Page 16 of Shadow's Surrender
Chapter Four
Sweat ran downShadow’s back, making his T-shirt stick to his skin. He peeled it off then tossed the wet shirt on the floor near the closet. A knock on the door stopped him from going over to the desk in the corner of the room to rifle through the top drawer for extra batteries for the fan.
“Hey,” he said to Smokey when he opened the door.
“Fuck, it’s hot in here.” Smokey stepped inside and pointed to the moving fan. “And that isn’t doing jack shit.”
“I know. It’s hotter than hell in here. It reminds me of that broken-down trailer my ma and I used to live in after my old man died. It got so fuckin’ hot in that metal box—even worse than it is in here now.”
“I hear you. We didn’t have AC when I was growing up either.” He chuckled. “My brother and I used to hang out in the basement a lot during the summers.”
“Have you heard from him lately?” Shadow asked as he switched off the fan.
A sad looked crossed over Smokey’s face for a brief second. “Not for a while.” He jerked his head toward the hallway. “A group of us are gonna ride over to Silverton. You in?”
“Fuck yeah. When’s the dude supposed to show up to fix the damn generator we paid a fortune for?” Shadow asked as he slipped on his cut then grabbed the keys to his motorcycle.
“Soon. Banger just chewed his ass out and reminded him that the Insurgents take priority over everyone on his damn list.”
Shadow laughed. “I’m sure the dude doesn’t wanna piss off an outlaw MC.” He followed Smokey down the stairs.
All the windows and the front door in the main room were open, and the steady hum of several fans filled the room. A large stack of batteries sat on the corner of the bar. Two of the prospects placed a couple of shots of Jack in front of Hubcap and Tank, who were leaning against the counter. Shadow perched on a stool next to them and picked up the shot of whiskey Skinless slid over to him. He threw it back, enjoying the hot burn down his throat, then set the glass back on the counter.
“You riding over to Silverton?” he asked the two members.
“Yeah,” Tank said as he pushed away from the bar.
Hubcap shook his head. “Banger wants me over at the dispensary—we’re short-handed today.”
Shadow held up his hand when Skinless began to pour another shot of whiskey for him. “Is the generator working over there?”
“Yeah, so at least it’ll be cool, but I’d still rather burn up with a ride than be stuck in an air conditioned building.”
Tank and Shadow nodded in agreement: for a biker, the ride waseverything.
Tania shuffled over to them, and the exposed skin in her tiny bikini glistened with perspiration. “Are you guys going out for a ride?” she asked, her gaze fixed on Shadow.
“Yeah,” he replied as he motioned Skinless over. “Gimme a big-ass glass of cold water,” he said to the prospect.
“I bet it’ll be cooler with the breeze rushing around you,” she said.
“Yeah.” Shadow curled his fingers around the glass and guzzled the water down.
“Skinless, can you soak a few paper towels in cold water again for us?” Tania nodded toward the couch where Wendy and Rosie lay motionless.
“It’s a hundred and six fuckin’ degrees out there,” Animal said as he and Blade walked into the club.
“We’re just heading out for a ride to Silverton.” Shadow put the empty glass on the bar.
“We’re comin’ too,” Blade said. “I’m just gonna grab a long sleeved T-shirt. He walked out of the room.
“How’re Olivia and Lucy?” Shadow asked Animal.
“Good. They and a group of old ladies drove to Grand Junction and are hanging out at the water park. That’s why Chas, Rock, Jax, and Hawk are joining us.”
“A water park sounds like a good idea,” Tania said as she placed the cold paper towel on the back of her neck.
Shadow looked over at Skinless. “Take the club’s SUV and drive the club girls to the water park in Grand Junction.”
