He was safe. He texted back, Thank you. Thank Arthur. And thank yourself for being brave enough to stop when everyone else would have driven past. Caleb put the phone down and for the first time in a week slept dreamlessly.
Morning came with celebration. News of Cordero's arrest spread through the compound like wildfire. Bikers who'd been tense and vigilant for days finally relaxed. The lockdown was lifted. Life slowly returned to normal.
Clutch found Caleb at breakfast. Heard Arthur made you an offer. Yeah. You're going to take it? Caleb looked around the room at Tiny laughing with some of the other bikers at Stella pouring coffee at Wrath actually smiling for once.
These people had protected him, sheltered him, treated him like family when his own uncle had turned him out. I think so, Caleb said quietly, if the offer's real. It's real, and kid Clutch's expression was serious. You're always welcome here. You want to ride with us sometime, learn the life, you just say the word.
You earned that right. I'm not cut out for the outlaw life. Who said anything about outlaw? Clutch grinned. We're a motorcycle club, not the mafia.
Most of us got day jobs, families, mortgages. We just happen to ride together and look out for each other. That's all family is, really. People who show up when it matters. Caleb thought about that.
Then yeah, I'd like that. Good. Clutch stood. Now finish eating. We're taking you to Phoenix today.
Got to meet your new boss.
The ride to Phoenix was different from the ride to the compound. Smaller group, just Clutch, Tiny, Wrath, Arthur and a few others. No urgency, no fear, just the open road and the sun beating down, and the wind in Caleb's face. They pulled up to a pristine garage with Desert Dreams Custom Cycles emblazoned on the sign. Inside, motorcycles gleamed like jewels, custom builds worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The owner, a weathered man named Jack with grease permanently under his fingernails, shook Caleb's hand. Arthur says you're good with your hands. I try. Show me. Jack led him to a partially disassembled Harley, transmission slipping.
Find the problem. Caleb rolled up his sleeves and got to work. It took him 20 minutes, but he found it a worn gear that was catching. Here, needs replacement. Jack examined the gear, then looked at Caleb with new respect.
Most mechanics would have spent an hour on that. You got an eye. Job's yours if you want it. I want it. Good.
Start Monday. We'll get you set up in the apartment upstairs. Jack paused. And kid, I know what you did for Arthur, what you went through. You need time to process, you need to talk, you need anything, my door's always open.
Thank you, sir. Jack, just Jack. He clapped Caleb on the back. Welcome to the family.