Club Justice (16 page)

Anger cooling, he turned his attention to more immediate problems. Pain lanced through his hand as he tried in vain to straighten his fingers out. The knuckles were scraped and bleeding, the hand already swelling. Cursing his lack of control, his mind spun with plausible explanations. Gingerly wrapping a couple towels around it, he concealed it in his pocket and ducked out of the bathroom.

Chapter Eighteen

Mox’s meaty shoulder slammed Sambo into the break room wall. The guitar slinger’s eyes narrowed. The ox had been a little clumsier than normal the past couple of days, and he always seemed to be on the receiving end. Things were getting downright dangerous in the shop. A car hood had almost taken his head off when the prop bar had been
accidentally
knocked loose. 

“You got an issue with me, bro?”

“Why? You doing something I should have a problem with?”

Sambo’s brow furrowed at the open challenge in the kid’s voice and body language. This wasn’t at all like their laid-back giant.

“If I am, be a man and tell me. Don’t sulk like a kid.”

“Where were you that night?”

The question was so soft, Sambo almost didn’t catch it. The look on the big man’s face was anything but soft. A murderous glint shone from his pale eyes as he waited for an answer.

“What night?”

“The night The Lantern burned down … conveniently not with you or your shit in it.”

The venom in Mox’s voice surprised him, and he found himself straightening subtly, readying for a confrontation.

“Most of my shit did burn up in that fire. I had a recording gig in Cleveland that night and then went to G.G.’s place after. I just have the equipment I had with me and a couple changes of clothes that I kept at her place. What’re you getting at, bro?” 

A little aggression drained from the big man as he thought that over.

“Who’s G.G.?”

“Gia Graddy, the chick that just opened the music store beside the Book Nook.”

“Does Ginny know about her?”

“I don’t think they’ve met. I was thinking of inviting her to Reaper’s birthday bash tonight. Look, I don’t know what’s going on in that thick skull of yours, but I didn’t have anything to do with the fire. I would never hurt Zeke and Ginny. Jesus, Zeke saved my life in Kuwait; more than once. Ginny was one of the first people to make me feel at home here in Trinity Falls. Why the hell would I screw them over?”

Sambo’s words made too much sense. Sincerity and a little hurt shone from his amber eyes. Maybe this, like Zeke and Ginny’s money problems, had been exaggerated.

“I’m sorry, man. I guess I just got a lot on my mind lately. What with all the talk about arson and it being intentional to collect insurance money, I’m a little paranoid.”

“Everyone is, brother, but we can’t turn on one another.”

“I know. It’s just that I’m worried about Zeke and Ginny. If the insurance company refuses to pay out…” Mox’s voice trailed off but Sambo nodded.

“They’ll pay. It just might take some time.”

“It seems like all we do lately is wait. I’ve never been very good at waiting,” Mox said wryly.

“Tough luck kid, it’s the only choice we got right now.”

Ginny’s practiced gaze ran over the gathering, ensuring all was in place. Bonfires dotted the canal bank and the big doors to the clubhouse were thrown open in a parody of welcome.  A few well-placed Lords watched the comings and goings with a careful eye. Outside the door, the big hog roaster billowed smoke, emitting a mouthwatering aroma.  Inside, a banner bearing the moving salutation, LONG LIVE THE REAPER hung over the bar with a multitude of black and red balloon clusters dotting the massive basement. The food tables groaned under the load of side dishes and desserts, including a traditional birthday cake complete with enough black candles to burn the place down. The birthday boy was ensconced on a couch near the bar, surrounded by his brothers and Lee in his lap. He looked happy.

Her eyes narrowed in interest, noting a couple newcomers to their little family circle. A blond pixie melded easily against Sambo’s side, seeming at ease under his arm. She was a cute little thing with fine boned features and a sprinkling of freckles. Gin admired her green crushed velvet bustier and Levi ensemble. The girl seemed comfortable in her own skin, her hazel eyes glancing around in curiosity but no fear or shock evident there.

The other girl sat next to Tech with her long leg propped over his knee, foot bare and ankle wrapped. A homespun honey-blonde with big doe eyes, the girl was also a stranger. A niggle of worry made Ginny’s teeth tug at her bottom lip. Strangers to Trinity were always a reason for suspicion and two infiltrating their inner circle at a time was unheard of. Reaching out and grabbing Giblet on the way past, she pulled the startled prospect to her side.

