| |
“Church,” Monk called.
“Man,” Jet grumbled. “I hate fucking weekly meetings like this. Monk makes this club feel like a fucking job.”
“It is our job,” I laughed. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and handed it to Jet. “I have found beer makes this much more tolerable, though.” Pretty sure there weren’t any rules about drinking on the job. One of the perks of being in an MC. It was always a good time for a drink.
“My job is to do security at Skinz. I’m part of the club to be a badass who gets tons of pussy, not sit in weekly meetings to go over mundane bullshit.” Jet popped open the top of the beer and chugged half of it. “This shit is supposed to be fun.”
I shrugged and headed down the hall to church. “Yeah, well, it is what it is right now, Jet. Once Barracuda comes back, things will go back to the way they were.” We just didn’t know when that was going to be.
We walked into church, and I took the seat next to Monk. Then, we waited until the rest of the guys filed in and took their seats.
“Where is Tank?” Monk asked.
Mace chuckled. “Uh, I don’t think he ever made it back to the club last night. I saw him leave with Rain, and she looked fucking pissed.”
Monk glanced at Rebel. “You know anything about that?”
Rebel shook his head. “Man, I haven’t touched her for two months. She thought she was pregnant and scared the fuck out of me. Not ready for that shit ever.” He held up his hands. “I washed my hands of that bitch and gave Tank my blessing to have at it.”
Playboy laughed and slapped him on the back. “Oh, come on, man. You don’t want to be daddy, Rebel?”
Rebel shrugged off Playboy. “Hell to the fucking no. I am not interested in that at all. I was just with Rain as a steady lay, not a fucking commitment.”
Monk nodded to Jinx. “Call Tank and make sure he’s okay.”
“I called him earlier,” Mace interrupted. “He didn’t answer.”
“Call again, and if he doesn’t answer, then go fucking find him,” Monk grunted. “I don’t know Rain, but from the shit you guys say, she might have him strung up in her basement trying to get pregnant.”
Rebel pointed at Monk. “That is not as farfetched as you would think. This one time—.”
Monk sliced a glare through Rebel and he stopped mid-sentence.
Jinx nodded. “Will do,” he laughed.
Monk leaned back in his chair. “I got a call from Sledge yesterday.”
“No shit,” Playboy grunted. “What did he want?”
Monk laid his hands on the table. “Seems Barracuda paid the Kings of Vengeance a visit a couple of weeks ago.”
Everyone froze.
“Say what?” Jinx gasped. “And we’re just hearing about it right now?”
Monk shrugged. “Yeah. They have their own shit going on and didn’t get a chance to call ‘til now.”
“What the hell was he doing there?” I asked.
“Just stayed for a couple of days, and then, he was gone.” Monk tapped his fingers on the table. “He didn’t say much of anything when he was there. Told the Kings about Leona and said he needed a place to stay for a couple of days. He did say he thought it was the Devil’s Rebels.”
“But we don’t fucking know if it was them or why,” Jinx grumbled.
“Fucking crazy,” Mace cussed. “What the hell is he doing? You would think his ass would want to be here and not fucking roaming the damn country.”
“Wish I fucking knew,” Monk murmured.
“Do they know where he was headed when he left?” Playboy asked.
Monk again shook his head. “He didn’t say, and Quinn didn’t want to overstep and ask. Barracuda was a bit of a wild cannon before Leona’s death. He went off the fucking deep end when she was murdered.”
We all nodded. That was the fucking truth.
None of us had known how into Leona Barracuda was. Even Raelyn was surprised at how hard Barracuda took it. Raelyn had said that Leona was head over heels for Barracuda, but she hadn’t mentioned Barracuda being that deep into her.
Obviously he was.
“Who knows where the hell he is going to show up next. I’m trying not to advertise the fact our prez lost his shit, but it’s not a secret. The other chapters of the Royal Bastards are keeping their eyes open and have said they’ll do anything to help.” Monk sighed. “That brings us to figuring out who in the hell killed Leona.”
That was the million dollar question. We had been trying to figure it out for months.
“We’ve talked about this until we run out of breath,” Jinx complained. “We got no fucking clue why. There’s no way in hell they were meaning to kill Leona. It was a blaze of gunfire, and it didn’t matter who it hit. They were sending a message.”
