Page 31 of Savior
“I’m so sorry…”
“You’re going to be if you don’t get away from me.” I warn her. “I’m sure Dean will be less than thrilled when I tell him what you’re harassing me about.”
She nods. “Alright. Just… think about it. If not for Lucinda, then Maddie?”
I can’t help glaring at her now. “You have no idea how often I think about it… Dean almost died that night. And your sister is more than partially to blame for that!”
“Vanna, I swear to God, Lucinda never meant for any of that to happen.” Tamra insists. “She’d never want Dean harmed. She was devastated…”
“Right. She just wanted me dead.” I look over at Cherry, who is intently watching us, along with Rosita and Trippy. As soon as I shake my head at her, dismayed by the audacity of this encounter, she’s storming back over to me. Cherry might be a pint-sized little pixie of a woman, but she is fiercely loyal and protective of the people she cares about. I’m happy to be counted now, as one of those people.
Turning back to Tamra, I tell her, “I want you and your evil bitch of a sister, to stay the hell away from Dean and I. She’s done enough.”
With a defeated sigh, Tamra nods and walks away from me. As Cherry, Rosita and the other two Saviors’ girls return to our little area, I grab the bottle of Jack Daniels on the mini bar. I’ve never taken a real liking to it, but I could really use a shot or two. And right now, I’m not picky at all.
“That her?” Magnum, President of the Asphalt Knights, asks once we’re all seated around the table inside the Jokers’ conference room. Can’t say I’m impressed with his tone. “She the reason we lost Shane?” He leans against the table, his tatted arm resting against the surface as he studies me.
“You actually consider Shane, a loss?” I try to retain an impassive expression as my memory takes me back to the night I first laid eyes on Vanna… How Shane had her trapped in that bathroom stall, about to assault her. “Bunch of fuckin’ comedians here tonight.” I growl, Viking chuckling by my side. I hard-eye Slice for his comment earlier about Vanna dancing, then shift my focus back to Magnum. He wisely refrains from commenting further.
“Well, you wanted this meeting before we kick things off tonight. What’s on your mind, Keegan?” Slice asks from the head of the table.
“It’s in all of our best interests to find out why the Chrome Demons are really here.” I say, cutting right to the chase. “They out number us now, individually. But not all together. The time may come where a combined show of force, is necessary.”
“You’re speaking as if this is an inevitable situation. They’ve been quiet since they arrived.” Magnum says.
“Have they?” I ask. “Have you not seen the news as of late?” His expression slides into one of confusion. Apparently not. I shift my focus back to Slice. “There’s a pattern developing. And I can’t help but notice, it started after their arrival.”
“What pattern?” Slice asks.
“The break ins. The OD’s. Hell, there’s even been an up-tick in prostitution charges.” I say. “Granted, it’s mainly happening in our county. But you know how this shit goes. It spreads like wild fire.”
“Might soon become an issue in your counties as well. You do border ours.” Viper chimes in.
“And you think it’s the CDMC?” Magnum asks, gripping his black beard as he strokes it, seemingly in contemplation.
“Oh, I know it is.”
“And you can prove this?” Slice asks.
“If I could prove this, I would be here to formulate a plan of attack to eradicate them. Not simply asking for you to have your crews keep their eyes and ears open for CDMC activity.” I reply. “But this shit, what’s happening in our county, it reeks of the Demons. And like I said, wasn’t an issue to this extent, before their arrival.”
“Alright.” Slice nods, “I’ll put the word out to our members.”
“The CDMC isn’t even in Bermuda County.” Magnum interrupts. “They’re in mine, and so far, we haven’t had the issues you’re talking about. Not to mention, wasn’t Legion a friend of your former President’s? Maybe you’re reaching, Keegan.”
Viper and I exchange a quick glance. I’m not the only one picking up on Magnum’s strange reluctance to cooperate.
“I’d still like to get a hold of Legion and ask him myself.” I say, looking at Magnum a little harder now. He’s been off with me, since they had to put Shane out bad after what he pulled with Vanna. And I’m not going to bother bringing up the Bible in Preacher’s office. My own crew is beginning to wonder if that was pure coincidence. That perhaps Preacher committed suicide over losing the club he’s been a part of for thirty-five years. There is something different about Magnum, though. I don’t like it, and I hope it only has to do with hard feelings over Shane, but I have to ask. “You wouldn’t happen to know where Legion is, would you?”
“I wouldn’t.” Magnum replies, and I note the slight squint of his eyes.
“Well, he rides a heavily chromed Indian Chief motorcycle. Unless he’s got others. I don’t know. But I’d like to have a talk with him, so if you wouldn’t mind putting that word out to your crews, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Slice says, a grin etching across his face as he leans forward. “But just so we’re clear, I know how you can get, Keegan. Do you want a phone call, or a special delivery?”
I chuckle at his meaning. “A friendly detainment, then a phone call, would suffice.”
When I find Vanna outside, she’s with a small group of women, dancing to the live Rock music. The way she moves.... Her arms up in the air above her head, crossed at the wrists, swaying those hips, working those fuckin’ feminine curves, drives me wild. Her glassy eyes meet mine, and I can tell she’s had a few.
