Page 17 of Goose

He sighed, “I wanted to keep you out of The Devil’s Highwaymen. Your poor mama has dealt with that life already.”

Silas got closer to our Pop. “What do you mean? What the fuck is going on, Pop?”

Pop put his hands on his hips, “Let’s walk and talk, boys. Bambi needs to be found and brought home.” We all started walking again when he started to explain. “Back before your mama and I tied the knot, I was a member of The Devil’s Highwaymen. Bear and I have been best friends since we were in fucking diapers. His Daddy was president before him, and his granddaddy before him. Devil’s blood runs deep in the Walker family. Anyway, it was a natural step for me to join right beside Bear. We patched in at the same time, became officers and met our woman at the same time.”

He sighed as we reached Levi’s house. Bear looked at all of us boys and nodded toward the old truck. “Get in, boys. I’ll meet you at the clubhouse. Let your Pop explain some shit.”

Silas and Levi hopped in the back and I climbed in the front seat. Bear got on his motorcycle and started down the driveway. My Pop followed him and got back to his story.

“Well, your mama had a rough pregnancy with you boys. It was so bad that I was home more than at the club. Anyway, while I was home with her, our rival club hit us. I ran out to try and help down at the clubhouse, but it was all a trap. They went back to the ranch and kidnapped your mama. By the time we could rescue her, she had gone into labor with you two. Doc rushed to the clubhouse, and that’s where you ended up being born.”

He chuckled, then shook his head, “I guess you boys have Devil’s blood in you too. But your Mama had enough of the club. Bear and the rest of the members gave me their blessing to leave, but I was always welcomed back.”

I sat back in disbelief. My father hid his past from us. My world was falling apart around me.

Silas cleared his throat. “And what does this have to do with Bambi, Pop?”

We pulled up to the clubhouse, and the gates opened. My Pop stayed silent until he parked the truck. “Her daddy owes our rival club, The Shadow Raiders, a lot of money. He borrows for gambling and drugs. He tried selling his wife to them for his debt, but she killed herself instead. Now that Bambi is eighteen, he’s going to try and sell her too.”

I felt sick to my stomach as we got out of the truck. Bambi was going to be sold like cattle, and she never said a word. She said nothing about a motorcycle club or a debt.

We walked into the clubhouse and followed Levi into an enormous room. My Pop pulled two chairs out for us against the sidewall.

Bear walked to the front of the room and sat at the head of a large table. He slammed a gavel down and everybody went silent.

“They have the girl. We have three new prospects who will join us tonight to get her back. Stick to the plan. No mistakes. No fucking hero moves.”

Levi turned to us and smiled. “Welcome to The Devil’s Highwaymen, brothers.”

Chapter Four

Bambi

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IT’S BEEN A WEEK SINCEI’ve last seen Goose. He avoids me anytime I am at the clubhouse by either leaving or hiding up in Striker’s old apartment. While I should be happy, it bothers me deep down.

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