Game Changer (Hell's Saints Motorcycle Club)

by Marinaro, Paula

  You would think that with the men we had for role models in our young lives Claire and I would have had the sense to look for something better. Neither one of us dated until way later. Just like with the friends’ thing, our situation hadn’t exactly been conducive to dating the boy next door. We kept to ourselves. When we finally made that leap, we both picked men who abused drugs and then had abused us. Yep, baby sister and I were not too smart when it came to choosing men.

  Now here I was in the heart of Wrong Man City. The irony did not escape me. But here in that City of All Wrong, was also Pinky and Prosper. There was also Viking God who made the best home fries I ever tasted and who winked at me when he thought I was sad.

  And there was Diego. Who I was hoping wasn’t Mr. Wrong at all. Who I was beginning to hope with all my heart, was the man I could finally make a home with. I was hoping that in the heart of the City Of All Wrong. I had finally found my Mr. Right. Maybe.

  Chapter 36

  “Report in.”

  Prosper had the gavel in his hand and was seated at the head of the table behind closed doors. It was a few days after Lilah’s funeral. Prosper had left the women behind to do whatever they had to do to clean up the rest of Pinky’s family shit. And shit it had been, if it had been up to Prosper he would have burnt that fuck house to the ground. He knew what had happened to Pinky behind those walls. But Dolly was there and his Raine was there too. Pinky had been determined to try and make some green from that shithouse and maybe she was right. Maybe it was time she got some back for the misery that had been her life. So he had left her to it.

  Diego, Reno, Jules, Pipe, and Crow were at the table. Gunner, Ever, and Riker had driven up from Willows Point to sit in on this one too.

  Diego and Crow, looking a little worse for the wear were sitting opposite from each other scowling. They both had swollen knuckles. Diego’s lip was split and Crow was trying to hide it but he grimaced every time he moved.

  Prosper knew it was coming and it had.

  The minute Crow pulled up on his bike Diego had gone for him at a full run.

  At a full fucking run.

  Then the two of them had gone at it like damn kids. Cocksuckers. Stupid brainless motherfucking dumbass sonsofbitches. Brother going after brother. Took Prosper and three members to pull them apart. Not gonna fucking happen. Never gonna fucking happen that his boys were gonna fight over a woman. Even if, no especially if, that woman was Raine. Neither one of those shit heads were good enough for her anyway. After watching them almost kill each other, Prosper had booted them right in the ass and kicked them both all the way into a meet.

  Prosper had known Diego and Crow for a long time. Too fucking long and he was too old to be playing referee like some kind of father to two horny sons. He told them that too. One of them as bad as the fucking next. Crow making his play for Raine knowing that D had made it clear she belonged to him. Although Prosper had to fucking give it to Crow, when that whore Ellie had given him that in by trying to lay claim to Diego, Crow had stepped right up to take it. Then he went ahead and let that bitch wife of his interfere in the way he always did. If there was ever a cunt, Crow’s ex was one. That goddam fucking wife of his had been playing him against the club for too long. You love the man, you love the life. Every brother and his woman knew that. Every woman but Crow’s. Pain in the fucking ass.

  Crow had been a wild child when Prosper had found him dumpster diving and living on the street just outside a reservation in South Dakota. He had been a skinny, wiry kid with hollow high cheek bones and dirty black hair. He was Apache, but looking at him had still had made him think of Maggie. But then again, Maggie had been gone by then and most things came around to making him think about her.

  Prosper had bought him a meal and got his story. Three meals to be exact. Kid had eaten three twelve ounce steaks complete with three baked potatoes and three salads with bleu cheese dressing. He had washed it down with 6 glasses of chocolate milk.

  Then when they were leaving the steakhouse, Crow had made an excuse to go back to the table and he had pocketed the tip. Sonofabitch, Prosper had never seen anything like it. He reminded him of that pick pocket in that fucking Dickens book they had made him read in school. The kid had balls, and he was hungry. Hungry in a way that all the steak and chocolate milk in the world couldn’t fill. Prosper liked him, right away and a lot.

