Page 58
Clint ignored his VP’s reaction and asked, “Do you know the Baton Rouge guys who snitched out the assholes?”
“Sure. Their dads were in my club before Zodiac shook things up.”
“Do you think those guys snitched out the others because they knew it was a dumb plan or because they didn’t want to kill our people? Basically, do you think guys like Hayden are still waiting for a chance to hit Zodiac?”
“Aren’t these questions you ought to ask Tricky and Jagger since they know Hayden and his friends better than I do?”
“I did ask Jagger. Tricky obviously isn’t in a position to say much. But Jagger thought Hayden and those guys were happy to wear a patch and didn’t give a crap what club they rode with. But Jagger is tighter with those guys than you are. Even if he wasn’t a hundred percent sure about them, he might not want to sign their death warrants by fessing up to that fact to us.”
I gulped my beer while wondering if Zodiac would want me sharing information. Recalling how much he admired Clint Reed, I figured there was no harm in throwing in my two cents.
“Well, Hayden’s dad came in around the time Zodiac did. He always struck me as a follower. He only left when Wrecker did because he feared Zodiac might force the club into turf battles. Based on that, I’d say Hayden is a follower who doesn’t stir up trouble. As Jagger said, these guys want to ride with a club, and the Black Rainbow wasn’t an option.”
Clint exhaled deeply and nodded. “I moved too slowly with Bob and those assholes. The attack could have been avoided if I hadn’t hesitated.”
“No,” Rock snapped. “We all decided to hold off. Zodiac is as guilty as any of us.”
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t want to be caught unprepared again.”
Chugging my beer, I asked, “Are you in the position to kill off a large chunk of Tricky’s currently small club?”
Clint’s gaze hardened. “Tricky might not be in the position to run his club for a while. Jagger won’t stand in our way if we decide to deal with any troublemakers.”
“Well, then, good luck with that. I don’t care who you ice as long as it’s no one from my club,” I said, hoping to extract myself from this conversation.
“Is your house safe?” Rock demanded again when I tried to shuffle away from the grill. “Will Goldie be protected there?”
I wasn’t sure why I refused to answer. Rock’s gruff demeanor didn’t shock or scare me. I just decided to say nothing.
“Well?” Rock asked louder.
Clint grinned at his VP’s attitude. The Crimson Guard president seemed ready to defend me. Before Clint could speak, Yarrow appeared next to Rock and poked his hard chest.
“I got you in trouble, kiddo,” Yarrow barked. “I hope you get grounded.”
Rock stared down at the brunette and asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Son,” Oz Savo said and exited the house. Tall and wide-shouldered like his youngest kid, Oz grinned deviously. “Tell me that you haven’t been a naughty child.”
“Busted!” Yarrow cried and jumped around before standing closer to me. “No one messes with my son-in-law.”
Unlike Rock, Oz wore his dark hair long and wild. The older man was clearly having a ball playing the pissed dad role.
Rock frowned at his father. “What are you doing here?”
“Apparently, I need to give you a whooping,” Oz said, chuckling before the words left his mouth. “Also, your mom missed Yarrow.”
Ginger Jones exited the house. The blonde killer didn’t seem the least bit intimidating. Of course, neither did Yarrow, but they were both dangerous.
“This is him,” Yarrow said and gestured at me. “He loves Goldie. They’re going to give me more grandkids.”
As Ginger walked past her son, she patted his chest. “I’m sorry Rock has been acting up. I feel like he needs more naps.”
Rock’s rigid expression cracked, and he kissed the top of her head. “They’re ganging up on me, Mom.”
“He’s bullying York,” Yarrow insisted.
When Oz and Ginger focused on me, I felt like a damn kid. Before I could assure everyone that I was fine, Skylar and Lyric ran over to defend me from the bully.
