It was perfect. “To new beginnings.”
7
Fang
I had putit off too long already. Going to see the new owner of The Drunken Otter. But I couldn't put it off any longer. She was hosting my party tomorrow, the least I owed the woman was a hello. Not that I wanted to.
I had no time for women like her.
I had no time for any woman beyond taking my fill. Not anymore.
Something huge and grey leapt out in front of me, jolting me back to reality. I swerved, but my bike clipped it and sent it tumbling further into the road.
Panting, I came to a stop, throwing a glance behind me to see what the hell I had just hit.
A dog.
A dog the size of a fucking pony got up, shaking its scraggly grey fur, and started limping towards the curb. Who the hell had a dog that big? And what the hell was it doing running free in my town?
“Woofy.”
Frowning, I looked down the street to see Pope’s old lady tottering towards us in her usual skyscraper heels. There was a rainbow-coloured dog leash dragging behind her.
“What the actual fuck is that?” Slipping from the bike, I growled at her. “And what the hell is it doing running on the road? He could have caused a really bad accident.”
She looked up at me from where she had sunk to her knees. Her hands were soothing the dog’s fur like it was something precious and not a mongrel on steroids.
“Sorry, Fang, he slipped his leash. It won’t happen again.” Turning back to the dog, she started to pat him down. “We all ok, Woofy? Because if you aren't, your momma is gonna kill me.”
“Since when do you and Pope have a dog?” So much had changed in my brother’s social lives. Babies, dogs and wedding plans. Life had gone on without me when I had been in hiding. And I was starting to hate it.
“It’s not ours. I was just taking him for a walk. He’s the biggest fluff ball ever right? Looks mean but is a total softy.”
As if to prove her point the dog licked her face, wiping half her make-up off. Sylvia giggled. And my frown deepened. Since when was Sylvia ok with dogs licking off her perfectly applied make-up? What the hell was going on? It was like the world had gone crazy.
“Whose dog is that, Sylvia?”
Her eyes flicked upwards to meet mine. “Gypsy's. I should probably tell her so she can have him checked out with the vet.”
“You do that. Oh, and tell whoever this woman is that I will cover any vet bills this time, but she needs to keep that dog on a leash from now on.” I adjusted the cut on my back. “Bring the bill to the club. I have to go and meet the woman who bought The Drunken Otter.” Rolling my eyes, I grinned. “Give her a real Savage Sons welcome and all that.”
Huffing, Sylvia climbed to her feet. “You’re going to the Otter?”
I nodded silently.
“Then it looks like we are going the same way. Here help me with him.” Without warning, she heaved the dog up into her arms and pushed him towards me.
“What? Jesus Sylvia, I just said I need to get to a meeting.”
“Yeah I heard you, Fang, you’re going to meet Gypsy. She’s the new owner of The Drunken Otter.” She side-eyed me, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. “Not the greatest first impression, she bloody loves that dog and you just ran it over.”
* * *
I could hearthe low hum of Sylvia's voice from the back room. She was speaking softly and being answered by another female. There was a murmur and then a high-pitched screech.
Me and the dog in my arms grimaced at the sound.
“Your mom sounds like a bit of a psycho buddy.”
