TJ looks at Billy. “Why does that tune sound familiar?”
“Because it's the theme song for Thomas the Train, you moron,” Marcus says.
“How do you know that?” Red Dog asks.
“Because I got a kid, so does he.”
“Who the fuck is standing at the gate, Green?” Cole snaps.
He pulls the stir stick from his mouth and smiles. “The Death Heads.”
Cole jumps to his feet. “What?”
“Okay, maybe just one. I’m seein’ double right now.”
We all rush out, shoving him aside and go to the gate, marching in a line of patches.
There stand two Death Heads.
The prospects at the gate stand with their arms crossed.
“They’re nomads,” one mutters to Cole as we approach.
“What the hell do you want, nomads?” Cole barks through the chain-link.
A big, burly guy with a beard hooks his fingers in the links. “Name’s Snake. This is Greasy.” He nods to the man with him. “I'm looking for my woman. I heard you have her here. Her name's Heather.”
“Who’d you hear that from?” I snap, thinking he’s gotta be the abusive boyfriend she told me about. What she didn’t tell me was the part where he’s a goddamn Death Head.
“I tracked her to the local strip club. Sonny’s. Word is the Evil Dead own the place, so she must be in your stable of girls.”
“Who is or isn’t in our employ is none of your business,” Cole growls.
“She's my property. I want her back.”
Cole’s eyes shift to me, but he gives nothing away. Everything inside me is on edge, though, because he could turn her over if he chose, and I have no clue what he’s about to do.
“We don't have your woman.”
“She dances up at Sonny's. She's a headliner.”
“Our headliner is not your property,” Cole replies.
“You callin’ me a liar?”
“I’m tellin’ you to find another girl.”
“So, you're taking her from me? You all have women.” He points a finger around the group. “How about I take one of yours?”
“Get the fuck out of here before I put a bullet in your brain,” Wolf snarls.
“We'll see about that.” Snake shakes the chain and shoves away, returning to his bike. His brother follows.
“Bye. Bye,” Green says, taking a sip of his drink and wiggling his fingers.
Once they roar off, Cole starts barking orders. “This gate stays locked, and I want two men on it. Lock down the rest of the building. Every entrance. We’re going into full lockdown. Call the families in. I’m not taking any chances with this guy.” Then he whirls on me. “I want you and her in my office. Now.”
Oh, shit.
