“You don’t think this cousin knows the kid’s been riding with us? Came out to Zebra Tail to corral him and you don’t think the cousin knows? We’d be the first place he’d come looking if Warner fell off the grid.” Ruger’s head swung back and forth. “How you gonna fix that first stumbling block?”
“You don’t think the snitch part is the first block? It is for me. Once a snitch, always a snitch.” Busk shook his head.
Ruger cleared his throat and Busk’s head snapped his direction. “Not always. Cherry’s right that the motive for being an informant holds all the cards. He’s not benefiting, other than avoiding whatever kinda hell LaBlanc has promised. I think we’d have to know that first thing before we can really dial in what we’re in favor of or against. How can you find that out?”
“Go back to the Zebra Tail and talk to Charli. She knows everything about everything and everyone. If I don’t want to ask Warner, and I do not, not until I know if I can offer him sanctuary, Charli is the first up.” Both men were nodding by the time he finished. “She on the payroll, so she’s a safe bet.”
“Sounds like a plan. Find out what kind of black banner LaBlanc has, and we’ll see if we can sort it and Warner without bringing additional scrutiny to the club. Since the charges against you were dropped, LaBlanc has stopped and harassed four local members. He’s playing it fairly smart, only tapping solo riders. We’re going to recommend everyone have a second going forwards.” Ruger looked at Busk. “You know, I think I’d like to go to the Zebra tonight.” He glanced at Cherry. “I’ll be your second.”
Busk opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. “Your decision.” He pushed away from the table and stalked to the door, leaving without saying anything else.
“Everything okay with him?” Cherry asked and Ruger answered with a wave.
“Let’s roll,” he said instead. “Can’t get there if we never leave.”
As they walked through the door of the bar, a fight was just breaking out. Cherry caught the first thrown chair before it could hit Ruger, and then looked to the altercation. Only half surprised it was between Warner and LaBlanc, he turned to Ruger. “Our hand might be forced.”
“Then it’s forced.” Ruger cracked his knuckles. “Let’s see what’s going on, brother.”
Charli was standing on the bar, shouting at the fight, and turned to them and said, “God am I glad to see you. Can you stop this madness?”
Given the perfect opening, Cherry strolled in and caught LaBlanc in a pincher hold from the back, effectively trapping both arms. Warner bent over, arms clutching his midsection.
“He’s a fucking queer,” LaBlanc shouted. “Not worth anyone’s time. His folks aren’t going to be so thrilled with their boy now, are they, cuz?”
Meanwhile Ruger stepped in front of Warner and just shook his head, the expression on his face black with rage. Cherry tipped his head to the side as LaBlanc struggled to free himself. Putting his mouth close to LaBlanc’s ear, he asked, loud enough the entire bar could hear, “Did you just fucking out someone without their permission?”
“He’s just a fucking queer.” LaBlanc stared at Warner over Ruger’s shoulder.
“Shut your mouth,” Ruger said without turning around. “Heard about enough outta you.”
Cherry looked around, unsurprised that the bar had emptied with the exception of IMC-tied folks. He adjusted his hold on the man, pulled his pistol, and snapped it hard against the back of LaBlanc’s head. Cherry held his weight for a moment before letting him fall to the floor like a puppet whose strings had just been cut. “He’s quiet now, boss.”
Ruger turned and took in the scene, the darkness fading from his features. “Good call, Enforcer.” He turned back to Warner. “Marcus, right?” As expected, having the local president of a club he’d been trying to get into know him snapped up Warner’s head, fast. His features were white, mouth pursed in pain, something Cherry recognized.
He grabbed a chair and slipped it behind Warner, using a hand on his shoulder to guide him down. “Cop a squat, dude.”
Ruger stepped to Cherry’s side. “You’ve got just a couple of minutes to explain what was going on before LaBlanc is cogent enough to remember anything. Tell me, Marcus, what’s going on?”
Warner let his head swing low, shoulders hunched up like wings. “He’s family. I can’t speak on him.”
“Minute and a half left before Cherry and I walk. Talk.” Ruger got down on one knee, grunting as he landed. “Fucking shit. Cherry, gonna need a hand up and we’re never speaking of this.”
Cherry laughed, and felt the muscles of Warner’s neck loosen. “Yes, boss,” he responded, gave Warner a squeeze and stepped back.
“He’s family.”
“You already claimed him. Don’t know why, but you did. You’ve been on runs with us, you know what the IMC stands for. We’re found family, not just blood, and I like to think our bonds are stronger as a result. What was the fight about just now?”
“He caught me at a club downtown last night. I thought I’d gotten out before he saw me, but no such luck.” Warner’s head came up, his expression furious. “It shouldn’t make anyone no nevermind if I’m a cocksucker. And I am one, you should know that before you say anything else. I can make myself scarce if that’s a problem.”
“Not a problem for me.” Ruger looked up at Cherry. “Problem for you, Enforcer?”
“No, Prez. No problem here.” He paused for a moment, deciding, then thought of Denis’ face and said, “I’m a cocksucker, too, in case that changes your mind, Marcus.” Cherry felt faint for a moment, the enormousness of what he’d just done slamming into him like a freight train.
Warner stared at Cherry for long enough it was uncomfortable. “I saw you, you know? I’d have never said a word, not to you, not to anyone. You dancing with that lawyer, the one working on my arrest, was hella hot.”
And now it was Cherry’s face that was hot, thinking about that first night he’d met Denis.I should take him out, wine and dine him. He’s worth keeping outing myself for.“Well, that was the first and only time I hit up that club. I appreciate you holding my confidence, even, maybe especially because I didn’t know you were.”
