"There weren’t as many tattoos back then, and his hair wasn’t cut up the sides like it is now. He looked like a frat boy who’d borrowed his older brother’s bike," he chuckles. "I knew if I didn’t help him, someone might hurt him. And while I’ve led a motorcycle club, I’ve never been the kind of man who lets someone get hurt for no reason."
"I’m sure he appreciated that."
"Seemed like it. He became a prospect pretty quickly—and then patched in." He pauses, raising his eyebrows. "When did you meet Devil?"
My face heats, and I’m sure it’s five shades of red. "Not long after he started hanging around the clubhouse. You know that."
"Do I?" he teases. "I’m pretty sure y’all hid it from me for a while."
We had. Neither of us wanted to hear about how it might not work out, or what would happen if it caused drama in the club. Didn’t matter that I was the club princess or he was the new favorite. Our loyalties were bigger than our feelings.
"We did hide it. But once it got serious, we were honest. I hope you know that. There weren’t any secrets."
"Oh, I know."
I hang out a few more minutes, giving my mom some care instructions for the plants, then hop back into my SUV and head farther into Laurel County. I try to check the other sites every few days.
Driving out past where the Strathers had their moonshine operation, I take a left and head onto marked private property. I enter my code at the gate. As it opens, the call I was expecting comes through.
"Daniela, are you at the farm?" It’s Thunder—he handles all things electronic for the club.
"Yep, it’s me. I’m checking on the plants. I’ll be here about an hour. Want me to call when I leave?"
"Yeah, that’d be great. I’ll keep an eye on the cameras, but if anything happens, let me know."
"Will do."
I end the call and walk into the greenhouse.
As soon as I enter, I breathe in deep. The smell of weed is like money growing on trees.
This—this right here—is where I feel most like myself. First thing I always check is airflow and soil. There’s a rhythm to it, a comfort I never quite get anywhere else.
I learned from the best.
My grandmother—my dad’s mom—used to watch me while my parents were busy with the club. I didn’t have babysitters like other kids. She was my favorite person. And I was hers.
"Grandy, whatcha think about this?" I whisper, talking to her like I always do in here. "You’d be proud of what this looks like. Even if it is an illegal substance."
The thought makes me laugh.
There are so many things I wish I could show her now. This is just one of them.
I pop a manicured finger in my mouth and look around. I adjust things by instinct, based on the feel of the space. It’s like her memory moves me to the corner, where I start mixing organic matter into the soil.
A wide smile breaks across my lips. This—this right here—is what’s going to take our product to the next level.
And my husband?
He’s going to be even more proud of me than he already is.
Chapter 7
Devil
Later that afternoon, I glance up at the sign next to the road that proclaims I’m entering Calvert County. I don’t make the trip over here often, but because I’ve been summoned to meet Chief Harrison, I’m watching the street names as I pass. When I see the one I need, I slow down and make the turn.
The first thing I do when I get a message from Chief Harrison is memorize it, then get rid of it. More and more lately, I’m feeling guilty about what I’m doing. It’s as if I’m becoming someone I wasn’t when I started all of this. Easing behind a barn on this abandoned farm, I come to a stop and turn the bike off.
