You think she’s a Bible nut? I signed. It made some serious fuckin’ sense.
He shrugged. “Not sure exactly. Maybe? Just saying that was my path. But she ran from something; that’s for damn sure. She turned up confused, mute, bleeding. She had tattooed scripture on her wrist ’bout the end of days. She needs protecting by the look of things. She’s obviously been sheltered. She don’t know shit about life, like she’s been locked up in solitary for twenty years.”
Leaning back, I stared at the brown-stained ceiling. I sighed and rubbed my head. What if I didn’t come on the run? You take the lead and I stay with the bitch, get to the bottom of her deal? I signed and looked at Ky.
He laughed and shook his head in disbelief. “You’re kidding me, right? Fuck that! Don’t even think it, Styx. You gotta be there. You’re the fuckin’ Prez! Chechen’s are expecting you to be there. Club first.”
Fuck! If I ever see the bastard Russians again I’ll fuckin’ slit their throats. I’ll be gone nearly a fuckin’ month, had to go. Needed someone I could trust. Someone who’ll watch out for her while I’m gone, then sort through this shit when I get back.
Clearing my throat, I glanced to Rider and exhaled. He paled.
You take responsibility for her. Don’t come on the run to the Chechen deal. Stay here with her. You protect her until I get back.
I watched him swallow, then shake his head. “Prez, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Not asking you, brother. It’s a fuckin’ order. Need someone I trust watching over her while I’m gone. Someone who ain’t gonna fuck her while she sleeps.
His face twitched in nerves. “I… I’m not good with bitches, Styx. Never know how to talk to ’em. I’m not the right guy…” He trailed off apologetically.
That’s exactly why you’re the right brother for this job. While she’s here, you watch out for her, fix her leg. I don’t know, teach her shit, rules and such. Hell, what about fuckin’ life? You know the brothers will chase her tail if she isn’t owned. Can’t keep her here with no protection. Last thing we want is a fuckin’ rape. She’s already been through enough shit.
“Prez…” He rubbed his hands down his face. I had no idea why the fucker never pulled pussy. Never smoked, didn’t drink. Thought for a while he may’ve preferred cock, but I saw him watching the club sluts, fuckin’ ’em with his eyes. Just never touched them. His business. We all wrestle with our own demons. Just so happens that attitude helped me with Jane Doe.
You’re doing it! No questions. Right? I signed aggressively; making things real fuckin’ clear.
Rider frowned and began shuffling in his seat. “Right,” he agreed.
Ky leaped from his stool, face stern. He fetched the Patrón from behind the bar, slamming three shot glasses on the table and poured, not meeting my eyes.
“Just putting this out there, Styx. That girl is from a different world, whatever the fuck that is. Doubting whether she can be in this type of family, this kinda world. We both know you’re in for life. You’ll never leave.”
Point made. Leave it, I signed, losing my patience with both my VP and Rider fuckin’ squirming on his chair.
Ky didn’t.
“Just saying you need all your focus on this damn deal with the Chechens. We lose this deal and we’re fucked. Focus on life on the road. We got bigger issues than caring for some religious pilgrim nutcase right now. Like the club’s a goddamn charity. I mean, what the hell? How’d you get to her age and have no fuckin’ clue about life? She could be big trouble. She acted like a kid tonight, man. A fuckin’ Kindergartner. You want pussy, you got Lois to suck your cock. Stick with that shit.”
Rider tossed back his tequila and stood awkwardly. “Going to crash.”
I quickly signaled to Pit behind the bar to get the fuck out to.
As soon as I heard the door slam shut, I turned back to Ky and let the aggression being kept on hold fly loose. “Y-you and me are b-b-brothers, best f-friends, loyal ’t-t-til the fuckin’ end, but you quit this shit now. I-I-I’m not l-liking wh-where it’s h-headed.” I stood up, towering over him, but the stubborn motherfucker never broke eye contact.
He laughed without humor. “So what? Gonna make her your old lady now? Or your new club slut? Lois out, new Amish bitch in? That how it’s gonna be? She gonna be sucking on that cock daily too? She gonna have your back when you’re shot or when you fuck a whore just because you fuckin’’ feel like it? Never happening. She won’t deal with club life. Cut… and… run… Don’t sacrifice the club for a piece of pussy.”
Fisting his cut, I slammed him down against the table, empty glasses shattering on the wood floor. “Y-you better sh-shut your f-f-f…” I gritted my teeth and managed to push out, “F-fuckin’ mouth! Don’t f-forget who you’re t-talking to!”
Pushing me back, he spat, “Right.” Ky straightened his cut and, giving me the finger, walked to the door, then suddenly stopped, hands clenched as he looked back over his shoulder. “You act different around her, man. I’m saying your girl in there will fuck… you… up… You’re obsessed with the bitch, losing your damn mind if you think she belongs here. Christ, let’s be honest. You lost your damn sanity age eleven when you met her and never let this fucked-up goddess-worship thing go. I’m your best fuckin’ friend, not just your damn VP. I remember how meeting her changed you all those years ago. She’s not gonna be the perfect angel you fantasized about, Styx—she’s flawed and majorly fucked up by the looks of things. You’re puttin’ her on an unattainable pedestal for you. Don’t be a fuckin’ selfish prick and put her before the club, your brothers.