“First off, not a kid, mister. Second, I work in a factory that pays pretty good and two of my three sisters have part-time jobs also. We manage, ain’t asking for no pity.”
Knowing I should probably ask Emmie or Abby first, but something is tellin’ me to just do it, so I do.
“Well, if ya don’t have plans for Thanksgiving, come on by, we’re having a big shindig. Only thing is, bring something to share that you’re grateful for. So let me know if and how many will show up with ya. Now, I got shit to do.”
“We’ll be here and it will be me and my four sisters. Now, if my two brothers show up in town, are they welcome too?”
I have to chuckle. Fuckin’ religious families and their kids.
“Yeah, at this point, two more ain’t gonna make a difference. By the way, I go by Chains. The real big guy is Tiny, the guy over there, who’s been down here with me, is Iron. The two over there are Dingo and Velvet. The young dude who took off is Bullet. For now, we’ll call ya Kaz, but don’t be surprised ya get a club name if ya hang around. Later.”
Walkin’ out, I actually feel like I did a good thing, which is so rare for me, though the feeling is awesome. I reach for my cell to call Winnie and beg her to let Emmie or Abby know about these extra guests. For some reason, this kid has gotten under my skin just like Wild did when he helped me escape. Fuckin’ kids, I’m gettin’ soft, that’s all it boils down to, and that is one thought I’ll keep to myself. Now to find something to eat, but gotta wash up first as I look down at myself covered in blood and guts.
CHAPTER TWO
BRICK-Prez
I can hear the fuckin’ arguing even before I get off my bike. Goddamn it, how hard is it to get a remodeled clubhouse ready for Thanks-fuck-giving dinner? Walking to the door, I see Bullet leaning against the building, head hanging low.
“What the fuck’s up, brother? Ya okay?”
When he lifts his head, I can see the wet on his cheeks but don’t say a fuckin’ thing as this brother can be sensitive, which is not a bad thing. Keeps our club balanced with the other lunatics.
“Hey, Brick, nothing, just thinking I’m probably not going to be one of the brothers who can keep helping Chains out. It’s tearing me apart, Prez. I’m having nightmares after each one of his sessions and it ain’t him, it’s me. I’m a wimp, as we all know, just look at my record here with the club.”
I grab him by the neck, pullin’ him close so our foreheads touch when I lean down to him.
“Ya ain’t no goddamn wimp? What did I tell ya, Bullet, when ya told me ya wanted to try this? Do ya remember ‘cause I sure the fuck do. I said give it a go, but if it don’t work or ya can’t do it, no big deal. I didn’t expect ya to not tell me how much that shit was botherin’ ya, kid. I’ve always told ya, Bullet, I got your back. So it ain’t a thing, just don’t go any more. I’ll have a word or two with Chains. I’m pretty fuckin’ sure he’s already figured out that ain’t gonna be your gig. Especially with Spitfire in your life, no way she’d want ya to be a part of all that bullshit.”
He goes to lower his head, but I hold steady. Our eyes meet and I can see he feels like he’s lettin’ the club down, which is total bullshit. This kid is the first to step in to help anyone and the last to leave. Fuck, since we met Tim, or as we affectionally call him now Bullet, he’s always been fighting some internal battle. No more. For Christ’s sake, he’s part of the Grimm Wolves club not some pansy-ass weekend riding club.
“We good, brother? ‘Cause if we are, sounds like I need to get my ass in there and break up the animals before someone gets hurt.”
“Yeah, Brick, we’re good. Thanks for always understanding. I appreciate it.”
“That’s good to hear. Might want to save that for our Thanksgiving dinner.”
He lets out a chuckle as I smile down at him, while givin’ him one last neck squeeze before I let him go. Then I stomp to the door, swing it open, and my head just about blows off my damn shoulders. Jesus Christ, these morons are gonna be the death of me. Sons of bitches.
“What in the ever-lovin’ hell are you idiots doing? I told ya to get this ready for the ol’ ladies. How fuckin’ hard is it, ya dumb asses? They are supposed to be here in less than an hour. The women are supposed to go over everything for next week. Look at this place, it stinks like goddamn weed, fuckin’ sex, and damn booze. Not bringin’ my kiddos into this nest of degenerates, that’s for damn sure. So what’s the problem? Can someone tell me why this ain’t done?”
They all look at each other then back at me. Can you say the Three fuckin’ Stooges? Diesel scratches his head, while Wild looks around, and leave it to Stallion to shift his balls then scratch his ass. Diesel gives me his eyes and then I understand their confusion.
“Prez, not sure about these two, but didn’t know we were supposed to clean this dump up. We’ll get right on it, promise.”
Hearing this it makes me think. Oh fuck, again didn’t think before I let my mouth run.
“Son of a bitch, brothers, it wasn’t y’all I told to clean this up, it was the boys. Where are they anyway?”
Wild smiles then looks over his shoulder and down the hall to where our gym is. And just by the way my brother smiles, it dawns on me those hormonal, asshole teenagers are watching the sweet butts practice their dancing shit back there. I stalk down the hall with the three brothers following me. Seeing the door open to our workout room, I shift it open and, yeah, I was right Talon, Rogue—holy shit—Damien, Rider, and Calum. The last three look so out of place, as they are quite a bit younger than Fury’s twins. Clearing my throat, Damien, Rider, and Calum look back at me, wide-eyes and faces flushed. Yeah, they are embarrassed to shit. I’m gonna kill the twins, swear to God.
“Ya three, get the hell outta here. Start cleanin’ up the main room, will ya?”
Damien nods as the three of them take off like their uncle Chains is after their asses. The twins are now almost grown and like that the younger boys follow them around, but doubt they wanted to do this shit. Lookin’ at the young men staring me down makes me start to feel my age. Not to mention I have a bunch of kiddos at home growing like weeds. Will, George, and Hazel have to be one of my best achievements in my life. To watch them grow up is beyond amazing and for them to have Emmie as their momma, they are truly blessed. Shaking my head to clear those thoughts out, need to get back to the here and now.
“Talon, Rogue, what the hell were ya both thinkin’ bringing those kids in here to watch the women work a damn pole? Jesus, don’t even want to think about either of you watchin’, for Christ’s sake. Now, either ya both are carrying rolls of coins in your pockets or maybe droolin’ over those women, ‘cause I’m guessin’ all of that isn’t ‘cause you’re happy to see me.”
They both try to shift their junk, which has the Three Stooges behind me snickering. Yeah, like they don’t get hard watchin’ those sweet butts shaking their moneymakers.