“A looker? That woman is a fuck of a lot more than that,” Dice replies. He’s content with being on his own for the most part unless he gets a hankering. He may be well in his fifties, if not older, but the fucker has no problem pulling in the ladies.
“You better watch out, Bullet, or you might have some stiff competition.” Fuckin’ Razor, probably putting ideas in Dice’s head.
“No shit,” I grumble, not wanting to keep this conversation going because I already know Valentina Garcia has my name all over her.
“Alright, anyone else have anythin’ to add?” Shovel is holding the gavel in his hand, ready to slam it down and adjourn church. A chorus of nos ranges throughout the room. The dark wood paneling from the eighties acts as a sound barrier, something Nail had installed when he was still around, filled with pictures of the men who have been a part of our family and have since left this place on earth.
“Church is adjourned.” The gavel echoes in the room. Another thought takes hold of me. It very well could be one of us hanging on the wall in the blink of an eye. And now that there seems to be a Goddamned target on my back, it could happen sooner than later.
“You good?” Doc walks up beside me. The rest of the guys are clearing the room. We’re the only two hanging back—me lost in my thoughts, and Doc could always see when shit’s eating at me.
“Will be as long as my mother quits talkin’ about stoppin’ chemo and radiation. I’m afraid she’s losin’ her will to live.” Truth be told, this is her second time around with breast cancer. The last time she had it was ten or so years ago. The doctor didn’t offer a double mastectomy. This go-around, they did. She had the surgery and is still having to go round and round with pumping chemicals inside her body, mutilating the cancer along with everything else that helps us to fuckin’ breathe.
“That shit’s hard, brother. Couldn’t imagine goin’ through it twice. If you think me talkin’ to her will help, I’ll stop by.” Doc claps my shoulder.
“I’d appreciate that. Mom claims this is the last round she’ll do. She’s gonna leave it in God’s hands next time.” I can’t blame her. This shit has ravaged her body, her beauty, and damn if it isn’t taking bites out of her soul.
“I’ll come around this weekend while you’re at the rally. This way, it’ll give your sister a break, too.”
“That’ll do. Keep Dice away from my sister, yeah?” I ask. Last time he was over to drop off some news about club business, the fucker had his eyes locked on my sister.
“Damn, he’s still got it. I haven’t seen him in action since I settled down with Fallon. It doesn’t surprise me, though.” Doc laughs at my expense.
“You wouldn’t be laughin’ if it were Monroe,” I grouse. That sobers him quickly.
“Asshole,” he says under his breath, then leaves me in my stupor, worried about the bullshit at my back, my mother, and now my sister. Fuck, it’s going to be a long-ass week and weekend.
2
VALENTINA
“Oh girl, you’ve been hiding that rocking body all along,” Aly says as I slide into the passenger seat of her car.
“Well, I can’t necessarily wear these clothes to work, and we are in a male-dominated setting, so there’s also that.” I don’t tell her the real reason. If I did, it would wreck not only my night but also hers.
“That’s true, but, girl, you have it going on. The hair, the face, the body. Don’t even get me started on your sweet personality.” That’s the best thing about Aly. Since the moment I started working at Do-it-best hardware in Ely, she’s been my number-one hype girl.
“Miss girl, look at you. You are gorgeous.” I take her in—hair out to there, full of volume, dark makeup, cropped red corset-style top pushing her breasts up—not that she needs much help; gravity has not taken ahold of her. The black leather mini skirt, fishnet stockings, and combat boots tie it all together.
“Then I’d say we’re both winning at life today. Are you ready to eat, drink, and be merry?” Aly is already pulling out of the driveway, and I almost want to tell her to stop. The quivering nervousness in my belly is full force, making me question everything.
“You got that right.” I muster some enthusiasm even though my thoughts are diving deep into wrong territory, “So, tell me what do I have to look forward to? What should I stay away from?” I ask Aly for advice. Sure, I grew up in Ely fully ensconced with the motorcycle club that’s run here, but I have no idea what a rally consists of and what all happens.