Gentle On My Mind (Reapers MC: Pema Chapter Book 1) Page 18

  Kiefer scratches at his dark beard, clearly relaxing at the thought of the club offering him a taste of sweet revenge.

  “Now, I won’t make you go,” Colton says after a moment. “And I can’t have you starting shit with anyone there. But I would like you to go because I think you intimidate them. When those twats tried bullying Violet, they mentioned you. I think your woman was with them. They mean to make this personal, so I figured you coming along and standing with us in their territory would send a message. But you know you better than I do. If you can’t stand there and listen to their bullshit sermon without wanting to throw punches, you best stand down.”

  I get Colton’s move here. He clarifies our stance and plays the nice guy to Kiefer’s ego while also testing the guy’s mettle. Taking on the Idyllwild assholes won’t be a one-step process. We can’t simply kill all the top people and walk away. The Cosgrove family and their allies look like upstanding citizens. Killing too many too fast will draw attention. We need to be patient, offing targets when we get the opportunity to point the blame elsewhere. In fact, I already have a patsy lined up for Amon Cosgrove’s murder.

  But I don’t know if someone like Kiefer can trust we have shit squared away. He doesn’t know us. Colton and I might seem green to him. We’re from outside Pema, and he probably figures we got these jobs because of our daddies. That might be true for Colton, but Johanssons know how to run shit. If Kiefer can’t trust in us now, he might be a liability later. Never know what we’ll need to ask from our people in the future.

  “I’ll go, then,” Kiefer says finally. “If it’ll help the club, I can stand there and behave for a little while.”

  “Good. Just know this isn’t about us being friendly,” Colton explains. “We’re only smiling, so they see we’re not intimidated by their bullshit. My dad’s a friendly guy. He smiles plenty, but his happy face hides how he plans to fuck up his enemies. That’s how I was raised. Go in friendly but with your gun’s safety off.”

  Kiefer studies Colton, trying to see past the younger man’s natural good looks and childish antics. Every generation, the Johansson men lose some of their outer edge. Breeding with soft, pretty women will do that. But Colton is just as green as Cooper once was, and Kirk no doubt before him. Everyone starts off green, but the Johansson men own a coldness in their hearts that can’t be taught.

  I used to think otherwise. I’d see Colton and assume he was soft from growing up pampered. Seemed to me that Kirk and Jodi spoiled Cooper, who went on to be even worse with his kids. But some things can’t be taught. A man has it in him to kill, or he doesn’t.

  Besides, Colton doesn’t need to be a stone-cold killer. That’s my fucking job, which is why Kiefer doesn’t need to study me. My reputation is apparently well known since most of the local guys are hesitant to make eye contact. Likely, Heidi told them if they fucked up, Colton might be the one to order their deaths, but I’d be the one to show up to do the deed.

  I don’t want to be these men’s friends. I’ll get along with some, sure, but I’m not here to be one of the guys. I joined the Reapers to protect it. One day, my dad won’t be around to kill for Cooper, who won’t be around to order problems solved. The younger generation will need to rise up and protect what our fathers and Kirk Johansson built.

  That’s why I’ll kill whoever needs killing to strengthen Pema. This chapter is part of an overall network of men and their families who can’t fail. One day, I hope my own kid takes up the mantle and keeps the Reapers alive and strong.

  But first, we’ll need to bulldoze through the Cosgrove family and their church army.

  THE GHOST

  I’ve never been to church before. My grammy’s memorial took place at a friend’s house. I enjoyed how relaxed the entire event felt. People ate food Grammy liked and listened to her favorite music. They shared stories from her life and tried to remember her at her best. Her urn sat on a table, and people would tell her goodbye while patting the top. Of course, my somber parents were the poison pills, ruining the positive vibe.

  Today, I think of my grandmother when I slide on my black-and-white plaid knee-length skirt and a mustard-colored lacy top. This is my fanciest outfit, and I want to look my best for the Color Bunch and their allies. They ganged up on me for a reason. I’m viewed as the weak link. They wouldn’t mess with Avery or even sweet Stella or pregnant Vi. No, they came after me.

