Page 63 of Filthy Savage
“Silas and Sabrina want me to give you a quick message.”
“What’s that?”
“Two words. Background check.”
I just laugh. “Night, old friend.”
“Goodnight, kid.”
* * *
Finishingup the last of my hand-rolled cigarette, I put it in the retro styled waste collector outside Vincent’s front door. I shove my hands into my pockets. The fucked-up adrenaline rush of the past few days just will not subside, even with Vincent’s update last night. Something still prickles against the back of my neck. I’ve been bracing for impact, ready to fight, almost eager to get my hands bloody. Before Vincent’s news, I was prepared to destroy everything and anyone who threatened me and mine. Now, the weight should be off my shoulders. It’s supposed to be over, but my gut has a hard time believing the worst is over for my family.
Almost overnight, my idea of family has somehow been resurrected. Before all this chaos, I had Vincent and the Satan’s Saints. For a long time, I believed they were more than enough. I’ve been so wrong for almost allowing my kin to slip away. Reconciling with Nancy has lifted a mammoth-sized weight off my shoulders. I can actually picture spending much more time with my niece and nephew. Maybe in time, me and Kade might learn to tolerate each other too, if we both have enough alcohol in our systems to look past the whole Los Diablos versus Satan’s Saints deal.
One outcome I was not expecting is that my image of family has begun to include that pretty little curvy vixen still sleeping upstairs. Sure, she’s a mouthy, smart as fuck, blonde bombshell, and the whole dominatrix thing she’s into is a little out of control. She told me flat out that she isn’t interested in anything more than a bit of sexy fun now and then. But hell, Angel has calmed the turbulent, riotous storm in my head. I haven’t had the nightmares or a single flashback since that night I shared my childhood horror story with her. Just the thought of letting her out of my sight causes my chest to tighten. I close my fists so tightly that any second now, my nails will draw blood from my palms.
“Hey.”
I spin around to face Angel, and have to smile. She’s now dressed up in a tailored black dress with designer pumps to match. My bet is Nancy must have picked out the preppy, nouveau-chic designer outfit. It practically puts a glowing neon sign over Angel’s head that says, “Hey! Look at me! I’m not from around these here parts!” at a time when it would have been imperative to blend in.
“What?” Angel asks as I keep on staring without saying a word.
I pull her into my arms. “You’re gorgeous. So, what’s up?”
“I’m going to work. Can you give me a ride?”
“Now? You know it’s Sunday, right? Public libraries are closed today.”
She nods. “I know, but I’d like to check on how much work has piled up for me since we took off. You told me yourself that your friend, Vincent, took care of everything. I may as well get over there and find out if I still have a job. Oh, on the way, can we stop at my place for a few minutes? I need to see Jet, Spencer and Marley. If my neighbor hasn’t already put them in a kennel because of their quirkiness.”
“No problem at all, but are you sure you want to rush off to work so soon?” I ask. “You should rest a bit, you know? Settle the nerves down, and all that.”
I wonder whether Angel sees right through my feeble attempt to keep her around a bit longer. Business as usual for the two of us means that I’ll be back at the clubhouse or taking care of security gigs for the Saints. Angel will be home at her apartment, and back working at the library. Having things go back to normal means we’re about to go our separate ways.
“I’m fine. I think getting back to my routine will probably help me get past it more quickly. Plus, my car’s still parked at work. Oh, that reminds me. Do you have jumper cables?”
“I’m sure I can find some.”
“Thanks. It’s been acting up lately. I’ll need to get it off that lot before it racks up a fortune in parking fines.”
“If you want, I can get someone from the clubhouse to take a look at it for you.”
“Really? God, that would be such a help. Thanks. So can we go now?”
I lean forward and brush my lips against hers. “Sure thing.”
