Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 133511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
“And?”
“Well, he’s been feeding the feds information about clubs in the region,” I said. “Apparently that’s not new information, but this is. He’s working with Marsh.”
“Marsh knows what he’s doing?”
“Think so,” I said. “Not sure how much Marsh trusts him, but he knows that Hands is a snitch. Real question is whether Marsh is using him or he’s using Marsh. Or was using Marsh . . . Rollins finished him off not long after that.”
Pic nodded thoughtfully. “Rance taking care of the mess?”
“He’s got it covered,” I said. “They gave me a ride back to Hallies Falls so I could pick up my bike, and then I started back home. Speaking of, I had a little complication.”
“What’s that?” Pic asked, frowning.
“Fuse blew out on my turn signal and I got pulled over,” I admitted. They all stared at me, then Ruger gave a little snort. Horse laughed outright, and I saw smiles all around the table. Cocksuckers.
“You get a ticket?” Picnic asked.
“No, just a warning. She even held a flashlight for me whi—”
“She?” Duck asked, smirking. “So in the last twenty-four hours, you kidnapped and helped murder a guy, crossed the state twice . . . and you got pulled over for not using a turn signal by a girl cop? Christ, Painter. Only you.”
I flipped him off.
“So she gave me a warning—I’ll have to share that with Torres at my next appointment, I guess.”
“For the best,” Picnic said, frowning. “He’ll probably throw you in jail a couple days for being out of state, but if word filters back that you left Idaho and he didn’t do anything, they’ll start looking at him. We can’t afford that kind of attention.”
“No big.” I shrugged.
“Any questions for Painter?” Pic asked the table at large.
“Was the cop hot?” Horse asked, smirking at me. “Did she give you a full pat-down?”
“Any real questions for Painter? No? Okay, then that’s it for now, unless someone has something else to bring to the table.”
This was it, I realized. Time to talk about Mel. Fuck, they were gonna give me so much shit . . .
“I got something.”
Pic cocked a brow. “Killin’ a guy wasn’t enough for you?”
I shrugged. “It’s been a busy couple of days. Seriously, though—I want to talk about Melanie.”
Silence fell across the table. I looked over to find Duck smiling his big, shit-eating grin at me.
“So, I want her to be my old lady,” I said, watching Pic’s face. If anyone gave me trouble, it’d be him.
“You sure?” Pic asked. “She’s a nice kid, but she doesn’t really know our life. Might be better to give her a little more time first. This is happening fast.”
“But it hasn’t happened fast,” I reminded him. “I’ve known her for more than a year and we wrote letters that whole time. She’s pretty, she’s smart—the whole package. I’m taking her.”
Pic looked around, and I waited for someone to say something.
“I like her, and it’s not like it’s a huge surprise,” said Ruger. “I mean, he did loan her his car for a goddamn year. She pussy-whipped him long distance—that takes talent.”
Horse laughed, and I took a deep breath, wondering how long they were going to drag this out.
“She’ll probably be good for him,” Bolt said more seriously. “You’re smart, Painter, but you’re fuckin’ reckless. You can’t do the club any good back in prison—maybe having an old lady will motivate you to be more careful. Give you something to lose.”
He would know—he’d lost his woman, Maggs, for a while. They were back together now but it hadn’t been easy.
“It’s a good point,” Pic said. “You may see yourself as cannon fodder, but you’re not. Wouldn’t hurt if you were a little more settled. It’s fine with me.”
“Now what, a group hug?” Horse asked, rolling his eyes. “Enjoy your girl, try not to break her. I don’t think you should patch her just yet, though—give her some time to adjust. Get used to all of us. Save both of you a lot of hassle down the road.”
“He’s right,” Pic said. I frowned, not liking where this was going. “It’s probably for the best if you take it slow. Your call, but if you care about her, you’ll give her time to adjust. Any more business?”
Nobody spoke, so he raised his gavel, hitting the table with a sharp whacking noise.
“Fantastic. Let’s get out of here. Loni’s got dinner waiting at home and I’m fuckin’ starved. Not only that, Kit’s staying over at a friend’s place tonight, which means I’ll finally get some time alone with her. Girl’s hardly been home a week, but it feels like a year. Painter?”
“Yeah?” I said.
“I hope you and Mel live happily ever after and all that shit, but don’t have daughters. That goes for all of you—no more daughters in this club. I can’t handle it.”