Page 81 of Chains
“Through the weekend. We’re heading back Monday morning.”
“Fuck, dude, you got all the time in the world.” Chains chuckled. “I’ll be back to drink a beer with you.” Chains lifted his hand and bumped fists with Jester.
“I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be busy,” the biker said as he headed toward three hang-arounds.
“Then, I’ll catch you later.”
Walking into the clubhouse, it took Chains a minute to adjust his eyes to the low light. The place was packed, and the smell of whiskey, pot, and pussy washed over him. Several of the club girls walked around the throng of men, giving them a sneak peek of what they wore underneath their tight clothes. On full-house party nights, the club women were extremely territorial with the brothers and the club in general. They were the women who lived at the clubhouse, and they resented hang-arounds who acted like they owned the damn place. Many a party included a few knock-down, drag-out fights between the club girls and the hang-arounds—the club women usually winning.
Chains chatted briefly with bikers from other clubs around Colorado and New Mexico, and then he headed to his room. Normally, there wouldn’t be a party on a night when a serious business deal was going down, but because the meeting date had been changed from the night before to that night, the brothers from other clubs had already come to Alina to party with the Night Rebels.
Thor started barking the second Chains slipped the key into the lock, and when he swung the door open, the Siberian rushed over to him, jumping up on Chains, licking his hands and then running around in circles.
“Did you miss me, buddy?” Chains asked as he dropped on one knee and drew the dog to him, stroking his soft coat repeatedly. “Did you eat?” He glanced over at Thor’s empty dish.
A soft knock at the door had him up on his feet in a flash.
“Hi, stranger,” Ruby said as she slipped inside his room. “I tried to get your attention as you walked through the big room, but it’s so loud that you didn’t hear me calling your name.”
“No, I didn’t. What’s up?”
“I wanted to tell you that I fed Thor before the party started. I also spent last night in your room because he didn’t want to sleep anywhere else. Was that okay? I hope you’re not mad.”
Chains smiled. “I’m not mad. Thanks for taking care of him. I appreciate it.”
Ruby looped her arms around his neck. “I’ve missed you, baby,” she said softly.
Gently, he pulled away. “Tonight’s crazy down there. If any of the out-of-towners don’t treat you right, tell me or one of the other brothers, okay?”
Confusion glazed her face. “Sure. Don’t you want to relax before you have to go out on club business?” She stepped toward him, but he walked away.
“I’m taking Thor for a walk, then decompressing before I head out with the others.” He looked over at her. “Nothing personal, okay?”
Ruby slowly nodded and shuffled to the door.
“Thanks again for watching Thor. I’ll take you to Leroy’s one night next week for some chow.”
A smile as bright as the morning sun lit up her face, and she rushed back over and hugged him, planting a soft kiss on his chest. “I’d love that.” She bounced out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Chains slumped against the window sill, looking at the mountains in the distance. Thoughts of Autumn filled his mind, and he couldn’t wait to be with her again. He felt a nudge and looked down, smiling at Thor as he put his paw on Chains’s knee.
“Hey there, buddy,” he said, giving Thor a good head scratch before bending down and hugging him close. “Your doc’s got a hold on me.” Thor whined. “Yeah… I can’t fuckin’ believe it either.” He stood up and snapped his fingers. “Let’s go.”
As they stepped into the hallway, a cacophony of noise enveloped them: laughter, squeals, moans, hard-punching metal music. Not wanting to take Thor through the great room, Chains walked to the back of the club and went out into the yard. Several men and women were fucking in the open while others were dancing to the beats of the music coming from large speakers attached to the fence. He hurried through the area, and soon they were far away from the madness behind them.
“Dude, wait up.”
Chains heard footsteps pounding behind him. Thor barked, his tail wagging briskly.
“Hey,” he said to Eagle as the biker came up to Chain’s side.
“You out for a walk?” Eagle handed Chains a joint. “This is the premium stuff we’re selling tonight.”
Nodding, he put the joint between his lips, and Eagle flicked the lighter and held it out to him. Chains bent forward, cupping his hand around the flame, then pushed back as he sucked in the smoke.
“After we get shit done tonight, we can party. I need to stay focused.” Eagle blew out a column of smoke. “I’ve got a bad feeling about the meeting.”
Cocking his head to the side, Chains said, “Why’s that? Those dudes are pretty straight. I checked and double-checked them out.”
