Old Man's Ride(24)

“Would you say that if I was a man, Bill?”

He snorted. “If you were a man, they probably would have just shot you.” He shook his head. “You’ve got a few years of work as a Prospect ahead of you, but you’ve secured a load of votes tonight. I thought this would be a big joke. Hell, I thought it was funny. But now…” he gestured at my jacket. “Do you really want this?”

I looked from him to Nomad and back again. “I do.”

“All right.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m not in love with the idea, but you’ll be the first lady Devil in thirty years. Nomad and I will see to it.” Nomad squeezed my hand. “Take her home, old man. And do us a favor? Try not to make her your official old lady before she’s a full member?”

Nomad chuckled. Further down the street, there was a huge whoosh. The two Eagle’s motorcycles went up in flames. The Devils cheered around the flaming vehicles. Even from our distance, the flames were hot on my face. I shielded my eyes as I watched.

“I’ll expect you both at the clubhouse for breakfast,” Bill said as he walked away to join the other men, “We’ll need to make sure everyone’s got their stories straight.”

“And I’ll want my gun back,” I said.

He aimed a sarcastic little salute at me before turning away.

A wave of exhaustion rolled over me. I buried my hands in Nomad’s white hair and pulled him close. “Take me home?”

“Of course, honey. I can’t let you sleep, though, I’m sorry. Not after you hit your head.”

I watched the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes. I kissed him, softly, feeling the heat of the fire echoing in my chest. His eyes were still closed when I sat back. “I’m sure you’ll have no trouble keeping me awake.”