"What do you want to do?" he asks, like it’s that simple.
Such an easy question, and so hard to answer.
"I know I want to take care of animals."
"That’s a start, but if you could choose anything right now, what would you do? Honestly. Any job, any relationship. No limits."
I shake my head. "Nah, it's stupid."
"I bet it’s not stupid. Let's hear it."
"I love the shelter, and I love taking care of animals. Despite Travis, I really enjoyed that job. So if I could wave a wand, I’d buy the shelter. Then I could actually make it run the way it’s supposed to, instead of always cutting corners and making compromises like he did." I shudder in disgust. Even if Travis didn't know specifically what was happening to the dogs, he had to have suspected. The more I think about it, the more I regret making excuses for him all the time. "I bet Piston would help out. I mean, I think they all would, but Piston most of all.”
"So, in your future where you dedicate yourself to the animals, does that include the three you're getting down with?"
I turn my head just enough to look up at him from my misery perch on the counter. "Maybe? No, definitely yes. I know it hasn’t been long, but there’s a connection there I don’t want to lose. If I don’t give it a chance I think I’ll really regret it. And not just because of…you know." I hold my hands about a foot apart for exaggeration, still resting my weight on my forehead.
Jerry nearly chokes on his cookie, which I take as a win. He clears it with a sip of coffee. "Well, that’s a compelling argument. Also they seem to feel the same about you."
"They do right now, but what if it doesn’t last? I've seen their parties, and trust me, I have nothing special to offer them there. Live hard, play hard, you know? What if they get bored of me eventually?"
"They risked their lives to save you, no questions asked, and they're obsessed with keeping you safe, just like they're obsessed with those curves of yours. There's no way they're going to let you go, unless you clearly, unequivocally, and hundred percent honestly tell them to fuck off and never speak to you again." He grabs my upper arm and squeezes it. "I know you don't believe me, but you’re actually pretty awesome. And you have good taste in friends. Besides, look at Natalie. Or Faith." He gestures around us. "Do you think either of them regret their choices? Are their men not loyal?"
To a fault. And if I really think about it, I'm sure Piston, Beast and Zero are, too. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I'm just scared to commit? I let out another dramatic sigh. “Do you really think I should go for it?”
"Yes. Yes to all of it. Maybe you actually can buy out Travis. Maybe the guys are who you think they are and are actually kinda obsessed with you." He drains the last of his coffee. "Wait for this whole biker danger thing to blow over and then go grab the future you want with both hands, because it's not just going to sit around and wait for you."
"I knoooooow," I moan. "You were supposed to sit here and listen to me bitch, not give me actual actionable advice."
"I'll never be sorry for being a good friend."
I finally push myself back up to sit straight. "I know. And I love you for it."
“Good, because you’re stuck with me.”
“Forever?”
“Or until our free boxing trials are over.”
29
BEAST
It's hot.The air over the asphalt wavers like a mirage as we ride into the empty parking lot. Towering over us is an abandoned factory, the sun setting behind it, throwing light in our eyes and reflecting off the steel structure. Kozlov suggested it as neutral ground, away from both our territories. Fucking ballsy of him to call his side of things a territory, but no one disputes that South Side is our turf.
The faded sign high on the wall says Hellstrom Machining if you squint a little, but there's hardly anything left of the lettering. A couple of rusted conveyor belts extend from the upper floor, connected to truck loading stations, the asphalt discolored by years of oil leaks and who the fuck knows what else. Old containers are stacked on one side, almost like they were thrown aside by some kind of giant. Long shadows create enemies in every dark corner, but everything is quiet.
Too quiet.
"It's a trap. What the fuck else could it be?" I growl at Piston and Zero as we stop our bikes, but stay ready to move with our feet on the ground. We're not alone, of course. The Eagles haveshown up strong, another twenty or so bikes line up with ours and another dozen have found positions at range to cover us if shit turns sour. We come prepared.
Nobody thinks Kozlov's proposal to discuss a compromise is legit. A guy like him doesn’t go from where we were to a cheery little truce overnight, but we’re here to see what his move is.
King looks my way. "Probably, but we know that going into it. I can't imagine this fucker has the power to rally enough goons to give us much contest."
"Suppose we'll see." Eagle-eye squints as he looks around suspiciously.
"I don't like it," Zero says with a grimace. "We're out in the fucking open, and there's too many places for fuckers to hide. They don't have to be many if they've got snipers."
