T-Bone - L. Wilder Page 0,5
get one of the boys to take you over to the hotel.”
“Okay. Thanks, Viper.”
Mom gave me a little pat on the leg and said, “It’s going to mean a lot to Clay that we’re here.”
“I know. I’m really looking forward to seeing him.”
“Me too. It’s been so long.” Her expression grew solemn when she added, “Now that you’ve gotten that internship at Chez Philippe, I’ll have both of my kids living in Memphis. I don’t know what I’ll do with the two of you gone.”
“You can come visit anytime you want, and you know, you could move down here with us. There’s nothing keeping you in Nashville.”
“True, but I don’t want to be one of those mothers who isn’t able to let go and smothers her kids.”
“You would never smother us, Mom.”
Mischief crossed her face as she asked, “So, you’d be okay with me moving in with you?”
“Umm ... I don’t know if I’d go that far”—I giggled—“but it would be nice to have you close by.”
“Well, it’s definitely something to think about it.”
Our conversation had distracted me momentarily, but as soon as we’d parked and started inside the clubhouse, my anxiety quickly returned. I knew the second I stepped through the door this wasn’t going to be like any party I’d ever been to before.
The bar was packed full of burly bikers and scantily dressed women, drinking and talking as the loud music roared in the background. The room was filled with tables and chairs along with several pool tables and a long wooden counter with stools in the side corner. Most of the seats were already taken, but after stopping several times to speak to some of the men he knew, Viper managed to find a few empty spots for us to sit. As soon as we were settled, the girl behind the bar took our drink order, then brought them over several minutes later. I was looking around, taking in my surroundings, when Mom leaned over to Viper and said, “Everyone seems so friendly. They’re nicer than I expected.”
“I doubt Fury’s members would consider themselves nice.” He chuckled. “But they are good men. I wouldn’t have sent our boy down here if they weren’t.”
“You’re right. I guess I’m just a little surprised. I would’ve thought they’d be more ferocious or something, especially with a name like Satan’s Fury.”
“No different than the Sinners. We know how to play nice when we need to,” Viper cocked his eyebrow as he continued, “but that doesn’t mean we take any shit. You fuck with us, you pay the price.”
“Someone would have to be pretty crazy to mess with you and your boys.”
“You’re right about that.” Viper took a sip of his beer, then added, “Clay’s going to have a good life here with these boys. You’ll see.”
Before she could respond, the front door opened and Clay appeared in the doorway. I’d never seen my brother look more proud as his brothers surrounded him, congratulating him with hugs and pats on the shoulder. We all watched in awe as Gus, the large and very intimidating looking president of Fury, presented him with a leather vest that had been embroidered with the Satan’s Fury logo. My heart melted as I watched Clay put on that vest like it was his most prized possession. My brother looked so utterly happy that it brought tears to my eyes to watch his new brothers share the moment with him. We gave him a few minutes to speak with everyone. When his brothers started to disperse, Landry approached him and gave him a big hug. After they talked for a few minutes, Viper motioned over to me that it was time for us to head over to him. When Clay saw Mom and me walking towards him with Viper, his eyes immediately lit up. “You came.”
“Of course, we did,” Mom answered. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Viper crossed his arms as he looked at Clay and asked, “Well, you gonna say it?”
“Say what?” Clay questioned with a smirk.
“You know damn well what.” Viper narrowed his eyes. “Come on. You know I’m not gonna let it go until you say it.”
“Fine.” Clay chuckled as he replied, “You were right.”
“Damn right,” Viper boasted. “Always am.”
“I don’t know about that,” my mother scoffed before turning her attention to Clay. A bright smile crossed her face. “You look good, Clay. I wish your father was here. He would’ve been so proud.”
I could tell by her tone that she was about