Then again, she still needed to get used to my life with the Reckless Bastards. She hadn’t said as much but I could tell Rocky’s views hadn’t changed much and the guys hadn’t done shit to help change her mind. I just had to hope that I would be enough to change it.
“Sounds like there’s a party going on.” Rocky’s hand tightened in mine as we arrived at the club and her steps grew slower, more cautious.
I clocked the guys standing out front and the closed gates meant that some shit had gone down. “Hey guys, what’s going on?”
Stitch stopped twiddling with his moustache and grinned.
“Hey Lasso man, glad to see you’re in one piece. We’re on lockdown. Some fucktards broke into your house and then showed up at Mandy’s store, breaking shit and threatening her. Worst of fucking all, they tried to knock off the Mayhem & Medicine Dispensary. I fuckin’ love that place, man.”
I held back a smirk. Stitch was equal parts teenage boy, efficient killer and weapons expert. “Did they get anything?”
“Nothing besides a fuckin’ beat down. Cross and the guys are inside.” He stepped aside, and I ushered Rocky in ahead of me though she stuck close to my side, leaving barely any room between us. Not that I was complaining.
“Thanks, Stitch.”
I didn’t bother with an introduction because I was sure he knew who Rocky was. I didn’t know his opinion on the situation and I didn’t give a damn. Inside really was like a party, but lockdowns always were. There were several tables piled high with food, tubs of beer buried in ice, one of the newest brothers worked the bar and the Reckless Bitches made sure the guys were distracted. In the corner were Teddy, Mandy and Jana with their babies.
“Lockdown?”
“All the family comes here so we can deploy resources to protect our interests.”
Rocky looked around, eyes as wide as saucers before turning them back up to me. “Can I have a gun?”
I smiled. “Do you know how to use a gun?”
She rolled her eyes at me and for a moment I felt like we were a real couple. “Like you don’t remember Max gave me lessons?”
“Of course I do. But can you shoot in your condition?”
Bonehead move. I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. “Okay, fine. If you’re sure. I’ll get you a gun.”
“Granted my accuracy isn’t the greatest,” she added “but I can wound with the best of ’em.”
With all hell breaking loose around us, Rocky could still make me laugh. “You’re so damn cute when you get all southern gunslinger on me,” I said, wanting to take her somewhere private right then and really show my appreciation. But I just whispered in her ear and said, “Okay, yes, I’ll get you a gun.”
“Thanks, and don’t get me some bullshit piece like a .22, I’m warning you.” She groaned and stepped back. Seconds later I could see why.
“You’re back,” Cross said, Savior at his side.
“I am. No trouble to report on our end. How’s my place looking?”
“Like shit,” Savior said. “They clearly didn’t find that big fucker Big Boy, so they just trashed the place. No significant damage, just broken glass and shit like that.” He still wore a frown. “They were gone by the time we showed up. It’s a good thing too because we’re running out of places to hide these bodies you keep dropping.”
Yeah, because it was my fucking fault. Whatever. “That all?”
“No.” Cross stood closer, face as implacable as ever. “We’re at a huge disadvantage here because this is our home turf, all of our shit is right here for them to fuck up.”
Jag joined the circle and clapped a hand to my back.
“About that,” I said without looking at him. “Rocky has a good plan that can help. If you’re in, that is.” Because I was done asking. Either they would help, or they wouldn’t.
“A plan? If she can plan this shit, why can’t she just do what the fuck he wants?” Savior growled, glaring at Rocky.
“The same reason you tried to protect Mandy from Roadkill, asshole. You know what, forget it. Let’s go, Rocky.”
“Fuck,” Cross growled behind me. “Fine, let’s hear it. Not here though.”
I held Rocky’s hand and followed my