Chapter 5
Ekaterina
Taking the badge, I place it in the back pocket of my black riding denims and change my T-shirt then reach for my black hoodie that has the arm guards in it. It’s time to take a ride out to the Black Vultures club since I was summonsed upon arrival but was too jet lagged to go.
Now they await me. They want to know what a Russian girl like me has to offer them. Being Jett's stepsister works in my favor since they want as much dirt on his M.C. as possible. Apparently, my club has designs on taking over their patch. Not that I give a damn, I’m in it for the ride, the bikes, the atmosphere, the clubs and the comradeship.
It beats doing what my mother wants me to do which is to go into business with my stepfather. Not likely. I’d rather the ground opened up and I laid down in it with the dirt covering me. There is no way I am going into his business.
My own father has taught me the ropes of his underworld and his legal business enterprises. If anything, when I’m done hanging out with my M.C. I may just go back to Russia and take over. That’s the plan in any case. If I’m allowed and my father forgives me.
My phone rings, it’s a call from the leader of our pack, Wolfgang.
“Hey,” I say since I am not one for real conversation. I prefer to say as little as possible.
“When are you here? You were supposed to come already.” His voice is a growl but it phases me none.
“I said I’m on my way. I’ll be there soon. You’re only thirty minutes ride out from my place.”
“Fine, get at it. We have a meeting and you need to be here. Where’s that asshole brother of yours?”
I let out a sigh. “First, he is not my brother. He is my stepbrother and secondly, Wolfgang I have no fucking idea. I am not his nanny.”
“Don’t get so touchy, Kitty. It doesn’t suit you. Remember your place in this gang. You’re at the bottom.”
“Huh, why is that? Because I am the only female? Sexist much!”
He growls again down the phone. Fuck him he isn’t my boss. He needs me more than I need them. Let’s face it, Cali has plenty of biker gangs. My father, however, told me that if I was going to come to Cali these are the only people I can ride with.
Apparently, he knows Wolfgang’s father. They have done business together in the past and he knows that Wolfgang and the brothers will ensure that nothing happens to me. Like I need protection. Hell, I’m good in a ring since my father made me start with boxing and kick boxing from an early age, along with martial arts and street fighting. I swear to God he wanted a boy. Well tough, out came me with a vag between my legs.
“Just get your ass over here. You need to meet the gang, then I’m throwing a barbeque for you to meet the ladies.”
Great, not what I need. I’m not much of one for meeting the ladies and chatting shit with them. Although, perhaps Wolfgang’s crew is more in-tune with me.
“See you soon,” I say as I end the call abruptly and slide into my biker, ankle boots that are tucked slightly under the bed. Thankfully, I will not bump into Blake since he has already ridden out, I am guessing to met up with his gang.
My mother steps out of her bedroom, “oh, you’re dressed for going out on your bike.”
“Yes, I need to get some wind in my hair and a bit of space. It’s crowded in here.”
Mom tilts her head “How can that be? We live in a mansion, Ekaterina.”
I shrug my shoulders, my helmet in my hand. It’s black with a red, lightning strike from the front to the back.
“Jett and I don’t get along; Mom you know that and being put so close to his room is hideous. There are plenty of rooms in this house, why?”
“Now, now, Ekaterina. We use the other rooms as guest rooms when we throw events or have family come to stay.” She means my stepdad’s family. My mother has practically disowned her family. She never really got on well with her sister.
I on the other hand do get on with my aunty, Tatiana. She was always like a mother to me back in Russia after my mother decided to come to the USA. My babushka (grandmother) is still alive and yeah, I miss her already with he wrinkled skin, grey eyes and the softest smile. She is a good woman and taught me how to bake traditional Russian pies and biscuits. God, I really miss her and the way she would always tell me stories about the generations before us.
“I’m going out, I have to meet some people,” I tell her as I begin to walk towards the top of the elaborate staircase.
“What people? Who do you know here? You’ve only just arrived in California.”
All these questions! “Just on-line friends, Mom. Nothing to worry about.”
I begin to descend the staircase.
“Ekaterina, you better not be hanging around with bikers. It’s bad enough your brother is in a gang. One day somebody could get hurt.”
Not bothering to respond because I don’t want to lie to my mother. Telling her it is on-line friends is not such a lie. It’s more one of those white lies because I have had correspondence only via online chats with Wolfgang.
Outside, I take in a deep breath. Excitement curses through my body as I see my bike sitting there waiting for me to mount it. I love the thrill of being on my bike, feeling my hair blowing in the wind and the total abandonment that riding gives me.
If only Jett the asshole wasn’t in my life, this scenario would be perfect. A little staycation here in Cali, spend a bit of time with my mother and then back home.
That is if my father will allow it. Since I disgraced our family, I may not ever be allowed back home.