Two-Shit and Fancy go quiet. Which is what Marietta ought to be doing.
Symphony makes her way down. “What are you two doing about those … people who tried to run Marietta down?”
Two-Shit and Fancy glance at each other.
Yeah, they’re not talking. And the fact that we did will get back to Iron Jack.
Diesel runs his hand through his hair in exasperation. “What the hell, Merrick? You need to be driving your truck at least. You’re too exposed on that bike.”
Two-Shit lifts a finger at that. “Your brother has a point there.”
I nod. “I’ll fetch the truck tonight. I’ve been at the club.”
“Speaking of which,” Fancy says, “hasn’t this mouse been in your room?” He elbows Two-Shit and says in a falsetto, “Merrick, Merrick!”
Yeah, it’s out.
I walk away, picking up liquor bottles to wipe down. Surely, there’s something that needs doing. There always is.
Diesel follows me. “Are you in a situation? What is going on?”
I turn on him. “We have it handled.”
“Doesn’t fucking sound like it.”
“Don’t get involved.”
Symphony moves down the bar to hear that last line. “You bet we won’t. You do realize I work at the courthouse? Hell, I shouldn’t even be here with all this going on. I’ll get fired. I could be blackballed permanently if anyone gets wind of me cavorting with a bunch of outlaws.”
“It’s not a bunch of outlaws,” Diesel says. “Jesus Christ. He’s part of the Pickle family. You don’t get much more all-American than the deli chain.”
“But this isn’t the deli chain, is it?” Symphony’s eyes are flashing dangerously. “This is a bar. A biker bar. And the primary clients are trying to kill each other.” She picks up her purse and calls down the bar to where Marietta is talking to Two-Shit and Fancy. “Marietta, I would feel a lot better if you would go with me. At least until this blows over.”
“Hell, no.” I stride over to her in three long steps, putting myself between her and the open end of the counter. “You can’t protect her right now. We don’t know if they were after me or her, and we can’t take chances.”
Symphony’s eyes go wide. “Are you quitting school, then? For a club? You are almost done with your degree!”
Marietta bites her lip. “I can’t go tomorrow. Or Friday, probably. But after the final raid, it should be fine again.”
“A raid?” Symphony’s voice rises.
“That’s it,” Two-Shit says. “The mouse goes back with us.”
Fancy comes around the bar to fetch her.
Fuck. But he’s right. Marietta can’t be here. She’s too open. Too talkative for what’s going down.
She turns to me. “Merrick? I can’t stay?”
I can’t look into her pleading eyes. “It’s best you go back. See what you can learn from those women.”
Fancy takes her arm. “Come on, Mouse,” he says. “Let’s go.”
“Stop calling her mouse!” Symphony cries. “She’s a grown woman. Marietta, stop this. Come with me.”
But Marietta goes with Fancy, sending a longing look at both of us.
Two-Shit stands up. “We’ll be back in a while. We’ll escort so you can get your truck.”
