by Shyla Colt
“I’m lucky.” She stood. “I think we’ve talked enough for one night.”
“Sit down.”
“I’m not your lackey. You can’t make me do a damn thing.”
“Watch me.” He rose to his height.
Joey leaned back.
“Whether or not you like it, I am your father. Now sit your hotheaded ass down and listen. I know what I’m talking about. I’m trying to do what’s best for everyone. That’s the thing about being in an M.C. Whether born or joined. It’s not about you anymore. There is no individuality. It’s a group. You’d do well to remember that.” The words and his tone pushed her back into her chair. Suddenly, she understood exactly why this man was the president.
* * * * *
“Where are we headed?” Moose asked, following Shooter and Maverick out of the clubhouse to their bikes.
“For a visit with the Eights; we’re setting up some runs together. The dealers are heavy hitters. They approached both of us, and we want to make sure they keep it up on the straight and narrow,” Maverick answered.
“What? Prez thought they were going to pull something shady?” Moose asked.
“Yeah, only reason I think he’d want to buddy up. I mean we’re cool with them, but this is like getting into bed with them,” Maverick explained.
“Speaking of, where is Tiny?” Shooter said, looking around.
“On his way, he had an appointment with Boston,” Hawk said walking up behind them and climbing onto his bike.
“Can you believe he’s going to be a dad?” Shooter asked, shaking his head.
“Times are changing, boys.” Hawk grinned. “Well, for those of us with a ball and chain.”
“Fuck you.” Shooter flipped him off.
Hawk laughed and shook his head. “Who said I wasn’t referring to ol’ Moose over here? You and your sweetheart have been all right and shit.”
Moose rolled his eyes. “Look, if you want to hook up with one of her friends, I can probably manage it. But don’t give us shit because you’re tired of your hand.”
“Oooh…” A chorus rang out among the group.
“Damn that’s cold.” Hawk smirked. “Sorry, boys, no one’s taming me.”
“I mean his name is Hawk,” Moose teased, shrugging as they all laughed.
The roar of a motor cut through the banter and the Prez pulled up to the gate in front of the Eights’s clubhouse. A prospect ran out and opened the gate. Moose put his game face on and put thoughts of Joey out of his mind. He hadn’t heard back from her since he got called in. Moose and his brothers fired up their bikes, and followed the Prez and Hawk as they took off out of the parking lot.
The Eights’ building was larger, and their club had more members because it had been around longer. Moose got off his bike and brought up the rear with Shooter, scanning the area. So far everything seemed on the up and up. But an ambush was always a possibility with the way loyalty traded hands in this lifestyle. Tiny walked in first and they followed.
Once inside, they were greeted by a burly man with an easy smile. “Thanks for coming in. The Prez will be out in a minute. He’s just finishing up an unexpected meeting.”
“Thanks, Snubs. I know how it is. That’s what a VP is for, right?” Tiny patted his upper arm.
Moose tensed. His nostrils flared and he narrowed his eyes as he focused on the man he perceived to be a threat. He did not seem like the club type.
“Easy, Killer,” Shooter whispered.
Maverick turned sideways and glanced at Moose.
Moose shook his head. Damn, I know what to do. I might want to take the guy’s head off, but I know there’s a time and a place.
“Come back here with us. We’ll get you guys set up with a drink. There’re a couple pool tables and some video games too, that’ll pass the time,” Snubs suggested as he gestured toward the mentioned items.
“Thanks for the hospitality,” Tiny answered, nodding.
“It’s my pleasure. We’ve never had beef with Mayhem and we’d like to keep it that way. You guys are dependable and have good heads on your shoulders. That can be hard to come by with an M.C.”
“We feel the same way about you,” Tiny replied.
Moose let their schmoozing drift into the background as he took inventory of the club. There were only about ten people, probably just Wanderer’s council plus a few stragglers.
“How about we play a game of pool?” Shooter urged.
