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Before I could finish that thought, Brendan moved for his gun and in that split second, Jasper got off two shots before I even aimed and fired.
It all happened so fast. I wasn’t sure I heard Jasper answer Brendan’s question. “Not anymore,” he’d said. And it was true. Jasper squeezed the trigger one more time into Brendan and we watched him crumple to the ground. The last time he’d interrupt anything.
It all happened so fast. Before I knew it, I’d put two into his sidekick. One in the head and one in the chest took out the guy in the Black Jacks kutte.
My ears rang, the smell of gunpowder burned in my nostrils, and the whole shit show made my head spin, but I got it together enough to ask, “What the fuck was that?”
Jasper aimed his gun at the bodies as if it were a pointer in a lecture hall. “That’s a dead fucking Rhymer and reason enough to party,” a slow smile spreading across his face. “Always hated that motherfucker.”
My stomach turned, and it wasn’t the food. I wasn’t sorry to see the end of Rhymer, but I didn’t revel in death nor at the blood seeping toward my boots. Yet, from the glee in Jasper Ashby’s eyes, you’d never know he’d just snuffed out the life of his enemy.
“Party on guys!” Jasper raised his hands, a tumbler in one hand and his nine mil in the other.
At the same time, I knew it was Rhymer or us. “Great shot, Ashby!” I said and took a pull of my beer in his honor. He’d just saved my life.
“Not too bad yourself, Charlie,” Jasper said and raised his glass.
Stilettos had laid out a silver tray with about fifteen lines of blow on it, so I strode over to her and snorted up a few lines. I didn’t want to seem greedy and still had to ride home.
Jasper looked around, taking in the shocked, drunken expressions of the men who thought they were safe here. Jasper owned the Lucky Lopez, even though it was in the Green Zone. I wasn’t sure how many people were aware of that fact. Hell, I’d just found out today. But these guys were his people.
“What I want to know,” he said, all trace of the party guy gone. “Is how the fuck this happened?”
It was a damn good question. I wiped my nose, enjoying the buzz and walked back over to Jas. “We should check on the girls. And the bouncers.”
Jasper nodded. “And whoever the fuck else might be dead down there,” he growled and motioned for me to follow, which I did. “You’re pretty badass with that piece, Charlie.”
I ignored the smirk on Jasper’s face because it wasn’t the first time I’d heard that. I’d been on the shooting range at the MC since I was about five. “Don’t you forget it. Pass the word along.”
The downstairs part of Lucky Lopez was business as usual with two girls stripped out of their bikini tops on the main stage. Another cat crawled her way up onto the pole, while a bunch of rowdy college boys threw money at her.
“Shit,” he growled and stopped in the middle of the club.
I knew exactly what he was getting at. The bouncer stood between the security doors and several burly security men were stationed around the bar. Drinks were being served while the DJ mixed music and introduced the dancers. It was just like any other strip club in the world.
“They just walked right in?” I asked.
“Not with guns,” Jasper said, a puzzled look on his face. “Somebody let them in.”
“You sure?”
“Fuck yeah, I’m sure. I’ve got the best of the best on those front doors.” His gaze darkened as he took in each of his employees with fresh eyes, wondering which of them had betrayed him. “I need a fucking drink.”
“Sounds good. Let’s get back upstairs. We still got a river of booze to drink and two bodies to dispose of all before the sun comes up.”
Jasper let out a bitter laugh. “Right. See how much shit I have to deal with? This goddamn wedding can’t be over soon enough.”
Back inside the VIP area, the party carried on while Jasper had his soldiers wrap up Brendan and his friend and carry them out. Alcohol flowed freely along with joints of all sizes, and a few other party favors.
“One more day,” I said and clapped Jasper on the shoulder. “Until then, let’s drink more whiskey.”
He grinned. “My favorite kind.”
We drank like we had no worries. We drank and laughed and smiled, told dirty jokes and gave each other shit as food, drinks and blow came around in a never-ending loop.
Hours later, we were all pretty much shit-faced, and the party had started to die out. “Everything good here?”
Maureen dropped down on the seat next to Jasper with a sigh of exhaustion.
