“Lexi, if you came to tell me you’re pregnant, I will kill the little shit that touched you.” Max starts laughing and Lexi looks pissed.

  “I’ve gone on two group dates, Dad. I’m still a virgin and that’s not funny. I have no chance to get pregnant with all my chaperones and besides I have no desire to be another teenage mom. This running joke that you and Max have going on is getting old. Jeez, I’m not Max and Liam who nail anything that wiggles. This is so sexist. I believe when Max and Liam turned fourteen, you tossed them a box of condoms and told them to suit up if they were going to play. I was sixteen before I could even date.” She’s right, but it is what it is. I smile. Max laughs.

  “Damn Lexi, relax. Dad is joking. He knows you’ve only been on two dates and where you went. I was tailing you the whole time. Do you really think after what Dixie did, he’s leaving anything to chance?” Max is right. I was just trying to put Lexi at ease. I know Lexi is responsible. Deidra had to take her to a female doctor last year for severe cramps and they put her on birth control pills. I trust Lexi and she doesn’t lie to her old man because she has no reason to; I will love her regardless.

  “That was so not right,” Lexi tells us, but she can’t help but smile. “I’ll make both of you pay for that one.”

  “So, what has you so riled up Lexi? Just tell me? You know I’m here for you on anything, so relax and tell me.” I look at my daughter and she looks at Max and he nods his head.

  “Do you remember the classes I’m taking online for college credits?” I think for a bit. I know what she’s talking about and I am so damn proud of my girl for looking toward her future.

  “Yeah, dual credits, right?” Lexi gets uncomfortable when I tell her how proud I am of her, so I go with the easiest answer.

  “One of the classes that Stacy and I took had this extra credit to do with genealogy and DNA searches and we both thought it would be an easy thing to do. You know, get mouth swabs and then write a research paper on the pros and cons of doing the process. Mom signed the paperwork so I could participate. The thing is, there was also a part of it that we could do to see if we had any relatives registered and actively looking for family members.” Lexi stops talking and looks at Max. I’m going to need to talk to Deidra about her signing anything where our children’s blood can be run for DNA. I can see there is more to the story.

  “What Lexi is trying to tell you is that you may have two more kids in this world, Dad. Lexi came to me and asked if I would get tested too, and I knew this was something that needed to be brought to your attention.” I sit back in my chair and then pick up my phone and send my attorney a text. I am not going to make a bigger issue of this until I need to.

  “Don’t do anything further until I talk to my attorney. Lexi, how reliable are the tests?” I ask her.

  “Very reliable. Do you have any idea of who the mom is? All I know is that they are an eighteen-year-old male and an eighteen-year-old female. The two siblings are full siblings. They won’t give any other information out because of privacy protection laws. Will you find them, Dad?” Lexi is very family oriented and I know this will worry her.

  “Of course, Dad will be going to bring them home. They’re family and have our blood in them.” Max knows me well.

  “We need to all take a deep breath and slow down. I am going to get everyone that I know on this. If I have more children out there, then we will find them, and I will find the person responsible for keeping our family from us.” My mind tries to go back over the last nineteen years and there have been many women on runs, in other clubhouses, and just random hook-ups. I tried not to play in my own backyard, but after one of the women I fucked came up with chlamydia, I learned to wrap it up. Nothing or no one comes to mind. They were all one-night stands. I rack my brain for who I need to get on this, and I know Tanker is my man. “You two keep this between us. I am going to handle it. Lexi have you finished the course yet?”

  “Yes, I was just following up with the family search for my own curiosity. I’m glad I did now.” Lexi is right.

  “I’m sure there is some room for error in the tests, so don’t get your hopes up until we’re sure.” The only regret I would have, if this is true, is the time we lost. Someone would pay for that. I always wanted a big family, hell, we have a big family by today’s standards, but there’s always more love to go around.

