Page 6 of Chains
Chains nodded, a smile spreading across his face. “Good point. Have a good ride.”
Crow lifted his chin. “Okay, dude. See you later,” he said as he shut the door.
Chains pulled on his boots, then tucked his wallet in the back pocket of his jeans. “You ready to go?”
Thor barked and ran to the door, then looked over at Chains expectantly as he waited for his owner. Once Chains opened the door, Thor bolted out and charged down the stairs and into the big room.
“Hey there, boy.” Aztec’s loud voice wrapped around Chains before he entered the main room. He laughed when he saw Thor leaning toward Aztec—his tail held out behind him in a wide, sweeping wag as the club member stroked the dog under his chin.
“You’re spoiling the shit outta him,” Chains said as he strode over to the bar.
“And you don’t?” Aztec replied, a smile in his voice.
Chains picked up his shot of tequila and threw it back, then asked the prospect to bring him six bottles of water.
“Crow said you and Thor are headed to Chaco Canyon,” Aztec said.
“Yep. Maybe we’ll bump into each other.” He pushed away from the bar.
“Only if you’re going to Glacier Lake. We’re gonna have a few beers and smoke some weed, then we’re heading to Stella’s. I got my eye on one of the waitresses,” Eagle said as he walked over.
“Which one?” Aztec said.
“Do you have to ask?” Chains replied. “It’s the redhead with the big tits and shapely legs.”
Eagle slapped his hand against Chains’s shoulder. “You know me too well, bro. She’s been giving me the eye for the last month or so.”
“Is that why we keep going to Stella’s when we’re riding?” Metal asked before bumping fists with Chains.
“Fuck yeah. Once I get her to spread those pretty legs for me, I’ll be a regular at the roadhouse.” Eagle held up his hand and Ink rushed over with a bottle of Corona, then scurried back behind the bar.
“You’re already a fuckin’ regular,” Army said as he strode over to the group. “Are we ready to roll? I gotta be back before the gym closes, so I’ll probably opt out on going to Stella’s. Diablo, Paco, and I are going to move the new equipment into another room. Mia’s reminded me a million times not to be late.”
“And she can literally kick your ass if you are,” Crow said.
Chains and the others laughed while Army nodded. “Yeah… she’s got some wicked moves. In a few weeks, she’s competing in Denver at the MMA Mania. Any of you guys wanna come and cheer her on?”
“Count me and Hailey in on that,” Goldie said.
“I’ll go. I like watching chicks fight,” Crow added.
“Me too,” Metal said.
Army took out his keys. “Let me know—Mia can get a good rate at the hotel. So, are we riding?”
“Let’s roll,” Goldie said, then looked over at Chains. “You coming?”
“Not this time.” He snapped his fingers and Thor came running, and the two of them walked out into the late afternoon sun as the group of riders followed behind. The spicy fragrance of chrysanthemums mingled with the autumnal smell of leaves, and the gravel crunched under the bikers’ boots as they walked over to their motorcycles.
Chains opened the driver’s door of his black Tahoe. Thor jumped inside and settled on the passenger seat, his cold nose pressed against the window. Chains slipped inside and turned on the ignition and then rolled down the windows; Thor stuck his head out and lifted his nose up in the air.
In less than thirty minutes, Chains was at Chaco Canyon. The second he opened the passenger side door, Thor bolted out and ran ahead a few yards, barking and then sniffing the plants and bushes. Chains followed behind and soon was hiking on a trail that led steeply up the side of a hill overlooking the canyon. Once they reached the top, Thor rushed off to the left into a thicket of trees, and Chains sat down on the ground. He swept his glance over a seemingly infinite expanse of mountain ranges that melted into each other as mist swirled around the jagged peaks.
“As long as I live, I’ll never get tired of this view,” he said under his breath, loving the peace and stillness he always felt whenever he was there.
Several minutes later, Chains put two fingers in his mouth and whistled for Thor, but he didn’t come.
“Thor! Come here!” His voice echoed off the rocky cliffs.
