Page 21 of Revenant's Fire

“I said ‘fuck’s sake’. Why would you think I was calling you?” Gallows asks, brows pulled low.

“Um, because every time you’ve needed me the past two days you’ve started all interactions with ‘fuck’s sake’?”

Gallows blows out a long breath. “You tried to start a cut slut fight club -”

“Only between Bubbles and Trinity. Trinity said Bubbles deserved it.”

“-then you hustled Nipsey out of $100, -”

“We’re meeting up at the pool hall in town to play doubles once this is all blown over. He hugged me goodbye, too. I think we’re friends now.”

Gallows stares at me for a long moment and he has the exact same vein in his forehead as my dad. The one that throbs.

He takes one long breath before letting it out. “Rein it in. And leave my whores alone.”

“In my defence, it’s only Bubbles I have an issue with. The rest are real sweethearts.”

“Aw, thank you, Sunny. We love you too,” Diamond replies, swaying her hips as she walks into the kitchen in jean cutoffs.

“See?” I say to Gallows, brows raised as if it’s obvious.

“Are you always this much of a pain in the ass?”

“My father says I’m spirited,” I grin up at him.

Gallows blinks, his eyes closing long enough for me to know he’s asking for God to give him strength. “Try not to get into any trouble.”

I raise my hand in a salute, “Yes sir, Mr. President.”

“We got shit going down and if it doesn’t settle I’ll have to send you to the North Dakota chapter. I’m sure Maverick will be able to whip you into shape.”

I slap a hand on Gallows’ very hard, very big shoulder. “Pres, no offence, but if the good Lord made me this way, ain’t no man gonna change that. Except for Revenant.” I stare up at his frowny face. “And maybe you.”

Gallows makes a weird rumbly noise that sounds like indigestion before stomping off to pour himself a cup of coffee.

“I mean it, Sunny. Don’t make me shoot your ass. Revenant would fucking murder me.”

I frown at Gallows. “Revenant doesn’t need any more pain in his life. I’ll behave,” Gallows dips his chin, “and I’ll lay off Bubbles as long as she stays away from me.”

Gallows holds my gaze as he whistles, like you would to a dog. On cue Bubbles comes teetering over and I roll my lips between my teeth to keep from grinning.

“You need me, Gallows?” Bubbles asks, fawning over the man.

“Yeah. Wherever Sunny is, you’re not.” He turns to stare down at her. “Now, fuck off.”

She makes a weird squeaking sound as her face turns a scary shade of red. She stares at Gallows as if the man is going to change his mind. Newsflash Loose Crotch, he ain’t. Instead, he jerks his chin toward the door and Bubbles stamps her foot and then flounces out. But not before she gives me the stink eye on her way past.

Grinning, I make my way to the counter, hopping a little then pulling myself up to sit, legs dangling. “So, what’s on for today? Anything dangerous? I got a lot of energy and nowhere appropriate to put it.”

Revenant

I stare at Coyote as he rocks on Old Man Mullins porch without a care in the world. He says something that has Mullins throwing his head back, cackling. They’re on their second glass of Mullins’ 90 proof moonshine and I know if I don’t go over there and rein Coyote in we won't be getting back to the clubhouse tonight.

It’s already been two days of sleeping rough. Not that I mind. I’ve slept in worse places. Out here, on the mountain, the stars overhead? That’s some real peaceful shit. Or it would be if I didn’t have someone back at home.

“Hey Rev! Mullins just told me something real damn interesting,” Coyote calls, looking sober for the first time since we left the clubhouse. Mountain folk are sometimes a little too friendly with their shine.

Swinging my leg over my ride I leave my helmet hanging from the bars. No need for it round here. I pick my way through the garden gnomes and weird old tire sculptures until I reach the porch, ignoring the way it groans under my weight.