Page 8 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
“Fucking bitch.”His fist hit her head.“No fucking sense whatsoever.”Another blow fell, this one to her back.
The trashcan spun from her grip, and I caught it before it could topple over.A prospect was nearby, so I slid it in his direction to take care of.I whistled to get the attention of another to bring a towel and began issuing orders.“Get Ma.”I handed the towel to Shock, who wiped off his vest and pants before dropping it to the floor.
He hadn’t even gotten sprayed.
I picked up the towel and passed it to his woman.Then, I stepped between them to run interference.“You okay, man?”
He glared up at me.“What the fuck you think?She puked on me!”
She hadn’t.
I snapped my fingers and pointed at the closest whore.“Jewel, take him upstairs, make sure he’s cleaned off and comfortable.”
She grinned too widely.“Sure thing, sugar.”She oooed and awed over Shock’s predicament.As she led him to the main stairs, I caught Pinner’s glare.I shook my head at him.He’d been stepping out on his wife with Jewel for a while.But since he was still married, and Jewel was one of our stable, he had no claim.And he knew it.
That cost me precious seconds.
Toro stood up and directed the party’s attention away from the girl on the floor.BamBam wasn’t as easily fooled, though.He stood over the girl, staring at me like I’d orchestrated the whole thing.
He was giving me too much credit.“What the fuck are you staring at?”
His fists clenched.
As much as I’d love to lay him out, there wasn’t time to waste.The longer things lingered in this limbo of fucking bullshit, the harder it would engrave into memories.“Don’t you have a president to protect?”
He frowned.The debate about staying or going upstairs was evident in his hesitation.
“Cookie, show him where Jewel’s room is.If the door’s closed, make him comfortable outside.”Cookie was a sweet little brunette with a penchant for sucking dick.BamBam would be happy while he waited.Meanwhile, I had a lot to do in a very short amount of time if I was going to keep the two clubs at peace with each other, but also figure out what the fuck was wrong with Shock’s chick.
Ma helped the girl up.I quickly laid out the problem.“She got sick.Figure out why and fast.”
“Should I call Toolbox?”He was her doctor “friend” she’d introduced to the club.We all had to pretend they were just friends for Sprout’s sake, since he had no idea his mom was finally getting some after years of mourning.
“Do it.Make sure he knows it’s urgent.”
She hesitated.“You’re playing with fire.Stop.”
Pinner had the ill timing to slap me on the back to announce his presence.“Get her in the back.Tell my wife to keep Poppy away in case she’s contagious.”
“She seemed fine earlier,” Ma noted.
“I’m fine,” the girl mumbled, which was a damn lie.She was still pale and shaking.Her cheek was red and swollen where Shock clipped her.A trickle of blood trailed along her hairline.I ached to touch her, inspect the damage, and…
Pinner squeezed my shoulder.“Son, let’s not make fools of ourselves.”
I huffed out a laugh.“You’re one to talk.”I slid him a side eye that wandered pointedly to the ceiling.
“That makes me eminently qualified to dish out wisdom.Let’s get a drink.”
I could do that.I could play along with the lie that none of this mattered, that we were all just good friends here and not assholes of the first order.Smile and laugh despite wanting to spill blood and entrails over the dirty concrete floor.
We slammed two shots.Between them, I bullshitted and joked.Same as always.
When it came to shot number three, my joking mood turned snakily bitter.It didn’t go unnoticed.
Pinner dragged me outside for a smoke.
We stood by a barrel someone filled with kindling and set ablaze.He dragged a long inhale and then blew it out with passion.“You need to cool off.”
