Still pitch black, the van pulled up to a ranch in the middle of nowhere. Following suit, and not really sure of what was going on, Nicole exited the van. Despite Taza being much larger than she was and four other guys there, Nicole took it upon herself to offer her hand to help him out the van.

"Thank you," he smiled appreciatively then hissed in pain. The burn had been left untreated all this time and was getting worse. She smiled back at him, then remained by the van as Bishop walked with his VP up to the house. Coco and Alvarez followed, leaving Angel to close the van doors. He nodded his head for Nicole to walk with him.

"So, uh, I don't know what the deal is between you and Bish, but I do know he won't say this so I will. Thank you. Not just for the job, but for helping Taza as well." Angel said appreciatively.

"It's ok," she smiled the sheepish smile again she did whenever anyone thanked her. "I kind of had...fun?"

Angel laughed a little. "Yeah, it was - it was something. I swear we're normally way more organised than that. Turned in to a bit of shit show."

They had walked up veranda steps to the house, warmth and light emitting from inside. A fragrant and soft spicy smell assaulted their senses as Angel and Nicole paused by the front door. Hidden amongst the spices was a faint smell of animal manure in the night air.

"You coming in?" Angel asked.

"Is this your place?" Nicole asked apprehensively.

Angel couldn't help but snort. "No. Taza's," he said like it was obvious.

"But he hasn't invited me in."

"What, you a vampire, Poptart?"

Nicole giggled. She didn't have much interaction with guys growing up and had always been wary of them, but these were Alvarez's' friends. Coco and Angel were funny and easy. Taza seemed reserved but wise. And it looked like a big house, she was sure she could keep her distance from Bishop. Nicole followed Angel into Taza's home, the warmth, light and homely smell she'd got a glimpse of outside enveloped her more. It was very open plan with the living room and kitchen basically one large room on the bottom floor. A narrow staircase was to her immediate right. She looked with rising interest at the surrounding decor - pictures hung on the wall, photographs were framed. Motorcycle paraphernalia, ornaments, and vases loitered on shelves and cabinet surfaces. It was a home, and Nicole felt a sense of comfort being there, putting her at ease after the events of this evening.

She followed suit and zipped off her boots leaving them amongst the mens by the door. She ventured forward to the kitchen noticing Taza at the kitchen sink, a lady next to him she could only assume was his wife, who was using the sink tap to douse cold water on his burnt skin. Her hair had once been black but now showed signs of grey around the temples and roots, a few silvery strands running to the end of her hair which was tied back in a low ponytail.

Bishop was talking to the woman who was listening as well as tending to her husband, telling an edited version of what happened.

Taza groaned in pain as his wife turned to look for something. She saw a young brunette woman covered in dust. No doubt one of those who hung around the Clubhouse and couldn't string a well formed sentence together.

"You," She nodded to Nicole and the younger woman instantly stood straighter, "Bathroom upstairs, under the sink, there's a white pot with soothing balm in it. It's the colour of cat sick and smells like curry spices. Get it for me."

Nicole paused for a second and thought about what she was saying "Tamanu balm?"

The older woman was surprised by her understanding, and the look on her face didn't hide this. "Si, Tamanu," she waved her hand and Nicole moved silently and swiftly to the bathroom, returning with the requested item.

"Can I do anything else to help?" She looked around the kitchen. Pots and pans hanging neatly on the wall, a shelf with various spices, some more pictures on the wall. Nicole curled her toes at the warmth spreading inside her. The other guys had moved into the living room, comfortable on the sofas.

"Why don't you grab us some beers from the fridge, sweetheart?" Taza asked gently. Nicole followed his eyeline to the hidden fridge and grabbed the open box of beers. She took two out and placed them on the table where Taza was now sitting. She caught the older woman's eyes, looking to her hesitantly then to the living room then back to her. For the first time since arriving the older lady smiled at her. It seems she wasn't the normal type that flocked to the Club and it's members. She seemed a little nervous, which she supposed was a given as she was in a strangers house. She would ask Taza about her later, after he rested.

Nicole turned and headed further into the living room. Alvarez and Bishop had taken up a seat in each of the large armchairs, opposite each other. Coco had sat in the middle of the large sofa, and opposite him Angel was the only one to stand, leaning against the mantle above the fire. They all looked pensive, tired, and stopped talking as she approached them.

Alvarez held open his hand, gesturing for a beer, "Gracias, carino. {thank you sweetheart}"

She picked one out the box and handed it to him. She turned to Coco who gave her a peace sign. She was a bit puzzled then realised he wanted two beers, which she handed to him. She turned again to Bishop, hand already in the box and around the glass bottle when he waved his hand signalling he didn't want one. Lastly, she turned to Angel who shook his head to her.