“Well,” Monk drawled. “It’s been months since it happened, and we haven’t gotten any other messages from them. So tell me what exactly the message they were sending.”
Rebel slammed his hand on the table. “This is fucking bullshit. We know it’s got to be someone connected to Jester or maybe even the Devil’s Rebels.”
Playboy shook his head. “Possibly Jester, but why the hell would it be the Devil’s Rebels? We’ve paid them a shit-ton of money over the past few months, and they haven’t had to really do anything to get it. Some information and now they’re swimming in our money.”
“Maybe they aren’t happy with the payout they got for the girls the Kings took from them?” I suggested.
“They’re the ones who said it would cost thirty grand for the problem to go away. It wasn’t like we went back and forth over the cost to resolve the issue.” Jinx leaned back in his chair.
“It’s not like these guys have a moral compass or anything. They changed their mind about the deal and decided we were going to be the ones to pay for it?” Monk suggested.
“But why go after the girls?” Jet asked. “Hell, they couldn’t have possibly known that Leona and Barracuda were together.”
“None of us knew that they were together. We all thought it was some casual thing,” Playboy grunted.
“Maybe they were trying to get Raelyn, then,” I said. “They knew that you were hooking up with her.”
“But why?” Playboy insisted.
I didn’t have that answer. None of us did.
Monk ran his fingers through his hair. “We have to take it all the way back. Look at every person we’ve even looked at or spoken to, and see if maybe they have some vendetta against us.”
“Oh, man,” Rebel moaned. “You really think we need to do that? I say we look closely at the Devil’s Rebels. Maybe there is something more going on than us having to fucking pay them all the goddamn time.”
“Fine,” Monk agreed. “Start there, but don’t fucking glaze over anything. I want to know every fucking possible thing there is to know about the Devil’s Rebels. No detail is too small.”
Everyone agreed.
We had to do something more.
We were all getting sick of living on high alert, waiting for someone to strike again. We had to get this shit figured out now.
“Could it have something to do with Jester and the whole Memphis and Billie Jean thing?” Jet pondered. “I mean, it wasn’t long after we rescued those two that bullets rained down on the clubhouse.”
“That’s more than a possibility, too,” Monk agreed.
“That’s the fucking problem,” I groaned. “There are just too many fucking possibilities.” We were eventually going to question the fucking mailman if we didn’t start narrowing this shit down.
Monk pointed his finger at me. “What you need to start doing is stop following Memphis around like a lost little puppy dog.”
And now Monk was gonna rag on me for this again. He wasn’t giving Playboy shit about constantly being with Raelyn, so why was he on my ass about Memphis? “I thought we all agreed no one goes out on their own. Does that not apply to Memphis? Barracuda swore the Bastards would take care of her now.” Barracuda wasn’t here now, but that didn’t mean we could go back on his word.
Monk was about to piss me the fuck off with him bugging me about Memphis.
“Drop her at work and then pick her up. You don’t need to fucking sit there and watch her work. We upped the security at the club, so we don’t have to be there anymore. We’re paying a pretty fucking penny to a security company, and you’re wasting your time watching Memphis. I need you here at the clubhouse.”
“Then you wanna fucking explain to me why it’s okay for Playboy to spend all day at work with Raelyn?” I snapped. I didn’t want to have to drag Playboy and Raelyn into this, but I had to say something.
“Because I’m not paying someone to keep an eye on her and then also Playboy to stand around next to her.” Monk leaned forward and rested his hand on the table. “Besides, that’s his ol’ lady. You want to tell us you claimed Memphis for yourself?”
I hadn’t. Not even close. Hell, after last night, I was pretty sure she hated me. “She needs...” Fuck, I didn’t know what the hell she needed. “I just don’t want...” I didn’t know what the fuck I wanted either. A chick I barely knew had me tied up in knots and running around in circles trying to help her all the while the club thought I was fucking crazy.
Playboy laughed and shook his head. “You ain’t gotta say anything more to me, brother. Raelyn did the same fucking thing to me. I barely knew the girl, but I was ready to give my life for her. Hell, at least you’ve known Memphis for longer than two hours,” he laughed. “Raelyn sucker-punched me right from the beginning.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jinx grumbled. “You got the hots for Memphis?”
