Chapter Twenty-One
Cherry
He went looking for Ruger or Busk, finding both men seated on facing chairs along one side of the room. Cherry grabbed another chair and pulled up to form the third leg of their triangle.
“I have something I want to run by you. We don’t need privacy, I trust every man under the IMC patch.
” Cherry paused and waited for Ruger’s approval.
After he got the nod, he pulled in a breath.
“This is all very coincidental, but I’m thinking there’s a link.
The other night when we hit ASMC, one of the prospects hanging around the burn barrel at the entrance looked familiar.
I thought he did, anyway, but couldn’t get the best look.
You know how the ASMC prospects have their initials on their left shoulder?
” Both men nodded, Busk looking at him with obvious impatience.
“Hang on, Busk. Let me get to the good parts.” That pulled a chuckle from Ruger.
“This prospect’s initials were HL. I pulled a blank on anyone I knew with those initials, so I didn’t spend much time puzzling at it.
But today, in court, Warner said the rookie wasn’t available because he got burned.
” He looked between the two men before dropping the bomb.
“Rookie’s name is Herbert LaBlanc. HL. I think that’s too tight a spiral to be random. ”
“ASMC prospect-patched a fucking LEO? That’s some fucking balls on the part of the prospect. Can you imagine if we did that? We’d be run out of town on the back of a lame cow.”
Cherry stared at Busk for a minute, then shook his head.
“Yeah, sometimes I don’t know where my mouth is going until we get there. But you get the gist. That’s a hell of a mistake.”
“What if it wasn’t a mistake?” Ruger shook his head.
“We’ve been surprised by how quickly this chapter of the ASMC has grown.
They’ve got what? Seven prospects right now?
Seven prospects to about twenty members.
That’s not a lotta mentorship time for any one member.
Does this prospect LaBlanc have any other ties, outside of Warner? ”
“I don’t know, but I’ll get Ricky working on it. He’s going to be pissed he missed the connection.”
“Probably make him work twice as hard.” Cherry pushed to his feet. “Nice to see Daddy and Daddy made up and aren’t fighting any longer.”
“Oh, fuck you. Go get your guy already. Call Ricky in the morning.”
“Won’t have to twist my arm twice.”
He pushed the door open and stepped into the quiet outside. He thumbed a message to Denis, trying to not rethink what he was admitting, even in small portions.
*Coming home to you, baby.*
***
He heaved out a sigh as he parked the bike on the street. He hated having it vulnerable to either a drive-by crash or four strong men in a van on a stealing spree.
“Wonder if there’s protected parking close. I’ll ask Denis. Be worth a monthly rental to have peace of mind.”
Denis met him at the door with a kiss and a cold beer, and Cherry backed him into the kitchen with a steaming hot kiss.
He put the beer on the counter and wrapped both his arms around Denis.
“God I’m glad to be home. There’s so much shit right now, you’re like the center of a storm, I always feel just a bit calmer when I’m around you. ”
“I’m your whirling eye? That doesn’t sound peaceful.” Denis tilted Cherry’s chin so he could attack the edge of his jaw. Cherry let his eyes drift closed, riding the wave of attraction and excitement.
“Did you know that makes me crazy?” He groaned softly. “Like legit crazy. Makes me want to tear your clothes off.”
“Good to know,” Denis said, lips moving against Cherry’s skin.
At that moment, Cherry’s phone buzzed from his front pocket.
“Ugh,” he groaned. “What do they want now?” He pulled it from his pocket and answered it, just as Denis found another sensitive place, right behind the hinge of his jaw. “Legit crazy.” He wasn’t aware he’d whispered the word aloud until Busk started laughing. “What do you want?”
“Well, when I called it was to tell you we’re starting back up about noon tomorrow. Still have a lot to hash out. But now, I want to know exactly what your Guy is doing that’s making you, and I quote, ‘Legit crazy’?”
“Fuck you. I’ll be there by noon.” He disconnected the call and tossed the phone on the counter. “Sorry, babe.” Tipping his chin up, he stared into Denis’ eyes. “I’m all yours now, at least until noon.”
Denis arched one eyebrow and grinned. “Good to know. Grab your beer and let’s head over to the makeout couch.”
Cherry picked up the beer and took a deep drink. “The couch has a name now?”
“Of course. We have to accurately describe its new duties.”
“’Of course,’ he says, like that makes sense.” Cherry followed Denis to the couch and sat on the end that had somehow become his, beer on the coaster on the table. He held out his arms and Denis came to him, settling on the cushions between Cherry’s wide-spread legs. “Now, more about this couch.”
“Sometimes a demonstration is the easiest way to understanding.”
It was a couple hours later that they were moving to the bedroom and Cherry started chuckling as he walked through the door, Denis’ hand in his. “Is this now the fucking bed? Because I could make an argument to that effect.”
“And this solicitor wouldn’t argue against.”
***
Denis
He knew it was late, the darkness pressing against the windows. Denis had tried to keep from watching the clock, because not only would that not make time move faster, but it actually seemed to slow it considerably.
The light tap at the door sounded like a gunshot to the nervous Denis, and he snapped, “Come in already.” Maybe it’s Cherry.
Carole popped around the edge of the door. “Are you going to take my head off if I bother you?”
“No, of course not. I’m just on edge tonight. I don’t know why.”
“Lie number one. Even I know why, Denis.” She shook her head and Denis noticed not one strand of hair moved.
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Do that thing with your hair.”
“What thing with my hair?”
“That non-moving thing. I just realized I’ve never seen your hair move. Not even during Katrina. I clearly remember being able to use your hair as a boat. Never even took on water.”
“Nephew, you are about to be on my last nerve. Hair spray, you might have heard of it? I remember you liking that musical, the one all about hair.”
“The musical Hair?”
“That’s what I just said.” She threw up her hands and made to turn around.
“No, stay. I’m sorry. I’m just...I thought I’d have heard from Cherry before now.”
Her chin lifted, expression sharpening. “What’s he doing that’s put him in danger’s path?”
“What? I didn’t say anything like that.”
“Evidence exhibit one, you’re still here at eleven o’clock at night.
Lately if you’re here until five it’s rare.
Which is a good thing and I’m not complaining.
Better work and life balance is good for everyone.
” She tilted her head to the side. “Exhibit two, you’re seriously on edge.
You forget I can see your reflection in the windows.
I was watching you for five minutes before I announced myself.
You spent the entire time looking at your cell.
Exhibit three, you haven’t said you’ll call him, but that you should have heard from him by now.
Ergo, he’s put himself in harm’s way for some reason.
Probably club business, and don’t I know better than to ask after that. ”
“You are incorrigible.”
“I’m incredibly flexible. Just ask Jinx.”
Denis stared in horror at his aunt, his office manager, the woman who’d been mothering him for decades. “I do not want to know. Nope. I don’t. Don’t tell me.”
“Jinx—”
“Nope,” he interrupted whatever she’d been about to tell him. “Go home, Carole. Get some sleep for both of us. But for God’s sake, I never want to know what happened between you and Jinx.”
“What about Doodle? Did you know he’s a legit artist? He’s got two paintings in a local show right now.”
“How do you find out about all of this?”
“I listen, child. