Page 96 of Shadow

“Yeah doc, that’s why I’m laughing,” my woman smiled, as I glared at my sisters.

“You three get out,” I grumbled. “We will talk about this later when I get Joan home.”

My sisters stumbled over each other to get out of the room.

“All right, Ms. Trinity, I have your papers and after care instructions. I want you to take it easy for the next few weeks. No heavy lifting and rest as much as possible,” the doctor said, handing Joan her paperwork.

“Thank you, doc. For everything.”

“It was my pleasure,” the man smiled, before leaving us with the nurse.

“You ready bust out of this place, Joan?” the woman asked.

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”

Pulling into the farm, I found the place crowded with brothers from the Diamondback clubhouse.

“What’s going on?” Joan asked, looking at the crowd.

“No idea,” I said, parking the farm’s SUV.

Quickly helping Joan out of the vehicle, we walked hand in hand toward the waiting crowd, only to be greeted by Kansas and Kali.

“What’s going on?” I asked, looking at Kansas, who stood next to his wife, grinning.

“It’s a welcome home party for Joan and a club barbeque celebration all in one!” Kali exclaimed happily.

Kansas added, “Wanted to thank you for everything you did. For helping us find the truth about what happened five years ago.”

“You’re not here to finally kick my ass, are you?”

Kansas laughed, slapping his meaty hand on my shoulder. “Really gotta let that go, man.”

“I’ll let it go after the beat down happens.”

Kansas shook his head, before carefully hugging Joan then kissing the top of her head. I didn’t know what the hell they all were doing here, but I didn’t like it.

The farm was in Wichita Falls, TX not Lawton, OK.

They had no reason to be here.

Clubs hosted barbecues at the clubhouse.

Not at a non-member’s home.

Asshole was up to something.

Before I could say anything more, Kali walked off with Joan talking animatedly about whatever. Leaving me alone with Kansas, who was grinning from ear to ear as he stood before me, arms crossed over his chest. His club brothers, grinning as they all walked over and surrounded him.

“What? What now?”

“Learned something useful about you, Shadow,” Kansas began.

“Yeah,” I growled, narrowing my eyes. “What’s that?”

“You are better when you don’t think, just act. With you, it’s best not to give you an option. You do better when someone tells you what to do. Because if you think too much about anything, you get lost in your head.”

“So, what? I have fucking PTSD.”

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