“Kids are tough,” Blackjack told me when I went to the porch to wait for the pizzas.
“When they were upset over a bully, I could calmly fix shit. But this thing today will stick to them.”
“You and Goldie grew up safe, but you always knew fucked up shit happened in the world. You saw how it affected your mom.”
“And you,” I said, thinking about how he stopped a woman’s rape by killing her attacker. That moment of righteous rage sent him to juvenile hall. “I still felt like the world was safe.”
“In Rawlins, we’re the big fish in a small pond. Little Memphis is a different beast. Nova’s shooting happened in Baton Rouge, an even bigger pond. If you want to live a quiet life, you’ve got to build a home in a quiet place. That’s not Little Memphis.”
Exhaling deeply, I took in the late afternoon glow. “Nova and her brother are tight. I don’t think she would do well in Rawlins.”
“Just consider it. I fear having to move to Little Memphis to be close to the grandbabies.”
I smiled at how he viewed the girls before explaining, “I plan to build a house in this neighborhood. I’ll make sure there’s a guest suite, so you don’t need to move.”
“Make sure it’s soundproofed. Your mom’s gotten loud since you and Goldie moved out.”
Blackjack laughed at my expression. His amusement faded once Exile marched over to where we stood.
“How seriously is your club taking what happened today?”
Frowning, I pointed out, “Those assholes attacked my sister and my woman. Why would you think Iwasn’ttaking it seriously?”
“I didn’t ask if you were upset. I asked if your club planned to do anything besides trauma bond and eat pizza.”
Blackjack frowned at Exile. “How do you think your sister would feel about moving to Rawlins? It’s a quiet town. Decent schools.”
Exile only responded with a dirty look before walking away.
“That got rid of him,” Blackjack said and patted my shoulder. “Maybe you should talk to Clint about what’s happening. That way, if the cowboy returns, you’ll have information.”
I smiled at my dad and tugged him into a hug. “I’m so fucking pissed, but I can’t show it.”
“Your job is to be the family’s rock, so your woman and kids can feel safe. Just shove your rage down deep and let it loose later in the gym or while burying those Jokers.”
Releasing my dad, I swallowed my fury and focused on the task at hand. While my dad kept an eye out for the pizza delivery, I walked to Ford Reed’s house. Clint was inside with his parents and Ivy.
The way my friend exhaled once we stood together on the porch made me think he was struggling with his own rage.
“How is Elle?”
“She’s rattled,” Clint said between clenched teeth. “She feels vulnerable in Little Memphis. I’m not sure she even wants to stick around until Halloween.”
“And Zodiac?”
“He’s got his guys in Baton Rouge ready to ride.”
“Will they come here?”
“I don’t know. He might be planning to hit the families of the guys from today. I’ve talked him into holding off until we meet with the LM Jokers.”
“When’s that happening?”
“In a few hours, we’re having a meeting at the community clubhouse. Joker will be there along with several other former Little Memphis guys.”
“Is Joker planning on protecting those assholes?”
“Even if I was willing to smooth things over, Zodiac and Exile won’t agree,” Clint said and glanced around. “Joker knows what kind of man Zodiac is, even if his son doesn’t. Zodiac will not stand down. He wants to kill those guys whether we agree or not.”
