I glance over at Coder who’s waving his hand, clearing the smoke from my office. He’s entranced, this thing has him so tightly in its grasp, it looks as though the life is being squeezed from his body. A vein in his neck bulges as I notice it visually pulsate while his eyes continue to scan our books. Walking up to him, I pat his shoulder. “Take a break, Brother. Rest. I’m going home to Rora and Outlaw. Here or at home, I don’t give a damn where you do it, just go and do it. That’s an order from your pres,” I tell him, defeated in my own way, but I know we’ll find this piece of shit.
Coder stops and shifts his gaze to mine. “Fuck!” He slams his balled-up fist on the top of my desk. “I’ll find him, Pres. I promise.” I can hear the frustration thick in his voice.
“I know you will. Go home and be with your boy. Doesn’t Jagger have a dirt bike competition coming up soon?” I ask, reminding him and hopefully persuading him to go home where he’ll be comfortable and get some sleep.
His eyes widen. “Fuck yeah he does.” I stand back as he powers down his computer and rubs his fists into his tired eyes. “I’m supposed to take him and go get him new tires today, fuck.” He grabs his belongings, tucking them underneath his arm.
“Coder?” I call out his name as he makes it to the office door.
“Yeah, Pres?” He turns his head over his shoulder as he looks at me.
“Go get your boy, get those tires, then take a damn nap. That’s a direct order,” I press, needing him functioning later at full-capacity.
“Yes, Pres,” he says back to me as he shuffles out of the room. I’m already exhausted and ready to face plant into my own bed. But I know Harmony is anxious and has risen with the sun to show me how she’s learned to ride her bike without training wheels to assist her. I plan on spending an hour with her before sleeping for at least four solid hours. There’s too damn much at stake for me to spend more than that away from the clubhouse.
Aurora
I knew Harmony would be up early, she usually is, but this morning, she was up before my body was ready to face the day ahead. Like a zombie during the apocalypse, I make my way to the coffee maker and pour my girl a bowl of cereal. I’m not usually that mom, I always try to provide a nutritious breakfast for Harmony, but my body is being uncooperative. My limbs are heavy and my muscles are tight with lack of a good night's rest.
After Sledge left, my mind wouldn’t shut off at what all could be happening within the club. My chest is heavy as my heart breaks for my old man. I could detect the sorrow and anger in his voice. His tone sounded unforgiving which means someone has screwed up massively.
As Harmony devours her cereal, a smile forms on my face when I hear her humming a tune. When I pick up on her choice of song, I join her, harmonizing with her. She spends hours with Rogue while he’s tuning his motorcycle in the garage listening to his rock music. Her favorite song is Hotel California, which is what we’re whistling the tune of right now.
As I grab a chair at the kitchen table, I hear the front door opening. “Daddy’s home,” Rogue hollers out as I hear him removing his boots at the entrance. Thank goodness it’s my man, because yet again, my gun is in another room and I’m down one umbrella now.
“Daddy! We’re eating, do you want some cereal like me?” Harmony hollers back.
“No, baby girl, just coffee, very black and very strong,” Rogue states as he joins us in the kitchen. He ruffles Harmony’s hair before leaning over and placing his lips over my own.
“Sit down, Rogue, I’ll make your coffee,” I say to him as I take in the bags forming under his eyes.
“Nah, baby, I’m up, I’ve got it,” he tells me before shuffling his way over to the freshly brewed pot. “Outlaw,” he calls out, grabbing our girl’s attention away from her bowl.
“Yes, Daddy?” she turns her eyes in his direction.
“When you finish eating breakfast, get dressed so I can watch you ride that bike of yours. After that, Daddy needs to catch some shut eye, and you’ll