Page 25 of Tuesday

“So, you wanna tell me what happened with Molly?” I ask, just as Marx takes a seat next to us.

“We grew apart, I guess. Wanted different things,” he answers, snuggling Laney into him.

“What did you want that she didn’t?” Marx asks in his rumbling voice.

“I wanted to be closer to you boys. The DRMC. You’re starting to settle down, have families,” Mad Dog jiggles Laney, to illustrate the point.

“Not me,” Marx scoffs before jabbing a thumb in my direction. “Him.”

Mad Dog hits Marx with his “don’t give me that bullshit” look that he perfected years ago after having two boys try to pull the wool over his eyes. “You tryna tell me there’s nothing going on with you and that dark-haired woman? Lovely, is that her name?”

Marx shuffles in his seat, turning his head to stare intently at the wall. “Nothing is going on.”

“Really? Huh, I could have sworn something was going on,” Mad Dog says, scratching at the stubble on his cheek.

“Look, she’s a nice girl, alright? But that’s all she is. She’s too damn young and doesn’t know anything about the fucking world,” Marx growls, sitting up, challenging our father.

Mad Dog doesn’t flinch, just stares Marx down. “Is that what she told you, or what you think? Because you know, a good Pres listens to his people. If talking isn’t their strength he reads the situation til he has a bead on it.”

“You think I don’t know that? I’m the fucking Pres for a reason! You trusted me to lead, so I’m leading.” Marx scowls, his fists balling.

“Yeah, you are, I’m not denying that, Son. What I’m saying is, you can’t make decisions for your people without hearing them or seeing what they need. That woman doesn’t need you coddling her. I think if you were honest with yourself you’d see that.”

Marx runs a hand down his face, then places his hands on his knees, pushing up to stand. “Lovely is a brother’s sister-in-law. Outside of that, she’s none of my concern.”

“Um, Rhodie? Chewy wants you,” Lovely’s sweet voice breaks the tension between Mad Dog and Marx and I see the moment Marx’s shoulders slump.

“Lovely, I-”

Lovely holds her hand up, silencing Marx. “I got it, Pres.” She nods then turns on her heel, walking through the kitchen, headed for the Rev Room.

Raising my brows at Mad Dog he shoos me away, “Go, I got Laney. Besides, it’s nice to hold her without Sid giving me the death glare. Where is he anyway?”

“Don’t you know? He’s one of the founding members of the Girl Gang,” I laugh, headed for my woman. She calls, I come running.

Walking into the Rev Room I come to a complete stop. “What the fuck?” I whisper to myself. Instead of the usual blood and guts, there’s two almost empty bottles of wine and Candice has had a makeover of sorts. It’s not a good one, judging by how much of her hair is missing, and someone has given her some large, black eyebrows. Leaning closer I notice blood seeping from them. Holy shit! Did they tattoo them on?

“Oh hey Babe! You’re just in time, we’re about to give Candice here some lip filler,” Chewy grins.

“I thought you were meant to be getting rid of her?”

“Well, yeah, but first we thought we’d have some fun. She likes plastic surgery so much, we figured we’d help her out. Besides, she may let slip some more secrets. Us Girl Gang can be quite persuasive,” Chewy grins as Pops starts alcohol swabbing Candice’s face.

“Shhhhh Tito saysh that I’m the bessht of all his women,” Candice slurs.

Raising a brow at Chewy she shrugs, “The wine was for her. We’re doing one of those Botox parties.”

“We even have canapes!” Mira says excitedly. I do a double take when I see her here. She’s not like Chewy or Blanche or Nat, or shit, even Vi. Mira is like Lovely and Remy and Ana. They’re nice ladies who don’t need to be involved in all this shit.

Before I can say anything to her Ana pipes up, “Get that look off your face, Rhodie. We’re not weenies. We can handle this shit. Especially when this bitch was going to sell your daughter, our niece. That shit is personal.”

“Amen, sister!” Mira says, with a hand in the air.

“OK, OK. So, what do you need me for?”

“Oh, we need you to hold her still. She’s a slippery sausage,” Chewy grins.

“Wait, I watched four of you hold down that pasty guy at the diner?” I look around at the faces, including Pops.

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