Page 28 of Sling’s Awakening

“Who is dancing in Curse’s place tonight?”

“He’s making Jinx do a double set. I heard him talking on the phone when I was in the back. He told whoever it was that he’s hoping if he gets word out that Jinx is doing a double feature tonight, the Saint’s Outlaws MC: Virginia Beach Chapter will come in because they took a liking to her.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

On a Sunday?

I guess those guys probably party whenever they feel like it, but in the past, we’ve never had any other clubs or groups in on a Sunday. Sunday’s are for men who are feeling lonely or trying to escape their wife and kids they left at home. I don’t want to say the vibe in the club isn’t amazing, but it definitely is toned down a notch.

“Jinx was just the girl to do the champagne room that night.”

“That’s what Jinx said when I asked her about it. I don’t know, Ginny. I feel unsettled, and it’s stressing me out. I can’t pay attention to the bar and watch what Russ is doing to make sure he isn’t pulling something that’s going to come back and bite us in the ass,” Crystal says.

Yeah, there’s no way she can do all of that by herself.

“How is Big Jack feeling about everything?”

If Crystal is on edge, he’s right there with her.

“I can never tell how he’s feeling. He could win a million dollars and the resting bitch face would stay in place. You’re the only one with the superpower that can know what he’s really thinking and feeling.”

I snort. Big Jack looks a little rough around the edges, but once you break through that tough exterior, he’s a big softie.

“I’ll come in tonight,” I tell her.

I’m not leaving her on her own. I’m getting bad vibes from hearing her talk. She sounds rattled, and Crystal never sounds rattled.

Crystal sighs. “No, don’t do that. You haven’t had a day off in a week. We’ll be okay. I just wanted to give you a heads up. I have a feeling Russ will be calling you about it.”

“I’m not letting you guys deal with all that on your own. If I’m there, I can at least monitor Russ. Saves him a phone call.”

I also might have a slight ulterior motive for wanting to have whatever conversation he wants to have with me face to face. I want it on camera if something happens. The girls don’t know it, but the cameras in the stockroom, the back hallway and the office have audio.

Crystal is silent for a beat. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll see you in about an hour. Don’t tell him I’m coming in.”

Chapter

Eight

SLING

“What’s got your panties in a wad?” Whiplash asks at the garage later that day after mowing Blake’s lawn as I’m bent over the hood of a Chevelle SS one of our regulars brought in for a tune-up.

The club has a few businesses that we dabble in here and there. It’s smart not to keep all the business in one spot. But one of our main sources of income, among other things, is Saint’s Garage.

“What are you bitching about?” I ask as I come out from under the hood, ducking my head.

“I’m bitching about you. I thought Barbie was going to cry after the way you laid into him for not putting the shop vac back where he found it.”

“It’s common fucking sense. I walk in the door and almost bust my ass because he left it plugged in and sitting in front of the side door,” I say as I wipe grease off my hand with a shop rag. “I’m too damn old to be tripping over a cord.”

Barbie is younger than most of us, but he ain’t that fucking young.

“Well, I think he got the message loud and clear,” Whiplash says as he opens a drawer in the toolbox.

“Good. Maybe he won’t fuck up again,” I grumble as I toss the rag in the trash.