  After the meal, Prosper had had a sit down with the Artful Dodger. Crow had been pretty much on his own after escaping a coked up mother and the string of men who she fucked to keep her in booze and snort. He had run away after one of his mom’s johns tried to get Crow to suck his dick. That’s how he told it, just like that.

  He had been twelve years old and living in a gutted out apartment building. Ever mindful of bullshit, Prosper decided to assess the situation for himself and if it was as bad as the kid said Prosper was gonna get him away from that. Prosper had Crow bring him around to where he was staying, and the situation was not only as bad as Crow had said, it was a hell of a lot worse.

  Prosper brought Crow back with him and gave him a job working around the club. Smart little fucker he was. Pinky got him enrolled in school and the little bastard got straight A’s. Crow had been encouraged by some goddam guidance counselor or do good teacher to “realize his potential.” He tried for college and got in. Prosper had been proud of the little shit.

  He lasted two years and met that bitch Jaci during that time. Fancy fucking Jaci. Tiny tits, small mind, no heart. She looked down her nose at everyone and everything. Crow lasted a couple of years away from the MC. Then something happened and he was back. He had left school and he patched in. He lost Jaci in the process but to Prosper it was no loss at all. Crow had married her in Vegas. Stupid dumb fucking kid. Guess he was still married to her. At least that’s what Diego said when he charged after him.

  Prosper ran his hands over his face at the thought of the big fucking mess. Diego had his own motherfucker of a fucked up situation that Raine knew nothing about. No one did but Prosper. Jesus, he wasn’t looking forward to that shit coming out. Maybe it wouldn’t. That shit was pure pain for D.

  Fucking MC wasn’t anything but a big damn cocksucking soap opera lately.

  But they had other business to discuss. The find that had brought Raine back to the fold had unveiled some very interesting shit. The MC was still dealing with the fallout from that. Drugs and gun running were something the Hell’s Saints stayed away from. Prostitution, money lending, adult entertainment was where their off the radar money came from. The legal enterprises were also pretty lucrative. Ruby Reds and the three other bars did really well. None of the brothers were hurting for green.

  That whole Jamie mess had created a turf war that was threatening to cut into a neighborhood where the Saints had their biggest adult entertainment enterprise. Negotiations had to be put in place to stop that and quick. Prosper didn’t want any of his girls getting hurt in some drive by. Not to mention how bad that would be for business. His high priced escorts had some pretty high profile locals in their books. Town and city officials, cops, business owners, the fucking president of the Chamber of Commerce and a few prominent physicians. Yeah, Willows Point and surrounding area had their predilections.

  There was also the matter of the sonofabitch Gino, the rapist and woman beater. The MC had gone in and tossed his house but he had disappeared. Raine had said that he had dealings with Jamie through Claire and once Jamie had been found dead the guess was the bastard had gone into hiding.

  Gino was a dead man walking.

  That was for sure.

  Diego had wanted to be the one to pull the trigger but Prosper told him that he was going to have to wait in line. Prosper was gonna take his time killing that bastard. And he was going to enjoy it. But first they had to find him. Willows Point was Gunner’s territory and a half days drive from the south charter.

  It was also where Claire was in rehab. Claire’s time was over and Raine was going to be going to go to
the Point for the family meeting this week. She also had to clear up some stuff with the house. Depending on where Claire stood with the rehab, Prosper was hoping both girls would decide to come back to Crownsmount and build a life. They could have the lake house. Raine could keep working at Reds and they could find something for Claire. Or nothing. Prosper could afford to support his “girls” and Pinky was all for it. But one thing was for certain, as long as that cocksucker Gino was alive, Raine wouldn’t be going anywhere near Willows Point without one of the brothers along.

  As far as Crow and D went, Prosper didn’t give two shits one way or another if Raine took one over the other as her man. Or neither. As long as she was happy, it was all good with him.

  “Where the fuck is he?” Prosper growled looking at Gunner.

  “No fucking idea.” Gunner shook his head. “He houdinied himself right out of town. Vanished.”

