Page 26 of Pearl
My blood races with rage. “She told you that?”
Onyx shakes her head. “No, I walked in while she was covering a bruise with makeup. The light was shining in. I played it off like I didn’t see it for what it is, but I recall her pulling down her shirt sleeve and seeing a bruise a couple months ago, and then the whole thing with wearing a scarf for a couple months a while back.”
“Find the fucker, Onyx. I want to know everything about him, his family and anything else you can find. The Harlots, we fucking protect our own.”
Chapter 24
Carver
The ride to Hawg’s takes less than twenty minutes. His text sounded vague but ominous. Something is up and I need to know what it is before I meet with Renzo or Matteo Larussio again, because I may have made a promise, and I’ll hold up my end of the bargain, but I’m doing it from Phoenix, not Vegas.
I can ride back and forth, in and out of the canyons just like now, but I’m sleeping at home, with Pearl, because Pearl is home to me, and that’s where I plan to be.
Hawg is at the bar of the club house drinking a cup of black coffee when I walk in. He gestures to the coffee pot sitting on the counter behind the bar. “Grab yourself a cup and take a seat.”
“You okay?” I ask, turning with a steaming cup of coffee that smells surprisingly freshly brewed, and not just warmed up stale from the day before.
“I couldn’t sleep last night. The Phoenix Crew, we’re going to need to make some changes. You know we run interference with the Royal Bastards out of Tucson. Every once in a while, we look for a little help here up north, and likewise, when they need some extra hands, we head south.”
I take a seat on the bar stool next to him. “Makes sense, but what needs to change? Seems like the arrangement works.”
Hawg nods. “Yep, always has but things are changing, the lines and territories are all changing. The Scorpions, the worst rival of the Royal Bastards, is now gunning for us. The Desert Riders are aligning with the fucking Scorpions. They’ve been keeping it quiet but we’ve got men on the inside.”
“Fuck, that’s not good for anyone.”
“Yeah, we’ve gotta make a play. There’s a proposal on the table for the Phoenix Crew to merge with the Royal Bastards. Because of the size, staying in our respective locations and clubs, but all falling under the Royal Bastards. We’d remain as the Phoenix Chapter of the Royal Bastards and they would remain the Tucson Chapter. There’s safety, protection, and fucking loyalty that comes with being under the same name, same code, and same fucking missions. Brothers united, really united, you know what I fucking mean?”
My eyes meet Hawg’s because I really didn’t know until he and his crew brought Lucky and put their lives on the line for me and Pearl. “I’ve never had that until yesterday. I’ve always ridden alone.”
He takes another swig of coffee. “Yep, that’s exactly why I wanted to talk to you before I meet with the Royal Bastards. I know you like riding alone, but you’ve been working with us for what, almost four years, you’ve had our backs time and time again, run dangerous missions for us without blinking an eye, and have proven yourself time and time again. We’d like to put a patch on your cut, man. And if I have my say, we’d do it before I make a deal with the Royal Bastards, so you’re part of the entire crew. I have more leverage now. You’d be a Royal Bastard too, Phoenix Chapter”
It's not that I haven’t been thinking about it long and hard, that’s for damn sure. Being part of a brotherhood, one that youcan depend on to have your back, have your family’s back if you’re gone or they’re in danger, no questions you just fucking know they’re going to be there. And Hawg and the crew have proven that over the years, but putting their life and reputation on the line for me and Pearl like they did, no one has ever had my back like that before. “If I can persuade the Larussios to let me live and work here in Phoenix and they don’t have any issues with it, then yes.”
Hawg’s eyes go wide. “Fuck man. I thought you’d make me work a little harder for it.”
I grin. “Not today. Today, I’m so fucking grateful that you all showed up for me and Pearl. I don’t trust easily, but I trust every fucking one of you, so hell yes. But I’m warning you now man, the Larussios may be a hold up. I don’t know that they’re going to like me being located so far away.”
Hawg shakes his head and grins. “Nope, they’re going to fucking love it, because the Rivals want the roads between Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson cleared of the fucking Desert Riders and Scorpions. If we patch over to the Royal Bastards, the Rivalry and Royal Bastards are the best of allies, and we’ll be able to contain some of the shit the Desert Riders and Scorpions are causing for the Larussios. A win-win.”
To stick his crews, neck out for me and for Pearl and get into a fight that’s not even his or theirs’s to fight. “I don’t really know what else to say.”
“Loyalty man. That’s what family is all about, right? I’m telling you, Capone and Ryker are going to go for this, and they’ll sell its merits to the Larussios. Let’s make a few calls.”
Chapter 25
Pearl
Aquick call to Duchess a few days later confirms all the ladies arrived safely and she has them laying low. It’s always recharging to talk to the woman who runs the national chapter, especially about the proposition Carver was given and how it impacts the Harlots if he becomes a Royal Bastard, Phoenix Chapter.
Duchess has a good head on her shoulders, and her words confirm we’re doing the right thing. “As long as he’s with a crew loyal to us, and who can run interference and clear the way for safeguard of women you’re trying to help, like they did this time, what could be better. I say it’s a great fucking match. I’ve heard nothing but good things about that guy from the Bastards.”
Carver picks that moment to walk in, points to himself, and gives his knuckles a rub over his vested chest. I put my cell on mute. “You weren’t supposed to hear that. Don’t let it go to your head.”
He smirks. “Hurry up and get off that phone. I have plans for you that don’t have anything to do with club business.”
“Tell the ladies hello,” I tell Duchess before clicking off and walking into the strong arms of the man who I want to spendevery waking hour with, all of my nights with, and most fucking certainly the rest of my natural born life with. I may not be a red roses and diamonds type of girl, but emotions are emotions and his loyalty, trust and commitment to me have etched a deep and special place in my heart. “I love you, Carver Canyon”
He picks me up and carries me up the stairs, pausing just inside the door so I can kick it closed with my boot before getting carried to bed. He lies next to me, still fully dressed, stroking down the length of my still-bruised face. It’s like just being close to me calms his wild spirit too. His finger strokes the curve of my lip. “Capone called today. He said him and Ryker talked to Renzo about the mergers of the bike crews, and me staying in Phoenix with you, but joining the Bastards. They were all for it. Said it lays the perfect foundation to expand the routes between Vegas, Phoenix and south to Tucson. One thing left to do, baby.”
