Page 53 of Judge
I stare back at the scene playing out. The havoc being caused by what’s playing on the TV. Annie and Jax are roaring with laughter as are a couple of other diners dotted around. The kids who have been up on the big screen in less than a flattering light are arguing with each other as well as threatening legal action from their parents if this doesn’t get taken down. It’s chaos caused by three, no four, counting the ginger, little kids.
“How old are the big littles again?” I ask the girl gang, eyes wide.
“Technically eight, but morally at least twenty five with trauma,” Mad Dog answers, watching the kids with a grin.
“Ah, should we stop this?” I ask, as I watch yet another teen have a breakdown in my diner.
“Nah, I have a feeling those little assholes deserve it,” Blanche says. Then remembers she’s the mother of two of the kids causing chaos. “I’ll make sure Tav has a word with them later.”
“I’m not having a word with Jovie, those kids are bullies. It’s about time someone gave them a dose of their own medicine.” Remy says, fascinated by the images on the screen and the now bully teens looking damned embarrassed, shrinking into the booth seats, some faces tear streaked.
The big littles pack up their stuff, and move toward us, Elio hanging back. He stands at the end of Toby Wilson’s booth, staring for a long while. Long enough to make the older kids squirm.
“What the hell are you looking at?” one of the teens growls, but Elio doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t even blink.
He turns to look at Annie, before returning his gaze to Toby, staring as if Toby is a bug to squish. “I already decided what I’ll do if you don’t stop. ” His lips tip up, a slow smile spreading across his face.
Toby must see something in Elio’s face, because he swallows, then gets up, his gang of friends following behind him. They move through the diner, avoiding eye contact with Annie as they walk past her and Jax’s booth on the way out, passing Leo, Tank, Rhodie, Tav and the three Landry brothers on the way in.
Leo takes one look at my face, then a quick look around the diner. “Ah, what did we miss?”
“Oh nothing, only that it looks like I’ll be getting the big littles to help with my little problem,” I smirk as everyone in the diner bursts into laughter.
Chapter 17
Judge
“Did you ban Jovie and Elio from using your laptop yet?”
Wire gives me a look and I chuckle as I walk past him, taking my place in Church. I chuckle again as I think back to dinner last night, Kai and the kids pissing themselves with laughter over what the big littles did to Toby and his friends. Fucker deserved it if you ask me.
“We gonna have a problem with them?” Marx asks, looking around the table, gaze landing on Tav.
Tav shrugs, “Depends. If we try to stop them, we’ll end up on their shit list. Wouldn’t it be better to nurture their, ah, talents?”
Looks of horror fly around the table, and I can’t help but sit back, arms crossed, feeling smug. My kids are fucking angels.
Marx squints his eyes, looking around the table with a frown. “Where’s Sniper?”
Looking around, we all shake our heads, except for Pops who put on a real show of shrugging dramatically. Sniper has been struggling ever since his brother showed up. He seemed to shake off whatever was weighing him down when Kaia put his brotherdown, but he’s still not himself. Anyone with eyes can see the man is barely holding it together.
“I’ll catch up with him once Church ends,” Rhodie murmurs. He’s probably the closest to Sniper, and even then he isn’t super close.
The curse of being a sniper means long periods of time on your own, isolation, silence. I’m not sure whether my brother Sniper was always solitary or if the job made him this way. Marx nods his thanks and clears his throat.
“Well, now is probably the best time to get this shit outta the way.” He looks around the table at us. “As you know Moss Davies has recently been placed in the sheriff role. That means fucking good things for us.” Everyone’s fists bang the table in agreement. “But, shit aint gonna be all smooth sailing and a fucking bed of roses. There are snakes in the PD who worked for our dearly departed sheriff and are happy to be on the take, no matter who’s paying.” I nod, following along. Marx will have a plan, the question is, who will it affect? “Moss is looking for men to have his back.” His gaze moves to Fox and Nitro. “You two are the only members who have a background in military law enforcement. How would you feel about giving up the garage, and taking on roles at the PD? Not as full time officers, because, I can’t see you both being pen pushers and beating the streets, but just as backup for Moss as he cleans house?”
Fox and Nitro share a look, much like my twins do. They nod once, before turning back to Marx.
“He can have us for a year. No more,” Nitro says, tapping his hand on the table.
“Moss will have you for as long as I say.” Marx nods, Wire tapping away at his laptop, probably putting that shit into the minutes. “Good. Second order of business. The Landrys, as with the Tombs, have done their time and are now fully patched. They’re also ready to get home. Sniper has already put his handup to transfer to the new chapter, help get it squared away. I’m opening it up for any brother who wishes to transfer.”
We all share looks around the table. If I were younger and single I’d let it cross my mind. But as it stands, I have a family to think about.
“If you want an old fucker on your team, I’ll throw my hat in the ring,” Flack says, slapping a hand on the table.
“Flack?” Wire raises a brow.
