by Bijou Hunter
“They working on anything interesting?” Joker asks in the best fake casual tone I’ve ever heard.
Studying the Little Memphis president, I suspect he cons a lot of people with his smiling, easygoing demeanor. He sports a normal-sized paunch for a middle-aged man. With his beard and warm blue eyes, he’s a rough-looking Santa.
Not buying his nice guy con, I seriously worry I’ll be dead by the end of the night. Remembering his question, I shrug. “Clove doesn’t tell me crew business.”
“Do you tell her club business?”
“We don’t do a lot of talking if you get me?” I say and then look at the big guy still standing at the table. “Can I get a drink?”
“Sure, man, sorry about that. I’m Bull,” he says and smiles friendly-like. I catch the guy at my side smile too. The blond enforcer next to Joker is also smiling. Shit, are they planning to kill me right fucking here?
“You seem nervous,” Joker asks after Bull goes to the bar to get me a beer.
“I don’t like fish,” I say, bullshitting easily. “Clove said that’s pretty much all they sell here, and I’m not looking to eat shit just to make nice.”
Joker stares at me with the warm eyes of a man I can trust, meaning I refuse to look away. Men like him are the ones I worry most about.
Suddenly smiling, he leans back and chuckles. “Glitch, you don’t have to eat anything. What do I care? I’m not your fucking dad.”
The blond guy laughs, but dark-haired asshole to my left doesn’t react.
“Are we having dinner or is this an interrogation? If it’s dinner, you might want to tell me who they are unless you want me referring to them as Tweedledee and his brother, Dum.”
Joker laughs harder. Based on the men’s expressions, they do not find my comment nearly as entertaining as their boss. I do notice Bull snicker nearby.
“This is Ford, and his brother, Pax. They helped me make president. I should add that neither of them is known for being dumb.”
This comment gets full-on laughter from Ford and Bull, but Pax only looks pissed. I assume he’s the dumb one.
“Our blond guy isn’t the smartest tool in the shed either,” I say and reach for the menu. “Do they have a burger here?”
“Fish burger,” Joker says, still chuckling. “They also serve steaks, so if beef is your thing, man, order up.”
I do order a steak, and then I sit very still as if I might disappear back to Rawlins where I belong. I only agreed to this trip so I could spend time with Clove. Now she’s parts unknown, and I’m stuck playing biker ambassador.
“How do you like having the crew in Rawlins?” Joker asks me after I’ve finished my beer and steak.
“They make the town a helluva lot sexier, that’s for sure.”
“Is Ginger minding her P's and Q’s?”
“She does what she wants.”
“Sounds about right.”
Though I sense the men want me to tell them something specific, I’m no snitch. Ford finally clears the air after I’ve finished my second beer and want nothing more than to get back to the hotel.
“If another club or a gang pushed into Rawlins’ territory, think your club could push them back out?” Ford asks while his finger digs obsessively at the label on his beer bottle. “Little Rock has too many factions, fighting over every block, customer, and corrupt cop. Someone might decide they could make an easier go of it if they branched out to a place like Rawlins.”
“Oz has it covered, and Ginger often mentions she wishes she could kill more people. I know Clove is bored. Seems like anyone pushing into Rawlins won’t have a long life expectancy.”
Ford slowly nods before flashing a look at Joker. I notice Pax also tearing at his label.
“Do you have specific info about a threat to Rawlins?”
“No, no,” Joker says. “But my club isn’t in the position to come running to your club’s aid if there’s an issue. Deal or no deal, we can’t white knight your club.”
“Have you told Oz this? And if so, why the fuck are you telling me?” I mutter and fight the urge to stand up and walk out.
“We planned to tell him when he came to town. Except, apparently, he didn’t want to see Madden.”
“No, he wanted to kill Madden. Not quite the same thing.”
“Kill him because he fucked Ginger?” Ford asks.
“Does he need another reason?”
Pax shakes his head. “No, but a lot of guys fucked Ginger.”