I shrugged. Again, I had no fucking clue.
Rebel folded his arms over his chest. “Well, if you don’t, then maybe I’ll see if I can shoot my shot with her.”
“Over my dead fucking body.” The words were out of my mouth before I could even finish thinking them. My blood-boiled at the thought of Rebel and Memphis together. Not gonna fucking happen.
Rebel smiled wide. “Thought you weren’t sure about her?”
I flipped him off. “Any of you fuckers even so much as sniff her way, I’ll knock your fucking lights out.”
“Damn,” Playboy laughed. “Those really are some intense words for a guy who doesn’t know if he wants Memphis or not.” He snickered and bumped fists with Jinx.
“She’s been through hell and back. She doesn’t need any of you assholes trying to flip her skirts,” I grunted.
“But you think she needs you?” Jet laughed.
I didn’t know if I was the thing she needed either, but I couldn’t fight the need to protect and keep her safe. “I don’t know a damn thing other than I’m going to do everything I can to help her and make sure nothing bad ever happens to her again.”
“He’s a goner,” Playboy laughed. “There isn’t any sense trying to deny it.”
“Fucking hell,” Monk grumbled. “Are you fucking kidding me? Like this is the best time to try and get with a chick?”
It wasn’t, but you couldn’t plan shit like this. When it happened, it just fucking happened. Playboy could attest to that. When Raelyn had knocked on his door and asked for help, that was the beginning of falling for her and making her his ol’ lady. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I can tell you I’m not going to leave Memphis at Skinz with no one watching her.”
“There is fucking security there!” Monk threw his head back and groaned. “Fucking ridiculous,” he mumbled. “Fine, watch her. Keep her fucking safe, but you’re still going to be helping around here. When she isn’t working, your ass is doing any and everything I need from you. No goddamn complaining. You hear?”
I nodded. That was what I was already doing anyway. “You got it.” I could always bring Memphis with me if I needed to go somewhere. I could make anything work as long as I knew Memphis was with me.
Monk stood and pushed back his chair. “Meeting fucking over. Let’s figure out who the hell killed Leona before they strike again, yeah?”
We all agreed and filed out of church.
Raelyn and Memphis were sitting on the large couch in front of the TV when I entered into the common room.
The urge to walk over and sit right next to her was strong. I opted to sit at the table closest to the couch and pretended to watch the TV while I listened to them talk.
“I hate this show,” Raelyn muttered. She pointed the remote at the TV and scowled. “I don’t know why the hell they play all the reruns.”
Memphis clutched a hand to her chest. “You did not just tell me you hate Friends. That is the best TV show ever,” she gasped.
Raelyn curled her lip. “Uh, no. That would be Ice Road Truckers.” She glanced at Raelyn and shook her head.
Memphis reared back. “We are completely different people, Rae.” She cleared her throat and yelled, “We were on a break!”
“Excuse me?” Raelyn laughed. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Memphis dropped her head into her hands. “My God. How can you not know that? What about Pivot!”
Raelyn sat back and wagged her finger at Memphis. “Could you please stop screaming weird things at me?”
Memphis’ jaw dropped. “It’s true. You don’t like Friends because you don’t know any of the iconic sayings from it.” She gasped loudly and pretended to pass out over the arm of the couch.
“Hardly iconic if I don’t know them,” Raelyn muttered. “And I hate it. Way more than dislike.”
Memphis popped back up and pushed her hair out of her face. “You need an intervention. You need to sit down and watch every episode to appreciate its greatness.”
Raelyn cringed. “Uh, that sounds like torture. I’m not really into that.”
“Well, watching Ice Road Truckers sounds like torture to me. Can we please agree that I won’t make you watch Friends, and you won’t make me watch...that?”
Raelyn laughed. “Yes. We can totally agree on that.”
“What are you two agreeing on?” Playboy asked. He walked over to Raelyn and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I have a feeling the two of you could get into a lot of trouble if I leave you to it.”
Raelyn smiled, but it didn’t touch her eyes. “I’m sure we could. Just like Leona and I used to.”
“Oh, sweet girl,” Playboy murmured. “Having a rough day?” He sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms.