  I wanted the big family, but now I am forced to keep them separated. I bought Candy and Dixie a house in a nice neighborhood across town from Deidra, so they would never have to lay eyes on each other. Deidra and I had been divorced for a few years, but like I said before, our town is small, and there was no reason to air our dirty laundry in the town, so my children would suffer. When Candy got pregnant with Dixie, she changed. She became a woman I didn’t even recognize most of the time. I ended things with her, but I still took care of my family and as long as she had Dixie with her that included Candy. We had a lot of trouble going on at the club at the time and once we had finished it, we had a week of nothing but partying at the clubhouse. Candy ended up back in my bed and six weeks later her pregnancy test was positive. I had myself snipped two weeks later. Where Deidra and I have remained friends and work for the good of our children, Candy fights me on everything. I had to take her to court to protect my rights and to keep Dixie and Trace safe. Candy now understands that unless she negotiates with me, she only gets the money the judge decided that I had to pay. Candy is too lazy to work unless it’s on her back and I have always known that. That’s how we met. I don’t hold it against her. Life is hard on a woman, so if we can agree on the kids and she doesn’t throw too much attitude, then she gets an envelope from me with enough money she can live a comfortable life on above the child support. I also pay the taxes on the house, all upkeep on it, and the utilities until Dixie and Trace turn eighteen or move in with me. I don’t pry into her private life, but the thing is, she’s still holding out for my patch. It will never happen, and I have come straight out and told her, but she won’t give up. I stick to club girls and Candy is no longer welcome at the clubhouse which she hates. I am lost in my thoughts of all my choices in life. Eighteen years of not knowing two of my children.

  “Dad, are you listening?” I look up at Max. “We’re going to go. I need to get back to work before Seal comes looking for me.”

  “Take your sister home first. I don’t want her hanging around the clubhouse all afternoon. I’m going to ride out to Tanker’s house.” Yeah, I need him to find out who’s going to answer to me for keeping part of my family away from me. I know I told the kids not to get their hopes up, but I already feel that it’s true. I just need proof.

  “I love you, Dad,” Lexi tells me, and I get up from my chair and walk around my desk and we meet. I give her a hug and kiss the top of her head. Max is standing close; I reach over and pull him over to us for a family hug. Damn, I’m getting soft.

  “Love you both. Now get out of my hair so I can sort this out.” Max looks at me.

  “I’ll help if you need me. If we have another brother and sister out there, we all want to get to know them. Well, maybe not Liam, at least right now, he’s still bitching about Dixie and Trace, but he’ll come around. He just needs to get away from Mom for a little bit to get his footing and find his way.” Max takes his role as the oldest child seriously.

  “I know, Son. When we find out who they are, where they’re located, and get a definite answer on the paternity, you will be riding with me to meet them.” Max shakes his head and he knows I am serious. “You two get out of here so I can get the answers we need.”

  6

  Nine months later

  Grinder…

  It has taken us nine months to get the answers I needed. Today, Max, Seal, Tanker, and I ride out to Quitman, Texas to find my other two children, twins. I have been up since six this morning and walking the floors. I have been going over the papers on the woman that gave birth to Ryder Jameson and Whiskey Rose Taylor. The pictures that Tanker came up with were useless. The woman didn’t look familiar in any of the pictures, but her background material stirred up a memory of a one-night stand, but the timeline didn’t work. Tanker did some more digging and found out that someone lied about their ages on the genealogy records. They weren’t eighteen yet when they filled them out. The age requirement on the records is eighteen or with a parent’s authorization so this told me two things—the first is they knew their mother would not give them permission to try and find any family members and the second is they want to find family members. That made the decision easier for me to go and track them down. The thing is, they are less than two hundred miles away. The mother, Jenna Taylor, relocated to Texas three-and-a-half years after the death of her husband and stillborn child.

