“A guy could getcancelled for a thing like that, these days,” I joked.
“Can’t get anymore cancelled than dead,” Clutch said.
My eyes shot toGina.
“What?Ididn’t kill him,” she said to laughter around the table.
“Cutter was the BurningSaints founder and president, and he loved Gina almost as much as I do.”
“That’s why hegot away with calling me Eldie, and why I never mind when others do. It remindsme of Cutter. So, feel free to call me Eldie.”
“Then Eldie itis,” I said.
A server arrivedat our table with a large tray loaded up with pint glasses and shots.
“I took theliberty of ordering a few rounds in advance before y’all got here,” Clutchsaid. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“How could we?”I replied, taking a pint of what looked like stout.
“I had thembring a little of everything,” Clutch said.
“Is thistequila?” Daisy asked the server.
“Patrón,” shereplied with a nod.
“Perfect. Badtequila gives me a horrible headache, but good tequila makes me happy andhorny.”
“I’m going to stockyou up with so much fine tequila your liquor cabinet will look like SammyHagar’s,” I avowed.
Daisy shook herhead. “Sorry, I’m a ride or die Diamond Dave gal.”
I sighed. “Andit was all going so well.”
“Well then, howabout we toast to Cutter?” Daisy replied, raising her shot.
“To Cutter,”Clutch said. “The sweetest mean old bastard you’d ever want to ride with.”
“To Cutter,” wesaid in unison, clinking our glasses together.
“Speaking ofriding,” Clutch said. “I hear you’re prospecting with the Dogs.”
I nodded.“That’s right.”
“You know yourass is grass if any member sees you out in public without flying the flag,” hesaid.
I frowned inconfusion. “The flag?”
“Where’s yourcut? And your prospect patch?”
“Dad hasn’tgiven Huck his cut yet,” Daisy said.
“The offer toprospect kinda happened unexpectedly,” I said. “For both Booker and me, Ithink.”
“Boy,” Daisysaid. “Word sure travels fast among you little club gossips, doesn’t it?”
“What can I say?The kid’s a big hockey star,” Clutch said. “Word gets around, especially whenSmiley’s nephew gets kicked out to make room for him.”
“What?” I said.“Who’s Smiley? Who got kicked out?”