“It’s a good damn thing you’re saying that to me and not Oz. I don’t see him taking kindly to you talking shit about his woman.”
“Well, he isn’t here,” Pax mutters.
Ford snorts. “And my brother is an incorrigible fucking gossip. He talks shit behind everyone’s back.”
Pax grins at me. “Tonight, I’m gonna tell my woman about your hair.”
“You have long hair too.”
“Not really pretty like yours. Naw, yours looks right out of one of them shampoo commercials.”
Ford and Joker laugh while Pax smirks. I don’t know if I should punch him for talking shit about my hair or be relieved he’s no longer talking shit about Ginger. Either way, I can’t fucking wait to rat out these guys to Ginger. Let her drive up here and pound on them.
In fact, she’ll probably get a whole lot more creative with her revenge. Shit, no wonder they sent her out of town. I doubt their balls dropped until she left the city limits.
➸ Clove ☆
After I give him a quick rundown on the local club structure, Glitch leaves the hotel room without saying more than goodbye. I should go with him to ensure Joker and his boys don’t play with the pretty boy. I know they view him as weak. They no doubt think the same shit about Oz, even more so since he hooked up with Ginger. Rather than viewing Oz as badass enough for a badass bitch, they assume she’s got him whipped. Typical man-thinking.
Glitch isn’t a typical man. Or maybe he is. Shit if I know anymore. His hissy fit crushed my certainty about a man I know well naked but apparently not clothed.
Restless, I head back to the Tigress. After a short search, I find Anise sitting in a lawn chair on the apartment’s roof. Seeing me, she offers a cup of her homemade booze.
“It’ll put hair on your puss,” she says from under her trucker cap.
“It’s fucking cold,” I complain while dragging a lawn chair next to hers. “What are you doing up here?”
“Looking at the city from a distance,” she says and waves at the view. “It’s deceptively quiet up here. Makes you think Little Memphis is a real fine town.”
“Why don’t you move close to Sage?”
“Why?”
“She lives in a better part of town.”
Anise rolls her eyes. “Can you imagine me living in the suburbs? There I am waving at my neighbors when getting the mail.”
“You don’t have to wave.”
“Wouldn’t it be rude not to?”
“Why didn’t you come to Rawlins with us?” I ask, sipping the mystery booze in the cup she hands me.
“I had Ellie, and she loves Little Memphis. It’s where her family lives, and where she grew up. It’s a fucking fantasy hometown to her. With her out of my life, I have no reason to stick around.”
“Then move to Rawlins.”
“I don’t know. You seem bored with living there.”
“I’m not bored. Just restless.”
Anise downs a cup full of the nasty booze. “You need to find a man and pop out a few kids. Then you’ll be too tired to feel restless. That worked for Sage. I catch her napping all the damn time.”
“Maybe, but I’m an angry bitch. Am I really mother material?”
“If Ginger can do it, you can.”
“I don’t know,” I mumble as my thoughts return to Glitch.
“Ginger once nearly bit a guy’s nose clean off. That’s some crazy shit, but she’s so whipped now from marriage and mothering that she didn’t even have the cajones to
face Madden.”
“She didn’t want Oz to kill Madden.”
“Good thing too. Madden’s a pretty motherfucker. I see him on the road sometimes and think it’s good he’s alive since so many ugly fuckers live around here. We need more hotties, not less, so I ought to send Ginger a thank you note.”
“Just move down to Rawlins. It’s a quiet enough place,” I say, wishing I were home now. “If you need more excitement, Little Rock is a short drive.”
“Is there even anything for me to do for the crew down there?”
“I don’t know. Cayenne is ready to open a fucking sub shop. The sky’s the limit in Rawlins!” I say with too much enthusiasm.
Anise gives me an odd look. “Do you think you and your pretty boy can make a go of it?”
“Doubtful.”
“Because you’re a hardheaded woman with unattainable standards?”
“I don’t even know what my standards are because I don’t even know if I want a man.”
