Page 115 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

“You think you’ll hear from your father tonight?”

I shrugged, putting on my own helmet. “I doubt it. But it’s not my problem anymore.”

“I’m really proud of you, you know.”

I paused. “For what?”

“For no longer letting people in your life guilt trip you into things.”

I smiled. “Thanks, handsome.”

“But don’t get tired on me yet. There’s still a bit of business we need to see to before we head to bed for the night.”

I furrowed my brow. “Business? What sort of business?”

He cracked a wry grin. “You’ll see, gorgeous. You’ll see.”

My curiosity got the best of me on the ride back. I grew anxious in all the best ways as we crept closer to the house. I clung to Max, wondering what in the world he had in store. Had something gone wrong during dinner? Was there some sort of surprise waiting for me? Had the captain called him or something while we were eating?

I didn’t know what to expect.

But as we rode down Max’s street, I didn’t expect to see what was there.

The street was lined with motorcycles. One behind the other, in and orderly and fused fashion. I stopped counting the bikes after twenty-two, because it was very clear to me that the entire Red Thorns crew was here. I shook my head as Max pulled into the driveway. We slid our helmets off and stowed them away. Then, without a word spoken to me, he offered me his hand.

“Care to join me, Dani?”

I slipped my hand into his. “What in the world is going on?”

He didn’t answer my question. He simply led me into the house. We walked through the front door together and were immediately bombarded with cheering and whooping and hollering. I jumped at the sound. The guys clapped and pumped their fists in the air as I threw my head back in laughter. They all patted me on the back. A few gave me hugs. But not one time did Max ever let go of my hand.

It was like he didn’t want to lose me in the throng of men.

For those that didn’t hug me, they clapped my shoulder. They shook my hand in a brotherly fashion, and it made me feel part of something greater. Something stronger. Something more united than I’d ever experienced in my entire life. I had to keep blinking my eyes for fear that I’d cry on them. The show of strength and unity they all possessed took my breath away.

“What in the world are you guys doing here?” I asked breathlessly.

Instead of answering my question, though, the guys corralled us into the kitchen. Everyone perched where they could as Rupert and John stood at the kitchen counter, holding a wooden box in their hands. The box was massive, and my eyebrows rose in curiosity. Was this what Max had been talking about? The surprise he had for me?

“I have something for you,” Max said.

I nodded. “Is that it?”

His hand fell to the small of my back. “Part of me wanted to wait until tomorrow, before we left. But this can’t wait.”

I looked up at him. “I don’t understand. What’s in that box?”

He took my hands, gazing into my eyes. “You saved my ass, Dani. I need you to know that.”

“I know. I know I did.”

The guys chuckled as Max snickered.

“You took charge when no one else knew what to do. You concocted plans none of us in our wildest dreams could have ever concocted. And to do that with no one dying and barely any bullets flying around? It’s not something this crew has ever seen before.”

“I’m glad I could help, Max. Really.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ve taken to heart the words that the captain said to us. About this being a fresh start for the Red Thorns. I’ve clawed through some serious issues in this crew to try and get us on the gray side of good. And I plan on doing that again. I plan on making this crew as legitimate as it can be. A crew that benefits this community instead of striking fear into the hearts of the shadows of this place. But that doesn’t happen without you.”

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