“You mind if I borrow him?” Rock asks Rooster.
“Not at all.” Rooster slaps his hand on Jigsaw’s back and shoves him forward. “All yours, Prez.”
Jigsaw frowns at Rooster, then turns and nods at Rock. “What do you need?”
“Ride with us. We’re going out to the funeral home, and I’d like another body with us.” The corners of his mouth curl up at the pun.
He can’t be serious. “Uh, Rock?” I tap his shoulder.
He throws me a shut-the-fuck-up scowl.
“Yeah.” Jiggy throws a look at Rooster who shoots a shit-eating grin and jogs into the woods. “Sure.”
“Thanks.” Rock turns and walks toward his bike.
I hurry to catch up with him. Behind us, Jiggy’s bike starts up again.
“What the fuck, Rock? Why do you want to bring Jigsaw in on this? You heard what Z said. I don’t need him trying to collect trophies from the corpses.”
He stops and slowly turns my way. “Are you questioning me?”
Behind him, Murphy silently laughs and drags a finger across his throat.
“Yeah, I am.” I throw my arm toward the clubhouse. “You just said it. This is my deal.”
“And?” He raises an eyebrow.
“I don’t want him scaring the shit out of old man Cedarwood.”
Rock flicks his gaze in Jigsaw’s direction. “Rooster wouldn’t risk taking him out on Shelby’s tours if he couldn’t behave himself. I want someone else we trust to have some knowledge about this business venture.”
“Then ask Z to come.”
“Z’s busy.”
“What about Dex?”
“Also busy. Crystal Ball needs his attention.” He cocks his head. “Jiggy’s a brother. He’s an officer downstate, not some hangaround. What’s your problem?”
“I already told you.”
“I’m gettin’ offended, Prez.” Murphy steps up to Rock and hooks his thumbs in his pockets, rocking back on his heels like a smug jackass. “The three of us aren’t enough to scare Marcel’s ghoulish pal?”
“He’s not my pal.” I grit my teeth. Why am I so bothered? Since Z took over Downstate, he and Rock have been running the two charters almost as one. But part of me still feels the years-long divide between the two clubs. The desire to shut out Downstate and keep our business a closely held secret is second nature. “You’re right,” I apologize.
Rock blinks and cups his ear. “Come again? I’m not sure I heard you correctly.”
“You heard me,” I growl and stalk away.
Murphy and Rock share a word but they’re too far behind for me to make out what they’re saying. I ease onto my bike and fire it up without further argument. Through a quick set of hand signals, Rock motions for Murphy to ride by his side, and for Jigsaw and me to follow. Makes sense. President and vice president followed by the treasurer and road captain. Not sure why I’m bent about it.
Jiggy rolls up next to me and plants his feet on the ground. “You all right with me tagging along?” he shouts.
Not like I have a choice.
But Jiggy’s expression is devoid of his usual mischievous fuckery. He’s all business, which makes me feel like an asshole. “Yeah, brother. Thanks for coming.”
He nods and slips his visor down, covering his face.