Page 28 of Clear Your Mind

“While you’re there, get a look at what they’re up to in the outbuilding if the opportunity presents itself,” Prez suggests. “I’m ninety-nine percent sure it’s where they cook the shit, but confirmation would be nice. No colors, take the cage and dress like you’re the least threatening fuckers on the planet.”

“Got it, prez. What if they are cooking? We can’t leave that danger there for the old woman to deal with.”

Dude rubs his jaw in the way that I know to mean he’s about to say something he doesn’t like. It’s the “good of the many versus the good of the few” look. It’s the same one Morningstar gets.

It hits me like a punch to the gut. Dude’s right, Morningstar wasn’t punishing me. He was trying to help me without sacrificing someone else to do it. It’s what he’d been doing since I joined the Travelers. And I’m the idiot who can’t see the forest for the trees.

“Assess only. Don’t engage except in defense. As much as I hate to say it, we can’t just shut down their workshop without a plan.”

We all fall silent. Leaving a potential danger around when we could end it is not settling well in my stomach. I don’t like it, but I understand.

“Rest assured, we will take them down. They’re cooking drugs and harassing old women, and I won’t let that stand. That’s a fucking promise, but you have to trust me. If we don’t cut off the head of this snake, it’ll resurface with a vengeance.”

“Okay, got a trail but, veep, you’re not gonna like it.”

“I didn’t think I would.” I listen in seething rage as Cowboy speaks. Jeff’s trail follows Krystal’s. There are more TROs in Texas, but it all stops in Dallas when he gets picked up. That’s where Laura disappeared and Krystal was born.

Dude asks the question I’m thinking. “If he tracked her all the way to Dallas, could he be a threat here?”

Fuck.

Hearing it aloud puts a level of reality on it that my brain can’t wrap around.

“The fucker is definitely slinking around somewhere.”

“Could it be the Bullfeathers’ presence at her complex that’s keeping him at bay?” Kilt is so levelheaded and reasonable, I want to hate him for his words, but they’re solid. Jeff’s in a club. No way he’d be foolish enough to ride up into the heart of another to harass someone who appeared to be under their protection. Hell, it’s what I thought for a hot second, so Jeff would too.

“That’s a real possibility,” Dude acknowledges. “But she’s veep’s now, that means she’s ours to keep safe. Let’s deal with the Bullfeathers first, then we’ll work on a plan to lure Jeff out and get rid of the threat to your woman once and for all.”

My woman.

I like the sound of that.

Dude pulls the phone from his pocket and starts texting.

“What’s up, prez, pussy that good you can’t be away?” Cowboy’s joking tone isn’t lost on me, but Dude snaps his head up.

“If you must know, I’m canceling. I’m needed here. I’ll go to the auction with you tomorrow and then we’ll finish up the bar construction. After that, we make a plan and move on what’s left of the Bullfeathers.”

I clap him on the shoulder, much the way he did me earlier. Role reversal at its finest. “I got this, prez. We won’t move without you unless moved on. Cowboy’ll get us a pool hall tomorrow, Kilt and I will get the skinny on the apartment complex from old Ida, and you can get back to…what you need to.” I stop short of saying his woman. Just because I fell hard and fast and admit it doesn’t mean he has to. I understand the look on his face all too well. Although I’m tempted since he seems perfectly content to make the call for me.

Prez nods with a smile. “And that’s why you’re my vice.” He turns back to his coffee. “Any other business to discuss?”

“Yep,” Cowboy answers. “Got the cookout planned for the week after next. I have a potential prospect to run by you. He’s a guy I know from the circuit. Shitty bull rider but excellent adaptability. I think you’ll like him. We go all the way back to senior year. I’ve sent all his info and background to your phone. I’ve invited him along with the kid Kilt suggested and some other possibilities to a cookout. Maxi has the shopping list and she even invited a few friends from around.”

“Speaking of which,” Kilt pipes in. “I took the liberty of gathering a few names.” He slips a crinkled piece of paper from his inside pocket and slides it across the rough wood surface like it’s a bomb. “Construction companies willing to come in midjob, use the materials we bought, and help finish up the bar at a discount. I only found two willing, but one’s all we need.” He nods when Dude doesn’t bite his head off.

The bar is the only community area downstairs not finished, and it would be nice to have that done before the cookout.

Things feel like they’re evening out a little, but I get the sensation that another shoe is about to drop.

7

KRYSTAL

My attention toggles between the tempeh burrito and the tofu stir-fry. Both frozen, neither particularly appetizing, but the morning kicked my ass, and I need sustenance.

Closing the freezer, I open the refrigerator for the umpteenth time, hoping another choice magically materializes. I sigh and choose the burrito. I plop it into the microwave and wait impatiently for the beep.

---