  My goal is to look effortlessly confident. I don’t know if I succeed, but Maverick watches me in that predatory way he does when Little Mav gets hard.

  “When did you get this?” he asks, sliding his hand just under my waist and barely above my butt.

  “On a shopping trip to Lexington with Shelby.”

  “I like the pattern,” he says, stroking the skirt.

  My breathing catches, and he freezes. Our gazes meet, and I sense he’s nervous about my mood.

  “You’re making me wish we could get naked rather than go downstairs,” I whisper as my fingers play with a button on his shirt.

  Maverick exhales softly, relieved I’m horny rather than upset. “I would ditch this thing if I could,” he says, and I know he would. “But with my youngest siblings driving up, I need to focus on keeping them in order.”

  “I’ll try not to distract you,” I murmur and give him a playful wink.

  Maverick glances back at the bed and then at our hotel room door. I see him calculating how much time we have before we’re expected downstairs. Once he accepts he’ll have to wait, he looks so disappointed. It’s the same expression he wore when he thought I didn’t want to live in the firehouse.

  “Later,” I promise and lean against him until he wraps his strong arms around my body. “Your parents are leaving soon, and we’ll have more free time.”

  Maverick wears a sly grin, already imagining us naked. I share his smile before forcing myself to leave the safety of his arms.

  “I will follow your lead at the church,” I promise, knowing he doesn’t want me to go with the group. As usual, Maverick is torn between his need to protect me and his desire to project club strength. “I will smile and nod like a dutiful wife.”

  Maverick frowns at that comment, wanting me to speak freely. He, of course, doesn’t say everything he wants. In fact, Maverick censors himself more than anyone I’ve ever known. He chooses his words so carefully. Yet, for me, he can’t think of my silence without wondering if it’s a result of O’Meara’s conditioning.

  Downstairs, we wait for people who were taught to share their feelings. Nevaeh enters the hotel first, wearing jeans, a black band-themed T-shirt, and black Converse. Her long blonde hair hides under a trucker cap.

  “That’s not appropriate for church, young lady,” Savannah says when she sees her sister.

  “Let me count the fucks I give,” Nevaeh says and then makes an “O” with her fingers. “Zero.”

  “Good gravy, you look like a vagabond.”

  “Save your busybody routine for the youngest three, who might manage more than zero fucks.”

  As if beckoned by her mention of them, Denver stumbles into the hotel with Cavalry too close behind. They get tangled up together and end up on the ground.

  “Your peanut butter is in my chocolate,” the older brother says, making the younger one snicker.

  “How’s peanut butter gonna get inside chocolate?”

  “It’s science, bruh.”

  Sylvie enters, doesn’t see her brothers on the ground, and trips on them. “This is Nevaeh’s fault,” she says from under her wavy blonde hair as she crawls free of the body pile. “She’s always fucking up shit.”

  Nevaeh rolls her eyes. “Get bent, Mom’s only failure.”

  Sylvie prepares to attack until Raven exits the lounge and pretends to be shocked by the arrival of her youngest four children.

  “Why are you on the floor?”

  “Chocolate,” Denver says, standing up and extending a hand to Cavalry. “Or peanut butter. It’s complicated.”

 
; “Uh-huh, uh-huh, I can see that.”

  “Nevaeh knocked me down, Mom,” Sylvie lies and goes to our mother for comfort. “The crazy cunt is out of control.”

  “Zero fucks,” Nevaeh announces and walks off in the direction of the elevator.

  “Wait, who will be watching our kiddos?” Savannah asks and glances at me.

  “Violet is good with kids,” Nevaeh says, returning after realizing she doesn’t want to go upstairs. “I vote for her.”

  “The Idyllwild assholes tried to intimidate her,” Raven explains while rubbing out the wrinkles on her pale blue dress. “If she doesn’t join us, they’ll think they succeeded.”

  “Good point,” Sylvie announces. “I will stay behind with the kiddos.”

  “No, no, no,” Avery mutters while Savannah shakes her head, and Raven crosses her arms. “No, no, no, no, no.”

  “Why the fuck not?” Sylvie demands.

  “You cut Io’s hair last time you watched her alone.”

