“Trigger’s wrong,” I mutter. “His enemies know he’s weak and they killed Tiny to test his resolve. If we don’t get info from Paro and kill the people working with him, they’ll smell weakness. Then what? Who will they kill next time?”
Joker looks at me and I see him thinking. “Trigger is the president and he says to dump the bodies tonight. That’s his law. If he’s wrong and someone else gets killed, let’s hope it’s him.”
Walking out, Joker leaves us to finish up. I wait until we’re alone then look at Pax.
“We could bail the club and Little Memphis,” I whisper.
Pax shakes his head. “We have people here who can’t find their balls without a map. The club will fall apart, if left to guys like Sharpie. We don’t need them, but they sure as hell need us.”
“I’m not looking to die for Trigger’s ego.”
Pax turns down the freezer and opens the door. “Won’t come to that and you know it.”
I glance back to where Joker disappeared and think about the shifting sands in Little Memphis. Trigger might not want to admit times are changing, but everyone else is already making their moves.
39
Shay
Crawdad
On the sleepy day of my period, I stumble downstairs for a cup of coffee. My mind sways between concern for Ford and my brothers. Since I can’t call the sexy beast, I decide I’ll check on Donnie and Devin once they’re home from school.
When I shuffle into the kitchen, I’m already playing the conversation in my head. Completely unprepared to find Joker sitting at the table, the sight of him scares the crap out of me.
He’s not as big as Ford or nearly as intimidating, but I don’t know Joker who’s watching me with a grin.
“I was waiting for you,” he says and my stomach twists hard.
My first thought is I’m in trouble. The second thought is about Ford.
“Is he okay?” I ask, my eyes biting back tears.
Joker laughs. “If he was a goner, I wouldn’t be the one to tell you, Shay,” he says gesturing for me to sit down. “Likely Darby would break the news.”
Relieved about Ford, I’m now worried for myself. I haven’t done anything, but innocent people get screwed over all the time.
I sit across from Joker, faking like I’m relaxed. He isn’t fooled.
“You’re worried about Ford, huh?” he says then continues before I nod, “I like that. A man needs somewhere to put his heart. Contrary to what people say, the Reed brothers have hearts. All you have to do is watch them with their fucking dog to know that.”
I smile slightly while Joker studies me. A lot of time passes and I get nervous again.
“Did Ford ever tell you about the day he got the nod from the club?”
I shake my head. “He doesn’t talk to me about his job.”
“That’s probably smart, but you understand what he does for the club, don’t you?”
“The basics, yeah.”
“Back then, we had our meeting in a warehouse. This was before a junkie burned it down. So I brought them to get the nod from Trigger, figuring our president would approve. Ford and Pax are big, scary guys. They also have like two expressions, pissed and arrogant. The other guys weren’t impressed though.”
Joker leans back in the chair and smiles. “There was a guy in the club at the time. Wonka’s dead now, but he was a big mouth fucker who loved razzing the younger guys. So he saw the sour puss brothers and started laughing. Then he announced their names would be something like Crawdad and Paxi-pad. The other guys didn’t even get a chance to laugh before Ford busted Wonka’s face open. One hit ripped open his upper lip and broke his nose. Blood everywhere. Just a damn mess. Ford didn’t even change his damn facial expression. In case you’re wondering, it was stuck on pissed. Pax might have switched to arrogant. I can’t remember.”
I share Joker’s smile. “A lot of guys might have played nice in the middle of a room full of assholes on the same team. Ford and Pax wanted in the club, but on their terms. They would bleed and draw blood for us, but they weren’t our bitches. I always liked that about them. Sheep say the right things, but they’ll get you killed. The Reed boys are loyal, but they won’t follow stupid.”
I look around the room then back at him. “Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”
Joker grins. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m too old to get to the point.”
“If you’re waiting for me to say you don’t look old, I’m not good with compliments.”
Joker’s grin widens. “I want Ford happy. He fucked you three days in a row, so you must be special to him. When I asked about you, he looked like he might rip my face off. Yeah, that’s a real love match there.”
Joker stands up and stretches. “You’ll stay in Little Memphis and make Ford happy. Does that sound like a plan?”
“Are you saying I have no choice?”