Page 51 of Nuts

I chose my friends wisely, and only after a long period of them proving themselves. With me, trust was earned over time, and never simply given.

Trusting people exposed me and those I cared for to risks, and I wasn’t in the risk-taking business.

“Let me ask you a question, Boss.” I said, my tone sarcastic.

He took a drink of beer and then gave me a condescending look. “I’m all ears.”

“Other than club business, when was the last time you rode with Bones?”

He glared.

“Big Larry?”

He took a drink of beer.

“T-Bone? Lightning?”

“I can’t ride with everyone,” he growled. “I’ve got a club to run, ‘Nut.”

“I can’t ride with ’em all, either. But I’ll ride with the ones who prove themselves.”

“Your point is what?” he asked.

“My point is that you and I are lot alike, but for different reasons. You don’t like people, and I don’t trust people. End result’s the same.”

He finished his beer and tossed the empty bottle in the trash. “Suppose I’ll give you that. Let me ask you a question, ‘Nut.”

“I’m all ears,” I said mockingly.

“You trust me?”

“Trust you? Absolutely. Just don’t like you,” I said with a laugh.

“Don’t care much for you, either,” he said dryly. “You want some company on that run to see Bishop?”

I shook my head. I hadn’t even mentioned it to Smudge yet, but I was sure she’d want to go. The thought of just the two of us going was exciting, and I was actually looking forward to it.

“Doin’ this one alone, Boss. Nothing against you or the club, but I’m taking the girl on a fact-finding mission, and she’s pretty sensitive right now. Tough patch in her life. She’s kind of like me, she ain’t too trusting.”

His eyebrows raised. “Something need taking care of?”

“Already took care of it.”

“Care to elaborate?”

I considered simply saying no, and then decided to tell him the truth. I got little recognition out of being one of the good guys, and needed all the help I could get.

“Stepdad was beating the shit out of her, and I didn’t know it. Tough little bitch, that’s for sure. Found out he’s been beating on her for years. Saw her at Biggs a week ago, and her eyes was damned near swelled shut. So, I took care of him.”

“Her stepdad?”

“Yep.”

“Son-of-a-bitch.” He crossed his arms over his chest and inhaled a long breath through his nose. “I’ll pay that motherfucker a visit.”

“Already taken care of.”

“He still walking?”