Page 1
Chapter 1
Mad Dog
“Pops, I need your help.”
Pops’ eyes narrow and I almost back out, but I don’t. I stand my ground against the meddling little shit.
“My help, or the help of the Love Prez?”
I stare him down for a moment, before letting out a slow breath. “I need the Love Prez.”
A shark-like grin graces his face and I know I’ve made a terrible mistake. “You know you’ll have to listen to my advice right?” I give him my best stink eye. Not as good as Jules, but back in the day it kept the club on their toes until Marx took over. “All my advice. You can’t cherry pick shit. I mean, I didn’t get to Love Prez status by not knowing my shit you know?”
I want to punch him. Right in his smug face. Instead, I grit my teeth and dip my chin. “Yeah.”
“Well, OK then,” he grins wide before his eyes dart to Laney-May, holding a bouquet in one hand, and my hand in the other. “Hey there, gorgeous girl, what you got there?”
“I be cute and give Miss Willa this,” Laney shoves the flowers at Pops, crushing them into his lame ass chinos.
His eyes turn into little slits as he looks up at me. “Are you planning to use my grandbaby to woo that woman?”
“No, I just happen to be babysitting. My grandbaby.”
Pops’ eyes get even squintier. “Why the fuck would you be babysitting when I’m right here?”
I shrug, knowing that not rising to the bait is going to piss him off more. “Dunno. Maybe they figured you were busy off doing whatever the hell it is you get up to.” I grin.
“Give me my grandbaby, you filthy grandbaby thief. Using her to get pussy-”
“Hey! Willa is a nice lady, you meddling shit! And I can’t help Chewy and Rhodie asked me to mind Laney.” I give her hand a little squeeze, "Isn't that right, babygirl?”
“Yup. I stay with Doggy, I be cute and give Miss Willa this,” she says seriously, holding up the wilting flowers. Damn sweaty toddler hands.
“We’ll see about that,” Pops mumbles, pulling his phone from his highwaisted chinos.
As if on cue Chewy comes waddling into the common room, Rhodie follows close behind bitching about something. It’s been exhausting watching him try to protect her from every damn thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my boy, but he knows his woman better than anyone. If Chewy wants to do something, there ain't no stopping her.
“Why the fuck is he babysitting?” Pops whines.
Rhodie ignores his question, detouring from Chewy to where we’re standing. “Can you please tell your granddaughter that she needs to rest?”
“I dunno kid,” Pops replies, rubbing his chin, “I kinda value my life and all that.”
Rhodie glowers at Sid, stepping closer. “Doctor’s orders. The baby is big." He jabs a finger at his Ol Lady who is trying to drag a stepladder through the common room, “And she is small. The doc is worried there’ll be complications.” Rhodie’s earlier bluster is replaced with a shit ton of concern.
I get it. My boy lost his mother when he was young and she took his heart with her. I never thought I’d see my boy happy and whole again after that, but then Chewy broke into the compound and he was done. Stick a fork in him, done. He’d do anything to protect his woman. Unfortunately his woman is the type that don't need protecting.
“You know, you really should have thought about those logistics before you knocked up my grandbaby -” Rhodie growls and Sid rolls his eyes. “Jeez. Fine.” He throws his hands up. “Chewy! I got something to show you in the Rev Room.”
Chewy drops the step ladder and pivots as soon as the words leave Pops’ mouth. She waddles as fast as her little legs can handle, leaving Rhodie huffing and puffing beside me.
“She’ll be fine, son. You know Chewy. She wouldn’t willingly place herself or that baby in danger.”
Rhodie scoops up Laney-May, blowing a raspberry on her neck before hitting me with a bored look. “She has absolutely no spatial awareness. She’s burnt her belly twice while cooking.”
“Well, shit.”
Rubbing the back of my neck I think fast. Rhodie has never been a laid back type of guy, but I’m worried he’ll give himself a damn ulcer if he doesn't calm down.
