Page 14 of Hell on Wheels

A big guy covered in dark ink bellowed out Flint’s name and sauntered over. He wore a vest with PATRIOT and ROAD CAPTAIN on patches stitched to the black leather. An American flag was wrapped around his head, and I blinked, realizing it was a bandana.

The two men hugged each other and slapped the other’s back.

Flint ticked his head at the biker. “You’ve put on weight, Patriot.”

“Fuck off,” he slurred slightly, showing off a crooked grin. “Where you hidin’? It’s been too long.”

“Been thinkin’ on your offer to check out the club. Figured this was as good a time as any.”

Patriot tilted his head and stared into Flint’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity. “Alright, Flint. Let’s go someplace where we can talk.” Some unspoken communication occurred between them, and I didn’t have a clue what it meant.

“I need to know Lark will be taken care of first.”

Patriot’s gaze roamed over my body in only a few seconds. “Done. I’ll take care of it.”

Flint nodded.

“Snooki!” Patriot yelled, calling out above the noise that had resumed around us.

A redhead with a knowing smile appeared and placed her hand on Patriot’s arm. “What you need, honey?”

“Not what you’re thinkin’. Got my ol’ lady for that.”

Flint chuckled lightly.

Snooki winked. “Good. I’d hate to rat you out to Mimi.”

“This is Lark. See that she feels at home.”

Snooki nodded and linked her arm through mine. “And the club?”

“No one touches her,” Flint growled.

Snooki laughed. “You got it, sexy.”

“It’s Flint,” he corrected.

Snooki smiled, immediately clued into what he wanted. “Sure thing.”

Flint leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips, shocking the hell out of me as his hand cupped the back of my neck. Warm lips trailed up to my ear as he whispered only loud enough for me to hear. “You keep close to her. Don’t talk to any of the brothers.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because I don’t want to kill anyone tonight.”

Blinking, I didn’t know what to say as he released me and followed Patriot from the room.

“Damn. Flint has it bad for you, honey.”

“Why would you say that?”

“He’s been to the Crossroads on quite a few occasions. Never showed up with a woman before, and he’s never seemed this protective over anyone or anything other than his dog.”

I barely noticed that Kane had stayed close to Flint’s side, quietly menacing from the moment we entered. The rottweiler was on edge and watched everyone for any hint of a threat.

When Flint walked from the room, Kane obediently followed his master.

“I guess that’s good to know.”

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