Memphis scooted to the end of the couch and tucked her legs underneath her. She warily watched them from the corner of her eye.
I would kill to know what she was thinking right now.
“Not any worse than normal. You just made me think of her when you said Memphis and I could be trouble.” Raelyn sighed and rested her head on Playboy’s shoulder. “Leona was trouble. I was just along for the ride,” she laughed.
“Uh, I’m gonna go get ready for work.” Memphis stood.
“Already?” Raelyn asked. “You’re not leaving because I don’t like Friends, are you?”
Memphis laughed and shook her head. “As much as I don’t understand you not liking it, I swear I’m not abandoning you because of it. I promised Mitzy I would be in early to cover for Flo.”
Raelyn flitted her hand to Memphis. “Go, go. I wouldn’t want to make you be late and be on Mitzy’s bad side. She sort of scares me.”
Playboy chuckled. “That’s probably why she’s the manager of the club. It takes a special kind of person to keep all of the girls wrangled and the club running.”
“True, true,” Raelyn muttered. “I just wouldn’t want to be on her bad side.”
“Good thing you don’t work there,” I laughed. I had been on the bad side of Mitzy before. It wasn’t a fun place to be.
“As if Playboy would let me work at Skinz. The man about had a fit when I walked out of the bedroom in a pair of cutoff shorts. Can you imagine me walking out with pasties on my boobs and—”
Playboy slapped his hand on Raelyn’s mouth. “You don’t need to say anything more. We all know what the girls at the club wear, and we all know you’ll never wear anything like that.”
Raelyn rolled her eyes and tried to argue with Playboy’s hand still over her mouth.
“Later,” Memphis called. She headed down the hallway, and my eyes stayed on her until she was out of sight.
“Damn,” Playboy laughed. “You really do have it bad for her, brother.”
Raelyn managed to get Playboy’s hand off her mouth and slapped him on the chest. “You were two seconds away from me biting you,” she warned. She turned to me. “And since when do you have the hots for Memphis?”
I shrugged. I still didn’t know if I did have the hots for her. All I was certain of was this strong urge to protect her and keep her safe.
“He does, but he doesn’t know it yet,” Playboy laughed.
“But you do?” Raelyn asked. She looked Playboy up and down. “If I remember correctly, you weren’t too sure of me, to begin with.”
“You mean the first five seconds we met?” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I was into us way before you were,” he whispered.
And this was where I got the hell out of here. I was happy for Playboy that he had been able to find Raelyn, but I didn’t need to sit around and watch them be all mushy like some creeper.
“I’ll see you guys later,” I called.
Playboy raised his hand but was too occupied to talk because Raelyn was all over him.
I walked down the hallway and knocked on Memphis’ door.
She quickly opened it and looked up at me. “Yes?”
“You okay?” I asked. She didn’t seem like she was. She seemed shook.
“Yeah.” She moved to close the door.
My foot shot out, and I held it open. “What time do you need to be to work?” I was looking for any reason to talk to Memphis. I would talk to her about the damn weather if it meant she would keep the door open.
“Four.”
She obviously was trying really hard to not talk to me at all.
“Okay, if we leave here around three-thirty? I need to stop somewhere on the way.”
She shrugged. “You’re driving. You can do whatever you want.”
“But I want to make sure you’re okay with it.”
She eyed me warily. “Right,” she drawled.
She didn’t believe me.
She didn’t trust.
Jester had been the one to make her this way. He was the reason why she looked at me like I was some big bad wolf trying to eat her.
“Can we talk?” What I was going to say...I had no clue.
She shook her head. “I don’t have time right now. I need to shower and get ready for work.”
It was only half-past one. She had plenty of time to get ready and talk to me. I wasn’t going to push it, though. With Memphis, that was the one thing I couldn’t do.
“What about after work?”
She bit her bottom lip, and her eyes dropped to the floor. “Uh, we’ll see.”
I would take that. “All right. I’ll leave you to it then.” I gave her a nod and headed down the hallway to my room.
I couldn’t push Memphis. One wrong move, and I knew I would send her running to the hills.
Last night when I had grabbed her arm, she had looked so spooked. I didn’t ever want to see that look on her face again.
Memphis needed time, and I was going to give it to her.