Adam grins. “I like it. Show me where it is, and I’ll get it set up.”
I pick up my sweater and lead him back through the kitchen. I can have a friendly date with a new man and not impact where I’m headed with Merrick. I can think of Adam as a friend.
And also a great inside source of information it seems others in the club don’t want me to know.
CHAPTER 20
MERRICK
Idon’t walk into church the next morning with any of my usual swagger. I feel cut at the knees that the Wild Hair has taken the Marietta situation to the point of recruiting her a man.
I’m at odds between what I want to do and what I ought to do.
I should leave her alone.
Only Stoney and Iron Jack are in the room when I sit in the corner. There’s another chair in the opposite corner, I assume for this Adam fellow. A marksman. Fuck me.
Iron Jack tips his chin. “Prospect, I don’t think we’ve discussed the next phase of your probation.”
I lean forward, bracing my elbows on my knees. “All right. You have something in mind?”
Iron Jack turns in his chair to face me. “We’re going to bring you in on a situation we have. We know the bar is important. Can you get a night free?”
“Sure. I think the only night Diesel is definitely out is Wednesday. He can cover most nights. Friday and Saturday are the hardest, but we could call in the backups.”
Iron Jack nods. “I think this Thursday is when we’ll make a move. You think you can do that?”
“Sure. I’ll let Diesel know. What’s involved?”
He spins back to the door as Two Fast Freddy and Hoss stride in. “We’ll go over the situation in a few.”
I sit back in my chair. Okay, then. It sounds like I’m moving forward with this prospect business. It’s been three months since I first patched in. Iron Jack told me it typically took a year to be approved, and the workload for them would increase with my loyalty to the club.
Loyalty.Probably that didn’t include diddling the house mouse they are trying to set up with this other prospect.
Maybe she fell head over heels for him, and whatever we’ve been doing will be moot.
But the mere thought of that pisses me off. Fuck no. I’m not letting her go that easily.
Low Joe and Chain enter the room, laughing and slapping each other’s backs. Behind them is a man I’ve never seen before, young, with curly carroty hair and a blond-red beard.
I squint at his black leather cut. Sure enough, it reads, “Prospect,” just like mine. So, this is the guy.
I watch him enter. He salutes Iron Jack and takes his place in the other corner. Our gazes meet for a second, but I mean nothing to him, so he just nods in acknowledgment.
The others will notice if I stare too long, especially since they know I got all bent out of shape last weekend over their prank with Marietta and the belly button beer. No doubt the whole club is aware Adam is here to solve the cherry problem.
The room fills. Betz shows up with a tray of coffee and makes a big show of pouring hefty shots of whiskey in each one.
Marietta arrives shortly after, wearing another of those outrageous outfits they have her in. This one is all Daisy Duke, ridiculously small jean cutoffs, and a red bandanna tied around her chest with a knot in front. Her hair is in two long curly pigtails, and I have to drag my gaze away.
I watch Adam look at her. He grins unexpectedly, and I whip my head around to see if she’s smiling at him.
Fuck me. She is.
I’m not the only one who notices. There’s a roar of approval from the table and a chorus of encouragement.
“Look, the mouse likes the new prospect.”
