"My goals aren't about territory," Ginger growls. "I can take what I want right this very fucking second. Trigger is a weak fucker, and his club is in disarray. I don't need you to kill him either. I'm helping you so I can see him lose everything. Trigger dead isn't enough. I want the bastard to suffer."
"Because he tried to kill you."
"No, because he killed someone instead of me. Trigger isn't the only person who takes shit personally."
Studying Madden, I wonder how he can be so okay with us talking about killing his dad. Trigger babies his sons, giving them everything. He talks about them like they're superstars who will crush all takers.
My gaze returns to Ginger ready to leave. She's focused on me though.
"Like my gift?"
"It was a beauty, but why throw me any love? I don't know you."
"Yeah, but I know you."
"How?" Ford asks in a protective brother's growl.
"I listen, shithead. Stop making me repeat myself. It makes me doubt I'm working with the right people."
Ginger glances at Joker. "Tell Trigger about Jose and play the worried VP. You fuck with him to his face while I'll do it behind his back. Won't be long before we're rid of the king and his loyalists. Until then, everyone watch your back. Zombie has gone off the deep end. Last night, he bathed in the blood of his last victim. That freak can't die soon enough."
Passing by Ford and me, Ginger walks into the dark hall. She says nothing to the other guys before heading down the stairs. If she's concerned about her safety, she no longer shows it.
Joker is eyeing Madden. "You're keeping secrets."
"Who the fuck isn't? Do your part, and I'll keep you alive. I'll also follow you as my president. The whys and hows matter less than the outcome."
When Madden leaves the room, I wonder if he and Ginger will hook up somewhere and plot their next move. Based on the expressions of the men around me, I'm not the only one nervous. How the hell did we end up with those two pulling our strings while we play the dummies?
23
Pax
Family Man
After the meeting with Ginger Snaps, I'm on edge. The other guys aren't much happier. I feel the tension when we sit at the diner for breakfast the next morning. Even Joker remains low-key, but Trigger doesn't notice. He's playing proud daddy to Madden and Ryder, who sit on each side of him.
By Thanksgiving dinner, I'm struggling to control my irritation. My brain runs through a million questions. Why are we waiting to hit Trigger? Why do we trust Madden and Ginger? Why don't we fucking do something already?
The holidays are one big reason. Earlier in the day, Lucky hinted he was sending Jenn and their kids out of town after the New Year to see grandma. When Joker nodded, I sensed he was thinking the same thing for his wife, Amanda, and their kids. Whether Darby will agree to flee was an entirely different situation. She isn't really a chick into taking orders.
The assumption is that Trigger plans to wait until after the holidays. All our assuming is based on Madden's word, and I don't trust the guy.
"You need to chill," Ford warned earlier in the day. I still hear his words later while planning for Thanksgiving dinner.
Oblivious to the impending bloodshed, Bebe and Lula decide to wear matching red Christmas sweaters. The kid looks cute, but mommy is causing my dick to tear through my jeans. Sure, I think I hide my lust. Then Bebe laughs in a way that says she's got my number. Lula laughs too. The kid loves when her mom is happy. I know how she feels.
Bebe convinces me to wear a red tee so I'll match them. My shirt has a small tear under the armpit, and her fingers tease it often on the drive to the restaurant. I swear she's doing everything possible to rile me up on a night when I need to play the sane family man.
Ford isn't doing any better at keeping his brain off fucking. He hurries into Apron Strings, looking like he put on his pants only a few minutes earlier. With her flushed cheeks, Shay's clearly been fucked very recently.
"Pervert," I grumble at Ford, who shrugs.
"I'm sorry my kids can be alone for longer than yours. Don't hate what I have, turd."
I catch Bebe giving me a look that makes my dick painfully hard. Glaring at her, I can't imagine what she's thinking by teasing me in front of Lula. Not until Marcy arrives do I realize what her look means.
Bebe isn't horny or tempting me. She loves me. She knows my bullshit and doesn't care. Loving me makes her happy. Hell, I'm the fucking guy of her dreams.
"Pax, snap out of it," Marcy says, pulling me into a hug.
All these years, I've never thought of Marcy as our mom. She's more like a fun aunt who enjoyed our crap. We lived with her twice growing up, and the second time stuck. Surviving us through high school, Marcy is a warrior. No doubt I would've kicked teenage Pax's ass after ten minutes.
I introduce Marcy to Bebe and Lula before she's distracted by Ford showing off his fiancée and the boys. Sitting next to Bebe, I wish she wasn't staring at me with such warmth. I don't know how to be what she needs, and the pressure suffocates me again.