by Bijou Hunter
“I don’t plan to make any.”
“You talk a good game, but if you weren’t Howler’s kid and tight with the twins, I don’t see me letting you through the front door.”
“I hear a lot of uncertainty in you. Are you backing out of the deal?”
Hayes narrows his dark eyes and gives me one hell of a fuck you look. I’ve challenged his ego, and nothing pisses off a guy like him more than implying he doesn’t behave like a top dog.
“Let’s get something straight,” he says with his jaw tight and eyes still glaring. “You do right by me, and I will do right by you. If you fuck up, I won’t care that your kid is playing with mine. I’ll just end you and send Ruby a check for her pain and suffering. We understand each other?”
“Yes, but you need to understand that I’ve quit my stripping and construction jobs. I have no money coming in to support my family, so let’s get this thing moving along,” I casually say since I expected Hayes to threaten me. “Besides, we don’t want the twats in Common Bend having time to plot shit. The faster we move in, the fewer people we’ll need to kill to get them under control.”
Hayes stares at me for maybe a minute before nodding. “Let’s talk numbers and logistics.”
Hayes and I spend the next twenty minutes discussing weapons, money, and muscle. I plan to meet with the sheriff to ensure he knows who calls the shots in Common Bend now. By the time we walk out of the office, Hayes no longer gives me his pissed asshole look, and I’m ready to start knocking heads together in Common Bend.
Forty One - Ruby
Candy promises me that Elle will be fine in the yard behind the office. I’m less worried about the location than the company my daughter is keeping. Her son and daughter are the same age as Elle, but they’re twins and weird and really into showing people how weird they can be. In fact, the girl warned me of their growing psychic powers. When I only stared at her, she and the boy shared an approving nod.
“They like to screw with people,” Candy proudly says after the twins leave me frowning.
Now the three of them are in the back yard, kicking a ball and talking about summer break.
“Even with homeschooling, they act as if vacations are a huge load off their little shoulders,” Candy says, taking her seat behind her desk. “If you want something to drink, there’s a kitchen over there. I’d serve you, but I’m on a break.”
I lean against the wall and watch the kids play. My mind is on Bonn starting his enforcer job for Hayes. Despite his reassurances, I’m stuck on the fear that I’ll lose him again, and this time forever.
“Can I ask you something?”
Candy looks up from her phone for long enough to shrug. “Have at it.”
“Do you worry someone Hayes crosses will walk up one day and end him?”
“Nope.”
Her answer doesn’t shock me, but I’m still disappointed to hear it. “Because you think he’s indestructible?”
“I wish he was, but that’s not it. See, I figure life will go one of two ways. Say someone does end him, well, then I’ll be in a world of pain that no amount of worrying ahead of time will prepare me for. Why suffer in preparation for suffering? The other option is no one ends Hayes and I’ve spent years worrying over nothing. Either way, I’d stress myself out for no benefit.”
Nodding, I realize how much sense her words make. I have an easy choice. Whether I worry or not, I can’t change what happens in the future. Besides, even if Bonn quits the job and works a boring nine to five career, I could still lose him. Life provides no guarantees.
“I never thought Bonn would be involved in this kind of life,” I say because I think it and not because I sense Candy wants to talk. “He never showed any interest in the Brotherhood.”
“Bikers smell,” Candy mutters. “My sister loves one and I tell her that he smells. She tells me that she likes that he smells. Her old husband was an abusive ass, so I guess she has low standards.”
“My sister is married to a biker.”
“Does he smell?”
“Don’t all men smell?”
“Possibly, but I haven’t smelled them all.”
Smiling, I shake my head. “Do you like having a son?”
“Yes. Chipper is easier to deal with than Cricket. He’s mellow. Like when he plots, I can’t sense him doing it, and I prefer to be surprised.”
“Can I ask how you came up with their names?”
“Their dad chose them to punish me. What he didn’t realize was how much I enjoy punishing other people. Forcing average folks to say my kids’ names is quite entertaining. What about Chevelle?”
“I looked on baby name sites for something Jamaican to honor my father’s side of the family. That one stood out. I also liked how I could give her a nickname which seemed important since I couldn’t have one with my name.”
“Didn’t want to go by ‘Rub,’ huh? Or would it be ‘Rube’?”
“Either way, I wasn’t a fan.”
Outside, the kids sit on the ground now. Cricket has her arm around Elle as if they’re plotting something devious. My daughter is custom-made to become someone’s minion, and I’ve unknowingly introduced her to two evil masterminds.
“They’re harmless,” Candy says, having read my mind. “For now anyway. I don’t envy the people who think life will be easier when Hayes retires one day. Instead of one asshole, they’ll deal with two.”
When I frown at her, Candy looks up from her phone and shrugs. “I might be named Candy, but I don’t sugarcoat things and those two are assholes to people they don’t like. Fortunately, they love their mama.”
Her proud smile eases my frown. “I probably worry too much.”
“Probably. It’s a woman’s way to second guess, over think, and worry shit to death.”
“Can you blame us when we’re the ones left to clean up the mess?”
“I’d rather fearlessly make a mess than sit around worrying about how bad it’ll be, but that’s just me.”
