Page 19 of Raven
He held his hands up and silently surrendered as he answered, “I’m not looking to cause a problem brother. It was just a question.”
“Do you remember Buzzsaw from the Oregon chapter of the Flying Dutchmen MC?” Roughstock looked up briefly before nodding. “She’s his niece. He retired and sold his shop, and he suggested she move here. He’d heard I was shorthanded, and I’ll be honest, hiring her was the best decision I’ve ever made.” I paused then asked, “Why do you want to know about Sydney?”
“I got an unusual phone call today from a club president in Nevada. He was with an unaffiliated club I’d never heard of, but he was looking for his missing ol’ lady and heard rumors she was living in Rapid. He asked me to keep an eye out for her.”
“And what does this have to do with Sydney?” I asked, getting a sick feeling in my stomach.
“Nothing directly, as far as I can tell. but I had Warhol do some digging and the woman he was looking for had a daughter named Sydney.” My eyes grew wide, and he continued, “It’s not a usual name for a chick, so I needed to know what you knew about her.”
“I know enough, and if this guy is looking for Sydney’s mother, he needs to look in the graveyard in Oregon. That’s where she is,” I returned then tacked on. “Why is he looking for this woman and why ask you?”
“Apparently, the woman stole twenty-five large from the club, and he’s looking for their money. I needed to know if this was going to cause any problems for the club.”
I ran my hands through my hair as I stood and muttered, “Fuck.”
I could feel their eyes on me, but it was Jigsaw who spoke. “This is the debt thing you were telling me about, isn’t it?”
I sighed and turned back. “I honestly don’t know, but if it is the same situation, then I’ll have Comet pull money from my investments and I’ll make this go away. I won’t have her working to pay off a debt her deadbeat, dead-ass mother ran up.”
Roughstock pushed off his desk and stepped closer as he inquired, “Are you sure that she isn’t playing you?”
I wanted to punch him in the face and my fists clenched and unclenched as I let the anger bleed from me. Jigsaw, seeing my reaction, stood from his seat and answered for me. “I don’t think she would be working herself to death, pulling overtimeand extra shifts, just to play Raven. I’ve been around her and I believe she’s trustworthy and honest.”
Roughstock offered me his closed fist as he explained, “I had to be sure of what’s going on, but I trust both of you. If you say Sydney is good people, then I trust your word.” We tapped fists and he added, “I didn’t mean to offend you, brother. But it’s my job to protect the club, from everyone who can cause us harm. You understand, right?”
“I get it, and I appreciate your discretion on the matter. I’d like to get back to my woman, and if I think the club needs to be informed, I’ll let you know. For now, I want her to relax, and I’ll speak with her about this debt when the time is right.”
He gave me a nod before we walked out of the office. Sydney was at the pool table with Willow and Cheyenne, and when I approached, I heard Willow say, “Jesus. You cleared the table before Cheyenne even got a shot.”
Roughstock looked at the table and walked over to Cheyenne. “Having a bad day, darlin’?”
She smiled and placed the pool stick onto the empty table as she replied, “Sydney knows her stuff.” She lifted her eyes to Sydney and asked, “Who taught you to play?”
She seemed a little apprehensive to answer as the group of us retook our seats at a large table off to the side. Looking at me, I gave her a nod, and she exhaled deeply before answering.
“I was raised in my uncle’s club, and one of the brothers taught me how to play.”
Willow perked up as Cheynne leaned against Roughstock. “You were raised in a club?” Sydney nodded and Willow continued, “So were Cheynne and me. Is that where you learned to fix bikes?”
Sydney picked up her soda and took a sip before she answered, “Uncle Billy was an amazing mechanic, and I always wanted to know how things worked, so he let me tinker on bikes.Once he knew I wasn’t just playing, he showed me everything he knew.”
“And she surpassed him by leaps and bounds,” I added and glanced to see her blushing.
“Maybe you can look at my bike when you get some free time,” Willow inquired. “I feel like she’s got more to offer, but I can’t seem to get her tuned the way I want it.”
Jigsaw interjected, “If you drive that bike any faster, you’re going to need a license for rockets.”
She waved her hand, dismissing his statement. Sydney looked at Cheyenne and asked, “Do you ride?”
Cheyenne shook her head and replied, “I was never happy driving a bike, but I love to ride with Trent.”
The conversation between the ladies continued as they started to compare notes of being young girls around bikers. Jigsaw patted his cut and raised his eyebrows, silently asking if smoking was okay around Sydney.
When there was a pause in the conversation, I leaned over and asked Sydney, “Does weed bother you?”
“Not at all. I’ve been around it my whole life,” she answered.
Jigsaw pulled out two joints and lit the tip of one before handing it to me. I took a long draw and held it out for Sydney as Jigsaw lit the other and handed it to Willow on his other side. Sydney took it from my fingers and inhaled a ling full of smoke before passing it to Cheyenne on her other side.
