Minus
Clutch hung up and we made our way out through the back entrance, to his Barracuda parked in the rear lot. As we got in, Clutch said, “Ya know, you still haven’t told me exactly why you’re back in town.”
“Yes, I did. Cutter called me and asked me to meet with him, so here I am.”
“I understand that, but why?” he asked as we peeled off into the night. “Everyone here thought you were swallowed up by some swamp, as the late great Phil so astutely pointed out.”
“Astutely?” I choked out, surprised by his word choice.
“Hey, motherfucker, I read some of those books you sent me when I was in the joint. Anyways, don’t change the subject. Why the fuck are you here?”
“I told you I have no idea, and I wouldn’t lie to you. Now, slow down, will ya? The last thing we need is for your dumb ass to get pulled over for speeding while fleeing a murder scene.”
Clutch, ignoring my request, continued his interrogation, “Don’t get cute with me, bro. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems a little odd that you’re so casual about meeting with a guy you haven’t spoken to directly in eight years, who exiled you to Hicksville USA, and that… Oh yeah, once tried to kill you!”
“Look, you know Cutter as well as I do,” I said. “He never makes a move without good reason.”
“Still doesn’t make a damn bit of sense.”
“Look, Cutter has his reasons for asking me here, and I have my reasons for saying yes.”
“Is one of those reasons her?” Clutch challenged.
“Who?” I asked, knowing damn well who he meant.
Clutch laughed. “So, she is one of the reasons.”
“Fuck you, Nicky.”
“That’s not a no.”
“You’re right, it’s a fuck you, Nicky. I haven’t seen or talked to her since I left, and she has no idea I’m in town,” I said, the irritation in my voice rising.
“Okay, okay. Don’t get all bent outta shape.”
“Look, I’m just as curious as you as to why Cutter’s sent for me, but I can guaran-fuckin’-tee it’s got nothing to do with her.”
“If you say so,” Clutch replied.
“You’re probably making a way bigger deal outta this whole thing. The old man probably has some business for me to take care of back in Savannah that he doesn’t want to discuss over the phone.”
“Maybe,” he replied.
“I’ll bet you five hundred dollars, Cutter’s gonna have me on the first flight out of town tomorrow.”
“After you help me with Viper,” Clutch said matter-of-factly.
“I told you you’re on your own with this bullshit. I don’t know anything about Cutter’s three million dollars, or who this Viper guy is, but this all sounds more like your problem, than my problem,” I said.
Clutch finally slowed the car down. He turned to me, his expression turning deadly serious. “It’s a club problem, Minus and last I checked, you still wear a Saints patch.”
I nodded but said nothing.
We drove on through the ever-present Portland drizzle until we reached the Sanctuary, the Burning Saints’ compound. The cluster of buildings used to belong to a paper company that went out of business years ago and were now owned outright by the club.
Clutch pulled out a remote control and punched in a code which opened a rolling security gate.
“Trust me, pal. As important as you may think you are to Cutter, the club’s three million in cash is more important,” Clutch said as he parked. “I’m gonna have to sniff around a little and see what we can find out about Viper and his crew. Los Psychos have been making a lot of noise around town, so if they really are involved it’s gonna complicate things. For all we know Phil was lying through his rotten teeth but Cutter’s gonna want me to make sure, and honestly, I could really use some trustworthy backup. So, are you gonna help me with this or not?”
I paused for a few moments then asked, “Who’s the pile of cash from?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Cutter’s been cagey lately. Super secretive and shit. He’s been keeping everyone at arm’s length for a while now and I don’t really know what to think. Look man, I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you’ve been summoned here, at the same time this payment was scheduled to be delivered.”
Clutch’s tone shifted. “I also don’t believe that you haven’t thought about what you might say if you see… her.”
“You can say her name, ya know. Regardless of what you may believe, Cutter is not omniscient,” I said.
“I can say her name, but you can’t, my friend. According to Cutter you can’t even think about her.”
“Yeah, he made that pretty clear the night he hung me over the Burnside bridge, so why the fuck do you keep bringing her up?” I asked.
We got out of the car and made our way to the entrance of the Chapel, the Sanctuary’s main building, and our meeting hall.
“Just making sure you’ve got your head on straight should you run into her, that’s all,” Clutch replied.
“Being as she and Cutter don’t talk, she and I don’t talk, and Cutter and I don’t talk, I can’t imagine why or how I could possibly run into Cricket Wallace.”
As we approached the Sanctuary, I could hear what sounded like a raging party going on inside. Clutch opened the door and it took me a few moments to register what I was seeing.
Standing amongst a sea of leather, denim, beer bottles, and beards was a stunning blonde. She had long legs which supported the sexiest body ever created and a face so beautiful, it made me forget what any other woman looked like.
Cricket Wallace was standing in the middle of the Chapel, mere feet away from me.
“Hi, Jase, it’s good to see you again.”
