Page 59 of Hounds Ascend
I move through the crowded room, making my way to the office. I know Snapper would’ve delegated someone to take his place, ensuring every job that was given was completed. Snapper is thorough when it comes to shit like this, which is precisely why he is the one in charge of setting it up.
Mario sits at one of the three desks in the office. He is one of the newest members in Baton Rouge. Originally from Belize, he’s tanned and speaks with an accent. However, he is one of the most trustworthy men in the club. There was no question as to why Snapper put him in charge.
“What’s up, man?” I ask, greeting Mario. Mario has been outof town for work for the past few weeks, but when he got wind of what was going on back home, he did what he could to get back as soon as possible. From the looks of it, he showed up just in time.
“Hey, Prez.”
“You got here just in time.”
“I know. Snapper brought me up to speed when I got in.”
“I need something from you, but I need it to be between you and me.”
Mario eyes me suspiciously, but doesn’t question me. “Okay,” he says hesitantly.
“Send Digger the coordinates for every completed job with a fatality.”
Mario nods, pulling his phone from his pocket and begins going through the stack of paperwork that lines his desk.
“Thanks, brother,” I say before closing the door behind me.
While everything is being taken care of here, all I can do is wait. Wait? I don’t wait. I make shit happen. Fuck this.
I search the clubhouse for Scott. As big as he is, somehow he is always the most well-hidden fucker in the building. It takes me a good twenty minutes to find him. He’s sitting down in a corner from which he can see everything around him. Eyes on all entrances, no one would be sneaking up on him.
“I’m going to the house. Got some unfinished business to take care of there.”
“You want me to ride with you?” Scott asks.
“Yeah, come on.”
Lilly
Four in the morning. It’s four in the morning and I’m the last ol’ lady awake aside from Ryan. She’s curled up on the couch with Gater and they’re in their own little world, oblivious to my presence in the kitchen. The other guys are outside somewhere, guarding the house like it houses the most precious gems. I sit quietly at the bar. Seeing as our dining room table isn’t here yet, the bar is all I have for furniture.
I can hear Gater and Ryan’s conversation from where I sit.
“What have you really been doing all this time? I know that the club isn’t where you’ve been getting all this money.” Ryan’s voice was quiet, yet clear.
“I told you I’ve been working more at the shop to help cover for Cass while he’s been gone.”
“All night long, too? The shop closes at five, Gater!”
“No, at night I’m out doing club shit.”
“What kinda club shit?” I can tell by her tone she is growing more annoyed with each passing minute.
“Ryan, I’m not having this conversation with you right now,” he sighs, then everything is quiet.
The sound of motorcycles approaching has the hair on the back of my neck standing up. Stirring outside the windows at the front eases my mind, if only a little. The guys would protect us. I walk over to the kitchen window, peeking out to see if I can spot anything from where I am. Two motorcycles pull into the driveway, straight back under the carport. I’ve never been so happy in my life to see a chrome helmet. Cass stepsoff his bike, Scott right behind him.
I’m yanking the back door open before Cass can grab the handle to walk in. Without warning, I barrel into his arms, nearly knocking him to the ground. He finds his footing though before we tumble over.
“Hey to you too, beautiful.” He squeezes me tightly as I cover his face in kisses.
“Hi,” I whisper, resting my forehead on his. My eyes are closed and I’m soaking up his presence.
“I’m gonna put you down now so we can go inside.” He sets me on my feet, and I walk through the door, allowing him and Scott to enter along with me. Linc and the strawberry blond prospect are now in the living room, sitting across from Gater and Ryan. Brock is nowhere to be found, figuring he found somewhere to get a cat nap in.
