Page 60 of Army
“Clear?”
“I guess.”
“Okay. What about the roses?”
He hesitated. “Pass.”
“Okey dokey.” Petra’s fingers flew over the keyboard.
Army looked over at Goldie. “Go smoke a fuckin’ joint.”
“Don’t you want me to know your chick’s name and address?”
Army scowled and Goldie chuckled while he stood up. “I’ll stack those boxes on the shelves,” he said to Petra as he disappeared into the back room.
“It’s hard for guys to order in front of their friends. I think it’s a macho thing,” she said as she pushed up her glasses.
Army didn’t answer but a multitude of emotions coursed through him. He almost changed his mind when Petra asked for Mia’s name and address, but he didn’t, and by the time Goldie came back out, the order was paid for: the flowers would arrive at Mia’s house the following day—he’d paid extra for overnight delivery.
“I’m taking off,” he said to Goldie. “See you later at Lust.”
“I’m gonna be at the dispensary tonight.”
Suddenly, the teasing from earlier disappeared, and the seriousness of what may happen later that night fell over the two men.
“I got the vibe some shit’s gonna go down,” Army said after Petra went in the back.
“Me too.” Goldie ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m worried about Hailey.”
“I know.” Army clasped Goldie’s arm. “Are some of the brothers watching the old ladies?”
“Yeah. They’re all going to Steel’s house. The kids too. Breanna’s been preparing for it all day. They’ll have dinner and do whatever shit women do.”
“Are the prospects gonna watch them?”
“Yeah. I told Hailey to call me if anything goes down.”
“They should be all right.” But Army knew they were empty words because the damn Pistons wouldn’t hesitate to hurt women or children. Both men stood quietly, each lost in thought.
The front door opened and the chime broke through their musings. Army lifted his chin at Goldie then turned around. An older woman and man walked past him as he went out of the store. He jumped on his Harley and made his way to Lust.
* * *
Stars splashed acrossthe sky like diamond-splattered blood but cast nothing to lift the impenetrable inky blackness blanketing the town. The occasional beam from a passing guard illuminated the luxury cars parked in Lust’s parking lot. The muffled beats of music and voices filtered from the club.
“Everything good?” Army asked, coming around the back of the building.
Dennis—one of four extra security guards they’d hired from Sangre’s company—stepped back a little as if startled. “Yeah. Seems pretty quiet back here. It’d be better if it wasn’t so dark.” He looked up at the moonless sky.
“The security spotlights should help, but not having a new moon would’ve been better. A lot of dark corners and shit to check out. I’m headed around the front. If you need any of us, you know what to do.” Army made his way to the front of Lust when he saw Eagle and Crow coming out the side door.
“All’s good?” Crow asked as he fell in step with Army.
“Seems to be. I’m checking on Paul in the front. How’s it going inside?”
“Those guys can fuckin’ party.” Crow laughed.
“And they got a shitload of money to burn. The girls will make a killing tonight,” Eagle added as he trailed behind.