  That story is what triggered my memory, but the woman I remembered had deep red hair. I called her Red and she called me Whiskey or Whiskey Rider. It was a drunken night between me and a lonely woman that was dying to let her wild side out and live again. That night I had my doubts of Red being able to lose herself in our passion and let go, but let go she did. All the details are still not clear, and Tanker’s digging has come up with one dead end after another. It’s been too long ago. The only way to get the answers is to have a face-to-face with Jenna Taylor. We found the small cattle ranch that she owns in Quitman and in a little over two hours we will be knocking on her door. I hope she’s ready to find out why my name is Grinder.

  I hear the bikes roar before they are ever in my yard. I look out my window and my brothers are here to have my back when I make this trip. I watch Max get off his bike. He got his patch two months ago, so he’s not only my oldest son now, but also my brother and I’m proud to have him riding with me. Seal is our enforcer; he’s the same age as I was when I had that position in the club, but he also owns a construction company. Right now, he only has two crews, but it’s more than I had when I was his age. He’s tall and broad and has women falling at his feet and the men fear him. Tanker is our tech guy and a loner. He does his thing at his place but if we need him, he’s the first to be there. I trust every one of these men and I have no doubt they will keep my secrets if the need should arise. They each have skills we may need on this ride. I don’t wait for anyone to knock on the door. My bike is packed and ready to go.

  “You ready for this?” Max asks me.

  “Ready or not, let’s ride.” I mount my bike, start her up, and lead the way back to the main highway. The ride is hot and long. We only stop to get gas and to grab a quick breakfast. We make excellent time since the scorching summer roads weren’t busy early in the morning. We pull off the highway at the first convenience store we come to and pull up to the gas pumps. Seal is the first one to approach me.

  “Have you decided if we’re all going to the ranch? There’s a small hotel about a mile up the road with a hamburger joint next to it. There’s only one other place to get some rooms in this town, and we might want to get one now instead of later since this place looks like a town that rolls up its sidewalks before dark.” I smile at the old saying that Seal just spoke since I know he’s too damn young to remember it being used. It must be something he picked up from his grandma. Seal was raised by his grandparents and I think he was born with an old soul. He’s a damn loyal brother, but the things that come out of his mouth sometimes make me think of my own grandpa.

  “I don’t plan on being here any longer than is necessary, but I think you’re right. We might as well eat lunch before we go the rest of the way to the ranch. We may be waiting a while if they aren’t home. Be sure everyone knows to get some water in case we have to wait. I don’t intend to leave that ranch until I set eyes on the twins and have a lot of words with their mom,” I tell Seal. I hope this goes smoothly but for that to happen I need to keep my anger in check. That isn’t going to be an easy task. I lost eighteen years with a son and a daughter. What if they think I walked away and didn’t want them? I don’t think I could handle it. Just the thought makes me want to choke the hell out of someone. I know I need to focus on creating a relationship with my children and step away from the anger I’m feeling. I need to remember that this woman gave me two more children and treat her with more respect than she has me these last eighteen years.

  “I’ll ride over to the hotel and get us two rooms.” I nod my head yes, but I am lost in my thoughts. I take out my wallet and hand Seal one of my credit cards.

  “Burger, fries, and a drink alright? I’ll order your food. If anyone asks any questions, then we’re just passing through and lay on that damn charm I keep hearing you have so much of, but not too much. I don’t want any jealous boyfriends or husbands to be beating our room doors down. I already said something to Max about it.” Max has assured me he is all about finding his brother and sister.

  “You know my order, plus I don’t think there is much of a choice on what we get there. I just hope it’s good and the message about the women is received. Friendly flirting but no panty dropping.” I know Seal knows his job. I take my other credit card out of my wallet and top my tank of gas off. Max walks out of the store and straight for me with Tanker behind him.

  “What’s the plan?” Max asks me.

  “If you two need extra water for a long sit then go back in and get it. We’re checking into a motel up the road, and we’re going to grab lunch at a place next door to it. After that, we are going to head out to the ranch and stay there until we meet Whiskey and Ryder.” Seal walks over close to us.