"I'm good," he mumbled. Truth was he did want one, but he'd seen her face when Bishop refused her, and felt sorry for her. Bishop never refused a beer. This dislike he held for her was getting old, but the more it went on the more he wanted to know.

Nicole sat with Taza and his wife, who she found out was named Mae, once Taza was patched up and he went to bed. Mae offered Alvarez and Bishop a bedroom each and handed out blankets and pillow to Coco and Angel. The second Bishop had left Angel pounced for his chair.

"There's a room for you too, azucar, {sugar}" Mae smiled.

"I - are you sure?" Nicole blinked.

"Si," the older lady smiled, and walked her through the living room.

"Buenas Noches {Goodnight} Mama Taza," Coco and Angel chorused.

"See you in the morning, boys," Mae flicked the light switch and darkness enveloped the downstairs in an /"Later Poptart," Coco called.

"Night," Nicole turned at the sound of his voice and her eyes caught Angel taking off his shirt, leaving him in just a wife beater vest. She quickly looked away, bottom lip caught between her teeth.

Angel, despite being packed into an armchair whilst Coco laid splayed out on the sofa with room to spare, had a restful night's sleep. He could sleep anywhere, and always possessed the ability to do so. When they took road trips as children he would sleep in the car whilst EZ would read. As he got older and started going to sleepovers and house parties, Angel would find himself waking up in stranger's beds, sofas and even bathtubs from time to time.

He was woken gently by Mae, caressing his cheek with the back of her knuckles. She had a soft spot for Coco and Angel, and she didn't hide it.

"Hola, Mama," Angel muttered rubbing his eyes.

"Hola nino {hello boy}, coffee is in the kitchen and Nicole's making French toast. Alvarez needs to see you outside."

Mae moved to Coco and woke him up by rubbing his closely shaven head, and repeated the words spoken to Angel. Angel grabbed his shirt and put it on, body craving nicotine and caffeine as he walked to the kitchen, sleepy eyes clearing and he noticed Nicole at the stove, tongue sticking out the side of her mouth in concentration as she busied herself making French Toast. Angel ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it down before grabbing a mug. He shut the cabinet door harder then needed and Nicole turned at the sound.

"Hi," she greeted quietly. She was wearing the same outfit as last night, dust still covering some of her front. Mae had given her a very old, very thin denim shirt which she left unbuttoned.

"Dormiste bien?" Angel asked, pouring coffee.

"I - I don't know what that means." Nicole stuttered a slight blush spreading up her neck.

"Sorry." He always spoke in Spanish first thing in the morning whilst his body woke up. It seemed to be more natural for him at that time of day to do so. "Did you sleep okay?"

"Oh," she seemed to think over his question for a few seconds. "Yeah."

She turned back to the toast and sensing she wasn't going to speak again he took his coffee outside where Alvarez, Bishop and Taza were waiting. Coco appeared a minute later shovelling French Toast into his mouth.

"Galindo wants us to hand the intel directly over to his contact," Alvarez announced not beating around the bush.

"We can do that," Bishop nodded. "Galindo trusts us to do that, it's good right?"

"It is," Alvarez nodded. "Galindo's contact's code name is Red Fox. They're in Nevada on a business trip for the next seven days. When we get to Virginia City, we'll need to make another call."

"We don't have any charters in Nevada, can we call-" Angel started.

"I've already made the call, hermano {brother}." Alvarez interrupted.

"Do we all need to go? Gilly and Creeper are out for a few days. We need to keep a presence in Santo Padre." br /Angel asked, lighting another cigarette.

"Agreed," Taza answered. "I'm out for a few days as well," he continued, holding up his arm as if anyone could forget the incident from yesterday.

"Johnny, Angel you up for a road trip?" Bishop answered.

Nodding the guys agreed.

"I can do it," Nicole spoke from the doorway.

"The fuck?" Bishop asked incredulously.

"How long have you standing there, querida? This is a private conversation," Alvarez chastised softly.

"Sorry. The door was open so I thought I could just..." she trailed off. Bishop threw a look to Coco. He had been the last one in and obviously hadn't shut the door properly - if at all.

"My bad," he offered Bishop with a shrug and a smile.

"Anyone hungry?" Nicole offered, moving to the table and setting down another plate of French Toast. Coco enthusiastically grabbed another slice and Angel couldn't resist the smell, taking one for himself. Everyone took a slice except Bishop, Angel noticed.

"This is fucking amazing. What's your secret?" Coco asked around a mouthful of toast.

"My Mother's French," Nicole gave a small shrug tasking a glance at Bishop but his eyes were cast downwards into the coffee cup he was drinking from "And Vanilla essence."

