Chapter 6 Found Tiny Poodle With Big Christmas Balls
Found: Tiny Poodle With Big Christmas Balls
HORSE
Ishut my office door behind me with my boot, Buddy trotting ahead like he owns the damn place. He’s still wearing his Santa suit, and the bells on the collar are jingling with every step. The stupid sound actually … calms me. Hell, what’s become of me?
My black walnut table sits in the center of the office, scarred, worn, and solid as ever.
It’s the old kitchen table from Mom’s place—the one Dee insisted was “outdated trash” and replaced with some modern monstrosity that looked like it belonged on a reality show.
I put this table and the chairs in storage when she moved in, but maybe I always knew things weren’t going to last with Dee.
The marriage … it was doomed long before we ever said, “I do.”
My keeping Mom’s house was the only nonnegotiable in the divorce.
Dee hated the place anyway—too small, too old, too “low class” for her tastes.
I bought her a fancy duplex so she could get her precious rental income.
That, along with child support, means she’s living the way she thinks she’s owed.
But she doesn’t spend a dime of that money on Caleb.
So, I’m not sure why I’m even paying child support.
I cover everything, because if I didn’t, my boy would suffer. And that’s never going to happen.
I run a hand along the walnut edge of the table.
Mom’s table. My table. Sacred memories. If Gwen and I ever get serious—hell, when we get serious—I’ll have to bring her by Mom’s place.
Make sure she isn’t one of those women who see dollar signs in every corner.
Gwen doesn’t strike me as that … but I’ve been wrong before.
The door opens, and my men start filing in.
Storm enters first, he’s our Road Captain, smelling faintly of motor oil and sweat—evidence that he’s been working in the garage today.
Pie slips in behind him—our security guy, resident hacker, and bookkeeper.
The man can do anything involving computers.
He also has one strong addiction. He got his road name based solely on his fetish for going down on a woman.
I don’t even think he cares how old the woman is—if they give him an opening—he’s there.
Rocky follows, our Enforcer. He’s big as a grizzly with a resting glare that could break concrete.
Knife is right beside him. Those two are super tight—a lot like me and Animal.
I snort when I see Knife is still buttoning his jeans, hair mussed like he’s just rolled out of bed.
He probably has. The man is addicted to club pussy.
I figure it’s because his old lady Rebbie is too damn hateful to open her legs for him.
I think he keeps her around only because of their kids.
I shake my head. Of course, maybe she wouldn’t be the bitch she is if he’d lay off the easy pussy.
Knife has never met a zipper he didn’t want to test-drive.
Animal brings up the rear. He’s more than a VP—he’s my rock.
I watch as he shuts the door behind him, arms crossed, waiting for the show.
They all take their seats around Mom’s table, chairs creaking under the weight of leather, denim, and fuck-loads of attitude.
Maybe sensing the tension in the air, Buddy immediately starts whining at my feet.
Without thinking, I scoop him up and settle him on my lap.
The little bastard curls right in, tail wagging like he’s chairman of the board.
I rest my arms on the table again—only for Buddy to hop up onto the tabletop, plant himself by my elbow, and stare out at my officers like he’s helping me run church.
Yeah, I’m really getting attached to this little asshole.
I like him a lot. In fact, I think I’m going to order him the damn club cut.
Seems he likes church and being here with me.
It makes sense that he does it looking official.
I’m stealing my old lady’s dog. If Gwen gets mad, she’ll just have to agree to be my old lady so she can stay close to Buddy.
I catch flickers of interest—and something close to respect—on my men’s faces.
They’re amused, but they’re watching Buddy like he’s a new recruit they’re evaluating.
I clear my throat. “Church called to order.” Silence stretches. Too long. My nerves prick, and I let out a growl before I begin.
“I know church is sacred and is supposed to stay within these doors, but I’m not stupid.
I know shit gets out. That needs to end,” I snap, eyeing Knife and Rocky more than anyone else.
I see both of them swallow nervously. They know what I’m saying.
“What I’m about to tell you is so fucking important I’m telling you assholes right now that if one of your women tells Dee, heads will fucking roll. Do you hear me?”
Buddy growls—a deep, weirdly menacing rumble for such a tiny puffball. I fight back my grin—but barely.
I stroke the curly top of his head. “Easy, Buddy,” I croon.
Yeah, Buddy is going to be his new name. He doesn’t seem to mind it. I actually think he likes it.
“Damn, Prez,” Animal says, eyebrows rising. “Have you trained that damn dog?”
I huff out a laugh but don’t answer.
Rocky leans forward. “So, what’s this about?”
I take a breath. Fuck it. “I found the woman I want to be my old lady this morning. Buddy here? He’s her dog.”
Storm snorts. “You met a woman this morning, and she’s already got you babysitting her damn dog? Fuck, Prez, has she already got your balls in her purse? I didn’t think you were the type to be henpecked.”
I flip him off. Buddy, however, responds like a demon on a leash—he snarls, tiny teeth bared, eyes fixed on Storm.
“Shut your trap,” I warn Storm, “or I’ll let Buddy bite your balls off.”
Buddy snarls again, louder this time, slobber running down the sides of his mouth.
