Shannon and Sam had no use for the club girls, and sometimes Steel had to call them on it. He felt that all the women should get along. He understood the chasm between the club girls and old ladies, but he didn’t tolerate name-calling, rudeness, or deliberate cruelty being leveled at the club women. The old ladies respected that, but there was always tension crackling in the air whenever the two groups bumped into each other at the clubhouse.
“Things going good with Chenoa?” Crow asked as he sat down at one of the tables near the bar.
“Yeah. We’ll see how it goes when she starts school next week. One day at a time, you know?” Steel motioned for Ruby to come over.
She sauntered over and wrapped her hands around his bicep. “You’re feeling good,” she said in a soft voice.
Steel smiled and moved his arm. “Can you have Lena fix me a roast beef sandwich with tomatoes?”
Her toothy smile filled her face. “Sure. You want any sugar with that?” She leaned in close and pressed her impressive chest against him.
He laughed. “Nah, just the sandwich. Too much sugar will get me in trouble.”
“I’ll take the sugar you’re offering him,” Sangre said as he grabbed another beer.
“I know you will. I can count on that.” Ruby tossed her head and sashayed toward the kitchen, all eyes on her curvy hips as they swayed seductively from side to side.
Paco whistled softly. “You gotta admire a woman who can move like that. Fuck, she’s got a great walk.”
“Yep. Pure art. Who needs to go to a fuckin’ art museum when you got living art in the clubhouse?” Goldie shook his head. “I was so into her swaying ass that I forgot to tell her to get me a sandwich too.” He rose from his barstool. “I’ll be back.”
“Where’re you going?” Crow asked.
“The kitchen. I’m gonna tell Lena to make me a sandwich.” As he turned to walk away, several members yelled out their orders. “I’m not a fuckin’ waiter,” he said grudgingly as he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen.
Steel saw Skull walk in and he called him over. “What’s going on with our informant? Any new leads on who the distributor is?”
Skull shook his head slowly. “Nope. It looks like things are going quiet for now. It’s like everyone’s paranoid or something.”
“It’s probably because some dumb fuck figured out they sold smack to an outlaw’s daughter,” Paco said, moving over to Steel and Skull.
Steel nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“I wish we could pay the fuckin’ Skull Crushers a visit and persuade them to tell us.” Paco smiled at Ruby when she placed roast beef sandwiches in front of him and Steel. As she turned to leave, he gripped her arm. “I’ll be looking for you in about an hour, sweetie.”
“I’ll be waiting.” She blew him a kiss and walked out.
Steel sniggered, then picked up his sandwich and took a bite. “I’d love to persuade the fucking punks, but not at the risk of closing down the whole operation before we know who’s responsible.” The brothers nodded. “We gotta send Jigger in with a wad of cash to make a buy. Greed is a powerful motivator.”
“Whoa. We’re just talking ’bout you, dude,” Sangre said as Jigger walked into the clubhouse.
He dragged a chair over to their table. “Oh yeah? What about?”
“You gotta set up a buy. I want you to hang at the arcades and bowling alley again to see if you can get in touch with a dealer.”
“Fuck,” he said as he exhaled. “I always get these types of assignments.”
“That’s ’cause you got a pretty boy’s face,” Crow teased. Some of the brothers guffawed and others sniggered.
“Can you even grow a fuckin’ beard?” Skull asked as his brothers howled.
“Fuck that!” Jigger pushed his chair back.
“Good thing you got your patch. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get any prime pussy.” Sangre sat back and crossed his leg over his thigh.
Jigger’s eyes shot flames, and his neck and face were covered in red splotches. Steel held up his hand. “That’s enough. We got some business to discuss. Jigger, you look like a goddamn high schooler. It fucking sucks, but that’s the way it is. Hang out this week at the arcades and see what gives. School starts next week, so it’s gonna be busy.”
“Will do.” Jigger picked up his beer.
