Gen put her nine millimeter on her nightstand, the extra magazine beside it, undressed and got into her pajamas, crawled into bed, and pulled her laptop onto her legs to look up the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club. She looked up news articles, tax records, and found their Twitter hashtag and spent some time looking through feeds.
She didn’t find out much. They organized rides, supported several charities, and their bike shops seemed to be highly respected amongst those needing their services. There was a news article about them rescuing a schoolteacher from a gang rape a few years before, and two of the members had been arrested and stood trial for beating the tar out of the rapists. Apparently, the jury couldn’t find them totally not-guilty, but also didn’t have it in them to send the men to prison long-term for it. Their guilty verdict was for the misdemeanor portion and not the felony charges, and came with a ninety-day jail sentence, but the men had been out in six weeks.
A deeper search brought up a bunch of racial bullshit. Some of the other clubs looked down their noses at Rolling Thunder because they welcomed all races. Gen shook her head at the language and switched to her email client. She sent a quick note to Tyler’s work address requesting he give her a call when he had a chance, making it clear it wasn’t urgent, she just wanted to pick his brain about something.
She’d turned the laptop off and was reading a book when her cellphone rang, and she was surprised to see it was Tyler.
“I didn’t mean you had to call me tonight.”
“Not a problem. What’s up?”
“What do you know about the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club?”
“Please tell me you aren’t involved with them.”
“I’m handling their land purchases, why?”
“Okay, that’s not so bad, just make sure you aren’t seen out with them and you should be okay.”
Keith had explained that once the club moved in and established a reputation, being seen with them meant safety, but until they were settled it could be dangerous. He’d said Gen should be okay when not in the rough areas of town, but made her promise him she wouldn’t go outside of the tourist areas of downtown without protection — and by protection, he’d meant him, one of his guys, or Isaac. Apparently, not even her brother qualified.
She’d also discovered that once they bought the land and created the official charter paperwork, Keith was going to be the new president. The man in charge.
Gen wasn’t surprised.
“Too late for that, Tyler. I’ve been all over downtown with them, looking at property and making offers. They’re looking to purchase three tracts of land, and I’m handling everything.”
“Well, at least you aren’t living alone. Mike won’t be much help but he’s better than nothing. You have your gun handy?”
“Yes to the gun, no to Mike. I kicked him out.”
“Good for you, but I don’t like the idea of you being there alone. I’m gonna call a friend and see if I can’t get some extra patrols by your house. No reason to think you’re in specific danger, but I’ll feel better.”
“Keith kind of explained a few things, but I wanted to get your take on them. I can’t find out much about them online.”
“Keith? I was briefed on the men coming up to get things started, and don’t…” She heard keys clacking and he said, “Oh, Duke? He introduced himself to you with his real name?”
“No, I knew him already, from high school. He didn’t know it’d be me. Brain did the research and found a Realtor, and Keith didn’t recognize me until I called him by name.
“Speaking as a friend, I’m going to tell you to finish the deal and then stay away from them. If you want to reconnect, wait six or eight months until they get past the gang wars we’re gonna see once they move in.”
“Gang wars?”
“Absolutely, and there will be collateral damage. If they pull it off, and I have every reason to believe they will, then a year from now, downtown Chattanooga will be safer and we won’t have multiple murders a week anymore. But it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
Another reason to keep Keith at arm’s length. She chuckled into the phone and said, “Thanks for the intel. My gun and I are going to curl up in bed and go to sleep now, I think.”
“Duke’s a good guy who does bad things for mostly good reasons. But he still does bad things. He’s dangerous. Okay?”
“Thanks for putting into words the feeling I had from him. From all of them, really. I’ll try to avoid being seen with them as much as possible while we finish up, and then I’ll stay away. I appreciate your input.”
“Not a problem. Take care.”
Gen had met Tyler through Cassie and Sam. He was married to one of their friends, and was often at Frisco’s parties. He’d apparently known Mike was an ass, and he’d only met him twice. Gen sighed as she realized she had to be the worst judge of character, ever, when it came to choosing boyfriends.
* * * *
Gen spoke with Brain and Keith on the phone another dozen times in the following weeks to discuss the various offers, but only saw them a few brief moments while she was gathering signatures. She normally would’ve let her assistant take the paperwork to them, but her assistant wasn’t armed and she was, so she handled it.
She managed to get all three closings to happen in the same afternoon, so she saw both Keith and Brain then, but felt safe in the closing company office. Keith asked if he could have a moment when they finished everything, and the room emptied, leaving just the two of them.
“You called your friend at Drake. Asked about us.”
“Is that a problem?”
Duke smiled, but it was sad. “Not at all, Beautiful. I’m glad you have people you can call. The point is, I like you, was gonna go after you, but I’ve suddenly discovered you’re once again off limits. Damned frustrating.”
She smiled and asked, “Thought you were an outlaw who did whatever the eff you wanted?”
“Love your smart-assed attitude, and it’s killin’ me I can’t follow you home and see what comes out of you once you’re naked and beggin’ for an orgasm.”
Gen’s face flamed hot again and she stepped back, but he reached for her shoulders and kept her from moving farther away. “Not done talking. I do everything I can to protect innocents, and puttin’ you in my bed might put you at risk. Your friend Tyler had a talk with his boss, who happens to be a friend of mine, and Aaron pointed out I need to keep you safe, which means stayin’ away from you. I already knew it, but the reminder made me stop thinkin’ with my dick.” He slid his hands from her arms to her hands and tugged her a little closer. “When it’s safe, you’ll hear from me. I’m gonna want a date.”
And he walked out of the room.