Chapter 20
“Ah, come on. Just one more for the most handsome Viking,” Zara said while pouring Angel another shot he hadn’t asked for from behind the bar in the clubhouse.
Since most of his brothers and club whores still partied at the bend tonight, the bar had been quiet enough for him to drink his sorrow in peace.
“He’s had enough,” Turtle said while taking the bar stool next to Angel.
Angel lifted his head from his arm, resting on top of the bar.
”You”re getting soft in your old age, Turtle. Can”t a man have a drink anymore?” Angel said. He heard the slur in his own voice and figured that Turtle was probably right by cutting him off.
“And you’re turning pretty dumb in your old age, Angel.”
Angel laughed along with Dragon, who’d joined Turtle and him at the bar.
“What do I hear about you keeping secrets from my girl?” Turtle grouched as he cuffed Angel on the back of his head.
“Ouch!”
Dragon laughed. “Priceless.”
“You’re right. I’ve been a dumb piece of shit,” Angel murmured.
“Zara, baby, can we have three waters? And if you ever repeat this order to anyone, I’ll have to lock you up in my room,” Dragon said.
“Now you know I’m gonna blab all about it,” Zara said, giving them all a healthy peek inside her open blouse while leaning forward to grab them three bottles of water from under cooler under the bar.
His dick didn’t even stir. Not even these round, firm tits did it for him.
Angel wanted Nora’s perky tits rubbing against his back as she spooned him in the middle of the night. She’d made him feel safe, and that was a fucking weird realization coming from a Viking built like a warrior—or so he’d overheard one of the girls describe him once.
He’d felt safe enough in Nora’s presence to think back to his childhood. To open up about what happened to his sister Allie. To tell her about his abusive parents.
“Drink up,” Dragon said while pushing a bottle of water in front of his nose.
Angel did what was asked of him with his eyes closed and his mind still on Nora.
“I’ve never seen him this bad,” Dragon said, and Angel heard the worry in his brother’s voice.
“I have. This happens once every year, but this is the second time this year,” Turtle said.
“Every year on the same date?” Dragon asked.
“Yep,” Turtle said.
“That’s when my sister died,” Angel grumbled while rubbing his eyes to focus on Dragon and Turtle sitting next to him.
“Your sister?” Dragon asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’ve known you for fifteen years. Never heard about no sister,” Turtle said.
Angel shrugged. “I’ve told Nora about her the second night we made love.”
Dragon sputtered his water out. “Fuck me. You’ve made love?”
“Shut your trap,” Turtle said. “Let the man tell us about his sister, you idiot.”
Dragon cleared his throat. “Right. Sorry, man.”
Angel shook his head. “I’m not talking about Allie tonight. Ask me some other time.”
Turtle nodded. “Sure.”
“So what happened at the bend?” Dragon asked.
Angel pulled a shoulder. “I never expected anything like this. Being in a relationship and figuring out what she needs from me. Shit man, I’m clueless.”
“What is she into? Can we spread your Old Lady upon the pool table?” Dragon asked, like he’d asked about the weather.
“If you answer that, I’m gonna ram my fist into your arse and make you swallow your own intestines,” Turtle said.
“Chill, Turtle. Angel and I love sharing our bitches.”
Angel felt sorry for Dragon, who didn’t see Turtle’s right hook coming. Even though the old timer wasn’t as strong as he used to be, his fist made Dragon stumble.
“Nora Walker is family. Never talk about Quiet One like she’s some stupid bitch who’s into a train. The fuck is wrong with you?” Turtle bellowed.
“He didn’t grow up here,” Angel said, coming to his club brother’s rescue since he knew how Dragon liked to joke and didn’t mean anything by it.
“And? He should’ve known better by now. I’m guessing he took one too many hits in the head back in Afghanistan,” Turtle said.
“Maybe I did,” Dragon mumbled, his eyes zeroed in on something in the distance.
“I never see Ranger running his stupid mouth,” Turtle said. “And him and Ace were your buddies over there, right?”
Dragon shrugged. “So? We all deal with our shit in our own way. Ranger is like a ghost, observing everyone so he sees the enemy coming, and Ace has been nonstop fucking the club whores to get out of his head, while I talk shit all the time to stop the memories from flooding my brain. It’s the same difference.”
“Hm. So I should take what you say with a pinch of salt, eh?” Turtle said.
“Or not. You’re right by setting me straight about Angel’s Old Lady. I knew better. It won’t happen again.”
Angel accepted Dragon’s hand. “Thanks, brother.”
“Take him upstairs and close the man’s door so the scavengers will leave him alone,” Turtle said to Dragon.
“Up you go,” Dragon said while hoisting Angel up from his bar stool.
“I can walk,” Angel said while resting an arm over Dragon’s shoulder.
“Sure you can,” Dragon said.
After conquering the stairs, Dragon lead them into Angel’s room upstairs.
“You good?” Dragon asked him after Angel let himself fall face down on top of his bed.
“Yeah,” Angel groaned. “Just shut the door, okay?”
“I will.”
Angel thought back to fucking his Jump Fire earlier tonight before everything turned to shit. She’d been so perfect for him. Egging the crowd in the distance on with her loud moans. If he hadn’t been shitfaced, that reminder would’ve made him hard as hell.
He would see her first thing in the morning and make things right.
She would open the door to her apartment and jump in his arms, happy to see him.
He was sure of it.