hour and then took off. The club should think about starting a security company.”
“I don’t think that’d go over so good with most of the residents,” Animal said before taking another bite of his sandwich.
“We get good money for the occasional gigs like concerts and watching some rich fucks’ backs. I wouldn’t want to haul my ass to a spot and sit there for eight to ten hours.” Shadow wiped his hands with the napkin.
“We wouldn’t do the guarding—we’d hire people to do it. The best part is that if they screwed up, we’d kick their asses,” Smokey said.
“We got enough shit going on with the new strip mall, the online poker and sports betting that Hawk set up, and the fuckin’ Rising Order. That asshole Skeet thinks he’s gonna take over Insurgents’ territory.” Animal slammed his fist on the table. “Next church, we need to push to show those fuckers who owns Colorado.”
“I’m with you, brother.” Smokey bumped fists with Animal and then with Shadow. “You guys solo tonight too? I was thinking to grab some chow at Ruthie’s later.”
Animal shook his head. “I promised Lucy I’d help with her science project.”
Smokey chuckled. “I’d think you’d want the kid to pass the class.” Animal held up his middle finger while shaking his head, and Smokey mirrored the gesture.
“Another time, bro. When do you need me for the remodel job?” Shadow asked.
“Tuesday’s good.” Smokey rose to his feet. “I’m heading out.” He pointed at Animal. “See you in church this week”—and he tipped his head toward Shadow—“and I’ll see you at nine on Tuesday. I’ll text you the address later on.” He shrugged on his jacket and headed out of the club.
The snow fell softly and silently, dusting his head and shoulders, and deadening the sound of his footfalls. Smokey slipped into his burgundy SUV and switched on the engine. Nearly all the club members had a cage in addition to their motorcycles, although some of the younger members still rode on icy roads and in snowy conditions. Smokey remembered when it had been inconceivable to him to drive, let alone own a cage. But then, he’d been in his early twenties and had thought he was invincible. After several years in an outlaw club, witnessing mayhem and death, Smokey’s appreciation of the fragility of life had replaced his indestructible attitude, and he bought a cage two years before, when he’d turned twenty-eight.
He pulled out onto the icy road and headed toward downtown Pinewood Springs. When he reached the town limits, he hung a right and drove through the parking lot of the Colorado Hotel. The historic hotel, built in 1893, was a favorite among tourists who came to the area to partake in many of the outdoor activities or to soak in the therapeutic spring waters that had been bubbling up from the earth’s core for millions of years.
The fact that Smokey was cruising the lot looking for a black Buick Regal was pretty damn pathetic. If Bones, Animal, Shadow, or any of the brothers got a whiff of what he was doing, he’d never hear the end of it. And even though Smokey knew he was acting like a grade A pussy, he couldn’t help himself. Maybe it was because in dissing him, the chick had inadvertently challenged him, or maybe she was a breath of fresh air compared to all the women who jumped for him without even a fight. He didn’t have a clue, but all he knew was that he wanted to find her and win her over. And by the way she reacted to him at Blue’s Belly, Smokey had no doubt that with a little effort and a bit more charm, she’d gladly spread her legs.
Disappointment weaved through him as he looked up and down the rows of parked cars. Two hours later, intense coral pinks, fiery reds, and peachy oranges draped the horizon as Smokey pulled out of the last motel lot in the county. Angry at the hours he wasted in trying to find some chick’s damn vehicle, he took a sharp turn at the next streetlight and headed to the construction site he was supposed to have checked two fucking hours ago.
When he approached the site, he saw a security car parked by the end of the barbed-wire fence. Smokey drove over to make sure the guard wasn’t snoozing on the job, chatted briefly with him, then turned his cage around and drove to Ruthie’s to grab a bite to