“Good man. Don’t pussy out in front of your old lady. Give me details. What’s the situation with your PO?”
“I’m sitting on eighteen months of probation. Three months in the halfway house, complete drug treatment, pay my fines. Until yesterday, I was golden. I could’ve gotten out of the place I’m in, but my housing has to be approved. Ted Vernal, my PO, would have to sign off on it. I’m pretty much fucked now. Kings roughed up the lady who runs the halfway house.”
“Housing seems to be settled.” His gaze shifted from Ryatt to me.
“Housing solved.” I took a sip of coffee. “Next problem.”
“I need a job, at least on paper,” Ryatt said. “I’ve been doing food delivery, but Kings have my bike.”
“We’ll get you wheels.” Tank’s chair creaked as he leaned back. “But you won’t make shit delivering. Once your busted ribs have healed, I’ll get you a meeting to talk with Bruno.”
“Priority is talking to my PO. I lost my phone, so I haven’t checked in with Ted.”
“You’re fucked without a lawyer,” Tank said. “I’ll call Willy. He’ll get in touch with your PO.”
Ryatt visibly exhaled, and his shoulders sagged with relief. “Thanks.”
“What’s the situation with the Kings?” Tank waited for a reply.
Ryatt glanced at me.
“Bullet’s dealing with them,” I said.
Tank laughed. “That fucker has all the fun.” He finished his coffee and set the empty mug on the table. “Until you hear from Bullet, you shouldn’t go anywhere alone. I’d tell you to carry a weapon, but you’ve got enough trouble. If you get caught carrying, Willy won’t be able to do shit for you.”
“When will the attorney contact Ted?” Ryatt asked.
“Give me an hour. You’re going to owe Willy a favor for working on Sunday. But all we need is a phone call.” Tank stood and rolled his shoulders. “Don’t worry, kid. The worst is over.” He went behind the bar for a refill on his coffee. “Rest up. You look like you could use it.”
“When you go to check-in,” I said, “I’ll see if I can borrow the hearse, or maybe Kiss will let me use her wheels.”
“I’m not walking into my PO’s office with you.” Ryatt sipped his coffee. “You wear trouble like a badge of honor.”
I ran my palm down the front of my cut. “Yeah, and you’ll be wearing the same badge one day.”
McKelle checked her phone. “I need to go home for a couple hours. My dad already gave me one lecture this week about treating the job as a voluntary position where I only show up when I feel like it.” She rolled her eyes. “Then said my salary will become optional. I can bring back dinner for us.”
“I’ll stay with Ryatt.”
“You work tonight,” Tank said.
“Fuck.”
McKelle stood and pushed her chair in. “I need my helmet and keys.” She headed back to my room and returned a moment later. “I’ll be back before you need to go to work.”
“I’ll be gone all night.”
“I’ll stay here with Ryatt.” She leaned over and kissed me. Her gaze shifted to Tank, then to Ryatt. I could see the moment when she decided to claim her boyfriends. She pivoted around the table and kissed Ryatt.
Tank chuckled and headed down the hall to his room.
“I’ll bring back dinner,” she said.
“I’ll walk out with you.” I pushed my chair back.
She kissed Ryatt once more, this time sliding her tongue into his mouth. “Rest. Everything will work out.”
He forced a smile. Then I followed her out of the MC.