Cricket“Back to bed,” Jase said, but I shook my head.“I’d rather curl up on the sofa with you and watch a really stupid shoot ’em up movie.”He grinned, leaning down to kiss me gently. “I can do that.”“Die Hard?” I asked hopefully.“Even though it’s not Christmas yet? Wow, you must really feel like shit. Die Hard it is.”I clapped my hands and slid off the stool, grabbing for his arm when a wave of nausea hit me.“Shit,” he hissed, wrapping an arm around my waist.“I’m okay,” I said, taking a couple of deep breaths. “It’s passed.”“I’m gonna get you settled, then give Eldie a call.”“She just left, honey,” I countered. “She’ll call when she has anything.”He frowned but dropped it and got me settled on the sofa, grabbing a fresh pop and another sleeve of saltines.Once he parked his butt beside me, I snuggled close to him and he started the movie. The last thing I remember before I passed out was the passenger telling Bruce to take off his shoes and make fists with his toes. Still
ChristinaTwo years later… I awoke with a groan, then made a mad dash for the bathroom and puked… again. This had been going on for a week, and I was totally over it.“Babe?” Jase called. He’d forced me to take a nap (which I never did), because I’d been feeling like shit since we got up.“In here,” I said into the toilet.“You still sick?” he asked, hunkering down beside me.“What gave it away?” I retorted.“I’m callin’ Eldie.”“Don’t bother her, honey. She’s busy. It’s just a stomach bug. It’ll be over in a few days.”I glanced up when he didn’t respond, but he was gone. I pushed myself up and washed my face and brushed my teeth, then went looking for him. He was in the kitchen, setting saltines and a lemon-lime pop on the island. “It’ll calm your stomach.”“Thanks, honey.” I sat up at the island and nibbled at a cracker. “You can go, I’m good.”Jase had a meeting at the club, plus it was Wednesday, which meant Church was only a few hours away.He slid his hand to my neck and strok
CricketOne week later… A strong arm slid around my waist as soft lips kissed the back of my neck, and I awakened with a smile. “Sir, if my man finds you in this bed with me, you’re gonna be in a world of hurt.”His arm moved from my waist, his hand pushing my panties down my thighs and slipping between my legs. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”“You make it worth my while, and I won’t say a word.”I lost his hand briefly so he could guide his dick inside of me, then he reached back around and fingered my clit while he thrust slowly into me. I arched against him, sliding my hand under my cami and rolling a nipple into a tight bud.“Love it when you work your tits, baby,” he rasped, pushing deeper into me.“Love it when your dick is buried inside of me, baby,” I retorted, and he pressed his palm harder against my pussy, slamming into me.My clit hit the roughness of his palm and I felt an orgasm threaten to hit, but I wanted this to last, so I gripped his thigh and moved with him. “Get the
MinusHe seethed.“Not a very tough name, is it? I guess Viper’s better. Anyway, Gus, let’s face it, you’re a shitty father. That rathole apartment that your child and his mother were staying in was unacceptable, amigo, but we’re gonna take care of that. We’ll move them into a nice place and take care of their rent and basic expenses every month. We know Carla dropped out of school when you knocked her up, so we’re going to make sure she goes back to college as well.”“I can take care of my family,” Viper said.“Yes, but you won’t, or else you would have already done so by now. You’re a piece of shit, wannabe thug, and they deserve better, so you’re gonna get outta town and stay gone.”“Sure thing, I’ll just be on my way, then,” he said.“Not so fast. That’s just the first reason for you to leave. My second reason. My Sergeant at Arms, Clutch, and our new associate from the Dogs of Fire, Hatch, also have reasons of their own.”Clutch got directly in Viper’s face. “I’m the fuckin’ stic
MinusCricket wasn’t lying when she said Booker was good at what he did. The information he was able to dig up on Viper was invaluable. As it turns out, he and the Dogs of Fire were more than happy to lend a hand in any effort to rid Portland of the growing scourge of Los Psychos. Within hours, he’d given us Viper’s real name, but also names and addresses of several of Viper’s known associates and family members, his full criminal record, and most importantly the current residence of his baby mama (along with little Viper Jr.) in Old Town.Clutch and two of our club’s most trusted officers, Wolf and Goldie, currently stood with me outside of said residence, along with Hatch (acting as an official presence from the Dogs of Fire). I’d sworn an oath to them that we were not here to execute anyone. We were armed and prepared to defend ourselves, but my goal was to avoid bloodshed at all costs.We’d staked out the apartment all last night and through this morning. Viper’s old lady and kid
Minus“Everything,” I said. “Just because we haven’t been able to find a paper trail on him, doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. Ask Booker to throw everything he can on this guy, and I’ll make sure he’s compensated fairly.”“He won’t take your money. I can guarantee that,” she said.“Then, tell him he’ll be helping to take a bad guy off the streets, and that the Burning Saints will owe him one.”“What are you thinking, Minus?” Cutter asked.“I’m thinking we can either solve this the way we used to, with brawn, and start a war with Los Psychos by killing Viper and his crew…”“Or?”“Or, we can use our brains and find a way to end this before things get worse for everyone,” I said.“I agree, but what’s data-mining gonna do for us at this point? The war has already started, hasn’t it? I mean, shots have been fired. Look at you!” Clutch exclaimed. “I’m the club’s Sergeant and I’m saying it’s time to hit Los Psychos now. While they’re down.”“We don’t even know if they are down, Clutch! For al