TRACKING TRISHA - A Black Hounds Motorcycle Club Romance (The Fox and the Hounds Book #1) by Fiona Garland

proud as a good student. On the other hand, I started to hang out with the wrong crowd.”
     
     
    “Were they part of the Black Hounds?”
     
     
    Dante shook his head. “Dad managed to keep the real bad apples out of his house. The Black Hounds are tough but principled. We had a code of honor. They taught me everything there is to know about motorcycles and riding. For awhile, life was good. That is until I started wandering outside its walls.”
     
     
    “Who did you meet?”
     
     
    “Everyone who the Black Hounds rejected,” Dante answered somewhat coldly. “They were the lowest of the low. They didn’t care about helping the community like the Hounds. They fought, lied, and cheated just to earn themselves a nickel. They taught me how to fight dirty and steal… all the stuff dad tried to protect me from. The worst of it was that… I was good at it.”
     
     
    Trisha knew what the natural conclusion was for the story. Thankfully for Dante, she didn’t ask for specifics. “I’m glad you turned your life and the club around.”
     
     
    Then, a cheery middle aged woman greeted them. “Why if it wasn’t Mr. Alastair himself! Ready to order? And who is the lucky lady?”
     
     
    “My name is Trisha,” she answered, pointing to a German beer with an unpronounceable name. “I’ll have this one.”
     
     
    “The capuchin is one of my personal favorites,” she said with glee. “The regular for you, Dante?”
     
     
    “Like always.”
     
     
    “Your old man would’ve been proud of what you’re doing,” the woman praised, writing down their orders. “I’d give up both my kidneys to have a kid as well-mannered as you. They’re still getting into fist fights in school. Honestly, it’s like a pair of coyotes.”
     
     
    “Hey, it’s Lucia who’s the brains of the operation,” Dante replied, deflecting the praise. “Your kids have plenty of time to grow up. I was one hell of a troublemaker at their age. And your kidneys are perfectly fine where they are, Martha. You need them to live.”
     
     
    “It’s also good that your uncle is out of his cage,” she continued. “It must be great to have him as your wingman.”
     
     
    Dante nodded politely. Lucia made sure Uncle Cass’s position was purely ceremonial. “I always respect my elders.”
     
     
    The woman smiled before finishing writing. “Just wait one moment and I’ll get you your drinks.”
     
     
    “Lucia and I spent so much time here,” the biker mused. “When mom got worse, we moved her to the hospital in the city so she could get better help. Eventually, Lucia and I moved here as well. The doctors said it would help her recover if she was with her kids.”
     
     
    Trisha bit down on her lower lips before speaking. “I’m sure the two of you made her burden feel a little lighter.”
     
     
    “We would come here after school to do our homework. Mom was strict about us having a good education. She made sure we finished studying before we could go for a ride or have fun with the other kids.”
     
     
    Trisha teased. “I guess it worked out well for your sister.”
     
     
    “I think she didn’t want us to notice how sick she was becoming…” the man brought a hand to his forehead. “God, I was such fuck up. She had months to live and I wasted that time racing and fighting.”
     
     
    “She would be proud of what you’ve become,” Trisha countered. “CEO of a successful company… trying to make an honest living. I think any mother would appreciate that.”
     
     
    “Sorry, I shouldn’t be talking about this,” Dante sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I should be trying to get to know you better instead getting all nostalgic about the past. Or talking about how much of a fucking disgrace I acted to my sick mother…”
     
     
    No, it’s okay,” Trisha replied. “I enjoy getting to know you better. It’s a lot more interesting than reading a press statement.”
     
     
    “Lucia prefers press statements to