I shake my head. “The only thing that went right was the handover.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you need to get back to bed before I call your wife.”
“You wouldn’t.” His eyes widen.
I shove him and then head inside. There aren’t many people in the main room, most of them are out at work, or in bed after a late night. Usually Casper is behind the bar, even when there is no one around that is where he hangs out, messing with his phone. I’m not sure whether to be unnerved or not that he isn’t there.
There is no sign of Mace either as I make way to the door that leads to the basement. It’s where the officers hold Church, but it’s also big enough to house everyone when meetings are called. Being underground, with no windows and only one door, besides Kings’ office, it’s the most secure place here.
Kansas, our tech guy regularly sweeps it and he has all kinds of jammers so no one can hack anything. It’s all above my head. Mechanics is my thing, not computers.
Ink and Dirt are sitting at the table talking quietly when I come in. There is no one else here. Mace must have been summoned to King’s office. I greet the officers and walk to the table. I’d never take a seat, only officers sit here and they all have their place.
Dirt gets up and walks around me to a smaller table and indicates I sit there. Ink doesn’t move, but he’s within my line of sight so I don’t need to turn around. I’m not scared. All I need to do is tell the truth, even the part about standing up on Mace. It’s the part about Cassie that has me bothered.
“We got a call from Hamilton, said there was some animosity,” Dirt says.
I nearly ask who from, it’s not my business to ask. “They were fine to start off with, but things went sideways after a while.”
“In what way?”
“You can be honest,” Ink stands up and goes to grab us some drinks.
What he means is, they already know and want to see how much I’m going to say. Truth is, my loyalty lies with my own chapter and so long as it’s the truth, it doesn’t matter if I keep parts back. Like me and Mace getting into it.
The beer is welcome, even though I don’t drink a lot, and after this I intend to go back to the garage and see what delivery I’ve had for the Buick. I take a few swallows before filling them in on the situation.
Dirt curses and a look passes between him and Ink.
“We always knew it was going to take some time.”
“I’m not sure time is going to change shit,” Dirt replies. His eyes pass over me before he faces Ink again. “It was always going to present problems. Handlebar, how did Mace handle it?”
“He was fine. He didn’t cause any trouble, he gathered up the brothers and got out.”
This is where I’m guessing, for the most part. I’d already stormed out of the clubhouse. If there had been any trouble, the others would have talked about it when we were at the motel. They were salty about having to leave because the Hamilton chapter viewed Mace and his men as outsiders.
Dirt watches me a moment then nods. Looks like I’m off the hook with any more explanations. Mace is going to have it harder dealing with King. I’m not an officer so it’s not my place to ask more questions, or concern myself with what King is going to do about Ragnar.
The politics of being an officer has never appealed to me. I like my place in the club and I’m at my happiest in the garage. Everyone knows that.
Dirt dismisses me while him and Ink remain in the basement. Taking the steps two at a time, I hurry through the bar area and out onto the porch.
Hudson and Raptor are arriving from somewhere and get off their bikes, they’re laughing at something so I figure they don’t know the shitstorm that went down. I greet them with a quick head nod and start towards the garage.
My steps slow when the door to the women’s house opens and Cassie steps out. What is she doing here? It’s like all my problems are showing up at the same time.
It’s only when she hurries down the stairs and her head lifts that our eyes meet, stopping me in my tracks.
Her lips part as she stares and if I’m not mistake, a flush of guilt crosses her beautiful features. Then her spine straightens and she walks in my direction. What the hell do I say to her? It’s not my business who shefucks, but damn if it’s not got my insides all twisted up with jealousy as I watch her hips sway.
She is a mixture of a professional woman and sin incarnate in that skirt and heels. My fist clenches as I get a grip on my shit. I have stuff to do and it’s clear Cassie doesn’t care one way or another about me.
Who can blame her? Doesn’t stop it wrecking me a little.
“Hey,” she pauses and glances at her watch.
