Page 87 of JoyRide

He cranked his head around and snapped at me. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He held up his hand and gave Tammy and me his middle finger. “I ain’t no snitch, so forget it.”

Tammy got to her feet and smiled down at Danny. “Montana State Prison ain’t a baby nursery like Juvie, Danny. You think hard on that. Day you get there a big ole biker is gonna give it to you up the arny hole and make you his bitch. Hope you enjoy your new girlfriend.”

We left the ICU and I had to smile at my sister. She definitely gave Danny Burridge something to think about.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

On the drive home to the ranch Tammy asked me, “Do you think Travis could get it out of Virgil – where the gang is? If he helped round up the gang, Travis might go easier on him.”

“Don’t know, Tam. There’s something going on there. After they had their talk in the garage, Virge hasn’t said a fuckin word about it.”

“Maybe you could ease him into it,” said Tammy. “Like…point out that Travis would be happy if he helped us out.”

“Think that would work?”

Tammy shrugged. “I don’t know what will work, but Danny Burridge didn’t help us like I thought he might.”

“When we do chores and we’re alone in the barn, I’ll talk to Virgil.”

“Try that.” Tammy reached over and held my hand. We were trying not to touch each other too much.

When we got home to the ranch, Tammy started dinner and I looked around for Virgil and he wasn’t in the house. Maybe he’d taken to living in the barn after his talk to Travis.

I ran out the back door and headed for the barn. Doors were propped open. “Hey, you started chores without me.”

“Might as well get ‘er done,” mumbled Virge.

“What did Travis say to you in the garage, bro?”

“None of your fuckin business.”

“You want to keep it private, I’m okay with that. I respect your privacy.”

“Huh.” Virgil gave me a look I couldn’t read.

“Tammy and I talked to Burridge at the hospital today and he won’t give up the gang. I guess you wouldn’t want to help me with that.”

Virgil grabbed hold of a pitchfork and viciously stabbed the tines into a bale of straw. “Last I heard, they were holed up in Kelvin. That’s all I know.”

“Okay, that’s something. Appreciate it.” I held my fist out to give my brother a fist bump and he shook his head.

Nope. We weren’t on those terms yet, so I started measuring the oats. “One other thing, Virge. I want you to know I’m happy you’re back home. I want you with me... like for good. You’re my brother.”

Virgil took a forkful of straw and spread it around in Outlaw’s stall and wouldn’t look at me.

After dinner Travis went into his room and put his jacket on, then he motioned to Virgil and the two of them went out the front door.

“Where are they going?” I asked Billy.

“Travis is going to talk to Smollett. Virgil is driving him.”

“I could drive him, Billy. Virgil has an unhealed leg, for chrissakes.”

“Don’t interfere, Harlan. Travis is handling Virgil. There’s already an improvement.”

“You mean like he’s doing chores because he’s scared shitless not to?” I didn’t mean to sound angry at Travis, but I might have…a bit. Travis was right and my brother was wrong. Why was I siding with my brother?

Blood is always thicker.

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