"Now, don't forget to do your laundry every week," said Isabella as she and Samuel stood outside next to the car.

"I won't. I have the list you made for me with the programs."

"And you call whenever you want to. Don't call me every day otherwise I'm going to get on your nerves. Make friends, have fun, but not too much fun. Study hard and I'll come get you for Thanksgiving break."

"What if classes are too hard?"

"You've got this cariño. You are smart and they are lucky to have you. I believe in you and so should you. If at times they are too hard, don't hesitate about asking for help. Find a study partner, go to the library as it can sometimes get noisy in the dorms."

Samuel laughed. "I guess you know what you're talking about."

"I do. But I can only give you advice. Everyone's experience in college is different. It will be what you make it out to be."

"Thanks mom, for everything," replied Samuel.

"Now come on and give me a hug so that I can get out of here before crying my eyes."

She took him in her arms. "I'm proud of you, hijo," she whispered in his ear.

He looked at her when he stepped back. "Bishop and Taza are driving down with you, right?"

"Yes, don't worry. I'm heading over to the club now and we'll drive back. I'll let you know when we get there."

"He likes you, doesn't he? Bishop, I mean," said Samuel as she opened the car door.

"Yes," replied Isabella.

"Now that you don't need to focus on me, maybe you can focus on you."

"Maybe."

He watched as his mom drove away before heading back inside the building and up to his room.

Isabella walked up to the Flagstaff clubhouse where a group of bikers were sitting outside.

"You must be Isabella," said one of them as he greeted her. "I'm Gunner, welcome to Flagstaff."

"Thank you. Is Bishop around?"

"He's inside with Lorenzo and Marcus and some of the others. Have a seat with us while you wait."

Isabella nodded and sat down with them around the picnic table.

"Coffee?" asked one of the guys.

"I wouldn't say no."

He poured her a cup and handed it to her.

"Bishop says your boy is at NAU."

"First year," replied Isabella.

"Well, the Mayans family extends all the way here from Santo Padre so if your kid ever needs anything, make sure Bishop lets us know."

"That's very kind of you."

She looked around. "How many factions are there?"

"Quite a lot, there's here, Tucson, Stockton, we're mainly on this side of the country because most of us are Mexican," replied Gunner, "not that we don't accept non-Mexicans," he said laughing.

"Are you Mexican?" asked the guy that had served her coffee.

"Half, on my father's side."

"Like Bear, over here," said Gunner pointing at one of the guys at the table who tipped his head at Isabella.

"How'd you get in contact with the Mayans?" asked Bear who was a tall, massive black-haired man.

"I grew up with Angel and EZ Reyes. When I returned to Santo Padre we reconnected."

"That's cool. Good bunch of brothers," said Gunner.

"You got any sisters?" asked Bear. "It would be nice to have women like you around the club."

"Like me?" replied Isabella laughing.

"Yeah, you know some we can have a decent conversation with. Occasionally, I'd like a woman who you can have pillow talk with, if you get where I'm going at with this. So, do you have a sister?"

"No, I'm sorry, Bear. Why do you guys make me out to be a unicorn?"

"Because, chica, you are. You are a rare specimen. I'd put money down on this table, that it won't take long before a Mayan digs his hooks into you."

"Is that right, Gunner?"

All of them turned around upon hearing Bishop's voice from behind them as he ambled over to the group.

"Damn right," replied Gunner as the men smiled at each other.

"How much money you got in your pocket?" asked Bishop amused.

Gunner stood and dug out a twenty-dollar bill, making everyone laugh.

"Sorry I kept you waiting," said Bishop as he turned his attention to Isabella. "Boys treat you alright?"

"Of course."

"Come on, I'll introduce you to Lorenzo," he said as he waited for her to stand and follow him toward the clubhouse.

When they walked inside Marcus was talking with a buffed guy around her age. Like most Latinos he was dark skinned and had jet black hair. They paused their conversation as Bishop and her joined them.

"Lorenzo, this is Isabella."

The guy looked her over, practically drooling as he did. "Senorita Hernandez, nice to finally put a face to the name. How are you finding Flagstaff?"

"It's beautiful. I have never had the opportunity of coming out this way and am glad I did."

"It is very different than Santo Padre, I assume with your kid here in college, you'll come over more regularly."

"During school break."

"If you get a chance, you should head over to Grand Canyon. It's breathtaking."

She nodded.

"And Marcus," said Bishop, "you've already crossed paths with him."

"Yes," she said as she shook hands with him. "It's a pleasure."

"Likewise," he answered smiling at her then turning to Lorenzo. "Thanks for having us over. We should have more regular meetings."

"Agreed," replied Lorenzo as he shot a glance toward Isabella who remained unfazed by his ogling. "We'll come down next month."

"We should get going," said Bishop, "I want to get back to the club by mid-afternoon."

"My boys will escort you to the border. We've been having some beef with another clan. You can never be too careful."

"Yes, let's avoid any trouble," replied Bishop. He knew he, Taza and Marcus could handle it, but he didn't want anything to happen to Isabella.

Marcus nodded in agreement and called Taza over. "We're on the move," he said as he walked out of the clubhouse, Bishop, and Isabella in tow.

"I'll lead," said Bishop to Isabella as he reached his bike, "Marcus and Taza will be behind you. We'll stop in three hours for lunch."

"Sounds good to me." She paused and looked at him then leaned in. "Be careful."

"Always," he replied smiling at her.

He watched as she walked away, taking in her heart fluttering figure.

"Hard not to look, eh hombre?" he heard Lorenzo say from next to him.

Bishop dug out a twenty-dollar bill before getting on his bike.

"Hey Gunner?"

"Yeah Bishop?"

"Here," said Bishop as he handed him the twenty. "A bet is a bet."

Gunner and Bear exchanged grins as Bishop turned to Lorenzo.

"I'd prefer you kept your eyes off her," replied Bishop a serious look on his face.

Lorenzo eyed him and realized that Bishop was truly warning him. "Message received loud and clear. You are one lucky son of a bitch."

"Don't I know it," replied Bishop as he turned on the ignition and drove out onto the street, the others behind him.