I nodded, looking out around the room. The guys all looked tough, like they’d been around for a while. There weren’t any green brothers in the place, which was good. We needed seasoned guys who weren’t afraid of a fight, not a bunch of green kids who would run at the first sight of violence.
But still, these weren’t Demons. They weren’t our people. They weren’t wearing the Rebels cut, not anymore, but they weren’t ours. Their loyalty was with Jetter, not with Larkin.
I stood up, patting Dow on the shoulder. “Gotta see the old man.”
“Good luck, brother.”
I nodded and headed back toward Larkin’s office. I knocked loudly and waited. After a second, I heard him call out. “Come in.”
I pushed the door open. Larkin was sitting behind his desk like usual, a glass of whisky at his side. Damn man could drink like a fucking fish when he was stressed, and I didn’t blame him.
“Clutch,” he said. “What can I do for you?”
I shut the door behind me. “Wanted to check in about Janine.”
He leaned back and nodded. “You’ve done a good job so far.”
“Thanks, prez.”
“How’s she been today?”
“Seemed fine this morning,” I said. “I have Slip watching her right now. He’s bringing her here when she’s done at work.”
“Good. Things are going to get more dangerous for her, you know.”
“About that.” I leaned up against the door. “You think she still needs me?”
“Why? You think she doesn’t?”
“I just mean she’s claimed now. Why not have Jetter watch over her?”
Larkin made a face. “I don’t trust that man, Clutch. I do trust you.”
“Good. I don’t mean to question you.”
“It’s fine.” He gestured at the chair. “Sit.”
I sat down. “I’m just wondering if I can’t help out here. With all these new guys patching in, you’re going to have a lot of trouble at first.”
“You’re not wrong,” he said, shaking his head, “but I need you to watch out for Janine. At least with you around her, I have one less thing to worry about.”
I wanted to tell him that he had plenty to worry about with me around Janine. We could barely keep our fucking hands off each other for starters.
“I get you, prez,” I said. “Consider it done.”
“Good. Word is out now about Jetter and Janine. Things are only getting more dangerous.”
“I’ll keep her close.”
“Good lad. Listen, go out there and make sure no trouble starts out. I’ll be talking to the new boys soon, but until then, I don’t want any violence.”
“Got it.”
“When Janine gets here, take her home. I don’t want her around these guys.”
I stood up. “I will.”
“Thanks, Clutch.”
I left his office then and sat back down at the bar.
So this was how it was going to be. I was watching over Janine, whether or not she was claimed. Larkin didn’t trust Jetter enough to keep Janine safe, and so I was being entrusted with her safety.
Which was very odd. Janine was technically with Jetter now, and it would be easiest for everyone if she got used to that idea. Larkin must have something else going on if he was still trying to keep Janine away from Jetter.
Maybe he was hoping Janine would change her mind, or maybe he had other thoughts. Larkin was crafty, cold-blooded and tough, one of the best men in the whole MC, if not in the whole damn state. If Larkin said it was the right move, well, I believed it.
But that didn’t make it easy.
I got another whisky and leaned back in my seat, keeping an eye out on the rowdy new blood.
17
Janine
Work dragged by slower than usual. I found myself glancing over at the table where Clutch usually sat, and I kept feeling disappointed every time it was empty.
Slip was a nice enough guy, big, maybe a little dumb, but loyal to the club. He was still a pledge, though I heard that he and a few other pledges were going to become full members pretty soon.
He kept out of my way, which was good. Maybe he was shy or something, but he didn’t say a word to me, just kept to himself and drank coffee all day while reading magazines.
I didn’t know what I was thinking. I shouldn’t have wished that Clutch was watching over me, but I also couldn’t help myself. It was stupid, but there it was. I felt safer with him around.
My shift ended finally and I got changed, taking my time. I emerged from the back and headed over to Slip.
“Hey there,” I said. “Thanks for hanging out.”
He looked up at me, shrugging. “It’s my job.”
“You taking me to the clubhouse?”
“Yeah.”
“Lead the way then.”
I followed him out into the parking lot. I wished I didn’t have to ride on the back of his bike, but there was no getting around it. I didn’t mind being so close to Clutch, but Slip was a little quiet and strange, not really my type of guy.
Still, the ride out there was fine, and we got to the clubhouse without any problems. We got off the bike and took a few steps over toward the door when it suddenly burst open.
Two guys flew out the open door.
“Fuck you!” one yelled, standing up.
Clutch walked out of the door, breathing deeply, grinning hugely.