“Sounds good to me.” Moose inclined his head toward the vacant pool tables.
“Let’s go grab some pool sticks then.” Shooter smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. The tension around Shooter’s eyes told Moose he was on alert.
“You rack them,” Shooter prompted.
“All right.”
They moved together silently as they fell into the familiarity of playing.
“So this place is swank compared to our clubhouse,” Moose small-talked, never one for too much quiet.
“True. But they’ve been around longer. You want to vote for a remodel?” Shooter snickered.
“Maybe I do.” Moose removed the triangle, slipped it into its slot on the table and grabbed the cue ball. He placed the white ball on the green felt, grabbed his stick and lined up the shot. “With the new wave of togetherness Tiny is hoping for, we might need to.” He took the shot and watched as a few stripes and a solid went into the pockets. “Stripes.” Moose looked up at Shooter and grinned.
“Yeah, I figured, you ass.”
“We’re ready to get the meeting started now. Sorry about the delay,” Wanderer said, walking over. The older president was a living legend. No matter what went down, he always kept his cool. But those who crossed him learned quickly his laidback style didn’t make him weak. He took everything from them before he ended their life, dismantling his enemies’ worlds, one piece at a time and when they were begging for death, he walked away and let them wallow in the mess they’d created.
“Looks like a draw. Lucky for you ’cause we both know I would’ve sunk that eight ball,” Moose smirked.
“There’s a thin line between cocky and confident,” Shooter retorted.
Moose laughed. “Holy shit, did you get that from the librarian or Oprah?”
“Fucker.”
They made their way to the group gathering around the bar.
“I think we’re ready.” Tiny turned to look at his men, who all nodded.
“Good, follow me.” Wanderer turned on his heel and walked down the hallway.
Moose stopped in the middle to open a door.
They all filed in, taking seats around a massive wooden table.
“You want to start things off, Tiny?” Wanderer asked, honoring him by letting him speak first even though it wasn’t his house.
“I heard a rumor about flesh peddlers looking to move into the area, flashing suitcases of cash to grease the wheels. I didn’t pay any attention to it until I got a call from John over at our strip club, Bronze. Seems some well-dressed men with muscle and thick accents offered him a half a million to buy him out and let him run the club off the record.”
“Off the record, huh?” Wanderer said.
“Yeah, they claimed they had a wealthy clientele with very specific and expensive tastes. They promised John he’d make a killing from the cut they’d give him off the top of their profit,” Tiny said.
“What’d your man say?” Wanderer said.
“That it was Mayhem territory and he didn’t have the authority to change the way things ran.”
“They told him not for long. John asked them what they meant, and one of the man said a new world order would be coming, and if John was smart, he’d come willingly.”
Murmurs went up around the room. Moose frowned. He didn’t like what he was hearing.
“That’s a big brass set of balls,” Wanderer said.
“Normally I’d say they were blowing smoke up John’s ass, trying to see if they could muscle in our territory. But the amount o
f money they were waving around, and the look of the men I saw on the surveillance tape tell me otherwise. Bronze is damn near in your backyard. I wondered if they approached you,” Tiny said.
“Yes, but funny how they pitched another story to me. According to them, you gave your blessing and took the money. They so thoughtfully added you were looking to expand your territory, and this was an easy way to get money to do that.”
Tiny snickered. “Right, ’cause I’d tell my business to some stranger.”
“Exactly. Not to mention I knew better. Neither of us lets that shit go on in our territory,” Wanderer said.
“What did they think would happen?” Hawk asked.
“That we’d never talk to each other,” Tiny said. “They think we’re stupid. That works to our advantage just as much as it pisses me off.”
“Or maybe they figured it wouldn’t matter because neither of us would be around much longer to do shit about it,” Wanderer said.
The theory made Moose’s blood run cold. It had been done before, a new group would come in, wipe out all the competition, and set up shop.
