Pulling Her Trigger (Ghost Riders MC #1)(16)
We drive through a tree-lined driveway that’s about a half a mile long. I realize that this is an old farm that’s been converted into their clubhouse, and I’m impressed. As if reading my mind, Mackenzie explains the place as we drive in.
“Pres’s, sorry, Lucias’s family owned this farm for years. Once he got out of the marines he made it into what it is today. There’s a full garage on the eastern side of the property with a separate entrance for the public. You have to have a code to go beyond it, so we’re still protected behind the walls. The brick fence is just around the front of the property, the rest of it is ten-foot tall steel fencing with barbed wire. You can’t ever be too careful. On the west side is the gun range, but I’ll drive by and show you the clubhouse first. All in all there’s about two-hundred acres out here, but most of it’s wooded and undeveloped. A few of our guys like to get lost for a few weeks at a time, and there are a couple of small cabins on the property. There’s wildlife to hunt and a lake out with plenty of fish there if someone needs to stay gone longer than a few weeks.”
We pull up to the main house, and it’s huge. It looks like an old farmhouse, but you can tell right away it’s been modernized within the last few years. There are a few bikes parked out front, and some guys walking around. Mackenzie doesn't stop to say hello, just gives one big guy a chin lift, and he nods his head in the direction of the range.
“That was Lucias, right?” I ask as we make our way to the range. I saw a few shots of him when I was digging into things, but he looks to have gotten bigger since he left the marines.
“Yep. I’m sure he’ll be out here to join us in a second,” she says, but she doesn’t sound excited.
When we pull up to the gun range, I can see the side of the fence that looks to have been damaged. I don’t think someone would be able to tell unless they were looking for it, but about a hundred feet of new fencing has recently been erected and the ground is scorched where explosives must have gone off. The range is a big brick building, and I can see the side facing us is newer than the rest of it.
“That where they went in?”
“Yeah. Stupid f*ckers,” she says, and I can hear the anger and hurt in her voice. She gets off the bike, and I climb off after her. We stand there for a second, and I hear the rumble of more bikes coming. I look around and see three bikes heading our way.
“Great, he brought friends,” she grumbles, and I can hear the sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Lucias pulls up and is followed by two more guys. They all get off their bikes and walk over to us. I know all of them from my research on Mackenzie, and I’m sure they know me.
“Vincent Cassano, federal agent,” Lucias says in greeting, confirming he knows me and knows what I do.
I decide to lay my cards on the table and give up the information I know. “Lucias Houston. President of the Ghost Riders, Kansas City, Missouri.” I look to his right and see his next in command, “Abe Tanner aka Savage, Vice President.” And then I look to his left, “Knox Robertson, also known as Scribe, the club treasurer and unofficial club hacker.”
Lucias gives me a smile and nods his head. “Looks like we are all well acquainted, Casper,” he says, and looks over at Mackenzie.
“I brought him here to shoot today, and to meet you guys. I’m thinking of keeping him around for a bit.”
I reach out and hold her wrist. It’s not a possessive move, but one of unity. I want them to know I’m not afraid to be with her, and I’m not afraid of what comes with that.
“I’ll be around indefinitely. I wanted to show my respect to you guys and let you all know, no sneaking around. I know I’m a fed, but know I’ll always put her first and I’m getting she comes with the club. She’s more important to me than a job. I love her, and won’t be going away so it’s best to get used to the idea.”
I squeeze Mackenzie’s wrist at my words, feeling her pulse pick up, but she doesn’t speak. I think I finally shocked her into silence.
Lucias looks to her and they have a silent conversation. He nods his head and then looks back over at me. “For now, it’s not a problem. Just know that if you hurt her, you answer to all of us. And we have lots of places to hide a body.”
“Understood. I won’t do anything to hurt her, or jeopardize the club, because I know what it means to her. We might not always see eye to eye but most families don’t.”
Abe steps in front of Lucias, and extends his hand. I’m still holding Mackenzie’s hand with my left, so I reach out with my right and take his.
Immediately he holds it in a death grip, but I don’t flinch. He’s looking to find weakness in me right now, but he won’t find it. “Welcome to the family,” he grouses, lets go of my hand, and steps back behind Lucias.
“So this means you’re an old man?” Knox asks, and tilts his head to the side.
I hear Mackenzie snort beside me, and I just shrug my shoulders. “I was her God last night, so it’s kind of a kick to the ego, but as long as I’m on her bike, I don’t give a f*ck.”
Lucius lets out a laugh and looks at Mackenzie. “I like him. Have fun shooting, Cas,” he says and gives her a wink.
I look over and see she’s blushing. I look back and watch the guys climb on their bikes, getting ready to take off.