family. The same things you needed at his age.”

“Don’t make it all sappy.” He chuckled as he put the vehicle in drive. “I have the means to help him, and it’s not a handout. He wouldn’t accept the help if it was, that boy has pride.”

I reached over for his hand and held it as he drove, never losing the smile he just put on my face. I am so proud of the man Travis became, and I realize he wouldn't be the man he is today if he didn’t face the hardships he did.

My grandparents were excited to see Travis again. I couldn’t count how many times they both told Travis they were proud of him. We lost track of time while catching up, and made our way back to my parents in the afternoon. Travis went to my bedroom to have some privacy to make some calls. Jacob was out with Heather and dad didn’t seemed to have returned from his earlier meeting.

We told dad we had some things to do that evening and left the house promptly at five o’clock. Travis plugged in the address his mom gave him into the GPS, and we were both a bit surprised when we pulled into the parking lot. It was an asphalt parking lot that obviously hadn’t received any maintenance andhad weeds growing in the cracks. The old white block one story building had seen better days, and the windows were covered in plywood.

“What could she possibly have to do with this place?” Travis asked as we both looked at the very familiar and abandoned small building.

“Dad has never indicated to me the MC disbanded. In fact, he talks about still going on rides with them.” I replied.

There was a white SUV sitting next to us and it was empty. “That’s her car.” I pointed at it.

“Let’s go on in, she’s obviously waiting inside.”

There was an old rusty blue door left partially open and Travis was very careful opening the door. Inside stood Paula, looking far different than she did the day before. She was leaning against the wall while looking out a hole in the plywood that covered the window, but turned her head to see us and smiled.

She was no longer dressed like she was about to conquer the corporate world. Instead, she was youthful in her casual appearance. Her hair was twisted up in a clip, she wore a three quarter sleeve V-neck burgundy sweater, a perfectly fitting pair of jeans and a pair of ankle boots with silver jewelry. Still put together nicely, but also looked to be tired. A lot like Travis who didn’t sleep well that night.

She gave him a warm smile. “Thanks for coming.”

Travis stood with his hands in his jean pockets and gave her a nod before he looked around us. “This place has changed.”

I looked around what was once the clubhouse belonging to my dad and Tony’s MC. There were a few tables, chairs that had fallen over, an old bar that no longer had stools or liquor lined up behind it. There was the old dart board where Travisand I played darts a few times. The dropped ceiling was missing some boards and there was graffiti on the walls.

“We’ve upgraded on the other side of town, but this.” She looked around her. “Is where it all started.”

“We’ve upgraded?” Travis asked.

Paula clasped her hands in front of her. “You knew Charlie was part of the MC with your uncle.” She shrugged her shoulders. “He is still a part of the MC, and I guess that makes me his old lady.”

Travis chuckled. “I’d hardly call yourselves an MC.” I saw his point, his mom was far from an example of an old lady in a biker club.

Paula took a few steps closer. “Why is that?”

Secrets

Wrenly

“Because they’re cops and upstanding citizens, not to mention they’re old enough to be a bunch of grandpas.” Travis chuckled and Paula also smiled with amusement.

“Not all things are as they appear, son. This place holds a lot of memories, but the club outgrew it. Ages of the members range from our youngest at twenty two and our oldest at seventy three. So yes, some members are grandparents. It also appears as something it’s not.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“It was never a clubhouse for off duty cops who happened to be bike enthusiasts. It was a true MC, not like yours, but like many others around the country.”

“What are we doing here, mom?” Travis asked.

Paula crossed her arms in front of her. “You’re here for a few reasons. First of all, you have information I’ve needed for almost thirty years. I am willing to lay out all my cards and expose this place for what it was in this building, and what it has grown into. By the end of this day, you’ll have everything you need to have every member of this MC, including myself and Clint, thrown into prison.”

“My dad?” I asked as my stomach turned.

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