Page 121 of Kings Fear No One
He took a step forward. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Maybe we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot,” interrupted her partner, Agent Rodriguez. He held up his hands as if it’d fix the tension circulating in the room. “We’ve come to your club because we’re aware that you’ve become involved with the Chosen Saints. Our investigation into them is a nationwide endeavor. Texas is not the only location where they have been active.”
“Cut the bullshit,” I grunted. “You know it was me. I’m the connection.”
Agent Strauss expelled a sigh that was condescending and exasperated all in one breath. She barely refrained from rolling her eyes as she said, “Yes, Mr. Cutler. We are aware you were in captivity at the hands of the Chosen Saints. However, we have reason to believe the cult has been targeting more than just you. Regardless, it would be in your best interest if you?—”
“We’re not interested,” I said. “Now get the fuck out of our bar.”
“Suit yourself. But be aware, should you interfere with our investigation in any way, you will be held criminally responsible. Rodriguez.” She nodded at him, signaling it was time to go.
The male agent gave us a judgy look of his own—the kind of disappointed shake of his head you’d receive from a parent growing up when you got a bad grade. He turned to follow her out of the club.
As they walked out, Ozzie was wandering in. Over the past fifteen minutes he had been at the Chop Shop with Cash, he’d managed to get himself covered in grease and motor oil. That didn’t stop him from grinning and eye-fucking Agent Strauss as they passed each other up.
“Hey, beautiful. What are you doing all dressed up in a biker bar?” he whistled.
She arched a brow at him. “Move out of my way.”
Ozzie being Ozzie, laughed. “Kidding. I’m a taken man. You’re not my type anyway.”
“That goes for both of us. Good day.”
The agents left as abruptly as they’d shown up. The hostile energy they’d brought with them remained.
Ozzie scratched his shaved, tattooed head and shot a clueless look over at us. “What was that all about?”
Fast forward a few hours later, I stop by the apartment to find it empty. No surprise considering Teysha and the girls have their bachelorette party today. Unlike Mace and the guys, they had turned the occasion into an all-day, all-night event. Spa during daylight hours. Wine tasting in the evening and into the night.
I had encouraged Teysha to go. Getting out and spending time with the other ladies in the club was good for her. But damn if I don’t miss her when coming home to an empty apartment.
I toss my keys on the kitchen counter and then open the fridge. Out of habit, my hand reaches for the can of Texas Brew before I stop myself then go for the jug of sweet tea instead.
Teysha prefers it when I don’t drink much during the day and she likes that I’ve stopped smoking altogether. I’ve started taking into consideration these kinda things. I’ve begun thinking about how to make her happy. I’ve slowly come to realize that much of what she wants is good for me.
An improvement to my life.
She makes me a better person. A better man.
Not ’cuz she’s trying to change me. Not ’cuz she doesn’t like who I am. For some reason I still can’t figure out, she does.
But being with her, around her, does the trick. It makes me want to live up to being the husband she deserves.
I swallow a couple gulps of sweet tea, then drop to the couch. I’ve got a missed voice message from Mick that I listen to.
“Not to alarm you, Ghost, but the girls were just at the bar getting ready to head out to their bachelorette thingamajigger, and I thought you’d want to know Teysha was a little under the weather. I found her in the basement throwing up a bit. Mandy was down there cackling like a loon so that might have something to do with it. Anyhow, figured you’d want to know about it. See ya tonight for Mace’s get-together.”
My jaw hardened with tension before I tamped down on my urge to go rushing off. I could track Teysha and the ladies down and demand she come home to recover.
I come to my senses a split second later. Another sign I’m changing. Growing.
Instead, I breathe out a steadying breath and send her a text to let her know she’s on my mind. Her quick response confirms I’ve made the right decision. She’s fine. She’s with the other ladies, enjoying their bachelorette activities.
The same way I’ll be with Mace and the others in a couple hours. We’re throwing a party at the saloon to celebrate one of his last nights as a single man. He’s requested no Tits on Heels, but I overheard Ozzie and Tito plotting earlier. The club girls will be there and likely causing a scene like they always do.
I drift off on the couch. My eyes close when it’s about half past two in the afternoon and they don’t open ’til it’s well after five. Jerking awake, it takes a few drowsy seconds to understand what’s happened. I dozed off.
I’ve got a crick in my neck and sleep lines on my face. If Teysha were here, she’d have giggled at the sight.