“Are you coming on to me, Clove?” Anise asks, leaning back. “Because I’ll be completely square with you, okay? I’ll fuck you, but us dating isn’t happening. You’re too high-maintenance and don’t share,” Anise adds before laughing at her comment. “I also have a feeling you’d cheat on me.”
“Everyone cheats on you, so, yeah, I probably would. Why do you think that happens?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m cold and don’t know it.”
“Or maybe you run too hot and don’t know it.”
“See, now I think you’re coming on to me again.”
“If I want you, you’ll know it, Anise,” I mutter and give her an eye roll. “I’m not fucking subtle. My version of seduction is to jump on a person and hump them until they either pry me loose and run away or submit to my needs.”
“You really aren’t subtle.” Anise fills her cup and frowns at me. “What’s wrong with pretty boy? Small dick? Needy. Smelly feet?”
“Leave me alone.”
“Give me one reason, and I will.”
“I’m going downstairs.”
Anise is like a fucking cat. One second, she’s sitting docile. The next, she springs out of her chair and takes me down at the knees. I fall forward, barely brace my fall, and turn over just in time to get pinned.
“Tell me one reason he isn’t the one, and I’ll not only let you up but I’ll also buy you a fancy dinner at Popeye’s. Now fess up.”
“Get off me first.”
Rather than say no, Anise digs the palms of her hands into my wrists. I remember how long she stood on an asshole’s head when he refused to tell her where he got his belt buckle. Anise must have used his head as a footstool for fifteen minutes before the stubborn bastard caved. In that time, she checked her phone, sent a few texts, scared off the guy’s girlfriend, and played an entire level of Bubble Witch.
So, yeah, Anise’s patience greatly outweighs mine.
“His real name is Louis,” I grumble, still struggling to get loose. “Now fuck off before I hurt you.”
Anise grins at my threat and lets me up. Once we stand, she stares casually. I know she hasn’t figured out the problem. She just thinks I think the name “Louis” is lame. I know instantly when she catches on. Her laughter gives it away.
“That’s dumb,” she says, still laughing. “You’re dumb.”
“Anise, I’m this fucking close to knocking your ass off this roof.”
“How close is that?” she asks, and I space my index finger and thumb a centimeter apart. Nodding, she sighs. “I think I peed myself in terror. We better get downstairs so I can change my pants.”
“I don’t know why you’re so interested in Glitch and me,” I ask, following her down the fire escape.
“I’m bored. I’d thought we covered that already.”
“Get a hobby. Oh, I know. Clean your apartment.”
“I’d rather take a few things and get a fresh start somewhere else. I know a few homeless people who could move in. Yeah, I could move to Rawlins and spend time with Louis,” she says and nudges me. “Wouldn’t that be nice, Louisa?”
As much as I want to pound her grinning face, I plan to wait for her to pay for dinner. Besides, if I don’t hang with her, I’ll end up sitting alone at the hotel, counting the minutes until Glitch returns.
➸ Glitch ★
Riding back to the hotel, I take one deep breath after another. I’m desperate to pound on someone, but I don’t know where in Little Memphis to find a suitable victim. Fucking might help, but Clove no doubt would rather punch me than ride my dick.
I find her watching TV stretched out on her stomach across the bed. She wears only white panties and a gray tank. The room is like a sauna, and the damp bathroom tells me she recently got out of the shower. When I imagine touching her still-damp skin, I no longer want to punch anyone. Fucking is all I have on the brain.
Clove glances at me and then changes channels. “They didn’t kill you.”
“I should have brought you along,” I say, offering an olive branch for the sole purpose of getting into her white panties.
Without looking at me, Clove grins. “Did they bully you?”
“I think I gave them the impression that my club is weak.”
“What you need to do is kill someone and send a chunk of the guy to Joker as a Valentine’s Day gift.”
“Who am I going to kill?”