  “Connected?” Prosper lifted his eye brow. “How can it be that this little pussy ass disappeared if he ain’t connected?”

  Nods around the table.

  “Shit going down with Claire and Raine being back in Willows Point for even a fucking day and that cocksucker anywhere in that vicinity ain’t gonna happen brothers. I put his name out there and the Los Rojos became real fucking interested. Gino fucking Abbiati has some connection somewhere.”

  “I checked in with my boy Gianni. He don’t run with his crew.” Riker added.

  “Those goombahs stick together. You trust that dago to give it to you real Riker?” Reno asked.

  “Yeah. I hear ya bro. But in this case, I know Gianni ain’t lying. His kid sister got jumped a couple of years ago. Gianni caught the asswipe and strung him up. Took him three days to kill the guy. Gianni takes rape real fucking serious. He offered to take him down himself if we ever got a hit on the motherfucker. So maybe those dagos do stick together but ginny or no. Gianni’s crew ain’t protecting him.”

  “Raine know anything, Boss? She have any idea where the asshole could be hiding?” Crow asked.

  “Leave Raine the fuck out of this.” Diego snarled. “Don’t even fucking mention her name at this table. As a matter of fucking fact, Breed, don’t you fucking ever mention her name at fucking all.”

  Crow’s neck muscles stiffened and the muscle in his jaw started clenching. He put his hand on the gun he wore inside his cut.

  Gunner, for the first time in his life, actually did an eye roll.

  “Not this shit again.” Riker muttered underneath his breath.

  “You stupid fucking Spic. Your shit’s so jealous that you have your head up your ass when it comes to keeping her safe. Raine. Raine. Raine. Raine.” Crow leaned over the table.

  “Not only am I gonna say it at this table. I’m gonna be calling it out when you fuck up and she’s lying under me. ‘Cause brother you’re just one stupid whore away from that happening. When was the last time you talked to that skank from hell, Ellie, brother? She been calling the fucking club nonstop. Jules was thinking about having the shit changed out of the phone number.”

  Diego roared and went charging around the table and Crow roared and charged to meet him half way.

  It took the rest of the brothers to pull them apart.

  “ENOUGH!” Prosper roared. “You pissants settle this another fucking time. Diego you fucking figure this Ellie shit out so Raine doesn’t get caught in the middle of some more fucked up shit or I’m going to string you up by your balls. I fucking mean it.”

  Then he pointed at Crow.

  “Crow. Shut the fuck up. Just shut the fuck up and sit the fuck down.” Prosper scrubbed his hand over his face and felt about 80 years old. Grown men acting like babies.

  *****

  Reno could not believe this. He was getting a mother of a headache. He had had enough.

  Jesus Christ! Over pussy. Brothers fighting over snatch. Dis fucking gusting. Ever since she walked into the door of the MC fucking hell rained down on them. Prosper going around blubbering like she a long lost daughter. Crow and D at each other’s throats. Jules just about tripping over himself to make sure her every fucking need was met. You would think Raine Winston had a snatch of fucking gold. Reno couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t Fucking Stand It. Even his own mother, getting shitfaced on the plane and taking that fucking walk down memory lane. Some things better left alone. One good thing was that at least Crow had gotten rid of that crazy eyed bitch Ellie. There was something off about that one. Gone but not fucking forgotten. Crow was right, bitch was calling the club nonstop. Fucking drama. This couldn’t get any worse.

  Then it did

  “Reno. Snap the fuck out of it.” Prosper barked.

  Reno looked around the table. All eyes on him.

  “Yeah Boss?” Reno answered.

  “Raine’s got to go to Willows Point and meet up with Claire. They got some shit to do at that house. Claire gonna need some stuff. She left everything behind at that puke fest Jamie’s house. Cops all over that shit. Raine’s got to settle things at the grandmother’s house. You gonna be with my girls. Fucking white on rice until they are done. You feel me?”

  Yeah. I feel you. You want me to babysit the golden snatch and her junkie whore baby sister.

  “I feel ya.” Reno nodded.

