Page 13 of Crow
The SUV crawled through the slippery streets while the blinding snow intensified. The wipers squeaked as they stick-slipped across the windshield. By the time they arrived at the motel, Jim was fast asleep and snoring.
Crow clasped the old man’s shoulder and shook him lightly. “Wake up, dude. We’re here.”
Nothing.
Two more attempts to rouse Jim proved futile, so while muttering a string of cuss words under his breath, Crow exited the car and trekked over to the passenger’s side. Leaning down low, he turned Jim toward him as best he could, then hoisted the man over his shoulder and walked into the lobby of the Blue Spruce.
After settling Jim into his room, buying a bunch of junk food at the service station a block away from the motel, and placing a six-pack of beer in the mini-fridge, Crow had finally arrived at the MC’s clubhouse. He’d check on Jim in the morning, but the way the snow was piling up, he was pretty sure Jim wouldn’t be venturing out too early.
Ice pellets bounced from his leather jacket as he crossed the white-covered lot. Overhead, tree branches groaned against the howling wind while flurries of white swirled around him, blurring everything in sight.
Slowly, he trudged toward the clubhouse entrance, grabbed the door handle and turned it, and a flood of yellow light washed over him as he walked inside. The acrid smell of weed along with the sweet scent of cheap perfume filled the air, and warmth surrounded him like a cocoon.
“Hey, bro,” Aztec called out.
Crow lifted his fist in the air and strolled over to the bar.
“It’s brutal out there,” Aztec said. “I was on my bike when I got caught in this shit.”
Crow picked up the shot of Jack the prospect put in front of him and threw it back, then laughed. “Muerto rode his bike into work today too. Don’t you fuckers listen to the news?” He put the glass down on the bar, and a filled one replaced it.
“Nope, I got better things to do than listen to a bunch of lies.”
“Agreed, but the weather is not really biased, you know?” He threw back the second shot.
“I don’t know about that.” Aztec picked up his beer bottle. “How did Muerto get home?”
“His old lady picked him up. He rolled his bike into the back of the pool hall. What about you?”
“I was headed to Tula but turned around when it started coming down pretty steady.”
The overly sweet scent of citrus and jasmine curled around him; then, he felt Ruby’s soft body as she leaned into him.
“Hey, baby. You’re gonna catch a cold if you don’t take off your jacket.” The dark-haired club girl tugged at the front of his coat.
Aztec chuckled. “She wants to get closer to you.”
“She’s been asking about you all day,” Cueball added as he joined the group.
Crow smiled and met Ruby’s dark eyes. “Is that right?”
She nuzzled her face against his shirt, then looked up and met his gaze. “Yeah, baby. I missed you.”
The softness in her dark eyes reminded him of Angela, and he snapped his head back. Why the hell was he thinking ofherwhen Ruby was rubbing against him all hot and ready?
“Chow’s on,” Cueball said.
“Are you hungryagain?” Aztec asked.
“Damn straight.”
“Are you hungry?” Ruby whispered. Her warm breath caressed his ear, her breast was soft against his chest.
Eagle clasped his shoulder. “Come on, dude. You and Ruby can fuck later.”
A sigh slid from his lips as he stepped back. She wrinkled her forehead, her lips pursing into a slight pout.
“I’ll see you around,” he said.