Clove glances at me before her gaze returns to the TV. “The world is full of shitty people. Pick one, cut out his heart, and send it to Joker. Hell, be an extra asshole and address the package to his old lady. Have her open it, freak out, and Joker will be pissed. Show him you’ve got bear-sized balls,” she says and then snaps her fingers. “Even better, send him the guy’s balls.”
“That sounds like something you or Ginger would do. I don’t want him thinking it was your idea.”
“But it is my idea.”
“And that’s why I wouldn’t do it,” I say, kicking off my boots and tossing my jacket on the nearby chair.
“Are my ideas bad?”
“I want them to respect me, not you.”
“They already respect me.”
“Exactly.”
Clove finally looks directly at me. “Because I’m scary.”
“I know.”
“You’re not scary.”
“And why is that?” I ask with my hands on my waist.
“You’re too fucking pretty.”
“That’d make more sense if you weren’t gorgeous.”
“Thanks for noticing.”
“I need to take a stand with them.”
“Not really. Joker’s opinion doesn’t mean shit in Rawlins, and that’s where your image matters.”
Crossing my arms, I wonder if I’m pouting. “I felt like they were fucking with me tonight.”
“Poor pretty bitch. Was the food at least good?”
“Yeah, I had a steak.”
“They have good fish tacos.”
“I don’t eat fish.”
“Like I say, poor pretty bitch.”
Leaning against the hotel’s dresser, I enjoy the sight of her bare legs swaying back and forth. Clove studies me before finally exhaling deeply.
“No one will ever take you seriously as long as you have that hair.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“You know the answer,” she says and rolls to her side. “The kind of rough man Joker would respect would chop off that hair. He wouldn’t want it getting in his way during a fight.”
“Joker’s enforcers have long hair.”
“Pax and Ford?” she asks, grinning. “They’re nowhere as pretty as you, so they can get away with the hair.”
“But are they sexier than I am?”
Clove snickers. “If you’re hitting me up for a compliment, you struck out, bitch.”
I run my hand through my thick hair and consider Clove’s advice. Trying to remember what I look like with short hair, I walk to my jacket where I h
ave my knife.
I’ve never been vain. My hair grew out because I don’t like having it cut. I wash it, brush it, and forget it. If chopping off my hair will make me more intimidating, fuck it. The shit will grow back if I miss it.
When I take a handful of my hair and aim the blade, Clove nearly tackles me. “No!” she yells. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Didn’t your mama ever tell you it’s dangerous to wrestle for a knife?” I ask while holding it over her head. “I never realized how short you are.”
“Petite, not short. Learn your bullshit, Louie.”
I grin down at her, liking how she remembers my real name. “I like how your petite boobs bounce when you jump for the knife.”
Clove steps back and grabs her cans before giving them a shake. “Do you think these bitches are fucking petite?”
“Don’t call them names,” I tease before reaching out and giving her right can a squeeze. “Ripe.”
I watch her face tighten and know she’s fighting a smile. Her grin finally wins. “I have great tits.”
“Your nipples get very long and hard when sucked,” I say and toss the blade on the dresser. “Did you know that?”
“I don’t think I believe you.”
“I could prove it.”
Stripping out of her shirt, Clove cups her cans. “Go ahead and prove it.”
Without thinking, I wrap my hair behind my ears. Clove smiles at the gesture but keeps her sweet mouth shut.
I lean down and place my sweet mouth on her left can where her soft nipple dares me to do my magic. My tongue easily makes her tit its slave. Clove doesn’t even need to admit my talents. The way her fingers instantly slide in her panties is the only applause I need.
➸ Clove ☆
Sex is where Glitch and I excel. Fucking him is like riding a stallion while eating lobster and drinking a fine wine. I can’t find a single flaw on his body, and I’ve savored every inch. He’s perfection in bed—where thinking means nothing and feeling is all that matters.
Then we wake up and endure a conversation. I want to blame Glitch for our inability to connect, but I barely survived a conversation with Anise last night at dinner without punching her in the face. Not that she wasn’t annoying as shit even before she decided to run down a mouthy pimp.