“While you’re here, you can help me get that rubbish on the back of the truck. It’s been building up for weeks so mind the rats.”
“Why didn’t you call me before, I would’ve come over sooner.”
“Ah, you’re here now.”
I help him out with the trash and then he ropes me into jet spraying the trailer and clearing the roof of leaves and debris.
“I’ll arrange for you to meet Officer Sketchy, he’s good as long as his pocket is heavy with cash. Wait for my call.”
“How do you still know people?”
“Once you’re in this world…” He points to my cut. “You’re never out. No matter what you do or how far you try to run from it. You’ll do well to remember that. MC’s don’t fuck about when it comes to the brotherhood and their loyalty code.”
“What do you know about MC’s?”
“Silly boy,” he mutters. “If there’s a guy on the wrong side of the law in this city or in a thousand mile radius, I’ve met them, known them, and seen their downfall. The Lost Souls, who you’ve affiliated yourself with, have been around for years. I came across one of their presidents years ago, Michael Blake. Nasty fucker. If your president is anything like him, don’t find yourself on the wrong side of his sparkling personality.”
From talk around the club, I know Michael Blake is Luca’s great uncle. He’s been dead for years. Shot dead by his own club for something that happened to Luca’s mom.
“What does your mom think about this new venture of yours?”
“Haven’t spoken to her in a couple of years. I’ve been putting it off seeing her. I know what she’ll have to say.”
“You’ll have to face her sooner or later. None of us are getting any younger, look at me, who the fuck thought I’d still be on God’s green earth at eighty-two?”
“You don’t look a day over eighty-one,” I quip.
“Fuck you.”
It hits me that one day I’m going to show up and find him dead in this shit hole trailer.
“Have you tried talking to her lately?” I ask.
“Nah, I learned my lesson years ago. Sometimes there’s no going back and fixing what can’t be mended.”
“What the fuck happened between you and my parents?”
“I was a bad dad, he was a good kid. He learned early I was no good and for that, I couldn’t be prouder. He did well to stay away from me.”
“What does that say about me?” I snort.
He laughs. “You’ve always been curious, seen that there’s more to the world than what your father tried to hide from you. The harder he was on you, the more you wanted. You’re like me, I just hope you don’t end up living in a shack when you should be spending your last days somewhere a fuck load better than this.”
Sighing, I assure him, “I’ll have a family and somewhere to call home before that happens, old man.”
His words stay with me all the way back to the club. Max and Warren are leaving as I arrive. Inside, King is with the Mayor’s daughter and shit is tense.
Approaching Ford, I say, “I need the key to Effie’s room.”
Eyeing me warily, he asks, “Why?”
“It’s my business, brother, but trust I won’t kill her.”
She would fucking deserve it, but I won’t take it away from Ford. He digs the key out of his pocket and hands it over.
“I won’t be long.”
My blood begins to boil as I climb the stairs and head along the hall. She’s holding her stomach and winces when she’s sees I’m empty handed.