  “Her bangs were in her face, and I fixed the problem. You’re just jealous you didn’t think up such a brilliant solution first.”

  “Nevaeh can watch them,” Savannah says, ignoring Sylvie’s frown. “After all, she’s dressed as if preparing to paint a house. So dirty play with children should be peachy.”

  “Nope,” Nevaeh says before Savannah can finish. “Ask me how much interest I have in supervising your crotch goblins.”

  The twins hiss at Nevaeh, who shrugs and looks out the front door.

  Raven studies her children and then shrugs. “Well, I can’t stay because I’m watching Violet’s back.”

  “I’ll babysit them,” Denver announces and walks over to Io and Pollux. “I’m naturally charming with crotch goblins. Aren’t I, tiny tots?” The kids grin at him smiling down at them. Even Io seems calm about the idea, though I suspect she has no clue what’s happening. “Problem solved. We’ll watch ‘Little House on the Prairie’ while you’re gone.”

  “They won’t sit still for that,” Savannah grumbles.

  Denver shrugs. “Monster trucks?”

  “Just let them play and take them to the bathroom when they need it,” Avery sneers, leaning hard into the annoyed older sister routine. “They still get confused about where the bathroom is located in the hotel.”

  “I will do so with a smile,” Denver announces and winks at an irritated Sylvie.

  “I didn’t even want to.”

  “Jealousy makes you shine extra bright, Sister Sylvie.”

  “I hope they both take huge dumps and need you to wipe, Brother Boulder.”

  “Wait, what’s happening?” Cavalry asks, and I finally realize they’re stoned. Everything makes so much more sense now.

  Appearing from the lounge, Vaughn pretends he didn’t hear a damn thing and is surprised to find most of his children in one place.

  “We did good, Ma,” he tells Raven before slapping her ass. “Now, let’s go get in some Jesus time before lunch.”

  Maverick suddenly moves after standing so still that I wondered if he was under a spell. He always gets very quiet around his siblings. The more of them in a room, the more invisible he becomes. As an only child, I have no clue what life in their home must have been like, but Maverick created his own system to handle the chaos.

  He helps me with my jacket and then slides on his own. We look ready for socializing at a fine restaurant rather than a church service. I ought to be nervous about facing those women and their people. All of them know my real name, but I remind myself how they don’t know my story. That secret resides with only a select few.

  Today, I am not Violet Navarro, even if that’s the name they use. I’m a member of the Majors family, and I won’t let a bunch of nobodies steal my confidence. Or, at least, if they do swipe it, I’ll expertly pretend otherwise.

  THE SENTINEL

  For days, I've stressed to the club guys and my sisters how they cannot react to any intimidation or instigation tactics from the enemy during our visit to Idyllwild Church of Hope. They all agreed to behave, reveal nothing, and stay focused on the end game. Yet, with my youngest siblings, promises are often broken.

  Fortunately, Denver volunteers to watch the kids, disorganizing the troublemaking trio's normal vibe. For whatever reason, when Sylvie, Cavalry, and Denver aren't together, they're relatively laid-back. More than anything, they act stoned and confused. Yet, put all three in a room, and they feed off each other's crazy and start fights over nothing. That's why Sylvie is currently limping as we move to our cars in the hotel's parking lot. Encouraged by Cavalry and Denver giggling at her antics, she underestimated Nevaeh's savvy skills and attacked our sister over a minor issue.

  Separated now and with their IQs currently surging, Denver entertains Pollux and Io while the rest of the Majors clan—sans River, who I specifically told to sit this out to avoid him pissing on Colton's moment—pack into trucks and SUVs.

  "Judd drove up to Pema last night," Vaughn announces while I drive. He pauses when Sylvie decides to change seats from the back aisle to the middle and manages to kick Nevaeh sitting in the front passenger seat. "He and Tawny will watch their grandbabies so Gunnar and Vi can join us at church."

  "Isn't she like seconds from crapping out her latest crotch goblin?" Nevaeh asks while clearly plotting to jump Sylvie when the time is right. "Should she be out of the house when her pregnancy has hit DEFCON One?"

  "Maybe her water will break," Sylvie says while leaning her head on Vaughn's shoulder. "And she'll flood the church Biblical-style. I bet those weirdos will love that shit."

