Page 92 of Praying for Thunder

Chubs nodded. “Yep. Someone we haven’t seen yet is begging for your trust by trusting you with his most precious treasure.”

Surprised by their insight, I admired them both. “When did you two dipshits become so wise?”

Roam threw his arm over my shoulders. “When we found a treasure of our own to protect.”

Fuck. Me. “Damn, trying to make me cry or some shit?” I shoved him off me, causing more laughter between the two.

That is, until the questions came. It was time to tell them more about Ani, and just who I suspected was waiting to see me.

Back at our campsite, I was constructing tents while everyone else drank by the fire. Even Chubs and Roam. I watched, carefully, when a huge Steel Stallion walked into our area, a smile as large as his immense shoulders. “I come bearing a gift.”

What he came with is balls. Alone, he held up a bottle of top-tier tequila.

At the fire, he told Onus, “My Prez, Lynx, is in a meeting but has asked that his officers meet with any clubs we don’t know. My name is Vice, and you men look thirsty.”

They stared at him…

Vice didn’t cower.

They cheered, “Tequila!”

Onus said, “Enforcer, this is my VP, Piercer.”

“Nice to meet ya, Piercer.” Vice was 6’4”—a mountain of muscle. He was in his late thirties, early forties, and had the calm and collected attitude to prove it. He was within this circle of killers, yet not even fazed. His large hands were steady as he poured shots for Titans. “So, Wilmington sounds beautiful…”

Not all the conversation was in hearing range for me as I built my umpteenth tent, but I didn’t need ears when seeing some younger woman strutting into our area. She was what you’d call ‘smokin’.

Pouring the remainder of the bottle, Vice chuckled, “Oh, shit! This is one of ours, and with more tequila.”

Titans cheered.

After handing the new bottle to Vice, she pointed at me while saying something. Intoxicated like, Vice stumbled back, laughing. “It seems,” hiccup “our girl here wants to play with your pup.”

A Titan hiccupped, “Tequila and a mission!”

Onus laughed, asking the girl, “You want a go at my boy?”

She popped out a hip. Stared at me, then broke into a smile

“Have at it. His heart belongs elsewhere, but I’d love it if you broke that bad habit.”

She cooed, “I’ll give it my best shot.”

Onus laughed some more while watching her b-lining for me. “Hellion is about to have his hands full.”

“Huh?” I acted surprised but truly studied her chomping on gum.

Oh, shit. Show time.

Drunk, Onus called out, “Your virginity can run but it can’t hide!”

Inebriated men all collided into each other as they laughed at my expense.

“Hi,” she said, batting long dark eyelashes. “Do you like gum?” She held out a piece.

Embarrassed at all the laughter, and somewhat nervous that sex was actually expected of me, I took the gum. “Thanks.”

“What do they call ya?”