Angel took a bite and couldn't help the groan that escaped. He ate the rest in three bites and grabbed another slice.

"I meant what I said, if you guys are busy I can go to Nevada," Nicole repeated her offer.

"Nicole, this is not your job," Alvarez replied.

"Technically it is. You hired me to find and deliver. I've found what you were looking for, now let me deliver for you. No extra charge." Nicole replied her voice growing more confident by the minute.

Alvarez looked to Bishop. "Up to you Primo."

Bishop looked to Nicole, eyes flicked to her chest before he closed them briefly and sighed. She didn't know the importance of getting this to the right hands. If something happened and she couldn't, or wouldn't, deliver the USB stick to Galindo's 'Red Fox', he and his Club would be in the shit at the hands of the Cartel. Their heads would be removed from their bodies before they could even realise there was a problem. On the other hand, Nicole taking their intel for them would get her out of his hair faster, and would free up his guys at the yard.

"I can go with," Angel offered after a short silence from Bishop. He took the ashtray from Coco and stubbed out his cigarette. "I, uh, was planning to visit EZ sometime soon anyways, so figure I can swing by on the way back?" He asked Bishop, scratching the back of his neck.
Bishop nodded to himself. "Okay."


"Have you ever ridden before, azucar?" Mae asked, wiping down the kitchen.

"Hmm?" Nicole mused.

"On a bike? Your legs spread for hours at a time, it takes some getting used to. Maybe take some aspirin before you go. And pack some protein bars."
Nicole opened and closed her mouth like a fish. "I don't have any. I don't have anything with me."

Mae opened a cupboard and gave her a handful of protein bars. "It might be a while between stops and whilst you can eat. Plus, a word to the wise, Angel gets hangry quick."

"Angry?" Nicole's eyes widened. She was about to embark on a journey with a stranger and he was prone to violent bursts?

"No, azucar, 'hangry' like the kids say. Hungry and angry - hangry. Si?" Mae replied laughingbr /Nicole nodded in understanding.

A few minutes later Nicole was carrying protein bars, a small medical kit, travel sized toothpaste, and a box of tampons that Mae had offloaded. Mae had given her tips for the road, so many Nicole couldn't remember any. When she asked Mae if she rode too she got a distant look in her eyes. "Si, when we were younger. We'd go exploring. Camp out in the desert and take Polaroid photos." She sighed nostalgically.

Now, Alvarez has pulled her aside to the living room and took a small black flip phone from his kutte pocket. "Take this, it's a prepay. It has three numbers - the Scrapyard, mine and Bishop's." Alvarez chose to ignore the look Nicole gave him at the mention of Bishop's name. "And this." He bought out a small gun.
Nicole gasped and shook her head "No way. I don't know how and I don't want to use it."

"I don't want you to use it either but just in case." Alvarez moved forward and put the small gun in Nicole's waistband of her jeans. "Safety's on." He told her, kissing her cheek. "Angel's a good guy, do what he says. It's all good."

"You ready?" Angel asked, face contorting into slight bewilderment as he eyed up the assortment of random items in her arms.

"Yep, Protein bars and toothpaste, everything we apparently need for a road trip."

Mae approached them holding a black canvas rucksack like it was a trophy, exclaiming, "I knew I still had this somewhere!" And helped Nicole put her new found possessions in the pack. Angel clocked the small gun in her waistband that wasn't there before.

"You ever rode before?" He asked. She shook her head no. "Ok, so here's the ground rules. Hold on to me at all times - even if the bike stops. When the bike stops don't put your feet down. Ever. You'll throw me off balance then we'll both go down. I tell you when to get on and off. Got it?"
Nicole nodded in agreement mentally noting Angel's instructions.


Mae had not been playing around when she told Nicole to take a couple of aspirin before setting off on the bike. Whilst Angel was filling the bike up at a gas station, Nicole was bending and stretching her legs, trying to get some feeling back into them.

"You'll get used to it," he called to her over his shoulder, enjoying the funny things she was doing by watching her in his bike mirror.

"You're doin' good, not too long now." he told her, He figured he'd throw her a bit of praise where it was due.

They were quickly back on the road, the sun descended quickly leaving a pink hue behind. They'd only gone a few miles when Nicole thought she heard the sound of more bikes behind them. She thought nothing more of it until she realised there were several - a cautious glance behind her showed 5 bikes, black silhouettes against what little daylight was left. She wanted to ask Angel if they were in any danger, but there was no way he'd be able to hear her. The bike slowed down a little as Angel tried to establish who their visitors were. The all black of the bikes gave no indication, and their riders all dressed in head to toe black made them impossible to recognise.

The one thing he did clock, and far too late, were the guns strapped to their bedrolls.