4.

D UB

“You moved all the way to Colorado just to open a dog house?” Elizabeth rolled her eyes, and I laughed before I asked, “Where are you from anyway?”

“I was born and raised in Colorado, but I’ve been living in Texas.”

“Really?Which part?”

“I moved to Rojo almost twenty years ago.”

“No shit?” I leaned forward and stared at her with sudden recognition before I said, “That was you in Martha’s diner that day!”

Elizabeth’s eyes lit up as she said, “I knew I recognized you from somewhere!”

“You were eating lunch with the Westland boys.”

“You know them?”

“I do. I’m close with their parents, and their uncle does all of my tattoos. How do you know them?”

“Actually, I’m their godmother,” Elizabeth said with an odd smile. “We were hanging out while they were in town to see their grandparents and some of their other family.”

“I wondered why Sin and Blaze never mentioned that they were going to sell that parcel of land.”

“They didn’t sell it to me. I have a long-term lease.”

“That’s what my sister has too. I took over a portion of the property she was leasing and built my house there after I moved back.”

“I think it’s funny that I moved from Texas where weed is still illegal and now I share a fence with a massive grow farm.”

“Yeah. That strikes me as funny too.” I opened the candy bar I’d gotten at the store we’d stopped to rest at and broke it in half. “Want some?”

“I’d love some,” Elizabeth said as she stuck her hand out. Once I’d dropped her half into her palm, she said, “You know, Dub, you’re not nearly the asshole I thought you were, but I’m still confused about your family’s dynamic.”

“I get that. I’m part of it, and it still baffles me on occasion.” I watched Elizabeth take a bite of the candy I’d shared and noticed she had a string of caramel on her bottom lip. I paused with my bar halfway to my mouth when she ran her tongue across it to make sure she had everything. When she looked up and caught me watching, I cleared my throat and asked, “What parts have you confused?”

She watched me take a bite of the chocolate and caramel and then shook her head before she said, “I know this is probably none of my business, but where were you when Aleta married Charlotte off to . . . that man?”

“My uncle.” When Elizabeth grimaced, I said, “I know.”

“That’s just so . . . Everything is wrong about that. Her age, the fact that they’re related, she was just a kid, the man was her uncle. I mean, I could go in circles saying that fifty different ways, and it would never sound right.”

“Unfortunately, shit like that happens all too often where we’re from.”

“And where is that exactly?”

“It’s a small town in Arizona right across the border from its sister town where they do things sort of like that but not quite to that extreme.”

“And there are still men . . . people . . . ugh. It’s hard for me to even consider them human, but they still, in this day and age, get away with molesting girls and just throwing away young men like they’re trash?”

“It’s a very secular community for that exact reason. If they don’t let anyone have contact with the people outside the walls, then all of the brainwashed ones inside have no idea that what’s going on is wrong and there are ways to get away from it.”

“And they kicked you out? Just like that? What reason did they have to do such a thing? And after they forced you out, what happened?”

“I went to prison.”

“Because you broke some laws you’d never even heard of before?” Elizabeth asked incredulously. “That’s horrible. There should have been some way for you to get the charges reduced or dropped being that you were just a kid who didn’t know what he was doing.”

I laughed bitterly and said, “I knew exactly what I was doing.”

“So, you were in prison when Aleta let Charlotte . . . Made Charlotte . . . I can’t even say it.”

“I was shunned from the community because when I found out what was going to happen to Charlotte, I caused a huge ruckus. It took six of them to haul me away, but I didn’t stay gone long.”

“What did you do?”

“I found a house that had a sign in front of it that said ‘trespassers will be shot on sight,’ and decided that was the house I wanted to rob.”

“So they’d kill you?” Elizabeth asked hesitantly.

“No. If they were going to shoot a trespasser, that meant they had a gun inside, and that’s what I wanted. A gun. Or two. I ended up with four and enough ammunition to clear out anyone who got in my way when I went back to rescue my sister.”

“And you got caught for the burglary instead? That’s so . . .”

“No. I was never actually prosecuted for that crime,” I admitted with a bark of laughter. “I snuck back into the compound, broke into my childhood home, and went straight to the room Charlotte shared with a few of our other sisters.”

“There are . . . were . . . more?”

“Three more between Charlotte and our brother Monty who is about seventeen years younger than her.”

“What happened to them?”

“They’re still there.”

“What happened when you found Charlotte?”

“She was already gone. They took her away just a few hours after they dragged me out. By the time I went back, it had been almost a week.”

“And then . . .?”

“I tried to get Aleta to tell me where they’d taken her, and when my father got involved, I shot him. When I threatened to shoot her, she spilled the beans and told me exactly where Charlotte was, so I went over there, kicked the door in, and promptly shot my uncle.”

“Holy shit.”

“I thought that was my line,” I joked.

