Of course, my bullshit meter wavered a bit, but for some reason, I trusted Deuce. Plus, he paid for all the building supplies, along with an advance on the first month’s rent. He didn’t say how he came into this money, and I didn’t question how a guy locked up for the last five years got it. Some things are better left unsaid.
“What choice do I have? If I want this place up and running, I need their help and their money.”
“That, and the fact you’ve gotten to enjoy this eye candy for the last two weeks and haven’t called me sooner.” Her gaze zooms in on Fist hammering the plank flooring into place. “Nothing like seeing a man on his hands and knees.”
I follow her gaze, and the muscles flexing in his bare back is impressive. The new air conditioner isn’t fully installed yet, so add sweaty, muscular men to the mix.
“According to Deuce, Fist has a different girl in his bed every day of the week.”
“I’ll take Thursday.” Evie grins wider. “Seriously though, this place looks great. A huge difference from when you first came here.”
Shady picks up a bundle of two-by-fours like they’re toothpicks, and I can’t help but agree with her. It’s amazing what six big guys on a mission can accomplish. It took me almost two months to get my upstairs apartment livable, and just do basic cleaning of the main floor, and I’m not a girly girl when it comes to physical labor, but The End needed major help.
They work from early morning to sometimes late at night, and their skills as carpenters, plumbers and electricians amaze me. We now have running water and working electric in all the rooms on the second floor, along with a refitted and working bar with beer taps that aren’t clogged with gunk.
“So, what’s the deal? ‘Cause I know you didn’t sell this place to them.”
“The Kings fix The End up, they pay me rent, and I get to stay here. When the kitchen is fully functional, we’re to serve basic but good bar food, and guess who put herself in charge of overseeing the kitchen?”
“Nice. The first thing I’m ordering are your delicious smash burgers.” Evie kisses her fingers. “Chef’s kiss.”
“After they pulled out all the old appliances in the kitchen, I did a cleanup that would’ve made Jon Taffer onBar Rescueproud.”
Shady impressed us by literally carrying the stove out on his back, but Fist dry-heaving at the dead roaches in the grease pans was priceless.
“The kitchen is now equipped with a new industrial stove, griddle and dishwasher. Once they’re all hooked up, we’ll be ready to go. Plus, Speed fixed the walk-in refrigerator.”
Evie looks around again. “The transformation is amazing.”
I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it myself, but Deuce and the other Kings transformed the broken-down bar to its original glory.
“You’d never know how great this looks from the outside.”
“That’s intentional. Deuce didn’t want to draw any attention to the fact that the Kings are getting their new clubhouse in order.”
“Does he know about . . .” She nods to my ankle.
“Yup, I told him the night he came here after Viper gave him a beatdown.”
“And you haven’t seen or heard from Viper?”
“Nope. Weird, right?”
“Maybe the Kings’ presence is keeping him away.”
At first, Viper’s absence made me uneasy since he’d been a weekly visitor with threats and demands, but now I let myself be lulled into the protection and presence of the Kings. Not my normal, but at the same time, handing over the reins to someone else relieved me of the constant anxiety and worry of going it alone.
“That would be the logical assumption, but Viper’s a crazy fucker who isn’t logical, and it was Viper who beat up Deuce, not the other way around.”
“True, but look at these guys. Would you want to piss them off?”
“No, but then I’m not a psycho like Viper.”
“Just please be careful.” Evie waggles her eyebrows at Deuce. “Or do you have your own personal body guard?”
“Deuce and I have a working relationship.”
Evie barks out a laugh. “Yeah, right.”
