“Oh man, I’m going to have to remember that,” Woody comments.
Bullseye lets them enjoy the moment, then bangs the gavel to get back down to business. When all’s quiet, he lets them in on the reason he started the conversation. “They’ve got another shipment of guns they want us to take over the border. Only issue is they’re having problems with their supplier, Huntley.” His face tightens. “At the moment, all he can assure me is that they’re coming, but can’t tell us exactly when.”
There are a few choice swear words that the lack of real info means we can’t get anything planned. Not much we can do when we don’t yet know the date, let alone the delivery time.
“When we’re ready to go,” Bullseye states, looking at me, then Tempest, directly in the eye. “We have to remember this is the first time we’re using the new route and process to cross the border. I want the enforcer and sergeant-at-arms to go along incase of any trouble, and to know whether to proceed or when to abort.”
All nods, including mine and Tempest’s, are accompanied by serious expressions.
When the fucking Mojave Devils put a plant in our club, they found out about the tried and tested route we’d successfully used without a hitch for years. To stop them getting the benefit of it, we’d leaked the details to the Feds and took great delight that one of their shipments had been stopped and the product – which happened to be young girls which was a plus – was confiscated, and a few of their guys were locked up.
We’d tried a different route since, but only got away by the skin of our teeth. Now we’ve agreed on yet another new method, and this cargo of guns will be the first tryout. So yeah, having officers close to make the difficult decisions is a good call.
Without enough information to hammer out the details, Bullseye adjourns the topic to be discussed when we’ve gotten the intelligence to hand. Then, after asking for any other business and getting no response, he closes the meeting.
I stay for a moment to have a chat with Tempest about how we’re going to handle the run when it happens, then, when I step outside, Trixie is waiting.
A couple of days ago, she’d approached me and had apologised for her behaviour that evening when Toni had left. I’d brushed her off, a whore’s opinion being of no consequence, but at least she’d realised she’d stepped over a line. It had, however, been awkward, and we’d ignored each other the past few days. So I’m surprised when she accosts me.
“Er, Freak, I wanted to have a word.”
Immediately on the offensive, my back stiffens. “Can’t see what you’ve got to talk to me about.”
She flinches, but stands her ground. “I’ve been thinking, it’s Ace’s sixteenth birthday next month. I wondered if you wanted to arrange a party for him?”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I respond, “What the fuck for? It’s just another birthday.” To be honest, I’ve not really made a thing of them before. I might throw a token present at him, but no more than that.
“Oh, come on, Freak. It’s his ‘sweet sixteen’.”
“Sweet sixteen?” My brows rise. “Sounds like some girly shit to me.”
She still doesn’t back down. “It’s a milestone. Most people see it as something special. His first step toward adulthood and independence. He can get his learner’s permit.”
My little boy becoming an adult? No fucking way. “You’re not in New York now,” I remind her. “You’re in Arizona. He could’ve gotten his permit six months back.” And he had done. Got the percent, did all the tests, and shit. But he’d taken it no further. “He shows no inclination to learn to drive. I’m certainly not going to force him.”
“Or are you just holding him back? All you’ve got is that monster truck of yours…” When she sees the expression on my face, she quickly backtracks. “Anyway, sixteen is important to most kids. Why not celebrate it in some way? I’d be happy to pull something together for him.”
Instead of accepting her offer, I snarl, “He’s got me, and now his aunt. If he needs a fuckin’ party, I’m sure we can pull something together.” I make a mental note to ask Toni’s opinion over the weekend. She’ll probably jump at the chance to be involved.
Trixie tries to blank her expression, but I can see the disappointment in her eyes. Even though I know she was asking out of the goodness of her heart and a genuine desire to do something nice for my son, I don’t take anything back.
From now on, my life will hopefully include Toni, Ace’s blood relative. Even if we don’t end up together, she’ll be a part of his life. As such, she should be given precedence over some whore.
“It was just an idea,” she says dismissively, then walks stiffly away.
I don’t feel like an asshole. Instead, my mind’s racing ahead. Perhaps asking Toni for ideas on how to help him celebrate will make his aunt feel part of the family.
Family. Sixteen years ago, that was forced upon me. I never wanted it, didn’t know how I would cope. Fifteen years and five months ago, I’d smashed it to smithereens when Josie had died at my hand. Since then, I’d run from the idea as though the Devil himself was after me. Now I find myself contemplating the notion, and surprisingly, it’s settling quite comfortably.
I realise I’m standing like a loon in the clubhouse, with an uncharacteristic smile on my face. I wipe that off before any of the brothers can see. Though inside, my heart feels light. Me, a confirmed bachelor, am I really having ideas about settling down? I’d wonder whether someone had slipped something into my drink were it not for how much the idea doesn’t upset me.
Perhaps I’d ended up with the wrong sister at first, and the universe aligned to correct the mistake. Whatever magic was responsible, I’m not going to complain.
Instead, I’ll focus my energy on ensuring she ends up on the same page. In my bed, in my life, and, possibly, as my old lady.
At last Friday comes. Leaving my bike at the clubhouse, I take my truck to collect Ace from school, having the fleeting thought while I’m driving that maybe Ace’s aversion to taking the wheel isn’t that he doesn’t want to, but as Trixie had pointed out, my vehicle’s too much of a beast for a kid to handle. Hmm, while I hate where the idea’s come from, it’s worth some thought. For now, I park the suggestion, and instead go over our preparations.
In the back seat, our bags are packed and ready, along with our jackets. Flagstaff will be cooler than where we are, close to the Mexican border. Is there anything else we need apart from the toiletries and spare clothes that I’ve gathered together already? I don’t think so. Ace can go without his gaming console for a couple of days.