“What do you know about the girls with Tech and Sambo?” she demanded without niceties.

“Uh, the blond with Sambo runs the new music store over next to the bookstore and I have no idea who that is with Tech.”

“GG’s?”

“Uh, yeah. That’s the name of it and I think her name too. He was talking about her the other day,” the kid said uncertainly.

Ginny nibbled her bottom lip in thought.

“Is there a problem?”

“I don’t know yet, but I sure as hell don’t like new pussy coming into this club without me knowing something about them.”

“You want me to ask around?”

“No. No, I got it. Thanks prospect.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Ginny watched the skinny kid wander on his way and contemplated the two women again. The pixie met her gaze and hazel clashed for a moment until she tilted her lips up to Sambo’s ear. His attention turned to Ginny and a grin spread across his face. Too far away to hear what he said Ginny didn’t miss his nod in Zeke’s direction or the return of the girl’s attention to herself and the respectful nod of acknowledgement. Pursing her lips in thought, Ginny nodded back and made her way to Zeke’s side.

“What’s bothering you, baby?” he murmured in her ear as he kissed her in greeting.

“I’m just watching out for our club.”

Zeke followed her gaze and shook his head.

“Relax and enjoy the party. Neither of those guys is stupid. The new pussy will work itself out, if your glaring doesn’t send them scurrying for cover.”

Ginny couldn’t hold back a snort at that comment.

“Maybe Tech’s honey, but the pixie is made of sterner stuff.”

“You can tell that already?” Zeke asked with a doubtful grimace.

“It’s in her eyes, Zeke, her body language. I would bet the little bitch has Irish in her and I ain’t going on the damn freckles.”

“Just what we fucking need around here is another damn sister of the shamrock to join your cackling covenant,” Zeke muttered with an eye roll.

Ginny smacked his shoulder in good-natured rebuke.

Curled at his side sipping a margarita, G.G. seemed a million miles away. She had been strangely quiet all evening. As outspoken as she generally was, that worried him. Brushing his lips over her temple, he murmured,

“Ground control to G.G.”

She shuddered, her freckled nose scrunching in disgust.

“I hate that song.”

“Not one of my favorites either I must admit, but it was appropriate. Where were you?”

“I’m right here beside you, silly man.”

“Physically yes, but you were lost in thought.”

“I’m just taking everything in, trying to understand who you are and how you fit in here.”

“You don’t believe in nibbling do you? That’s an awful big bite.”

“I’ve never been the dangle my toes in type. I tend to jump in with both feet but I’ve been burned enough times I like to at least gather what information I can.”

“That can be dangerous around here.”

The flat tone of his voice held threat enough to make G.G. pay heed.

“Do you expect blind obedience or just blatant stupidity from women then?”

Sambo’s lips pressed into a thin line of displeasure.

“Neither.”

“I’m not trying to stereotype here, but looking around I get the feeling that there is a hierarchy and basic …umm …ground rules that I don’t know. You can see it even in the way the people in town look at the Lords. Walking into a subculture that I don’t understand without trying to wrap my brain around the basics, would be beyond stupid. Impulsive and adventurous, yes, but I’m not a fool.”

“I never called you a fool.”

“And yet you hoped. You are damn sexy, Samuel, but I won’t walk into a relationship with a man with your kind of baggage with my eyes closed.”

“Is this one of those ‘we need to talk’ moments that women love so much?”

“I wasn’t the one that started the conversation. I was watching and learning. I was willing to bide my time with your club and you.”

“But you have questions.”

“Sure I have questions, but I wasn’t about to blurt them out here in front of God, Country and Blue Oyster Cult. I do understand that discretion is the better part of valor.”

Sambo leaned back with a sigh, his dark eyes troubled. Glancing around, he speared long fingers through his hair. 

G.G.. nodded softly, regret evident in her voice when she spoke.

“Maybe it’s too soon to get to know your friends. Perhaps when we know one another better, and then, maybe not. Thank you for a great meal and a good time. I hope to see you around.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I know, but I probably should for me. Take care, Samuel.”