Tiny cracked his neck. “Then they picked the wrong M.C.s to fuck with, and they’ve sorely underestimated us. I have some feelers out now looking for information. I get the feeling these were just recon men scoping out the area and getting a feel for us. I bet the men profiting from it don’t even get their hands dirty,” Tiny said.
Moose’s mind immediately turned to Peter and his men. Was Room 801 looking to expand?
“How do you want to handle this?” Tiny asked.
“Throw in together and take them down, let everyone know if they want to try to horn in on our territory it’ll be hell to pay. How’s that sound to you?” Wanderer asked.
Silence fell in the room. Moose held his breath.
“Way I see it, we don’t have much of a choice.” Tiny leaned forward and offered his hand to Wanderer, who took it. With that, the Eights and Mayhem redefined their relationship.
Chapter Nine
Joey managed what she hoped would pass for a convincing smile as she entered the bridal shop for the second time to pick out bridesmaid gowns. She’d been off kilter since her mother dropped the truth about her father a few weeks ago. But she refused to let that affect Juliette’s wedding planning. This was her time. Joey made a beeline for the viewing area.
“Hey.” Juliette rushed forward and enveloped her in a hug.
“Hey. Am I the first to get here?” Joey asked, looking around.
“Aren’t you always?” Juliette replied.
Joey laughed. “Usually, I can’t help it. You know Hil’s penchant for getting into trouble, and Evonne is a right on the dot kind of woman.”
“Until recently,” Juliette observed.
“Aaah, the mysterious Levi has loosened her up a bit. It’d be nice to actually meet him, so we could decide if we like him or not,” Joey said. She kept her tone light, but the situation bothered her.
Juliette snickered. “I’m with you. But with his business often taking him out of the country, I find her claims of the timing always being off legit.”
“I still don’t like it one bit.” Joey frowned.
“Well, don’t give her a hard time. She’s been pulling away lately because of the pressure.”
“You noticed too?” Joey shifted her weight. “I was hoping it was just me.”
“No, Hil and I were talking about it the other day¸ when she came over on one of her self-imposed writing breaks.”
Joey laughed. “Is she going crazy trying to get her new story off the ground?”
“Of course, and I’m lucky enough to live closest to her.”
“Please…you love her.” Joey snickered.
Juliette laughed. “I do, it’s part of why we’re all so certifiable. How many snags did she get us into?”
“Enough to keep us from becoming completely boring.”
“Yeah, you would say that.” Juliette rolled her eyes.
“Hey—”
“Y’all talking about me again? My ears are burning,” Hil said.
Joey smiled at Juliette and they both burst into giggles.
“I knew it, wenches,” Hil scoffed, then leaned in to hug Juliette.
“Hil, you know we love you. I’m worried though,” Joey said as she accepted her hug from Hil.
“Why?” Hil leaned back.
“Because you beat Evonne here, which means hell surely must’ve frozen over.” Joey saidas they all laughed.
“Do I even want to know?” Evonne asked, appearing a few moments later.
Joey shook her head.
“We were all marveling over the fact that Hil beat you here,” Juliette said.
“Ahh. Well, I’m on time, so she was early…which is rather shocking. How did that happen, Hil?” Evonne said.
“You guys are awful. Maybe I happened to be in the area already,” Hil said.
“Come on, guys, let’s meet up with Lisa,” Juliette said, offering her arms. They all linked arms with one another and marched toward the viewing area like a choreographed dance team.
“My pretty-in-pink bride and entourage.” Lisa grinned as she walked over in a pair of black designer heels. This particular black suit fit her like a glove and outdid the one she’d worn previously.
Joey couldn’t help but marvel at her sense of fashion and tolerance for torture. The very thought of heels over two inches made her wince.
Lisa air-kissed Juliette’s cheeks and took her hands. “Tell me what we’re looking for today, Juliette.”
“Something white with a bit of a vintage feel,” Juliette said.
