“Please don’t go, Roche.Je t’aime.”
“The name’s Rock, babe. And I’m not too crazy about you anymore. Have a good life. Give your address to Isa. You’ll hear from my lawyer.”
He picked up his bag and walked past her, closing the door behind him. He told Isa he’d be back to say good-bye before he left for home. Placing his bag in his saddlebags, he hopped on his bike and rode away, his heart aching.
Love fuckin’ sucks.
***
“We’re leaving inone hour. I want everyone ready to go,” Hawk said as he picked up his bag and headed out toward his Harley.
“You don’t have to worry about us. We can’t wait to get the fuck back home,” Wheelie said.
“I miss our club girls. The ones here are good, but they can’t give head like Lola or Wendy. And Rosie’s ass… damn, I’m getting hard just thinkin’ about it.” Bones laughed as his fellow brothers voiced their agreement.
Rock went out and placed his case in his saddlebags. “I’ll be back in an hour. There’s something I gotta do before I leave.” He swung a U-turn and sped off down the street.
When he arrived at the cemetery, he went straight to his parents’ humble graves. There was no fancy headstone, just a simple placard with each of their names and their dates of birth and death. It was just the way his mother would have wanted it. He bent down and laid a bouquet of fresh magnolias on her grave. They were his mother’s favorite flower in her favorite color—purple.
“I miss you a lot,Maman, but I’m okay.” He looked at his dad’s grave. “I hope you’ve found the peace you couldn’t find in life. Rest easy, Pa.”
On his way out, he looked around to find another grave he’d asked the caretaker about. He went over, slipped the mojo bag out of his pocket, and placed it on Madame Vincennes’ grave. A sad smile whispered across his lips. “Merci,” he said softly, then turned and walked toward his Harley, anxious to return to Pinewood Springs.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
One month later
Pinewood Springs
Rock sat inthe great room staring at the television as Dr. Phil tried to help another fucked-up family.
“Getting some pointers, dude?” Bones said as he sat next to Rock.
Rock laughed, shaking his head. “Why in the hell do the club girls like this shit so much?” He glanced at Lola, Rosie, Wendy, Kristy, Brandi, and Mary as they sat on the couch, transfixed by the program.
“‘Cause it’s always good to know there are people in the world more fucked up than you. Want one?” Bones handed Rock a joint. They both lit up and turned away from the television. “Did you hear that the Demons Riders—Dustin and Shack, in particular—went ballistic when the deal with the Gypsy Fiends fell through? Too fuckin’ great.”
Bones and Rock bumped their fists together. “Score one for the Insurgents. Anytime we fuck those assholes over is a great one.” Rock inhaled deeply.
Buzz came over, placed two salami, cheese, and hot pepper sandwiches in front of them along with two bottles of Coors, and walked away.
Rock jerked his head toward Buzz. “He’s shaping up to be a good prospect. Who sponsored him again?”
“Hawk. He’s the nephew of one of his old Marine buddies. Seems like he’s got the makings of a good Insurgent, but you never know. We’ll have to see how he does when it gets real tough.” Bones took a bite out of his sandwich. “How’s that shit going with your brother and that rich fucker?”
Rock swallowed a gulp of beer. “Henri turned on both Armand and Frederick. I knew he would. He fuckin’ gave them up the second day he was in the slammer. I always knew he was a sniveling piece of shit.” Darkness passed through him. “He gave them up in exchange for life in the joint instead of lethal injection. I hope they beat and rape his ass in prison.”
“Do you think the others will see it through?”
“Armand will probably cave. He’s the one who killed the old lady and… my mother. The rich fucker will go to trial. People like him think they’re above everything and everyone. He’s going to be great feed for the inmates when his ass is sent away. No fuckin’ way he’s going to win this case.”
“Unless he bribes the jury or judge, or both.”
“If that happens, then I’ll make sure he’s dead.” Rock crunched down on a potato chip.
“Count me in on that.” Bones drained his beer and motioned the prospect for another one.
“Count me in too, even though I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” Wheelie said as he joined them.