My frown returns at the thought of Candy calling me a wuss. I don’t know her well enough to be offended. She’s also not paying enough attention to the conversation for me to be certain she’s making a personal dig. While our men work together and our kids become quick pals, Candy and I likely won’t be having girls’ night out anytime soon.
Forty Two - Bonn
Unlike a lot of girls her age, Chevelle lacks the urge to grow up immediately. She doesn’t want to wear makeup or try out heels. She’s never asked for a phone of her own, knowing she spends all her time at school where she can’t use one or with her family who already owns them and will let her borrow. Even when she dances, her movements are childlike. Lots of jumping up and down rather than attempting to move her hips like the preteens I saw earlier in the day.
My baby plans to stay a baby and considers three-year-old Keanu to be her best friend. The boy is also jumping up and down in our trailer, making noises to go along with Chevelle’s karaoke singing of Walk Like an Egyptian.
Ruby bobs her head to the music while working on a big pot of Hamburger Helper. I stand halfway between my singing daughter and my humming woman, unsure what I should do with myself. I’m not sure if I’ve gotten bigger, or the trailers are smaller, but I feel claustrophobic in here.
“Are you staying tonight?” Ruby whispers, suddenly next to me.
I shiver at her warm breath against my jaw. Her deep brown eyes steal my unease until I’m smiling like a fool.
“Can I?”
“Is that a real question?”
Nodding, I caress her cheek with my knuckles. Her skin is so soft, and her gaze so tender that I’d never leave her side.
“I like having you around,” she says, stepping away and making me work for a kiss.
I nearly tackle her before pressing my lips to hers. Laughing, she glances at Chevelle who smiles at us.
“Your mom is so pretty,” I tell Chevelle while hugging Ruby tighter.
Covering her mouth, Chevelle
giggles. “She is pretty.”
“So, should I keep her?”
Nodding, Chevelle sets down the microphone and shuffles toward us nervously. I reach out for her, and our girl immediately melts into the hug. Ruby wraps us tighter, embracing the idea of us. We’re making a go at building a family again. This time, I won’t fail.
Forty Three - Bonn
Salty Peanuts has been passed down in the Hallstead family for generations. I don’t know who originally built the bar or if it was a rough place before the Brotherhood took control. No matter the history, the twins enjoy a cold beer there a few nights a week.
Tonight, they’ve invited me to have a drink. I find Dayton at a back table when I arrive. He’s already blurry-eyed from starting his drinking hours earlier.
“Why are we here?” Dayton asks when I sit down.
“I thought Camden wanted to bond with a couple of men after spending so much time around Daisy.”
“You’d think, but nope. The asshole has no time for anyone except his woman.”
Ignoring the glare on Dayton’s face, I watch the door until Camden arrives. He joins us and makes small talk about the Hallsteads buying De Campo’s and how Mojo won’t shut up about the missed opportunity of opening the town’s fourth strip club where the restaurant stands.
“They live in the past,” Dayton mumbles. “Mojo has a hard-on about the strip club like Howler does with Common Bend.”
Camden snaps his fingers and points at his brother. “Common Bend is in play. Word is the Reapers are pulling up their stakes and leaving Tennessee.”
“Only because Hayes bought Common Bend,” I say, figuring they were both buzzed enough to hear the bad news.
The twins give me matching frowns, making me wonder if I’d jumped the truth gun.
Dayton leans forward and growls, “How the fuck would you know that?”
“Wait, where did you go with Ruby and Chevelle again?” Camden asks in a calmer tone.
“I negotiated the deal for Hayes, so my trip was to Kentucky.”
“Why the fuck would you do that?”
“I saw an opportunity to better my stock and took it. Like you said, I can’t strip forever.”
“Hayes came to you?” Camden asks, but he knows the answer. “Is this about Howler?”
“Screwing him over is only one of the perks.”
“What about screwing us over?” Dayton demands, pounding on the table hard enough to knock over his beer. “Shit.”
“Calm down,” Camden warns him.
“Shut the fuck up.”
“You need to find the cool down button in your fat head and keep pushing it until you remember how the fuck old you are.”
“You don’t get shit.”
Camden rolls his eyes and then focuses on me. “You kinda screwed us here, you know?”
“How so? You didn’t want Common Bend. Now your father can’t waste time with a pissing contest between the Brotherhood and Reapers.”
“Hayes expanding his power ain’t helpful, though.”
“He feels the same about the Brotherhood.”
“So, you took his side?” Dayton asks, taking the new beer the waitress brings.
When she tries to clean up the mess, he grabs the towel and waves her away. I watch him drop the cloth on the floor and use his foot to move it around until the beer is mostly soaked up. Dayton never looks away from me while he does his half-ass cleaning job.
“You are making enemies,” he says.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Me? No, I’m a fucking softie, but the Brotherhood doesn’t get their marching orders from me and Cam, do they?”
“You worried Howler will kill me?”
“Why not? It’s not like he doesn’t have plenty of backup sons to take your place.”
“I guess I’ll need to deal with him then.”
“Oh, boy, look who’s playing the tough guy now.”