“Okay, what length were you thinking?” Lisa asked.
“Tea length, maybe a little shorter,” Juliette said.
Lisa nodded. “Now, when you say vintage are we talking cut, materials or both?”
“Cut, and maybe hints of details from the ’fifties and ’sixties.”
“Okay, that will go wonderful with your gown. I have a few in mind, so if you want to take a seat, I’ll get the mimosas coming and you two ladies can come with me.” Lisa waved the girls toward her as she walked them to the back, her long legs eating up the carpet.
Joey sat down beside Juliette.
“I’m glad we’re by ourselves. You’ve seemed off the past week,” Juliette said.
“What do you mean?” Joey said. Shit. I guess I wasn’t hiding it as well as I thought.
“You’ve been distracted and abnormally quiet. Do you need to talk about anything?”
“Asks the woman who needs to plan a wedding in less than six months. I’m supposed to be helping you.”
“Are you purposely subject dodging?” Juliette accused.
“No.” Joey sighed. “I’m not ready to voice it aloud yet. I’m still wrapping my head around it.”
Juliette frowned. ”I won’t press you because I know it won’t do me any good and it’ll put a wedge between us, but I’m here anytime day or night.” Juliette squeezed Joey’s hand. “I couldn’t have made it through the past few months without you guys. I thought when Peter died, it would be over, but it brought all the memories I worked so hard to get over back full force.” Juliette shuddered. “So when I say I’m here for you whatever you need, whenever you need it, I mean that.”
“I know. Thank you for that.” Joey patted her hand.
“Of course.”
“I present to you, your bridesmaids.” Lisa walked out and gestured toward the hallway.
Evonne and Hil appeared in tea-length lacy numbers with flower accents.
“No, that’s too much lace.” Juliette shook her head.
“So you want something a bit simpler?” Lisa said.
“Yes, but I love the cut,” Juliette offered.
“Okay, we’ll be back.”
“How weird is this? I feel like we’re judging a beauty contest.” Joey shook her head.
“It’s coming together well though,” Juliette said.
“Tha
t’s true. We’re actually ahead of schedule.”
“Thank you again for being my maid of honor, Joey. I couldn’t do all of this without you and the other girls.”
“We’re happy to help. You’re the first of us to get married.”
“Not the last though.” Juliette nudged her shoulder.
Joey snorted. “Oh no, I don’t even know if marriage is for me. I didn’t grow up seeing it as commonplace. It’s a binding contract that can sour easily if not properly managed.” And once he finds out who my father is? Moose will probably drop me like a hot potato.
“You make it sound like a business investment.” Juliette frowned. “I thought you wanted kids.”
“I do, but you don’t need marriage for that, just a commitment to one another and the children,” Joey said.
Juliette opened her mouth, shut it and curved the corners of her mouth down. “You have a point.”
“I think the second time will be the charm,” Lisa piped in.
Evonne and Hil walked out in simple white sheaths with clean lines and a band around their waists. The bodice had a splash of lace detail you didn’t quite notice until you were close enough, or the light struck it just so. It was a case of love at first sight. Juliette rose from the padded bench excited. “This is the style!”
“That was easy.” Lisa grinned. “Now we just need to pick shoes, and then we can move on to you, Ms. Maid of Honor.”
Oh joy.
“I want them to be pink,” Juliette informed her. “A subtle way to tie them to me and give a little pop.”
The sparkle in Juliette’s eyes and the certainty in her voice made Joey smile. Juliette struggled for a while after Peter’s death. But now she’d regained herself and then some. As unlikely as he seemed, Shooter had been great for her. Not even her overprotective mother could continue to deny that. Watching Ms. Irene eat crow was pleasing. She’d always been overpowering, filling Juliette’s head with so many expectations she’d been bogged down and constantly guilty that her wants would lead to major disappointment. With Shooter on the scene, that would never happen again.
The girls held out their left feet, displaying the three different shoe styles.