I wanted to point out that he had no fucking problem working with the Sons of Sin when it suited him, but all of this shit was his decision. “So, meet Reed and he won’t be a damn stranger, man! Listen, he used to be a scientist for the government, and he helped them make huge strides in their medical marijuana program.”
“Yeah? Then why isn’t he there now?”
I clenched my jaws to avoid the smartass comment that was on the tip of my tongue. “Because he figured he could use his considerable skills to make a shit ton of money when states started legalizing weed. You know you can’t fucking retire on a government pension.”
“I’ll think about it, Stitch.”
“Bullshit. I know I’m the new guy around here but just tell me to fuck off if you don’t want a crack at this. Reed’s shit is good, damn good and high potency. Plus, he does all that funky shit with terpenes and oils, you know the stuff that rich stoners pay a premium for.” His operation was a thing of beauty and the reason I’d been making regular trips up to the Reno area.
“So you want me to ignore our current grower? We have a solid relationship with them.” Cross was stretching now but I had to give i
t one final shot. This would show him, hell it would show the whole club that I wasn’t just some fucked up new patch out to have a good time.
“No, not ignore them. But what if the fields get torched again? Or stolen? Or a fuckin’ DEA raid? Then we’ll be shit outta luck for at least a few months. Come on. Check out Reed’s operation, try a few strains and get some of that new stuff that’ll bring more tourists and high rollers into the dispensaries.” Why in the hell was this so hard to get? I knew he was trying to keep things even after all the shit we’d been through, but he was also being a pussy. “Just meet Reed and see his op.” If he met Reed and they didn’t gel, I’d give it a rest.
“Moon is going out of town this week to visit a couple recluse artists so I’m on daddy duty. I can’t spend a whole day out of Mayhem.” A smile lit up his face when he talked about his woman and her little boy. The kid was too damn smart and so talkative it was hard not to like him, especially since he seemed to breathe new life into Cross. The club was the better for it, but now our Prez was playing it safe. Too safe. “I can’t do it but I appreciate your initiative, Stitch.”
My shoulders fell at his tone. It was a tone I knew well. “Right. See you around, man.” I guess I was going back to being a background player.
“Take Gunnar with you.”
I froze and turned as a slow smile formed on my face. “You won’t regret this.” I dug into my pocket and pulled out a tall purple pill bottle. “Try it out.” I tossed the bottle to him and he caught it with a knowing smile.
“You’re one relentless motherfucker, Stitch.”
“Thanks, Prez. I’ll go find Grumpy Gunnar.” The sound of Cross’ laughter echoed behind me as I went through the front entrance of the clubhouse in search of Gunnar. I found him playing with his baby sister Maisie, lifting her chubby little body in the air while she giggled and kicked her legs.
“What do you want, Stitch?”
Gunnar was such a fucking grumpy bastard that it was too fun to screw with him so I plucked Maisie from his hands which only made her laugh and kick more. “You like me best, don’tcha sweetheart?” I looked down at Gunnar’s dark scowl and laughed when she planted a sopping wet kiss on my nose. “See, it’s all the ladies.”
“What the fuck do you want?”
I told him all about Reed and my next trip. “Cross said to take you with me. Take a look around and give him your impressions. End of week work for you?”
“No, Stitch, it doesn’t. I can’t just leave Maisie for a whole fucking day. I have to find a sitter so I’ll let you know.”
Which meant he would wait me out and try to get out of it. “Figure it out and come find me. Maisie and I will be out in the play area.”
“Asshole,” he growled behind me but I just laughed and carried the laughing two year old to the swings we’d put out back when it became clear the wives, girlfriends and kids would be hanging around the clubhouse a lot more.
While I pushed Maisie on the swing my thoughts went to Marisol. She’d been acting strange for the past few months. On edge but claiming she wasn’t; terrified but calling it stress. She’d lost weight and she wasn’t sleeping, and apparently she didn’t want my fucking help. But for some reason that was exactly what I wanted to do, help her out of whatever trouble she found herself in right now. Since it was just me and Maisie outside, I decided to give her a call. A couple weeks had passed since I’d been up there and I was due for a trip. With or without Gunnar.
“Hey you,” she said in that husky voice that would have made my dick hard if I wasn’t pushing an infant on a swing. “Now isn’t a good time. Do you mind if I call you back?”
“Who the fuck is that? Quien es?” It was a man’s voice, high pitched with a thick Spanish accent.
“None of your business,” she grunted through clenched teeth. “Look,” she said, talking to me again. “I have to deal with this right now but I’ll call you back.”
“No you won’t! Tell that pendejo to fuck off!”
“Is that him, the married fucker?”
“Yes,” she sighed, sounding exhausted and resigned to her fate.
“Want me to come up there?”
“Not now,” she whispered. “He’s jealous and angry. I can handle it.”