Page 20 of Outlaws' Single Mom
Hold the fuck up. “Who’s going with you?”
Her hesitation pisses me off.
“No. No fucking way you’re going there alone. Text me the address and call tomorrow before you leave.”
“You guys can’t keep helping me with everything. You’re already doing me like three favors.”
I comb my fingers into her hair cupping the back of her head and fisting the silky strands just tight enough to make her eyes go wide. “Ask me if I give a shit.”
12
DAKOTA
Midafternoon the next day,I’m waiting in my car across the street from Fast Cash Brokers. It’s the middle of the day, and I feel a little silly sitting here with all my doors locked like I need bodyguards to do anything, but Stiff made me promise. I want to show him that he’s not the only one that keeps their promises.
Even if I’m even more confused about him now than I was before he came over last night.
I study the windows on the second floor. Which ones were Georgia’s? I’ve only been inside a couple times, and that was before she started seeing Jay and I became persona non grata. I don’t rememberexactly how the building was laid out. Is the window with the cute yellow curtains hers? Or the one with cardboard taped over the cracked pane? Probably not the one with all the plants. She always liked flowers, but complained that they died no matter what she did. My throat tightens. I roll down the window a little to let the cold air keep the tears at bay.
Jackal, Stiff and Lash show up with a loud rumble of engines that I hear echoing down the street well before I see their bikes coming my way. They park right in front of the shop, their jackets clearly identifying them as members of the Outlaw Sons. There’s the shadow of a person inside the shop window that stands there for a moment before darting away. Lash is the first to notice my car and raises a hand, waving me over.
Three sets of eyes watch as I get out and head their way. I’m wearing the same jeans as I had on at the Burnout, but with a pale lilac sweatshirt and a light jacket on top. When I got dressed this morning I picked it because I’ve always liked how I look in this color, and then almost took it off again because what does it matter? Grief is strange. Georgia and I couldgo months without speaking, and half the time we weren’t on good terms, but she was my sister. Logan’s mom. In dying, she’s left a huge, aching gap where all my worries and dreams about her used to be.
But the clock keeps ticking, the days pass by, and I still think lilac is pretty.
“Thanks for meeting me.” I glance over at Stiff. He raises an eyebrow and I can feel myself blush. Is he thinking about what happened, too? Or am I another one of the women that comes and goes in his life? Isn’t that what I should be?
“This is where Georgia lived?” Jackal eyes the building with obvious skepticism.
“Yeah, she worked here, and the owners let her rent one of the apartments upstairs for cheap.”
Lash grunts. “You know it’s a front, right?”
“What do you mean? I know pawn shops can be a little sketchy, but she told me about her job. She liked seeing all the different things people would bring in, and keeping track of everything.”
“Everything? I doubt it,” Stiff comments. “I’m sure if you bring them your grandma’s gold necklace,they’ll weigh it for you and front you cash, but that’s just for show. The real money is moving around in the back room.”
“You think?” I take another look, trying to see it through their eyes.
“Shall we?” Jackal gestures for us to walk ahead of him. Lash takes the lead with Stiff staying at my side.
A bell rings as the door opens. A chubby guy with a patchy mustache and bloodshot eyes behind the counter smiles as we come in. “Welcome!” He scurries to the door, flips the sign to ‘Closed’ and clicks the lock. “What can I do for you today, gentlemen? Gift for the lady? I got some good stuff in last week. Or did you need assistance with a little liquidation?” His grin seems a little forced.
Jackal laughs. “Laying it on a little thick, Sergei.”
He snorts and scratches his ear. “Always happy to work with the Sons. No beef between us, right?”
“Good, then this won’t be a problem.” Stiff puts his arm over my shoulder. “You had a girl working for you, lived upstairs. This is her sister. She needs to get in to start dealing with practical shit. I’m sure you’ve got a key for us.”
Sergei’s smile droops. He looks at me with genuine sadness. “I was sorry to hear about Gi-gi. She had her problems but she was a good girl at heart.”
I give him a tight nod. “Thank you.”
“But the thing is…” he wrings his hands. “Jay’s living up there, too. You talked to him yet? I should probably give him a call first.”
Jackal cocks a hand on his hip, pushing his jacket open just enough to show the butt of his gun. My pulse jumps. How stupid am I that I brought three bikers to a pawn shop to protect me from my sister’s violent boyfriend and it still shocks me when they prove they are who I know they are.
“Don’t worry about Jay. We’ll make sure he understands.” Stiff twirls a lock of my hair around his finger and then skims his fingers over my neck, raising goosebumps. It’s a very clear show of possession. “If he has a problem, send him our way.”
