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“Let’s ride out.” Looking over my shoulder, I see Levi mounting his, looking more nervous than excited now.

This will be good for him. He needs to start meeting these shit heads so he can recognize a face if he sees one when he’s out and can watch his back.

The meeting place is about two hours out from our clubhouse. Sucks it’s a long drive for a run, but it’s better that it’s not close to our territory if shit goes south. And with Rail, that’s very fucking possible.

The entire ride all I can think about is what if shit goes south and he takes it out on Aisling or worse, my son? I’m trying not to think about the what ifs like Evan said, but fuck, if it isn’t hard.

The risk is worth having them in my life, though.

Even if she doesn’t think she’s mine yet.

Cyrus signals ahead that we’re pulling off the main road and onto a dirt one.

We loop around, scoping out the area to make sure Rail doesn’t have someone waiting to ambush us.

“What are you thinking?” Cyrus asks me once we’re parked and waiting for them to show.

“I’m thinking that it makes me uneasy that he uses the same meeting place every time. Maybe I’m just used to rotating spots because that’s how we do shit, but I doubt a guy like this fucking idiot keeps his mouth shut about it,” I say as I take a joint out of the case in my pocket and light it up.

Cyrus grunts in agreement before asking. “Every time?”

“For the last two years. I don’t have a good feeling about this. Something bad’s going to happen. Maybe not now, but soon. Feel it in my gut.”

Cyrus studies me, his face hard. We’ve been brothers long enough for him to know my gut is never wrong.

“Well, that’s not good,” Cyrus says, trying to lighten the mood because Levi is growing more and more tense. The last thing I need is for him to piss himself.

“Is something going to go down?” Levi asks in a hushed voice.

“You don’t need to whisper.” I snicker. What it’s like to be young and fresh in this life. “No one can hear you.”

Levi’s cheeks slowly flush.

“What are you worried about?” Cyrus asks as he shrugs. “If something goes down, we’ll fucking kill them.”

I laugh at the look on Levi’s face. “Calm down, prospect. Nothing is going to happen right now.”

All of us turn, looking down the long drive as we hear pipes off in the distance.

“Looks like he didn’t come alone,” Cyrus says.

“Never does.” I throw my roach on the ground and step on it, making sure it’s out before turning to Levi. “You ready?”

“Yeah,” Levi answers. His voice sounds steady, but his hands are shaking.

I don’t blame him. I remember the first time I went on a run. I thought I was going to piss myself. Back then, everyone seemed like they could end you with one wrong look. He’ll eventually learn everything is a front. Don’t get me wrong, some have earned that reputation, but most are pieces of shit like Rail, who let something small go to their head and now they think they run shit.

A true leader knows how to sit back and bide his time. Which is what Cain is doing, and Rail has yet to realize.

Rail and two guys slowly come into our line of sight with Rail leading the way.

“It’s about goddamn time. I’m ready to get this shit over with.” I’m already pissed I had to reschedule with Aisling.

She didn’t seem to be upset about it, but she also didn’t sound excited to hang out. I know deep down she still feels what we had. What we still have. If she hadn’t, she would have blocked my ass the same way I did hers. And honestly? I wouldn’t blame her. Would it kill me? Fuck yeah. But what I did to her will never hold a flame to that.

“Ladies.” Rail smirks as he walks toward us with the two guys that came with him following behind.

I grit my teeth, trying to stay calm because I know if I lose it right now, I’ll end up shooting the cocky fucking smirk right off his face.