“Tomorrow, I will be so fucking angry with you all for deceiving me. What you guys all did is pretty fucking huge. Tonight, I need food.” I push out of his arms, because while I love my uncle, he does not have what I want or need.
He takes a step back, seeing me struggle to be myself. But my stubborn independence in the face of adversity is nothing new. And I must look bad, because instead of giving me shit about it, he flicks his head in the direction of the clubhouse, “What happened?”
“Honestly, it’s been an absolute shit show since we landed. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong, but it finished with me telling Puck why I’m here.”
Joker’s head drops a little, and he sighs in understanding. “I’ll get you settled with the others then go see him. He won’t be doing well, but that’s on us, Raney. Not you. He’s a Fallen now, and we look after our own.”
He steps away, like he’s going to leave me to chase after Puck, and yeah, that stings.
“And what am I?”
“Tired and bitchy.” Joker stops and turns, pointing towards the clubhouse.
And like always, all my uncles, and the pack omegas and sweet butts, greet me as I walk in. They all blatantly ignore the way my foot drags and how heavy my limp is. If I called for help, they’d all rush over and do whatever they could, but until I ask, they’ll keep on ignoring me. The last time one of them tried to help, I screamed like a fucking sea-hag. A tad embarrassing for all of us.
“Hey, everyone. Sorry, I’m in a bitch of a mood. Let me eat and have a beer before we start the reunion. I’m actually happy to see you all,” I offer the whole room with a half-smile.
Someone restarts the music to the usual level which is loud, and the chattering restarts like I didn’t just walk back in here after a few months away.
Climbing to sit on King’s empty seat in front of the bar, because I’m the only person in the world allowed to, I’m presented with a plate of food someone has hastily put together, and a soda. Downing the soda in one mouthful, I wave over to Molly the barmaid on duty, asking for a beer.
The food instantly settles the nausea from the suppressants in my stomach. Nothing is going to calm the tempest in my head except time.
“Molly, did you go on that holiday down to see the Vegas Chapter?” I ask, although I have to yell to get heard over the noise.
She turns down the volume, giving a one finger salute to a couple of prospects who moan at the drop of music. “Yeah, caught up with Mama Brown and Cass. It was good.”
“And everyone is treating you good here?”
She laughs, coming to lean up against the bar to chat. “Yeah. You know it. I even got a pay raise.”
I should have known me talking would be a catalyst. Joker, Ibis, and Hambone come over. Without being asked, Molly turns and leaves, ending our catch up before it even starts. The rest of the crowd get up, with drinks in hand, and follow her to the other bar area. Once the door closes, the interrogation begins.
“So, what happened?” Ibis says, leaning against the bar.
“It was clearly a set-up, maybe it was because they found out Koz was coming or, I don’t know. Have you heard from King?”
“Nah, we got word out from one of our sources though. Both King and Koz are being held at the same place, separate cells, along with the others. I’ve spoken with Janice but she won’t be able to see King until the morning. She’ll lodge a fuck tonne of paper, but without a doubt, they’ll be in there for seven days at least.”
“Yeah, Giuseppe thought the same.”
“Giuseppe?” Joker, asks impatiently.
“Koz’s lawyer. Which reminds me, a man named Rhodes is coming as my bodyguard since Lew and Koz are out. And that’s not in disrespect to anyone here, but you all know the way Koz is.”
Joker tips his head agreeing. “Yeah. It’s good. I’ll go see the guys on watch tonight and let them know. I want you down at King’s house, Raney. We’re getting raided too many fucking times at the moment. It’s just the usual bullshit, and it looks like you do not need the stress.”
“About that.” I pull a weird face, before pulling my hair up in a messy bun. “I’ve got emergency medication coming from Unity. Can we please be discrete about it? My heat’s coming up, but with the medication and the supplies they send, I’ll be able to spike.”
“Okay, we’ll keep a couple of prospects on watch down the back perimeter too and Rhodes will be with you,” Joker says. And as King’s VP he’s the one that makes all the decisions.
“What about Puck?” I ask.
“Not your concern, Raney. You focus on you, and we’ll focus on him. Anyway, I’ll probably go down and stay with him at the stadium for a day or so.”
“What?” I bark out.
Joker points his finger at me, staring me down like I’m about to argue. “Not my business to tell you what Puck is up to. And on this one I only answer to King, not either of you two. What else?”
