EPILOGUE

Maverick

One Week Later

This beer is going down so fucking good while I sit here with Noah after spending the afternoon working on some of the guys' bikes. The sun has been exceptionally hot today. So I need this drink.

While I was fixing bikes, Noah was polishing others—the joys of being a prospect.

You have to feel for Wes. He's still out there with his toothbrush, trying to get the grime off the rims. I give the kid props. He's doing his prospecting duty without a single complaint while working with Sadie and Zara in the business and helping Rip with the cannabis farm. Plus, how he cares for my Old Lady has made me bond with the guy.

Sadie was right to take that bullet for him. From what I have seen, he will be an asset here. I just wish he'd stop making damn googly eyes at Clover whenever she walks past him. Other than that, he is a great guy.

While taking a long sip of my beer, my eyes shift to Noah, watching him as he watches Rhyan playing pool with Clover. Rhyan bends over the pool table, her ass fully on display, and Noah inhales sharply, clearing his throat like he is losing all self-control.

I chuckle, turning back to the bar as Noah looks at me with a confused expression. "What's funny?" he asks like he hasn't just been caught red-handed.

"Brother, if you stare any harder, your eyes are going to fall out of your damn face."

He snaps his head to Rhyan, then back to me, his eyes wide as saucers. "What?"

"Just tell Rhy you like her."

He swallows hard, shaking his head adamantly. "Nah, man, I can't like her. She's Dutch and Ellie's daughter. The princess of the club. I can't do that to Dutch. And as you said, I'm the fucking terrorist of this place." He shakes his head again. "No, Mav. I have to stay faaar away from Rhyan. She's way too good for the likes of me."

Swiveling on my chair, I turn to him, gripping his shoulder. "My suggestion, Noah… be her friend. If it leads to more in the future, then that can only be a bonus. Right? And if not, at least you have a decent friendship."

"Be her friend…" Noah scratches the back of his head as if he's thinking this through. "Okay, I can do that."

"Noah?"

"Yeah?" he asks, raising his brow.

"She's an awesome girl. Don't fucking mess with her head or screw her over. That's all I ask."

"I could never. Fucking with the police or getting drunk and brawling in a bar, lighting shit on fire, that stuff, well, that just happens… mostly for fun, and sometimes without thinking. But hurting Rhy? I could never do anything to hurt her."

"Damn, dude, you have it bad."

He chuckles, rolling his eyes. "Fuck you."

"I still can't believe you told a cop to fuck that bucket of chicken. I would have killed to see his face."

Noah laughs, his grin almost reaching his ears. "Alpha didn't think it was funny when he had to bail me out of jail. I swear he was teetering on the edge of throwing me to the pigs that night."

"Well, I, for one, am glad he kept you around. You have a wild streak. But if you focus that energy on something purposeful, you could become really fucking useful."

"Until then, I'm gonna light the bar on fire again."

Letting out a groan, I shake my head. "No more flaming alcoholic drinks, Noah!"

He grins and raises his brow up and down as Loki comes over to us with a comms device in his hand. "Prospect, there's someone at the gate. Says they wanna talk to you."

Noah furrows his brows. "To me? Who the fuck is it?""

Loki shrugs. "Says his name is Atlas. Something to do with your mom."

Noah stands instantly. All humor from moments before seems to vanish as he straightens his shoulders, scrubbing at his face. "He alone?"

"Seems so. You want us to come with you, brother. Or do you want me to get Rip to shoot his ass on sight?"

Noah tilts his head. "I'd appreciate the backup on this one."

My eyes meet Loki's, a look of ‘what the fuck' being said between us as we follow Noah out to the gate. "Rip, weapon's hot," Loki instructs, and Rip keeps his aim on Atlas when he opens the gate.

Noah stands in front of us, with Loki and I behind him, hands on our guns. A tall, thin man steps up. He looks like he hasn't had a decent meal in weeks. Obvious track marks line his arms, and his nose twitches a little as he looks at Noah with a devious smirk. "So, Noah. The rumors are true?"

Noah shifts uncomfortably, then huffs. "What do you want, Atlas?"

"We go back, you and me. We're practically family."

Noah scoffs out a laugh. "We were in the same foster home. That does not make us family."

Atlas presses his hand to his chest and scowls. "Ouch, that fucking stung. You should be careful with the way you hurt people. It can have a habit of biting you when you least expect it."

"You should be careful who you threaten, asshole," Loki growls back.

Atlas chuckles, nodding his head. "Oh, yeah, I hear you, but I need Noah to hear me."

"Get the fuck on with it, Atlas. We don't have time for your bullshit today," Noah declares.

Atlas folds his arms over his chest, staring straight at Noah. "I got word, can't tell you who from, that your mom is making waves inside. She's in for a long time, Noah. We need her to quit the dramatics, or that really long sentence she's got will end up being a long-term stay… in the morgue."

Noah rushes forward, his fist at the ready to smash Atlas, but Loki and I grab him before he can reach the asshole. He laughs as we have to fight to hold Noah back, his fists thrashing out to get to this prick before us.

I grip hold of Noah tight. "Prospect, stand down," I yell in his ear.

Atlas continues to laugh like a maniac, watching us trying to control Noah.

"Get the fuck out of here," Loki yells.

Atlas moves his pointer finger and thumb into the shape of a gun, aims it at Noah, and pretends to shoot him, then jumps back into his car and drives off, his tires skidding and kicking up dust as he goes.

Finally, Noah calms down, his breath coming hard and fast as he paces beside the front gate like he's trying to gather his thoughts.

Loki turns to Noah, throwing his hands in the air. "What the fuck was that, Prospect?"

Noah stops pacing, his eyes somber as he stares at the both of us. "My world falling apart around me."

I don't know what the hell that was about.

But I'm pretty sure we're going to find out soon.

And I have a feeling it's going to be hell.