Page 42 of Tattooed Love

“This is bullshit.” Cole muttered under his breath, and took a large gulp from his open beer.

“You know it is still early in the morning right?” I said under my breath to him, eyeing the beer he was downing. Cole shot me a look saying ‘who gives a shit.’ Shrugging my shoulders, I added “Only thinking of your liver.”

“So, Amber, what is it you know about Marty’s crew?” Troy asked, stubbing his cigarette and narrowing his eyes at me.Like I couldn’t possibly know a thing.

“What doesn’t she know is more like it.” Spike muttered to Travis, as they both shared a dark chuckle with each other.

Rolling my eyes, I started. “Thirty four members, last time I checked. Mainly into drug rings, cooking and selling. Marty works out of three factories and four houses… ”

“They only work from houses. We know they don’t have any factories,” Cole piped in, adding a scoff at the end, as if I knew nothing.

Narrowing my eyes at him and turning in my seat, I continued, “They have three factories, all on Flinders Road. I can give you the addresses if you want, but that isn’t their main trade anymore.” I shot Cole a look.

“What’s their main trade?” Troy asked, ignoring Cole’s and my standoff.

Arching both eyebrows at him, I added, “Last time I checked, they were moving into running guns.” Picking up the cigarette from Blake’s fingers, I sucked on it lightly.

Leaning back in my chair, I continued, “They’re aiming at taking the trade from the bikers. Like you guys.”Blowing out a mouthful of smoke, I locked my eyes with Troy’s. “I think a lot of the gangs are over. Only one bikie gang has control of the streets and the distribution of guns. “You think, or you know?” Jax shot at me from across the table. Dropping my eyes from Troy’s and looking Jax dead in the eye, I said, “I know.”

I jumped in my seat when Cole brought his fist down on the table. “Bloody snakes in the grass. We take them out now!” He was fuming next to me.

“You need to calm down Cole,” I scoffed, and put the cigarette out.

“I want the addresses for the factories and the confirmed addresses for the houses.” Troy shot at Blake, “Then the deal’s done.”

“The addresses weren’t part of the deal.” Blakewas picking at the details; he narrowed his eyes at Troy “I’m not helping you.”

Letting out a sharp sigh, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and bringing up Marty’s information, I slid the phone to Troy.

“Amber!” Blake growled under his breath at me.

Turning in my seat and facing him directly, I said, “What Blake? You used me so you could get more business on the streets.” I rose from my seat, pushing his hand off my thigh in the process, “and, at the end of the day, they’re still my brothers.”

Pushing the chair back and walking towards the door, I turned around, “Give that back to me when you’re done.” I pointed at Troy and the phone, while opening the door with my other hand.

“Amber. I—”Blake started, but just like always, I knew what he was going to say, so I cut himoff.

“Yeah, I know you’re sorry. Bye Blake.”

I closed the door behind me and headed towards the bar. Slumping in a stool, I reached over and pulled out a bottle of vodka from behind the bar. I suppose somewhere in the world it was after midday.

Chapter 11

I was tapping my finger on the desk in Mr Woods’ class; man, school sucked.

“Would you stop that?” Jax slammed his hand down over my finger. “Only you could make such an annoying noise.”

Rolling my eyes, I took a shot at him, “Someone’s nervous about the presentation.”

“I’m not nervous,” Jax removed his hand off my finger.

“I think someone’s a little nervous,” I taunted, enjoying the way Jax’s jaw was clenching. “Public speaking not a strong point?”

“I don’t get nervous,” Jax exhaled sharply, and sent me an annoyed look.

“I think you do,” I stated matter of factly, and began tapping again.

Jax shot my finger an annoyed look and then glared at me. “You can’t help yourself, can you?”.

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