Kissing his cheek, she shouldered her purse and blended into the press of bodies.

The tattoo parlor was quiet save for the buzz of the gun as Sambo touched up the color on Zeke’s back piece.

“What’s bothering you, brother?” Zeke rumbled, watching the brooding artist in the mirror.

Sambo looked up in surprise, meeting his eyes. Shaking his head, he dropped his eyes back to his work.

“Nothing’s bothering me. I must have over imbibed last night.”

“So it wouldn’t be anything to do with the hot little pixie that left early?”

“You don’t miss much do you?”

“I wouldn’t be much of a president if I did, and besides if I do, Ginny don’t.”

“Is that what this is about? Tell the queen I’m sorry I didn’t get her royal blessing beforehand, but it looks like we don’t need to worry about that now.”

“What happened?”

“She’s too damn smart.”

Zeke snorted.

“My badass bride is too damn smart for her own good at times, but I love her.”

“I don’t know. Maybe you got lucky with Gin getting in on the ground floor. I can’t see living a life full of lies and the stupid ones bore me.”

Zeke’s brow furrowed in thought as he lit up a cigar.

“What kind of questions is she asking?”

“She isn’t yet. She was just watching and thinking. You could see the wheels turning and the question marks dancing in those sweet hazel eyes.”

“Sounds like you’re borrowing trouble. As to ‘sweet hazel eyes’, someone sounds a bit taken.” 

“She is,” Sambo shrugged “an intriguing woman, but it won’t work. She is too inquisitive to just be put off with the ‘don’t ask and I won’t have to lie to you’ policy. So there is no reason to even get it started.”

“While we aren’t always a bunch of choir boys, there isn’t a lot that falls into the ‘I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you’ category. Even then, between you and me, brother to brother, do you honestly think that is the way things work behind closed doors at my house?”
Sambo looked up again, but Zeke seemed uncommonly interested in running his cigar along the rim of the ashtray.  

“What do you mean?” he asked cautiously. 

“It’s a simple question. Do you think that I keep Ginny in the dark, be it work or club business?”

“We don’t talk Lord business with anyone not a Lord. Are you saying Ginny is a club member?”

Zeke nodded slowly, still twirling his stogie between his fingers. Slowly he glanced up and met Sambo’s gaze square in the mirror.

“Not a member so to speak, women can’t patch into the Lords of Mayhem, but Ginny bent over the bar in the clubhouse and took the brand that marks her loyalty not only to me, but to the club as well. That’s my name with the crown dangling from the K, but that is the Lord’s dragon snarling it’s defiance to anyone who would try to say that she doesn’t belong.”

Emotions, questions and even a few answers whirled behind Sambo’s dark eyes as he processed his president and best friend’s words. 

“I never thought about it that way,” he admitted, still unsure.

“It takes a damn special woman to take that brand. I’m not telling you that Tinkerbelle there has it. What I
am
saying to you brother, is not to sell yourself, or her, short. You can’t know if she is that woman if a few questions you haven’t even heard prevent you from finding out. The love of a good woman is one thing, but the love and loyalty of a great woman is a great thing. Any man can find a bitch to walk behind him, it takes a special one to be worthy of walking beside him,” Zeke said with a knowing arch of his silvered brows and a puff on his cigar. 

Dragging his gaze from Zeke’s, Sambo focused on the tat, mulling over the other man’s words.

“Jesus. They call me the soulful one. When did you get so deep?”

“Just speaking from the heart, brother. There aren’t many topics I’m passionate about, but my queen is one of them. Just don’t tell her that. The woman is insufferable enough,” Zeke said with a chuckle.

“I pray I am lucky enough to find one like her.”

“She’s a treasure and a curse, but one I would die to keep. Good luck, brother.”

G.G. looked up at the bell and stilled, her eyes narrowing. Hazel clashed with hazel as the two women sized one another up. Physically giving up several inches to the statuesque queen, G.G. raised her chin a bit in defiance.

“Can I help you?”

“Maybe. You want to tell me what that bullshit was with Sambo last night?”

“Maybe you should ask him about that.”

“I’m asking you.”

“I won’t walk blind into a subculture I don’t understand. That would be like a Mormon woman wandering into a BDSM club.”