“It’s multifunctional.” Elizabeth waved her hand and said, “Well, get on with it. What happened then? Did you kill him?”

“No. That day was the first time I’d ever held a gun, so my aim was shit. Got my father in the shoulder and my uncle in the abdomen and the leg.”

“And then you rescued Charlotte. No. She said she had three children before she escaped so . . .”

“They were worried I’d cause a stink, so they had already sent her off to live in a compound they’d created in Texas,” I said when her voice trailed off. “I was arrested and charged with both shootings and a myriad of other things, and I didn’t have the money for bail or a decent attorney.”

“You probably didn’t even know what the laws were!” Elizabeth interrupted in outrage.

“I didn’t, but luckily, Si and Ham’s brother got involved and found an attorney to represent me. He got the charges reduced from two counts of attempted murder to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. There were two felony charges, and they had plenty of witnesses and proof to warrant a thirty-year sentence, so I took a plea deal and got out in sixteen.”

“So, according to the timeline I’m working through in my head, Charlotte was out and married to Si by then.”

“Yes.”

“So, you built a house and . . .”

I patted the name tag on the vest I was wearing and said, “I got out and lived in Texas where I met these guys, and they gave me the family I’d never had before.”

“How sweet.”

“I’m not sure that any of them would appreciate you calling the Time Served MC sweet, honey.”

“You’re not the first biker I’ve come across who’s got a prickly asshole exterior but solid morals and a big heart under that cut you wear.”

“I’m not going to dignify that with an answer because I’m still trying to decide whether it’s a compliment or an insult.”

Elizabeth laughed and said, “It’s most definitely a compliment.”

“Look at you making progress with your prickly Karen exterior that hides a good heart beneath that hoodie you’re wearing.”

“Fuck off, Kev.”

“You first, Kar.”

◆◆◆

ELIZABETH

“Hey, lady,” I said as I sat down at the table across from my friend Sin, the woman who had rescued me years ago and then raised my sons as her own.

“It’s so good to see you, Elizabeth,” Sin said with a sweet smile. “How are you, my friend?”

“I’m settling in,” I said hesitantly. “I’ve made a few new friends, I’ve already got a barn full of fur babies to love on and teach, and my house is the type of fantastic that I never imagined owning. Life is good.”

“Is it?” Sin asked carefully. “Are you adjusting well or just too busy to analyze how you’re feeling about being back?”

“I thought Val was the shrink in your family,” I teased as I looked around the dining room of the fancy resort that I’d only heard about until today.

“Well, she’s been a good friend of mine for a long time, so I think she’s probably rubbed off on me over the years.” Sin watched as I took my hair out of the braid and then asked, “Did you ride here?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said as I fluffed my hair out after wearing the helmet for the last hour. “One of those new friends I mentioned asked me to go on a ride last night, so I already had the bike out. I thought I’d go get what I needed to do some routine maintenance this evening after my chores.”

“I love that you do your own maintenance and repairs,” Sin said proudly. “You’ve come such a long way, Elizabeth.”

“I was at the bottom, so going up was the only other choice besides wallowing in my misery and letting that bastard win.”

“You’re exactly right, but most people don’t take it to the extreme that you have.”

“I made the decision to never stop learning so I wouldn’t feel helpless again, and I’m still doing that every day.”

“What have you learned lately?”

I thought about it for a few seconds before I said, “I installed a new toilet last weekend.”

“The toilet broke? How? You should have called me so I could get the builder involved. That’s bullshit!” Sin picked up her phone and gave it a second to recognize her face so she could flip through the screens. I guessed she was about to call the builder and give him a piece of her mind.

“No, no, no!” I said as I held up my hand to stop her tirade. “I didn’t like the toilet they put in, so I chose a new one.”

“What was wrong with the other one?”

“It had that new flush control with the stupid push buttons and absolutely no pressure, so I went and got one that did.” I added, “And it was too short. I needed a taller one so my legs didn’t fall asleep while I was scrolling on my phone.”

Sin burst out laughing as she set her phone down. “God, I love you, girl.”

“How is the family? The boys came by the other day and helped me arrange my furniture and said everybody was good, but they’re guys, so I’m not really sure I trust that generic information.”

Sin laughed and said, “For once, they’re right. Everyone is doing great. They’re all happy and living their lives. Sutter got his license a few months ago and has managed to avoid any accidents so far.”

I knocked on the table and Sin smiled. “I don't know if that works, but I’ll put forth every effort to make sure that luck sticks just in case.”

“Seraphin is twelve going on thirty and is going to be the reason I end up in either jail or a straitjacket. That girl tests every nerve I’ve got just because she can.”

“How are the other girls?”

“Shady is doing just fine. She’s taking a full load of classes again this fall, so she’s extra stressed, but I have faith that she’ll excel. Sosie, on the other hand, just won’t learn and almost blew another engine, which makes every man in my family absolutely nuts since half of them are mechanics and the other half aren’t exactly strangers to things with motors. Blaze swears if she does it again, she’s gonna be on the Converse Express.”