  “Sounds like a plan but we already have eyes on us, so the faster we’re out of this town the better it will be.” Tanker isn’t looking in any certain direction, but I have felt the same feeling since we’ve been here. I know small-town living can be this way and I hope this is all it is. Strangers always get a second and sometimes third look, it’s the same way in our small town back home, but this seems like more. I haven’t noticed any cop cars patrolling the area yet, but they can’t be far behind. We aren’t breaking any laws, though. Our guns are registered and each of us has a permit. We aren’t looking for trouble of any kind. I just want to meet my children and take them home with me.

  “Let’s get ourselves fed and get back on the road.” I know today is the day that I take back what’s mine and I will deal with anyone who gets in my way.

  7

  Grinder…

  We have watched from a safe distance for two hours now. There’s plenty of brush along the fence line to the east to hide our bikes. They must not have any security because we should have been noticed by now. A woman walked out on the porch and sat in the swing for about thirty minutes before she went back inside. She appeared to be reading over some papers. We’ve seen ranch hands working out by the barn, but they all seem to be just that—ranch hands.

  I don’t know what I’m looking for; the reports we were able to get show Jenna has a small ranch that pulls in some big bucks. Jenna also has other investments that has her financially set for the rest of her life. Both Ryder and Whiskey have hefty bank accounts and Jenna has set aside trust funds for both of them. At first, I was worried that this might be some backdoor scam to get money out of me, but they don’t need it. Besides, how would Whiskey and Ryder know that Lexi would be in that class. Too many odd variables for that situation to pan out. The years of a suspicious mind are coming into play. I just need to let it play out and be cautious, and let this happen as it should. Seal nudges my leg with his foot and I see the four-wheel-drive truck turn into the drive that leads to the ranch house. There are three people in that truck. I take my binoculars out of my saddlebag and keep my eyes on the truck. Two males and a female. The truck stops in front of the house instead of parking in the back where the garage is. I watch as the male in the driver’s seat gets out, that’s Ryder. I can tell from the photo Tanker found. I wait to see if the female is Whiskey, but the way the truck is parked I can’t get a good look at her. It’s time to move. At least one of my children is in that house now and it’s time we become acquainted. I put my binoculars away and I feel all my brothers’ eyes on me. “It’s time. We all go down there and we all go in. I haven’t seen one armed person but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Eyes and ears open. Seal, when we get down there, text Trapper and let him know we’re going in. Tell him the name of the motel we’re staying at and room numbers, so if we disappear he’ll know where to start looking.” I say the last part to get a laugh out of everyone but not knowing our surroundings and what we’re walking into has everyone on edge. I maneuver my bike so I can start it on level ground and the rest do the same. The ride may be short, but it seems to take a lifetime.

  When we get back to the driveway, I try to keep my speed slow, so my brothers don’t eat my dust. The road is nothing but white rock, not the best for a bike but we’ll make it to the house. I know the people in the house must hear us, but no one has come outside yet. Then I hear the tractor behind the house in the pasture. Their noise is drowning us out.

  We park our bikes beside the truck that Ryder had driven in. “Sweet ride,” Max says as he walks up next to me.

  “My information was right, there’s no way that these people are hurting for money,” Tanker states.

  “You want me to go around back in case they try to take the back way out?” Seal asks. I laugh.

  “Where do you think they’re going to go? There’s no way they are walking away from this ranch over me seeing my children. This set up is too good. These people are living a carefree life in a civilian lifestyle. They don’t have security and that tells me they don’t need it here or the workers would be armed. Even if they are renting the tractors in the back, which I doubt, do you know what they would be paying out daily?” I can see with my own eyes that my children have a good life here or what looks to be a good life by all appearances. I never let appearances be the deciding factor for me, looks can be deceiving in many areas. I walk up the three steps to the wrap-around porch and the rest follow me. I step up to the door and knock as hard as I can. I look at Max to see how he’s doing. He looks calm but I know he is anything but calm. I lift my hand to knock again and the door opens, and I come face-to-face with the woman from my past. Her hair is nowhere near red, but the brown hair looks more natural and the graying only makes her more beautiful.