“Dayton, stop,” Camden says, sighing heavily. “Maybe this thing can work for us.”
“Who the fuck is us?”
“You and me, dummy.” Before Dayton can speak, Camden turns to me. “You’re working for Hayes now?”
“Yeah. I’ll supervise Common Bend for him.”
“Good luck with that, asshole,” Dayton says, standing up and walking away.
I glance back at where he sits at the bar, watching the TV.
“Ignore him.”
“Why is he such a bitch lately?”
“He’s dealing with something, but don’t ask me what. I see him running around with that asshole JJ even though he ought to hate the guy. Dayton is a mystery most days.”
“I know you want to expand club territory south. If I thought you wanted Common Bend once you’re president, I wouldn’t have made my move.”
“And like I said, this can work out for everyone. Well, not our dads, but they had their moments in the fucking sun. Let them pout now. With you in control of Common Bend, I don’t have to worry about the Reapers on my north border. Hayes has no interest in Hickory Creek, does he?”
“Not that I can tell. His main concern is keeping White Horse gentrified.”
“So, Hayes and you buffer the Reapers up north and east. That keeps the club’s eyes on south. Nashville is where we’ll increase our money and power. Mojo and Howler won’t like it, but their time is limited.”
“How limited?”
Camden curls his upper lip and gives me a dark frown. “I won’t grow old waiting for them to retire.”
Nodding, I glance at Dayton. “I didn’t want to lie to you guys, but you’d have to tell Mojo once you knew. I couldn’t ask you to be disloyal to your club, even if we’re family.”
“Yeah, I get it. Daisy’s been complaining about how Ruby keeps shit secret. I’m sure she’ll be happy to have things out in the open.”
“Should I worry about Howler making an example of me?”
“Howler? No, probably not. His sisters are pissed about De Campo’s burning down. They think JJ did it, and they’re looking for a reason to get rid of him. So, I can’t see them taking kindly to Howler protecting his shit son and punishing the one they like.”
“I don’t know that they like me.”
“They have Ruby working at De Campo’s. They show off Chevelle in family pictures. Yeah, you’re in their good graces. Not always easy to tell with them of course, but I know the signs.”
“Good to hear.”
“Also, they benefit from Common Bend quieting down. If you and Hayes give them that, they’ll like you even more. The Hallsteads are about the bottom line. They put up with the club’s wild ways, but they have no patience for trouble spilling over from Common Bend.”
“We’re good then?”
“You and me? Sure. Dayton has a huge crush on you, so don’t let him tell you otherwise.”
We glance back at where his brother rests his head on the bar top.
“He drinks too much,” I say.
“Always.”
“No, somehow, he’s managed to outdo himself lately.”
“Should we have an intervention?”
“Who would come to that? The Hallsteads believe in allowing people to crush themselves under the weight of their failures. The club thinks alcohol is the great equalizer.” When I frown at his wording, Camden smiles. “Everyone is stupid and weak when drunk. Get it?”
“Yeah.”
“I guess we could get the girls to come. Harmony could tell him how she overcame her obsession with aliens or whatever it was that she used to obsess over.”
“Cryptids is what she obsesses over. You know like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot.”
“Much better.”
“I don’t think he cares what she says as long as she’s wearing something low-cut when she says it.”
Smiling, Camden shifts in his chair as if finished talking about Dayton. “Do you have muscle to help you break the assholes in Common Bend?”
“Hayes has guys. One o
f them is hooked up with his sister-in-law. At least, that’s what Candy told me for no reason.”
“Yeah, that’s Moot. The only reason he never hooked up with the Brotherhood was because he’s loyal to Hayes. If you need help, you let me know.”
“Hayes won’t like having the club involved in Common Bend.”
“I didn’t say anything about the club. I was talking about if you needed my help as your cousin and good friend. Sure, I don’t nurse a fucking crush on you like Dayton, but I want to see you succeed. Get your woman and kid back, and live a good life. All the happy shit I’ve got for myself.”
“Aren’t you a peach?” I say, smirking.
“The best of the bunch. That’s what my mom says anyway.”
“Yeah, and she’d never say that to your brothers.”
“Of course not. The woman is a saint and has never lied in her entire life.”
“Must be nice. I feel like all I do lately is lie.”
“There are times when you got to bullshit people to make big moves. You’ve been sitting on the sidelines for too long. Now you’re doing shit, and that’s the right idea. The way you’re winning back Ruby is a good thing too. I’m surprised it took you so long.”
“I was worried I’d try and fail.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Watching you crash and burn with Daisy but still end up with the girl in the end.”
“I’m a fucking inspiration. If that ain’t the truth.”
“So, we’re really good?”
“No deception. I’ve been thinking a lot about the future, and this news makes my plans easier.”
“Well, that’s all that really matters.”
“Now you need to tell Ruby to open up to Daisy and I’ll be a happy man. When the sisters don’t share every fart, they get tense and I can’t deal with an unhappy Daisy.”
“I’ll get on that.”
“Good deal.”
Camden babbles a bit about Daisy’s cats, but his mind is on Dayton, Common Bend, and the future. No doubt he’ll have more questions for me in the future. Tonight, he’s lost in his head.