Chapter 1

One

Lobo

Que Bonita es mi isla.

The sun bakes my face as I lean back in my seat and let the rays wash over me.

The club has been through hell and back, but something about the smell and feel of my home makes me forget how fucked up the past few years have been.

The last time we were in Puerto Rico, the mayor had it out for us, and we had to run away. Now we're back, and it seems like everything has changed.

Everything except the sun on my face.

I remember everything about my little island, from the town markets to the bumps in the road.

We go over three bumps in succession, and my eyes pop open.

We're almost back at the clubhouse.

" Oye , you think it'll be ready?" Oro asks, turning to one in particular.

I scoff and shake my head. Vado told us the construction company was working as hard as they possibly could, but I knew what that meant. On this little island, working as hard as they possibly could meant three-hour days followed by five hours of fucking around.

It's not that my people are lazy, but we sure know how to have a good time.

"It won't be ready. Why do you think we need to stay at fucking hotels for the next two weeks?" I turn my head to look back out at the scenery whizzing by us.

In previous times, it would have been Vado who was pissed off at the world. Since we've been back, it's me that can't seem to let go of the past.

I thought I was over this shit. Thought I had come to terms with my place in the RBMC, but it seems like I've only let the wound fester to the point of resentment.

Vado is a great president, but everyone knows it should've been me.

When Mario died, I was the next in line; unfortunately, Vado was getting out of jail, and they chose him to be president instead.

I've been trying to let that shit go, but it feels like out of everyone in the club, I'm always the one who has to give shit up.

I had to let the president seat go so Vado could take over.

I had to let Joda go so she could run off and marry that crazy motherfucker Tex.

I had to let my clubhouse go because the mayor decided to have it burned down.

Everything I've ever cared for has been ripped away from me, and I've got nothing to show for it besides the patch on my back.

A patch that seems to be getting me into more and more trouble nowadays.

I've always tried to do shit by the book when it came to the club, but shit never seems to work out for me.

I force a sigh through my nose and close my eyes again. I don't want to admit it, but I'm just as excited to see what the new clubhouse is going to look like. Vado had some pictures, but it's nothing like seeing it up close and in person.

The truck is silent as Az drives me, Garro, and Oro down the long, winding pathway that will soon be our entrance.

" ?Madre Dios !" Oro gasps, and I let my eyes pop back open.

My jaw drops seconds later.

I was so fucking wrong.

The compound is nearly finished. Three of the four walls are already up, and from the looks of it, this compound is going to be at least two times as big as the old one.

"What the hell? I didn't know it would be this close to being finished..." I grunt out a growl, and Az laughs.

"That's because you're as cynical as they come, Lobo."

"I'm not cynical. I'm a fucking realist," I mutter and wait for him to pull the truck to a stop.

" Cono, ?pero qué me importa eso? "

I hear Vado yelling at someone, and I can only guess it's one of the workers.

"Se?or, cálmese, por favor."

I rush out of the truck and try to find my president before he makes the workers quit before they finish.

"Vado! ?Qué pasó ?" I rush to stand next to him.

He growls at the man in front of him and jerks his chin in the other direction, telling him to leave.

"These motherfuckers were supposed to have all this up already. He's telling me it'll still be ready in two weeks, but I don't see it. What's the point of getting all of you back here to live in a fucking hotel? That's ridiculous." Vado turns his head, looking around for Joanna and Vidal, who are walking along the perimeter of the construction site.

Ever since he found out his woman was alive, he doesn't go more than three minutes without laying eyes on her. I guess I'd be the same way if I thought the woman I loved was dead for more than five years.

" Aye, tú sabes. You know it always takes them a little longer to get things done. Honestly, there's way more finished than I thought. I'm sure it'll be done by the time they say." I do my best to calm Vado, but everyone knows when he gets into these moods, there's only one person who can break him out of it. That's Joanna.

I'm grateful she's back in his life.

“Lobo! Ven !" Oro calls from me. His enthusiastic grin and hyper hand waving force a smile on my face. I slap Vado's shoulder once before I rush off to see what Oro is so fucking happy about.

"You've gotta see this!" I walk into the clubhouse, and even with one wall missing, the inside looks like it's only a few hours from being done.

I was wrong before.

This place is going to be at least three times the size of the last compound.

Hardwood floors span the entire main area, and there are at least a dozen different rooms on the bottom floor alone. There's one large door all the way at the other end of the compound. I walk over and open it up. It's empty, but the weight of the significance is heavy.

I look up and see a large stained glass window with our club seal.

Finally, I'm at home. Church always puts me at ease.