Six months later

"Los Cobras attacked Las Madrinelas, yesterday," said Bishop gravely as they sat around the meeting room table.

"They are getting closer," said Angel.

"I thought we were in the clear when they went silent two months ago, but maybe they were just regrouping."

"What do we do? They are literally at our doorstep," asked EZ.

"If we hit first, it won't look good," said Tranq, "but if they get near Santo Padre then we're basically defending our town and its people."

"Taza, call Lorenzo and the other clubs, we're going to need the man and gunpower."

"I'm on it," replied Taza as he stood from his chair, took his phone, and headed out of the meeting room.

"What about Galindo?" asked EZ.

"We'll reach out to him as well through Marcus. From now on, you are all reachable by phone. No one goes to Vicki's and no regulars at the club, it's too dangerous."

They all nodded until Riz laughed. "We aren't as lucky as Angel and you to have our woman at home."

"Not our problem you can't commit, Riz."

All men laughed which felt good amid the potential chaos that might be heading their way.

Bishop and Angel walked inside the diner and headed for the booth where Isabella and Adelita, Angel's new girlfriend were seated. Each man slid in the available spot next to their respective girlfriends.

Bishop kissed Isabella and when he pulled back, she scrutinized his face. "You're worried, what's wrong?"

"Las Madrinelas was hit yesterday," he answered as he called the Lupita over.

"Los Cobras?" asked Isabella.

"Si, Belita," he replied as Lupita reached them. "Four beers."

"Not for me," replied Isabella, "I've had my count."

"Same. We're one ahead of your guys," added Adelita as the girls laughed.

The two women had connected instantly, and both knew that even if Isabella had been with Angel before, she was madly in love with Bishop. They had become good friends and spent a lot of time together as they were the only two non-regulars sharing their lives with a club member. Also, they were external to the club, meaning that apart from the time they spent there, they were mostly in the dark about the side business, as per their own request. Regardless, it didn't mean that they didn't know all the other club pertaining business, and in this case, Los Cobras.

"Everything alright, amor?" asked Bishop.

"Yes, I'm driving and if Los Cobras were only forty minutes away yesterday, they're going to have more patrol cars out on the road and in town. Don't want to end up with a DIU conviction."

"Yeah," replied Angel, "we're going to have to be really careful about a lot of things."

Bishop nodded.

"You want coffee instead?" asked Lupita.

"No, some iced tea, for me Lu."

"And a coke for me."

Lupita nodded and headed back behind the counter.

"Do we need to worry?" asked Adelita as she eyed Angel.

"No. We've got it covered, just be extra careful when you're out in town."

"And stay in Santo Padre for the time being," added Bishop.

He saw Isabella's look and new what she was thinking about. After her surgery, Maggie had asked to be put in a care facility in the opposite direction of Las Madrinelas. It meant that Isabella wouldn't be able to go see her for a while.

He took her hand and kissed it. "I know Belita, but if anything happens to you, I couldn't live with myself."

Isabella nodded but said nothing.

As they walked inside the house, Bishop headed for the safe and came back with a Glock.

"I want you to have this with you wherever you go. Do you know how to use it?"

She nodded as she took the gun from him. "What if I get pulled over by the cops?"

"It's registered and I have a license. You won't get in trouble."

"You're not taking any risks," she said as she walked over to the kitchen island and checked that it was loaded.

Bishop was surprised to see how at ease she was with it, but he didn't ask. "When it comes to you, I'll never take any risks, you know that."

She put it in her bag and sighed. He walked over to her worriedly. "What is it?"

"It's ironic. I always thought it would be the club's side business I needed to worry about, not a rival gang."

"I know."

"I'm worried about my mom."

"I'll send the EZ and the prospect to check on her regularly. And Samuel is not anywhere near here."

"Thank you, mi amor. Hopefully this all clears up by Thanksgiving. I miss my boy."

"I know you do." He then smiled deviously. "I know what could keep you busy," he said as he started to unbutton her shirt.

"Oh, you do huh?"

He nodded as his lips found the nook of her neck. She felt a wave of warmth flow through her instantly. The way he touched and kissed her was enough to spark the wildest of fires within her, every time. They were insatiable. He stripped her and lifted her, setting her down on the kitchen island. He spread her thighs apart and squatted. As his tongue masterly lapped and flickered back and forth, her moans increased in intensity until she came. He then picked her off the island and carried her to the table, brushing off it the mail and keys. He laid her down, then stripped before making love to her.