Reno
It’s been a long fucking day. I’m exhausted after running to various parts of the city, handling business for Boss. She’s even had me making some calls for the club to allies. Some of my other brothers and sisters have been doing the same thing, speaking to different members from clubs across the nation. Boss is trying to see who’s seen the cult around them and when. I think she’s trying to create some sort of timeline, but I don’t know for sure. She’s the type who doesn’t tell us everything until she’s ready to do so.
I’m turning onto the street the club’s on, knowing I’m so close to being home for a while, but fuck, I’m hungry. One of the garage bays is open, so I pull straight into the bay and do a quick scan of the garage. It doesn’t look like anyone else is out right now, so I dismount my bike and hit the button for the garage door to close.
I head into the clubhouse through the door attached to the garage and walk into the bar area. I find Valencia, Iris, and Faith all huddled around the bar, throwing their heads back, and laughing. It seems like they’re having a damn good time. Muffler’s even on the other end of the bar area with Beretta sitting across from him. I know everyone’s here because all the bikes are here, so I wonder where the fuck everyone is.
“Reno.” Valencia smiles from ear to ear and waves for me to come over. I walk on over, trying to hide my smirk, but it doesn’t work. Whenever I see Valencia, I find myself smiling. “How was your day?”
“Exhausting. How about you ladies?” I make sure to look at Faith and Iris, too, because they’re both here, and I’m not going to ignore them in the slightest.
“It was good, just long,” Iris comments.
“Same. I’m ready to go upstairs, get a shower, and go to bed,” Faith answers me.
“Bed? It’s not even six!” Valencia cackles, and Faith shoots her a glare. I really love how Valencia has found a friendship with both of these ladies. Faith and Iris have been the heart of the club for a very long time.
“What about you, Valencia?” I ask, making sure nothing bad happened today. If something bad ever happens, I’d be more than likely to just fucking handle that shit myself.
“It was good, but it’s better now.” Valencia licks her bottom lip and smiles.
“Ooooh,” Faith and Iris both say at the same time, giggling in the process.
“Well, are you on bar duty tonight, or what? I’m starved, and I think we should go out and grab a bite.” I didn’t plan on going out anywhere else, but fuck, if it’s an excuse to go on a date with Valencia, then I’m going to damn well do it.
“No, I’m not. I could eat, though.”
“Okay, cool. Give me like twenty minutes, and we’ll head out. That sound good to you?”
“Yeah, that works,” Valencia smirks and brushes her fingertips through her long red locks.
“I’ll meet you back here,” I tell her and walk off, heading toward the stairwell that leads upstairs. I head up two floors until I’m on the floor where my bedroom is, then walk down the hall and get to my doorway. I insert my key, unlock the door, and then head inside. I take off my cut, strip out of my dirty clothes, and toss the clothes into the hamper.
Shit, I wasn’t planning on going out tonight with Valencia, but I really enjoy spending time with her. I turn the water on in the shower and turn it to a medium-high heat. I like it hot. It makes me feel like it’s burning away the dirt and grime that I’ve built up over the day.
I give the shower a couple minutes to warm up, then step under the warm droplets. I scrub my body with my favorite Dr. Squatch Pine Tar soap. It has the right amount of texture and scent to make me feel like a new man by the time I’m done. They even have a shampoo and conditioner with the same scent, so I, of course, have that shit in here too. In a matter of ten minutes, I’m out of the shower, drying myself off, and looking for my favorite pair of jeans. I end up finding them at the bottom of my drawer. I throw them on after I get some boxers and socks on, then opt for a plain white t-shirt, then put my cut on. All I have left to do is slide on my combat boots and make sure they’re laced up, then I’m on the way back downstairs.
I find Valencia there, too, now in a completely different outfit, with her makeup a bit heavier than before. “You did all that in twenty minutes?”
“What can I say? I’m a woman of many talents.” She shrugs like it isn’t a big deal at all, but I swear women are magicians with what they can do to their faces with their different types of makeup. I’m not saying Valencia is the type of woman who catfishes men or anything like that, but I just mean makeup is pretty fucking cool. Like those women who do special effects and turn themselves into those creatures from Avatar. It’s gnarly as fuck.
“That’s not your only talent, baby girl.” I end up letting my thoughts come through my lips, and Valencia blushes at my comment. Meanwhile, Iris and Faith look at each other and smirk. “Do one of you ladies mind.”
Valencia walks over to me and stands up on her tippy toes, pressing a chaste kiss to my cheek. I snake my hand around her waist and walk with her over to the door that leads into the garage. I tap the button to open the door to the garage bay, then we both get on my bike and put on our helmets. Within a matter of moments, I’m starting up my bike, and we’re heading out to the Mexican restaurant we went to the other day. She doesn’t know it yet, but I know damn well Valencia tore the food up the other night, and she’ll likely do it again. One thing I really like about her is how she has no problem eating. I’m a bit of a foodie myself, and I can see going out with her to different food places time and time again. Hell, we could make a habit of it for all I care.
We make it to the Mexican restaurant with no issues, and there isn’t even a wait before we’re seated. The two of us chat and have some more time to connect romantically, and while I’m chatting with her, trying to learn more about her, I notice she’s keeping her walls up. I’m not an idiot, and for right now, I’m not going to pressure her about anything . . . but I’m wondering why she isn’t telling me about her past, about her life before she came to the Iron Vex MC. I’m starting to think she has some demons buried deep, but I don’t know. Maybe in time, she’ll tell me something, but who the fuck knows.
We both have full bellies by the time we leave, and a couple hours have passed us by. We’re on the back of my bike, shooting the shit riding through the city streets. Every now and again, I like a night ride. I like looking out at the lights and riding through the busy streets. Some people would find it frustrating, much rather preferring to be out on an open road, but I find the joy in both. I think it can be pretty damn cool, honestly. I guess it’s all about perspective.
Valencia tightens her grip around my waist, and I notice a pair of lights getting closer in my mirrors. I speed up, but the vehicle does too. It looks like it’s a van, but it’s so fucking dark right now.
I change lanes, and the vehicle does the same thing. I go faster, not sure who this motherfucker is, but more than anything, I need to make sure Valencia is safe. That’s my priority right now. I keep riding, going a couple of miles, and the vehicle is right on my tail. Then, the next thing I know, there are popping sounds coming out of nowhere. There’s no mistaking what it is—gunshots.
I ride faster than I have been and turn onto another street, speeding like a bat out of hell, then pull my bike into an alley and get off my bike as quickly as I can. If these fuckers want to play, I’ll give them a hell of a fight.
Across the street from the alley is someone leaning against a bike, smoking a cigarette. The next thing I know, the van comes into view, and I already have my gun out and ready. Come on motherfuckers. I’m practically begging them for a fight.
The van comes to a screeching halt, and the doors come flying open. I rush toward the men, firing without question. They obviously have ulterior motives, and they want to hurt us, but who the fuck are they? Are these people with the cult? So many questions are rushing through my mind right now.
