“Never heard of her,” I state as Wren gets to the table and stares at me in pure shock.
“Are you kidding me, Ice?You’ve never heard of Ruby?”she questions me, incredulous lacing her voice.
“I’m serious.I’ve listened to Wicked Angels and I always have music on when I’m not at work, but I don’t know who Ruby is.I’m sure I’ve heard somethin’ by her, I just don’t know the name,” I tell her, looking on as she lifts one of the twins in her arms and holds him close.Wren and Judge are the best parents I’ve ever seen, always doting on their kids.“Have you heard back from Sabotage?”
“Yeah.He called right after I hung up with you.It’s a festival lastin’ two days.Saturday and Sunday.We’ll be there from Wednesday through Sunday.Jagger will assign the teams when we show up.Sabotage, Death, Talon, Shank, and Boxer will be comin’ here before we all ride out to the venue together.We’ll meet up with Jagger, Wicked Angels, and Ruby before doin’ anythin’ else,” Judge informs me as Fury looks on while taking a long pull of his beer.
“Who’s all goin’ on this job?”I ask, wanting to know who’s giving up a weekend for this festival.
“Fury, you, Tristan, Zach, Agony, and Lock,” Judge tells me as the guys he just named all wander over to the table.“There is somethin’ you all need to be aware of.This Ruby chick and her boyfriend just broke up.He’s on Wicked Angel’s security detail so he’ll be around.There’s no bad blood or anythin’ like that.She just doesn’t want him around her.So, if she tells some guy to leave her alone, keep him away.”
“Fuck!That’s drama we don’t need to deal with,” Lock states as he looks down at me with a frown on his face.
“You won’t be dealin’ with drama.Ruby doesn’t want him near her and he’s been keepin’ his distance.It’s only been a few days and she went on a mini break right after they broke up so he hasn’t had the chance to see her.Jagger has already talked to him and told him in no uncertain terms to leave her alone.She’ll let him know when she’s ready to talk and until that time, he’s to stay away and remain with the band he’s assigned to,” Judge says, looking around the table at us all.“Most of us will be at the festival with tickets to hear the bands play.If you need us, we’ll be close by.I don’t anticipate anyone needin’ us though.You’re all more than capable of handlin’ business on your own.”
Leaning back in my chair I accept the beer from the Prospect and open the bottle before tossing the cap in the ashtray on the table.I take a long pull before setting it down on the table in front of me.I’m surprised Zeus and Jaelyn aren’t making the trip down with Sabotage, but they have kids so they might not be able to come for this trip.I do have to get with Zeus at some point soon because he’s going to show me more computer shit I need to brush up on so I don’t have to rely so heavily on him when I’m digging into things here for the club.Lash and Judge are both on board with him helping me learn as much as I can because we don’t want to bring in anyone else to fill Razer’s position.I was already helping Razer when he needed it before he was killed so it’s only natural the new job fell to me.
“Who’s gonna have the boys while you’re both at the festival?”Fury asks Judge as most of the guys disappear again.
“Gramps is makin’ the trip down.He wants to spend time with the boys.They’ll be here at the clubhouse so he’ll have plenty of help with them.The Prospects and Rebels can lend Gramps a hand.If anyone doesn’t, they’ll be out on their asses,” Judge answers loud enough for everyone in the common room to hear him.
“I’m headin’ to bed.If you need me for anythin’, let me know,” I say, draining my beer and handing it off to one of the Prospects walking by me.
Lock follows me upstairs and I stop in the hall to grab my keys as I wait for him to say what’s on his mind.
“You good, Ice?You seem frustrated as fuck,” he finally says as I unlock my door.
“I am frustrated,” I tell him, entering my room and leaving my door open for him to follow me.“The dancers are startin’ their shit again while one of the alcohol suppliers tried to pull some fast shit and missed a delivery.Thinkin’ about goin’ with someone local if I can find one.”
“Why did the supplier miss a delivery?”he questions me, taking a seat at my desk while I slide off my cut and hang it on the back of my door.
“Tried sayin’ I missed a payment when I didn’t.I sent a copy of the receipt right over and they suddenly made the delivery in two hours.I’m pissed as fuck and I’m not gonna play some fucked-up games,” I tell him honestly as Lock stares at me with wide eyes as shock fills his features.
“Out of all of us here, you’re fuckin’ obsessed with payin’ everyone the second you get a bill.There’s no way in hell you’d ever miss a payment for any reason.It’s a good thing you keep every receipt and attach it to the invoice it belongs with.I don’t blame ya for bein’ pissed.You need anythin’ from me, let me know.I know you’ve been doin’ way more than you thought you’d be doin’ now.It’s gotta be weighin’ on ya and you haven’t said a single word about it to anyone from what I can tell,” Lock says, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees while he watches me move around my room.
“”What can I do or say?We lost Razer and I’m the only one who can step up for the computer part of his job.I don't know anyone else in the club with the same skills.Do you?”I return, sitting on my bed and leaning over to unlace my boots so I can finally take them off for the day.
“You’re the only one who comes to mind.Still, I’ll be there no matter what ya need, Ice.You’re my best friend and nothin’ will ever change that,” he says, standing from his seat and leaving me alone in my room.
Remaining on my bed for a minute, I try to force thoughts of my day from my mind.I’ll be leaving here in two days so I can go to the festival for work and I need to put a few things in place while I’m gone.The first is making sure I have someone in charge at the strip club who will actually do the damn job.Evan, a bartender, and Greyson, a bouncer seem like the best options to run the club while I’m gone.Greyson is a Prospect so I know he’ll ensure the club runs properly.Evan is a good guy and has been with me since the doors opened.He rarely misses a day and I consider him a friend.We went to school together so I’ve known him a long time.The main thing I’ll have to do is get some more guys in there for bouncers.Greyson can’t be the only one.That’s something I’ll think about tomorrow.For now, I want a shower and bed.I’m ready to collapse and forget all about today.