He might be a little dog, but he acts like he’s got the biggest dick on the cellblock and has been serving life at the animal shelter for being rabid. I think I’m in love with him.
Storm’s hands shoot out in surrender. “Alright, damn! Dude’s vicious.” The rest of the men are laughing. I see acceptance in their eyes. They all have taken a liking to Buddy, too.
Buddy slowly settles back down, resting his head on my arm, but gives one last warning bark.
I chuckle and blow out a breath. Yeah, this mutt is going to become my sidekick permanently. “Now, there’s more you need to know. There’s a chance we have an enemy making moves on us.”
“What does that mean?” Animal asks, instantly on guard.
“Someone took a potshot at me this morning.”
Chairs scrape against the wood flooring as suddenly, every man here is laser focused and alert. They’re sitting upright—even Knife. All eyes lock on me.
“What the fuck?” Animal rumbles, his voice sounding like thunder.
“The bullet grazed my stomach. No serious damage. But I was talking to Gwen at the time. She could’ve been killed.”
Pie’s brows shoot up. “Who the fuck would shoot you? We don’t have enemies. Not since the alliances we’ve forged.”
“Yeah,” Rocky grunts. “Been quiet as hell around here—mostly boring as hell.”
I absentmindedly stroke Buddy’s fur again. It seems to center my thoughts. “I don’t know who it was. Could’ve been meant for Gwen, but I doubt it. They were in a beat-up brown van, although there was more rust than paint on it. It took off when they heard sirens.”
Pie leans forward. “Not much to go on, but I’ll hack into cameras and security in the immediate area. See what I can find. Could be worth reaching out to the other clubs—see if anything feels off with any of them.”
Rocky nods. “Knife and I can tighten security. Might be time to bring in some more prospects to keep the businesses going. Splinter’s almost ready to patch in, and we haven’t really reached out to new guys.”
“Do it,” I say. My voice is firm. Confident. They’ll handle it, and we all know it. We talk logistics and contingency plans. The usual shit when something big is brewing. Finally, I sit back. Time for the part I know will make the room twitch.
“My woman works at the hospital as an APRN. She’s not from this lifestyle.
I’d gather to say it’s foreign to her. She also wasn’t really happy to be caught in a firefight this morning.
It’s going to take some work to win her over, but I intend to do it.
Until she agrees to be my old lady and move into my home, you sons of bitches need to keep word from leaking out to Dee.
I don’t need her bullshit fucking this up for me.
” Once again, I look right at Rocky and Knife.
“You know who I’m talking about,” I add.
They both shift in their seats, nodding quickly.
“Yeah, Prez,” Knife mutters.
“We’ll lock it down,” Rocky agrees.
“Good,” I exhale before I turn to Pie. “When’s the Christmas shopping thing with the low-income families?”
Pie perks up. “Saturday morning. Walmart in Westport. Same as usual. We’ve got twenty families again this year.”
Every year, we take local kids shopping—new clothes, a winter coat, good shoes, and a real quality Christmas present that’s on their wish list. It costs a damn fortune, but the club works all year to make sure we have the funds.
Business has been good. Between the garage and parts store in town, the marina, and the fine dining restaurant opening soon …
we’re solid. We’re also going to open a dinner boat, where you can have fine dining while riding on a boat.
We’ve had enough feedback to know that will bring in stupid amounts of money soon.
Hell, we’ve already had inquiries about having weddings held on the boat.
For that reason alone, we’re looking at larger than normal houseboats. We’re going to pull out all the stops.
Finally, I close church. When I look down, Buddy’s eyes snap open, locking onto mine like he was just pretending to sleep. Hell, maybe he was. I grin. “Yeah, I like you, mutt.”
I scoop him up, holding his warm little body against my chest. “You ready to go find your mama?”
Buddy yips—a clear, sharp sound that even sounds happy. I’d almost swear he understands every damn word I say to him.
“Would you like a nice leather cut like mine, Buddy?”
He whimpers softly and licks my hand. I’m going to take that as a yes.
“Then I’ll get you one. But you've gotta help convince your mama to move in so we can watch over her together.”
Another yip. Another lick. Yeah, he gets it.
“Let’s go see your mama,” I murmur, carrying him out.
Buddy yips again, this one sounding determined as hell.
We walk out together. I’d love to ride my bike, but it wouldn’t be secure for Buddy.
I need to think about that. Plus, it’s damn cold out there.
I don’t want to get my woman sick by putting her on the back of my bike.
It’s almost Christmas, and the snow flurries are already falling.
That means I head for my black Yukon. I climb behind the wheel.
Buddy jumps up and sits on the armrest between my seat and the passenger side.
He spins around a couple of times and then settles down.
For the first time in longer than I can remember, something warm settles in my chest.
“It’s a good day,” I whisper as the engine rumbles to life. I glance at Buddy. “Going to need to get you a dog seat so you can ride safely, Bud.”
Buddy gives a soft growl of protest, making me laugh.
“Caleb is going to love you,” I murmur, imagining the two of them together. “Yeah, you’re mine now, Buddy.” I want the woman and the dog. I’m not sure what Gwen’s response will be to that news, but there’s one thing Gwen doesn’t know about me yet.
I always get what I want.