  “No fucking way. I’m handling this. No fucking way anybody but me going to the Point with Raine.” Diego butted in.

  “SHUT THE FUCK UP. LAST TIME D” Prosper was done with this shit.

  Crow grinned and leaned back in his chair.

  “Crow I need you to go up North Chapter. They are opening a new bar. Need your fucking expertise on that shit.” Prosper looked at Crow.

  “Got that.” Crow nodded.

  “D, need you to head east. Brothers up there might know something about Gino’s connection to Los Rojos or whoever the fuck else that name rings a bell with. Gunner, you good to go with?”

  Gunner nodded and Diego visibly relaxed. He wanted the cocksucker off the streets ASAP. If Prosper wasn’t gonna send him with Raine, at least he could do what he needed to do to bring that cocksucker in. Gunner was a good man to have at your back too. He had been Special Ops and was expert at weeding shit out. Together they should be able to flush out Gino.

  Gavel went down once more. Church was over.

  It sucked that Diego would be gone when Raine got back, but consolation was that so would Crow. Plus he didn’t know why the fuck Ellie was still trying to reach him. He wasn’t taking her calls on the cell so she had started to call the club. What the fuck. He would deal with her shit as soon as he could. He didn’t want Ellie interfering with him and Raine. Raine had been through enough of her bullshit.

  Chapter 37

  I was so excited I was squirming in my seat. I couldn’t wait to see Claire. Couldn’t wait. I had talked to her a couple of times over the phone and she sounded good. Really really good. We were going to have to go to some sort of family meeting before she was released, but then she was coming home with me. Whatever we decided that home was to be. Me and Claire like always. We would decide that together.

  The only spot that threatened to block out the bright sun of my day was sitting next to me chain smoking. Reno looked pissed. No, scratch that. Reno was pissed. My heart had fallen to my feet when Prosper had talked to me about who my escort for the trip was going to be and why. They were worried about something going on with Gino. I didn’t think I mattered enough to Gino for him to come after me but Prosper didn’t share my view on that. Plus, Prosper had said that Gino was involved in stuff that touched the club. Weird. Gino had no way of knowing my connection to the Saints when we met. I wasn’t stupid and I knew that the club had criminal enterprises and there was no doubt in my mind now that Gino was criminal minded. So, I guessed like sought like. Something about water seeking its own level or some kind of crap like that. I wasn’t surprised.

  What did surprise me was the constant animosity I felt from Reno. He flat out didn’t like me. He barely spoke to me unless he had to and a cou
ple of times I caught him glaring at me for no reason other than that I existed at all. At first I had gone out of my way to be nice to him, then I had gone out of my way to stay out of his way. Looks like he drew the short straw on this one. But I wasn’t going to let him ruin my day. It was a half days trip and we had been driving for a couple of hours.

  “Hey Reno.” I said lightly.

  Nothing. Not a damn thing and I know he heard me. Sigh. Really?

  “Reno?” a little louder this time.

  Nada. Zip. Zilch. But I saw his foot push down just a fraction of an inch on the gas pedal.

  “Reno, you have to pull over at the next stop.” I leaned forward to turn down the radio.

  “Not gonna happen.” He grumbled.

  “Reno, I’ve to use the bathroom.” I colored red.

  “Should have gone before you left. You gonna have to wait till we get there now.” He turned the radio back up.

  This was ridiculous. We still had at least a few hours to go.

  “Reno, I really have to go.” I raised my voice.

  “Raine, you’re really going to have to fucking wait.” He met my voice and raised me an octave.

  I felt tears form in the back of my eyes and a burst of anger flash along with them.

  “Jesus, Reno really?” My voice cracked just a little. My bladder was uncomfortably full and had been for about a half an hour. I really had to go.

  His face was hard. The wind from the open window blew his hair briefly in front of his eyes. He had a smoke dangling from his mouth and mirrored aviator sunglasses. I couldn’t read his expression but I had this nagging sense he was getting off on this power play. Prick.

  “Reno, please stop at the next rest area so I can pee.”

  Asshole.

  “What was that?” Oh, he was so enjoying this.