how I trusted the Skullz too. For today, though, I’m the man I was before Fuse cut the legs out from under me.
The last part of our ride is down through Ohio. There don’t seem to be much reasoning on where we go. The point is to feel like a unit. That plan works too. The twenty bikes move together like a flock of geese. Whether faster or slower, we remain in sync from the hotel in Pennsylvania to the exit for Elko.
River never mentions the club stopping here. He probably figured a few guys might pitch a fit about us entering enemy territory. I’m not worried. I’ve started to figure out my new president.
And what I know about River Majors is that he ain’t suicidal. If he thought stopping in Elko would lead to violence and possible death, we would have gotten lunch a few exits back. He’s a man with shit to lose. A wife, a kid on the way, a house being built, River’s mind is on the future.
That’s why I signal for a few of the old Skullz to get their bitchy faces into neutral. We ain’t dying today.
River guides us to Bambi’s Bar & Grill. The parking lot is half-filled with Harleys, and I spot right away the Elko president, Bronco, standing with a few blonde women. I don’t know how River timed shit so perfect, but I suspect he must have spies in Elko now.
Without thinking, I climb off my hog and follow River and Shane. The other men are hesitant. Maverick tends to hold back, looking for a spot to use that sniper rifle I often see him with.
I don’t know why I come along. Habit from the old days probably. Or maybe it’s that giant man moving closer to Bronco. Whatever the reason, I follow my president and VP over to where the dark-haired Executioners’ president stands with the women while a few of his men linger nearby.
I see now how two of the blondes are young. I know Bronco has daughters. The older, brassy blondes must be his sisters. I remember Fuse saying one of them was a real bitch whenever he tried contacting the Executioners. The older women wear matching black tank tops, looking ready for a brawl. The men behind them are just as riled up. Bronco only smirks at the sight of River strolling his direction.
“Daddy,” whispers the younger daughter while tugging at the sleeve of his black shirt.
“It’s fine. River Majors just likes to show off,” he says, taking the kid’s hand.
“I heard good things about your restaurant,” River announces and wears a smile for everyone. “Since the boys and I were riding past, we thought we’d grab lunch here.”
Bronco’s dark eyes survey the club, probably counting the men, maybe noticing new faces. I bet he’s got spies in Shasta too. He was always one step ahead of Fuse, but I don't think Bronco knows what the hell to make of River. Or maybe he does since he never loses that half-smile.
“The ribs are good,” Bronco says and gestures for his sisters to take the girls to a nearby SUV. The younger one doesn’t want to leave, clinging to him. I was locked up when the Skullz somehow managed to shoot one of Bronco’s daughters. I heard it was the older one, but I could be wrong. My old job was to focus on the men in the club, not worry over the Executioners’ family situations.
River sizes up Bronco and then smiles again. “I’m having a daughter too, man. Maybe one day, my princess will make vague threats toward your princesses. Gotta carry on that tradition.”
A smiling Bronco rolls his eyes. “I was once young, stupid, and arrogant too,” he says, stepping back. “Don’t worry, kid. You’ll grow out of it.”
Chuckling, River gestures for Shane to take the guys inside. I don’t follow them because that giant motherfucker hasn’t backed off yet. He hangs around, waiting for the women to leave and Bronco to follow after them on his Harley. Only then does the big man stop looking as if my president is an ant to be squashed.
“Having fun?” River asks me after the Executioners are gone from the parking lot.
“Yeah, actually.”
“Good. Thanks for having my back,” River says and smiles up at the sky. “As much as I miss Maxine, I can’t wait to do this again. We’ll go south next year.”
Following him into the restaurant, I find myself smiling at that thought. I grab a