Hell, it’s barely ours.
Five women and a child—and at the end of it all we’ll still have two and The Kid hanging round our halls. Not a bad percentage, but if this becomes the norm, we’ll collect transients with every raid until the clubhouse becomes a damn rehabilitation center. Fuck, I don’t deny the women what they need, but I also don’t think Chaos has fully thought it through.
We don’t have the resources. The knowledge or the experience.
I glance toward my president and find him in a wide stance, his arms folded high, a nonchalant stare pinned on Marty. He hates the guy with a passion, but he’ll never let the sheriff have the power over him by showing it. He’d rather antagonize the bear by baiting him with quick wit and smartass retorts every time they cross paths.
The sheriff gathers his notebook and then indicates to Chaos he’d like a private word with a swift jerk of his head toward the foyer. Child Services remain with The Kid, separated from the others at the dining table while they run through the necessary protocol. Marty’s Chief Deputy, Keller Frees, keeps watch in the corner of the parlor while their Peace Officer, Maisie, goes over the next steps with the women again to be sure everyone understands what is happening.
Medical evaluations. Psych evaluations. Victim support meetings.
Escaping was only half the battle.
I glance to Circus again, at the way he leans down to sniff Kathy’s hair. The guy has particular kinks, and I know better than to ask about them. Find it curious he took it upon himself to keep her company when he’s notoriously a loner. Perhaps he finds something familiar in her reluctance to be a part of the group, something he can relate to.
“You know what pisses me off about this whole deal?” our Tail Gunner, Highway, asks as he shifts to stand beside me.
I continue to watch Jenna fidget with her nails. “I’m sure you’re gonna tell me.”
“That after all the bullshit those assholes did to these women, the fuckers still messed with their heads enough that half of them blame themselves for getting into the situation.”
“It’s just the rational mind trying to make sense of an irrational situation.”
His intrigued stare burns in my periphery. “Since when did you become all philosophical?”
I glance at him, cataloging his distinctive features quick enough to formulate a witty retort before he takes this any deeper. “Since when did you start getting highlights in your hair?”
He gives a bored smile. “It’s called the sun. You know? The big, bright thing in the sky? Does weird things like lighten your hair when you’re out in it enough.”
I smirk in response to his dry sarcasm.Situation avoided.“Well, at least your hair will look amazing when your head’s spread across the tarmac, right?”
“You fuckers that ride with a helmet are all the same,” he gripes. “Holier than thou.”
“Nah, buddy,” I sass. “Just smarter.”
“Anyway,” he grumbles.
“Anyway.”
“Pres wants a sit-down after Marty leaves. We need to figure out the logistics of this shit going forward.”
“So, it’s decided?” I ask, lifting my eyebrows. “We’re making ourselves a part of this?”
“They made us a part of it when they brought their bullshit into our backyard,” Highway says. “What kind of assholes would we be if we just swept it past the fence-line and pretended it didn’t exist anymore?”
“Same kind as our fathers,” I point out.
He huffs a short laugh. “Last I understood, you’ve got about as much desire to end up like your old man as I do mine.”
“No change there, brother.” I learned a lot from Viper, but my gratitude for him sharing the skills I need to survive this life doesn’t give my father license to shit on every choice I’ve made since.
I narrow my eyes when Freckles rises from the footstool and crosses the room to Loki. His gaze lifts to briefly find mine when she begins to speak, soon shifting back to the woman wringing her hands before him. His brow dives a little, a few words passing his lips before she’s back seemingly over-explaining herself.Curious.
The Peace Officer rises to her feet after she finishes up with the group of women, giving them a warm smile before Keller escorts her from the room. Our VP, Jinx, is hot on their tail.
It’s just the ex-captives, Loki, Highway, myself, and Darko left lurking in the corner.
Circus and the redhead have disappeared. Should I be concerned? If I were one of the women huddled in the middle of the room, maybe. But I know the guy, and he’s never given me a reason yet to doubt his intentions.
