I look at the puppy which is now fast asleep in my arms. Shadow knew Zane has been wanting a puppy; it’s one of the few words our little boy can say. I remember when we got pregnant with him how scared Shadow was, afraid he would be no good for Zane. What a crock of shit.
“So is this my Valentine’s Day gift, a stolen dog?” I laugh jokingly. Shadow’s face goes still, and he looks at Bobby.
I laugh; he totally forgot about Valentine’s Day. “This is great, Shadow. You don’t have to get me anything; this is plenty. Zane is going to go crazy in the morning,” I offer, sitting on the couch with the puppy.
Shadow gives a half-laugh and runs his hands through his hair.
“Another murder has happened right here in Culver City,” a news anchor announces from the television, catching our attention.
“It seems to be just like the other three murders which have occurred this month, all killed the same way. Stabbed brutally. The police have no leads, and there are no suspects at this time. The papers are calling it the Valentine’s Day Massacre and are encouraging everyone to keep indoors until the suspect is apprehended.”
“Fuck,” Bobby mutters, taking a sip from his beer.
I sit at the bar in the clubhouse, sipping on some coffee. Last night Dani threw me a curveball, talking about Valentine’s Day. Fucking Valentine’s Day; I always screw this holiday up. I am just a shit romantic. Who fucking came up with this stupid holiday? Last year I got her flowers and a card—that’s what I thought you did on Valentine’s Day—and Dani didn’t complain. But when Bobby found out, he slapped me in the back of the head and told me she didn’t like it. That no girl likes flowers and cards for Valentine’s Day. Fuck if I know. I just know I want to do something for her this year, make it up to her for how much of a shit fiancé I’ve been.
“You look stressed,” Bull observes, sitting on the stool next to me, his black hair combed back and bright green eyes looking at me intently. Looks like he brought himself away from the booze today. Ever since a member named Babs died a couple years ago, a beloved member of the club, Bull has been a loose cannon, not holding up to his responsibility as the president of the club. But Bobby and I have been there to keep things in check. We will until Bull figures his shit out. When we lost Babs, everyone felt the sting. It shook the club pretty bad, with Bull suffering the worst. He and Babs had a secret affair which only came to light after she had died. It led Bull to drinking, and he would be gone for days. He was just not himself. Bobby told me he brought some girl in here in her panties and bra trying to detox her; apparently she was related to Babs. I didn’t ask any more questions; I didn’t want to know any more.
“Valentine’s Day,” I explain.
“Shit,” Bull mumbles.
“Yeah,” I confirm, nodding.
Running his hands over his face, he questions, “What do you have planned?”
“She told me I don’t have to worry about it, but I feel like I shouldn’t listen to that. I haven’t been the best husband-to-be lately,” I reply, sighing.
Bull laughs. “You better do something, or you will be in the dog house for sure, son.”
“Fuck me,” I whisper. This ‘reading between the lines’ bullshit is a puzzle I will never crack.
“Take her out somewhere fancy, get her some nice jewelry, take her to a movie, do something, but don’t not do anything.” I nod, getting his drift. I haven’t gotten Dani an engagement ring yet; I could do that.
“Tom gets his patch today,” Bull adds. Tom Cat has been our prospect for a while now and has been excellent; he deserves to be patched in.
“Yep,” I chime in. We haven’t patched in a prospect in a few years.
“The victim from last night’s murder has been identified as Stan Neller, who owns a biker repair shop in town,” the news sounds from the TV on the wall, catching Bull’s attention.
“Oh, shit,” Bull mutters. Stan is the only guy in town we bring our bikes to when shit goes wrong. I narrow my eyes at Neller’s shop blocked off in yellow caution tape displayed on the TV screen. I haven’t seen Neller in quite a while; Tom has been doing an awesome job at fixing our shit lately. I can’t believe Neller was stabbed to death. He was old and grumpy, sure, but one of the most genuine people I knew.
***
Sitting on the couch amongst the other guys in the club, we wait for Tom to show up. Just as I am about to pull my phone from my pocket to see how Dani is feeling today, he walks in. His brown hair is down and reaching his shoulders from growing it out, and his friendly brown eyes scan the room.
“Tom! Chapel! Now!” Bull roars, making Tom jerk from the sudden outburst, his eyes taking a look of concern. I get up from my seat and follow the boys inside the chapel, finding my seat next to Bull.
“Tom, I have got something to say to you,” Bull grits, his face serious and eyes demeaning, staring right at Tom. Tom nervously squirms in his seat, nervous. I stand up and casually walk over to the cabinet in the corner, pulling out the patch.