Chapter Fourteen
Abel
As the meeting comes to an end, I stand. “Alright, we’ll meet back here tomorrow for Sunday dinner, because come next week, playtime is over. Have a good night, fellas.” Dipping my head at them, I turn around and leave.
“We’re really doing this.” Capone yelps, slapping me on my shoulders as he catches up to me. “Hey, man, listen, I wanted to thank you for introducing me to Emily. She’s, she’s… Amazing.” I notice the way his eyes frost over each time he mentions the girl that’s captivated him beyond words.
“No worries. How are things with you two?” Even though I know exactly how they’re going because I hear about them from Emily non-stop at the office.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love how much more relaxed she is around me now that we’ve opened up to each other.
“Oh, I just, I don’t know, man. I can’t explain it.” This is the first time I’ve ever heard him fumble over his words like this. I’ve never seen him serious about anyone before, and as much of a player as he is… This is definitely throwing me off.
“No, man, I get it.” I smirk.
“Whatever happened to your girl? You know, the one that you banged in the bathroom that night?”
“We didn’t bang in the bathroom, Cap… We fucked.” I smirk again before my mood turns sour. “She left in the middle of the night, and I haven’t spoken to or seen her since.”
“Fuck, man, I’m sorry to hear that.” He starts, but I hold up a hand to stop him.
“Fuck that! Don’t do that shit. I’m fine, perfectly fine. Life goes on, there’s pussy to get and fun to be had. I’m not hung up on her.” I lie to myself. It sounds so much better in my head. When my eyes circle back around to his, I find him watching me. “Seriously, dude, fuck off, I’m fine.”
“If that’s so true, why haven’t you been out with us like normal?”
“I’ve been out.”
“Yeah, just to show your face and then you split after like five minutes or go hide out in the back.”
“More like ten, but who’s keeping tabs.” I say, heading for the door.
“We’ve all noticed, it’s just that the others are too chicken shit to say anything.” He says loud enough for them to hear, following close behind me. “But I’m your one true friend, and I’ll be damned if I don’t tell you how much of a dick move it is for you not to try and find this girl. We all know the one you banged in the bathroom a few weeks ago.” He snickers, running off before I can reach out and try to snatch his ass.
“Shut your fucking mouth, Capone.” I yell, missing him by an inch.
“Nope! You should go find her. We’re all tired of you sulking around here and there looking like you lost your best friend.” He says, running from the room with Knuckles hot on his trail.
“Don’t worry about him, he’ll get a just punishment for that.” Ironclad says, trying to contain his own laughter.
“Okay, you too, huh?” Ironclad only snickers more. “I’m fucking outta here.”“Don’t forget Sunday dinner tomorrow or Foxy will have our asses.” He yells to my retreating back.
There’s no way I’d miss Sunday dinner. It’s when we all get together for a day of good eating and spending time with the family.
Every Sunday, we take turns cooking the meals. This week, it’s the ol' ladies turn to cook while we’re in charge of planning the fun. It’s a Sunday tradition nobody’s gonna break.
Clive started it, so we’ll be damn sure to keep it up in his honor.
I’ll have to make sure Capone invites Emily. She’s a part of this family now, so it’s only right she joins in. Pulling out my phone, I shoot her a quick text too, pocketing my phone without waiting for her reply.
Since it’s still early in the day, I’m going to spend it cleaning my bike and maybe taking a ride later to clear my head.
The guys with all their questions and observations are wearing on my last fucking nerve. I’m not hung up on some woman I had one great night with.
The best damn night since Courtney.
Better actually.
I loved her vulnerability, the way she let me guide her, the fucking way she felt.
My God, she felt amazing.
I haven’t been able to fuck anyone who isn’t her, and that’s a fucking problem.
Getting a woman isn’t, it’s getting them in bed, trying to fuck them, and seeing her face instead. I’ve been slapped more times in the last two weeks than I ever have in all my life.
“Get a fucking grip, Abel.” Chasting myself seems to work. I say my goodbyes, hop on my bike, and head home.
Hours after I finish cleaning my bike, I decide to take a ride to the club, just to check on things.
Cruising downtown, seeing a few different businesses come to life as the night falls has me thinking.
There are no gun or pawn shops anywhere in sight. Everywhere you turn is a bootleg corner store, a mom and pop shop, or a gym. I know this isn’t an uppity neighborhood, and it’s overrun with people that don’t need to be out in these streets, but those are two places that can bring in a lot of revenue as well as give folks in need of jobs one.
Those are two establishments that will provide a little something for everyone, especially with the crime rate going up like it is.
The Anarchy Saints can definitely turn this part of town upside down and reap the benefits it’ll sow.
Who knows, pretty soon, I’ll start looking for a place to open up shop here.
Passing up a few good opportunities on my stroll out, I see some vacant locations that have potential.
I see it, I want it, and I’ll take it if I have to.
I wonder what Ivy would think if she knew the type of man I really was. I’m not all good, but I ain’t that bad either. If she would have stuck around to find out, I know we could have worked.
Even though I have a past, who doesn’t? At least I don’t kill for fun, anymore, I kill those that deserve it.
Take for instance those fuckers from the club. I haven’t had a chance to find them since that night, but I’ve heard of the motorcycle crew they run with and all those assholes need to be six feet under.
If I ever see either of them in my club again, I’ll strip them of their life.
Passing an empty building in between a sketchy looking gym and a tattoo shop, I see a for sale sign. Making a U-turn, causing the car behind me to lay on their horn, to which I flip them off, I circle back around to the spot in question.
Parking my bike on the side of the street, I hop off, phone in hand, ready to snap a picture of the information.
“What’s up, young blood?” I hear someone say.
Looking around, I see a man leaned against the side of the building, watching everything that passes by which gives me an idea. “Chilin’. Say, what can you tell me about this spot?” I ask, motioning between the buildings.
I don’t expect him to answer me, or better yet, he’ll offer me the information for a small fee.
He surprises the shit out of me when he freely gives me what I ask for.
“A lot more goes on here than just a gym and tattoo parlor, that’s for sure.” He says, pushing off the side of the building. “I’ve never seen you in this neck of the woods before.”
“I’m sure you have, but on the flyby. Who runs the shop and gym?”
“A cat named Goon Eye. Young, suave, has the ladies throwing themselves at his feet. He’s a thug, pollutes the community with his drugs.” He spits.
Reaching inside my jacket, I pull out a couple of twenties. “Take my number, call me when you see him again.” His eyes light up at the sight of the money.
“You don’t have to give me nothin’, I’ll share information for free, as long as you get him out of here.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because that bastard is a child killer.” The fuck?
“What do you mean?”
“He recruits teenagers to sell his drugs, in return, he gives them a little weed. But it’s not just any kind of weed, it’s laced.” He frowns. “My seventeen-year-old nephew got mixed up with him. Three weeks later, he was dead, but his death was ruled a suicide because a few cops down here are on his payroll.”
“I’m sorry about your nephew. You keep giving me information like this, and I’ll make sure he’s dealt with.” Seeing as he won’t take the money from me, I shove it in the pocket of his shirt. “He’s my number. Call me when you have any information, doesn’t matter the time or the day.”
“You got it.” He turns to leave, but I stop him.
“Hey, what’s your name?”
“Peter.”
“Nice to meet you, name’s Abel.”
“I’ve heard your name before.” He smiles. “You’re one of the good guys.”
“Nah, ain’t nothin’ good about me.” I say, walking back to my bike and leaving with this new information. I’ve added something else to all the chaos in my life.
And I fucking love it.