Rhythm of the Road (Lost Kings MC 16)

Jigsaw throws himself down next to me. For the moment, we’re alone. He leans in, digging his elbow into my side. “You get that bit about ATF?” he says against my ear. “Earlier?”

Aw, my boy’s growing up. Figured after the porn overload, he would’ve forgotten all about the earlier, more important conversation.

“I caught it.” I gesture to the room in front of us. “Let’s see if someone’s tongue loosens up as the night goes on.”

We shouldn’t outright ask but one of our brothers is bound to get sloppy eventually.

“How about that porn house?” he asks. “Think Sway shouldn’ve gone that route with Stella, instead of all the hotels?”

I take a sip of beer. “The only thinking Sway put into it was with his dick.”

“True story.”

“But the house is a good idea. A lot less risk. We should let Stella do her thing however she wants. But for the new girls, we should consider a house.”

“Teller will probably say, ‘Real estate is always a wise investment,’” he says, imitating our upstate treasurer’s cocky advice-giving voice perfectly.

“House of the same size will cost a fortune in Union county.”

“Could always look out near Johnsonville.”

I side eye-him. “And what? Let the support club kids run it? You saw the attitude Eraser had. Besides, good luck getting any of the girls to spend time there. It’s so far out in the middle of nowhere.”

He shrugs. “Fuck that. They go where we tell ’em to go or they’re free to find someone else to finance them.”

“Good point.” Except, it pays to keep the talent happy. He’ll learn. “By all means, say that to Stella and let me know how it works out for you.”

“She’s got attitude because she’s so wrapped around Sway’s dick.”

“I think you have that backwards.”

He scratches the side of his head. “Never mind. You know what I mean.”

A mountain of a man everyone calls Pants lumbers over and drops into a chair across from us. “Been a minute, Rooster.” The SAA for this charter reaches out his hand and we shake.

“Good to see you, brother.”

“How ya been, Pants?” Jigsaw salutes.

“Can’t complain.” Pants lifts his chin at me. “You helping with the porn palace?” Judging by his mocking tone, I’m guessing he’s not a fan of his club’s new business venture.

“Doing what I can.”

He half stands and pulls his chair closer. “Ice tell you he’s got hidden cameras all over that place?”

“I thought that was the point?”

“No, so we can keep tabs on her. Make sure she’s not fucking over the club.”

“I think she’s fucking for the club,” Jigsaw quips.

Pants chuckles. “True.”

Shonda wiggles by in a short red dress on the arm of local brother. Jigsaw’s sad puppy eyes follow them to the bar.

“Easy come, easy go, brother.” I slap his leg.

“Yeah, except I didn’t get to come or go yet.”

“You got a thing for Shonda?” Pants grins and throws his arm wide. “We got a club full of bunnies, brother. Take your pick.”

“Yeah, but she’s…” He turns, searching the room for a second. “Got those nice wide hips and ass.” He curls his fingers in the air like he’s gripping, well, a pair of wide hips. “What’s with all the bony bitches, bro?”

I hang my head. “Jesus Christ.”

“What?” Jiggy leans over and punches my arm. “You like ’em thick too, so shut your mouth.”

Pants roars with laughter. “Bony girls need lovin’ too. Give it time, though. It’s still early.”

Jigsaw elbows me and I’m seriously reconsidering my earlier thoughts about his helpfulness. “Why couldn’t your girl be out on tour with some chick bands instead of that sausage fest?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Then I wouldn’t be so desperate.”

“You’re always desperate.”

Pants cracks up and slams one of his meaty paws on the low table in front of us. “Fuck, I’ve missed you two.”

“Well, why don’t you get your big ass up to New York and visit more?”

The smile slides off his face. “How are you handling things since Z staged his coup?”

“Z didn’t stage a fucking coup,” I reply. Shit, Z was right. Good thing he didn’t come with us.

“No?” He raises an eyebrow. “You were all cool with him coming in and taking over?”

“He didn’t ‘come in and take over.’ He busted his ass to prove himself and win our trust,” I answer with a tad more hostility than appropriate.

“Sway trust him too?”

Fuck Sway.

“Look, I got mad respect for Sway.” Lie. “But he was getting sloppy and it was causing issues.” Truth. “And that’s not me talking shit behind his back. I’ve said that straight to his face.” Also true.

“A-fucking-men.” Jigsaw raises his palms toward the ceiling. “Preach it, brother.”

Pants stares at Jiggy. “Whole club feels that way?”

“Fuck yeah.” Jigsaw glances at me. “The two brothers who didn’t, left.”

Left is a bit of a stretch. Shadow’s in the ground and Smoke hightailed it down to Florida to cause trouble with the other retired Lost Kings.