Page 18 of Reaper's Ride
My woman.Damn fucking straight.
Rael led me down the hall to a closed door. He knocked, and a gruff voice answered, telling us to enter.
Grim, the president of the Tonopah chapter, leaned back in his chair, sizing me up as I walked in the door. “Pagan,” he greeted me. “I remember you. We spoke at the rally. If I remember right, you showed an interest in joining us.”
“I’m curious. Heard a lot of rumors.”
“I bet.” He gestured to Rael. “So you met the most fucked up and annoying brother in the chapter. Rael, our Sergeant at Arms.” He ticked his chin at Rael. “I say that with love, fucker.”
Rael appeared amused.
“If you can make it through the day without punching him, you’re more patient and have a shorter fuse than most of us.”
“No guarantees.” I gestured to Rael, smacking him in the gut. “He’s annoying as fuck. I already wanted to hit him five times this morning.”
Grim slapped the top of his desk. “Ha!”
“But I am interested in the club and the Reapers in Tonopah.”
“Then you’re in the right place.” He stood, walked around his desk, and gripped my shoulder. The guy was tall and had a presence that commanded respect, but also was charismatic, almost too relaxed. Under the surface, though, I could tell danger lurked. Whoever chose to fuck with him would be taught a brutal lesson.
I liked Grim. Instantly. Not just today, but also at the rally. He didn’t bullshit or blow smoke up your ass. He was genuine and unapologetic. I sensed the members would follow him wherever he went. He was loved, and a president men could feel proud to support and to lead.
The Crossroads felt warm and inviting with a brotherhood that I hadn’t seen in other chapters, not like this. Grim led his men, but he was also one of them. A true leader. It felt different here... like home.
I blinked when I realized it, and Grim nodded.
“You feel it. You’re meant to be among us.”
“I think so.”
“Then all that’s left is the Devil’s Ride.”
The Devil’s Ride? “Not sure I want to ask,” I laughed.
“Initiation into the club. You make it through the ride, you’re in.”
“No prospecting?” I asked, surprised.
“Not for you. You’re a nomad. Just have to be voted in after we ride.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it,” Grim confirmed. “You ready?”
“I need to see Lainey first.”
Grim tilted his head. “Lainey?”
Rael shrugged.
“Snooki,” I reluctantly revealed. I fucking hated that nickname. It implied she belonged to them. Lainey belonged with me.
“Ah.” Grim gestured to the door. “Go. We’ll meet you in the bar.”
I left his office in search of my woman. The clubhouse was large but easy to navigate, with an open floor plan, only a few hallways, and a single set of stairs that led to the second and third floors.
When I didn’t find Lainey in the bar, I took the hallway to the right. It turned out to be the right choice because I found her in the kitchen, whipping batter with chunks of chocolate. Something smelled sweet with a hint of cinnamon. I didn’t know what she was baking, but it would taste delicious.