“She will not,” I argued with a bark of laughter. “He’ll never stick to it.”

“I know that and you know that, but God forbid we say that to Blaze.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Sosie knows that too.”

“Valid point. So, you said that you’d made some new friends? Charlotte mentioned that she met you while you were here checking on the progress of the barn remodel, but I haven’t talked to her in a while. Is she one of them?”

“Yes! I adore her. She’s wonderful, and so is the rest of her family. I was over there for dinner just last night.”

“That had to be crazy with all of those kids.”

“It was insane but wonderful.”

“Every time I go to her house, it takes the entire drive home to calm down after all the excitement. There are just so many people and voices and constant noise. It reminds me of my family when we get together, but it’s constant at her house.”

“I thought she was a foster parent. I had no idea they were her siblings.”

“She comes from a family that’s a lot like the one I grew up in. Their leader is a different kind of psycho but a psycho all the same.”

“The kind of psycho that he who shall not be named aspired to be?”

“Exactly,” Sin said sadly. She knew what I must be feeling right now and reached across the table to take my hand before she said, “You’re brave, strong, resilient, and alive. I’m so proud of you, Elizabeth.”

“I’m okay, Sin. I promise.”

“If something . . . anything . . . triggers you, I want you to know you can reach out to me anytime. Day or night.”

“I know that.”

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I do have to admit that it’s been . . . uncomfortable knowing I’m so close to the cabin.”

“That’s understandable.”

“I want to venture farther into the woods, but I haven’t worked up the courage yet. I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“You’ve trained for it, that’s for sure,” Sin said sarcastically. She realized what she’d just said and immediately started stammering, “I didn’t mean . . . I was just . . . That came out wrong.”

I burst out laughing and said, “I know what you meant. You weren't talking about when I was a captive, you were talking about everything I’ve learned since then.”

“Yes!”

“I’ve been out in the woods a lot during the day but never ventured out there at night. I was considering it yesterday and thought I might walk just a few feet into the trees, but I got sidetracked. Maybe I’ll get up the gumption soon.”

“You didn’t last night because you took a night ride,” Sin said, leading me back to what I wanted to talk to her about.

I smiled.“Yes.”

Sin raised one eyebrow and asked, “And who was this night ride with? Anyone I know?”

“It was Dub.”

“No!” Sin exclaimed. Her face lit up, and she asked, “Is there something there? When are you going to see him again? Tell me everything!”

“It wasn’t a date, Sin. I’m sure I’ll see him again because of my friendship with Charlotte, but last night was just a nice evening with a new friend.”

“He’s a handsome guy. Maybe something . . .”

Her voice trailed off as I shook my head. “I’ll admit that I did get those little flutters in my stomach a few times while we were talking, but I’m not in the market for anything romantic right now, especially with him since he’s my neighbor and the brother of a woman who I sincerely feel might become a lifelong friend. I don’t want to muddy the waters.”

Sin sighed and bit her lip before she nodded. “I get where you’re coming from and have to agree. You’re probably right.”

“Besides, he’s got some asshole traits that might make me want to strangle him even though he’s hot and funny.”

“Even the perfect man, if he did exist, would still have issues. They’ve gotta have some flaws or they wouldn’t be human.”

“Does Blaze have any flaws?”

Sin made a point of looking at her watch and asked, “How much time do you have?”

I laughed and said, “Okay, I’ll take your word for it, but there’s still the issue of Charlotte and the fact that Dub and I are neighbors and will be for a long time if I have my way.”

“Okay. You’ve convinced me, but I don’t have to like it.” When the waitress came to the table to take our order, I scrambled to figure out what I wanted to eat and chose a random dish that sounded good.

Once she left, I said, “I’d like to thank you for all the extra stuff you had done at the house.”

“Extra stuff?” Sin asked hesitantly as if she was trying to hide something.

“The lights.” When Sin shrugged, I smiled at her. “I’m sure they can see my house from the space station, and I love it. Thank you.”

“I know how you feel about the dark, and that property is far enough from town that night probably proves to be darker than you’re used to, having come from a city. Have they helped?”

“They have. And I rarely ever go anywhere without Charlie, so that helps.”

“You should have one of the Kings build you a sidecar so you can take him with you on the bike.”

“As with any relationship, it’s good to have some time apart. It just makes Charlie and I appreciate each other more when we’re together.”

“It sounds like you’re talking about a man and not a dog.”

“Charlie is the constant in my life, human or not, and I know he’ll never let me down. That’s another reason I don’t want to start anything with Dub. He seems like a great guy, and I don’t want to tarnish that.”

“Give it some time, and get to know him. You might realize that there’s magic there.”

“Magic?”

“It’s all around us, whether you can see it or not.”