“I thought you’d be smarter than this Hatch. I hoped that after tonight you might even consider patching over to the Spiders. You and anyone else from your club. It’s the smart move, man. We’re growing and we could use guys like you.”
I peeled a hundred off my money roll and threw it on the table. “That’s for the drinks and a tip for Maggie. Now here’s a tip for you. Stay the fuck away from my family, stay the fuck away from my club, and stay the fuck away from me, or I will make you dig your own grave before I put you in it.”
Warlock jumped to his feet, pointing to a patchon his cut. “Can you read that, motherfucker? It says one percenter. I will put two in the back of your head without hesitation.”
“Makes sense,” I replied. “That’s usually how a coward does it.”
“You’re lucky I respected you enough to come without fire power,” Warlock seethed.
“Oh, yeah? I don’t fuckin’ respect you at all,” I said before giving the signal.
A round from Trouble’s rifle pierced through the window nearest our table and embedded itself into a nearby support column. Warlock looked like he didn’t know whether to shit his pants or lunge at me across the table.
“Make a single, solitary move and the next bullet has your name on it,” I said.
“If you think I’m just gonna let this slide—”
“I’d strongly advise that you walk the fuck away from the Dogs of Fire and our allies,” I said. “Portland willneverbelong to the Spiders.” I peeled off another five-hundred dollars, and dropped it on the table. “That’s for the mess.”
With that, I turned and walked away. Once I was on my bike and ready to roll, I gave Trouble another signal and smiled as I rode away to the sound of high-powered rounds ripping through Warlock’s bike.
Waverly
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, I was aflutter with both excitement and nerves as I got ready for Gio to arrive. I had offered to pick him up, but he’d said he had a meeting at the club, so someone would drop him by after. The plan would be for me to take him home on Sunday.
This gave me hours to prep for dinner, shave every part of my body, and think.
And a thinking Waverly was a melting down Waverly.
By the time my doorbell rang, I felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin. I pulled open the door and Gio frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I lied. “Come in.”
“Cash brought me. You okay with him coming in with a few things?” he asked. “He took off his cut.”
“Oh, sure.” I stepped aside, and Gio walked in (having now graduated to crutches) followed by a man a little taller and lankier than him carrying a duffle and a couple of grocery bags.
“Hey, I’m Cash,” he said, smiling as he set the duffle on the floor.
“Nice to meet you,” I said. “I’m Waverly.”
“Where can I set these?” He held up the grocery bags.
“Kitchen,” I said, pointing toward the island. “Thanks.”
“I’ll get out of your hair,” Cash said. “Nice to meet you, Waverly.”
“You too,” I said, and Cash left us.
I locked up behind him and Gio held out his hand. “What’s goin’ on, Fizzy?”
I sighed. “I’m fine.”
“Not what I asked.”
I bit my lip. “I’ve just been a little bit... um... frazzled.”
“Why?”
