“Really?”

Penni nodded. “I’ve been lucky. My parents had a wonderful marriage, and they gave me a home I’ll always cherish and can tell my children about one day. One day, I’ll have enough to buy my own home.”

Genny began crying, placing her head on the handle of the mop. “I worked so hard for that house.”

Penni moved toward Genny, patting her on the back. “Whoever blew up your home didn’t only destroy your home, but your dream. But you can buy another one. Viper probably feels bad enough that he’ll buy you a bigger one.”

Genny lifted her head, laughing. “He already did. He offered to buy me the house next to Mrs. Langley’s home, and it’s bigger than hers. I told him I wouldn’t want to clean it on the weekends.”

“If it were me, I’d get Viper to make Raci clean it every Saturday.” They laughingly came up with other chores to make Raci do. Then Penni went to the counter, beginning lunch. She was going to make The Last Riders a meal they would never forget.

She worked as Genny cleaned the rest of the kitchen then left to work on the rest of her chores.

It was lunchtime when Winter came in to the kitchen.

“Something smells delicious.”

Penni tossed the broccoli she had been cutting into a bowl. “Thanks. Lunch will be ready in a few minutes.”

Winter poured herself a cup of coffee. “Have you seen Viper this morning?”

“No, and I haven’t seen Jackal, either.” She picked up several cloves of garlic, mashing them with her sharp knife.

“They left to go to town to see Knox,” Genny said, having come back in, as she took the plates out of the kitchen cabinets. “Viper told me this morning before you got here.”

“Oh, thanks.” Winter moved away from the smell of the garlic. She stared at the food spread out on the counter. “Uh … Penni, what’s in the crockpots?”

“Meatball stew and barbeque hotdogs.”

Winter opened the crockpots then closed them. “Did you mean for the food to look this way?”

“What’s wrong with it?” Penni scraped the garlic from the cutting board into a bowl of vegetables. She set another five cloves on the cutting board then mashed them one at a time.

“Never mind. Isn’t that a lot of garlic?”

“Yes … it … is.” Penni scraped the garlic into the salad then poured on the dressing. Using tongs, she tossed the salad before setting it on the buffet. Then Penni went to the pantry and fridge before coming back to the counter.

“What are you making now?”

Penni opened the bread. “Making you a sandwich.”

“I was going to eat in my room, but I wouldn’t miss this, even if the house caught on fire.” Winter winced at her word choice. “Sorry, Genny.”

“None taken. I’m supposed at be at work in an hour for Willa at the church. When I saw the way Penni was cutting the hot dogs into small pieces, I figured I could risk being late. Did you see the way she cut the broccoli? She cut off the heads.”

Penni garnished the cheese ball with a small slice of red pepper then stabbed a small knife into the center for the men members to use.

Winter took her sandwich and went to sit at the kitchen table. “I need a front seat to enjoy this.”

Penni saw Viper, Jackal, Ice, Cade, and Hennessy come into the kitchen. They hesitated before coming forward to take their plates and get in line.

“Hello. Are you having a good day?”

Penni shot Viper a spearing glance, not answering his question.

Viper hurried through the line.

Raci, Jewell, and Evie came into the kitchen next, followed by King, as Shade came in from the back door.

Jackal was next in line. “I want to talk to you after—”

Penni picked up the sharp knife she had used to cut the vegetables. She began cutting the large carrots into slivers.

Jackal blanched, moving away.

The line moved along, none of the members brave enough to talk.

Evie took a bowl next to the crockpot, asking, “What is it?”

“Meatball stew.”

“You go, girl!” Evie grinned, closing the crockpot and putting the bowl back.

The members continued to pass her one at a time. Raci looked like she wanted to bolt from the line.

Raci raised her eyes after she had put salad on her plate. “Penni … I—”

“No worries. Here, have some more.” Penni put another mound of salad on her plate. “Enjoy.”

“Thanks.” Raci moved away in relief.

I wish I had put another ten cloves of garlic on the salad, Penni fumed internally.

“Do you want me to turn down the crockpot? It looks done.” Genny’s hand went to the power switch.

“No. I will after lunch.”

“Okay.”

Penni waited until all of the men were settled before she went to stand at the table where Viper was sitting with Shade, Jackal, and Ice.

“I want to talk to you.”

“Can it wait until after lunch?”

“No.”

Viper sighed, starting to get up. “Fine, we can go in the living room.”

“Don’t bother. I just wanted to tell you I’m leaving.”

“You can’t leave yet …” Viper and Jackal spoke at the same time.

Penni put her hand in front of Jackal’s face. “Don’t talk to me. The only reason I’m talking to Viper is as a sign of respect for Winter.”

Viper’s face grew cold.

“I hired Alec to protect me, so there’s no reason for me to stay. I’m going to meet up with the band in Reno. With Alec and their force, I’ll be well protected. If anyone tries to stop me, Alec has my permission to call the State Police. He’s waiting for me in the parking lot now.”

“Shade?” Viper’s voice was hoarse with anger.

“She’ll be fine. Alec hired extra men, and he understands how dangerous the men he could be dealing with are.”

“I guess I have no choice other than to let you leave, then. I wish you would wait, but I won’t stop you.”

Penni nodded, turning toward the kitchen.

“This is horseshit. You’re not leaving!” Jackal tried to take her arm, but Penni jerked away.

“I told you last night not to touch me.” Penni strode by angrily as Shade and Viper stood up to make sure Jackal stayed seated.

Penni went to the kitchen counter, making a bowl of stew, then carried it to the table where Jackal was sitting.

“I made you a bowl of meatball stew.”

“I don’t want any fucking stew. I want you to listen to reason. There were reasons—”

Penni dumped the contents of the bowl on his lap.

Shade and Viper sprang away from him while Ice simply leaned away from the droplets of stew that were flung his way.

“You crazy bitch!” Jackal jumped to his feet, trying to tug the hot material away from his skin.

Penni picked his still full plate up then slammed it down on side of his head.

Jackal fell like a brick wall.

“I warned him not call me a bitch.”

32

“Is he breathing?”

Jackal blinked up at the ceiling, seeing Stump bent over him, filling his vision.