As the Spiders began to disperse, I limped over to Hendo, the Spider who’d saved my ass from Trunk’s bullet.
“Thanks again for what you did,” I said. “I owe you one.”
“You mean that?”
I nodded.
“Being as you just killed my boss, I’m kind of out of a job, ya know?” he pointed out.
“This mean, the Spiders are closing shop?” I asked.
“That was the deal,” Hendo said.
“You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t trust a Spider’s word.”
Hendo chuckled. “Truth is, the Spiders have been over for a while. After the Burning Saints took out Wolf, and everything that went down with the Beast, the club has been running on fumes for way too long. That’s why Warlock was able to take the President patch so easily.”
“Any loyalists I gotta worry about?” I asked.
“No one’s gonna avenge Warlock’s death ifthat’s what you’re worried about.”
I nodded. “And him?” I asked, pointing to Trunk’s body.
“Everyone fuckin’ hated Trunk. Plus, after what you did for my kid, the least I could do was shoot him for you.”
I cocked my head. “Your kid?”
“Kieran.”
The light finally dawned. “The kid who was tailing us? Fuck, seriously?”
Hendo nodded. “He was tryin’ to help his mother. Warlock was paying him to do jobs behind my back. Shit, I would have never let him do any o’ that had I known. Shit like tailing a rival club member. Anyway, I appreciate you not blowin’ his head off.”
“You can thank my woman for that,” I said. “Besides, my guys said he’s a good kid. And he helped them out of a jam.”
“He told me about that, too. Said your guys clipped Ripper and Ratcatcher because they tried to kidnap one of your old ladies.”
“That’s how I heard it.”
“Two more that won’t be missed,” Hendo said. “I can personally assure no further blowback from tonight. Like I said, the soldiers we lost won’t be missed, and we’re in no position as a club to make any kind of real move against you anyway. Warlock thought he could intimidate and run your club. He thought he could be thenew Beast. I tried to tell him he was wrong, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“You ever do time?” I asked.
Hendo nodded. “Twice. Once here and once back in Nevada where I’m from.”
“What for?”
“Grand theft auto and outstanding warrants.”
“Warrants for what?”
“Moving violations.”
“That’s it? You ever run girls?”
“Shit, no way man. I’ve got nieces.” he replied. “Besides, the Spiders never used me for that shit anyway. I’ve slung meth. Run guns a couple of times. Shit I’m not proud of, but my old lady is really sick and I gotta earn.”
“Your club is holding a mother and daughter somewhere. You know where?”