  "Don't talk like that at church," I tell Sylvie, who kicks my seat. "I'm not playing around. If you fuck this up, I will do something to you that will take a year or more to undo."

  "Dad, he's threatening my hair."

  "Well, then you better submit, baby,” Vaughn says and pats her hand. “You know your brother doesn't negotiate, and you can't pull off a bald head."

  "I'll be so sweet," Sylvie says, batting her eyes at our father.

  Stopping at a light, I look in the rearview to check on the second group. Mom is half lodged in the back seat, handling a twin eruption. I knew Avery would go apeshit the second I noticed her "on my last nerve" expression at breakfast. I just hope Violet is fine between my warring sisters.

  "How long does church take?" Nevaeh asks me. "Please say twenty minutes."

  "An hour or more. Then, they have an after service."

  Glancing back at Cavalry taking up the entire back row, Sylvie says, "I bet they regularly serve punch to prepare for the day when they commit mass suicide."

  "Heaven's Gate," my brother whispers dramatically. "Jeffrey Jones."

  "Jim Jones," Vaughn corrects. "The Jonestown cult."

  Sylvie frowns. "Who's Jeffrey Jones?"

  "The actor and perv from 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,'" Nevaeh announces.

  Cavalry slides farther down in his seat while babbling, "No, that's the guy who married that lady who was on that show."

  "Please, don't start," Vaughn mutters, nipping their shit in the bud. My siblings can play the "that guy in that show/movie who played that dude who did that thing" game for an hour. It's like the Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon without using any actual names.

  "Well, I'm against cults," Sylvie announces. "I'm also against individuality. People should find a happy medium like me."

  "Yeah, bruh," Cavalry says, sounding tired.

  Then, mercifully, they all shut the fuck up for the rest of the ride.

  A year ago, the Idyllwild Church of Hope purchased the neighboring businesses and tore them down to make room for additional parking. We end up in the overflow lot, where most of the Reapers are already parked. Colton climbs out of his truck and walks around to open the door for Stella. This signals the rest of our group to leave their vehicles, too. Today, the Idyllwild Church of Hope will have fifty-plus extra parishioners.

  Most of the club guys are wearing their Sunday best, meaning jeans and a butt
oned-up shirt, along with their least scuffed boots. Some managed to force themselves into ties. Their women fare better with simple dresses. Though one old lady looks prepped for a drag queen show. Otherwise, they cleaned up real respectable. They're certainly better dressed than my younger siblings.

  "Do you not own a belt?" I ask Cavalry, who struggles to keep his pants up.

  "I lost weight from doing so much Pilates. Or maybe these aren't my pants."

  I don't understand what happened after Nevaeh's birth. Did my parents just stop raising their kids? Or was being the youngest three of a large family too disorienting? I’ve never heard of anyone who has as much trouble keeping track of their pants or shoes as my younger siblings.

  "We good?" Colton asks, patting Kiefer's shoulder in a sign of brotherhood laced with a threat for the hothead to keep his temper in check.

  "I’ve been better.”

  “I have a thought,” Heidi announces and walks over while wearing a sundress better suited to making her husband’s dick hard than a church service. “Let’s make Kamhoe jealous by giving you a date for this shindig.”

  “It’s church,” Colton mutters at Heidi, who ignores him while shoving Avery toward Kiefer.

  “She can see you with the hot Majors twin who didn’t sneak into their community,” Heidi explains. “That’ll make her rusted-out pussy eat itself.”

  “That’s the most charming thing I’ve ever heard,” Nevaeh murmurs, strolling past the group and heading for the front door.

  I leave Avery scowling at Heidi while Kiefer frowns at my sister. Savannah introduces herself to the grouchy biker and then gestures to her always friendly husband. Taking Violet’s hand, I follow Nevaeh, who is a little too well behaved today for my liking.

  From the outside, the Idyllwild Church of Hope looks more like an office building than the houses of worship I knew back in Ellsberg. The large rectangular structure is covered in brick and adorned with large windows on the second story. The style suits the Cosgrove family’s coldly professional plans for this area.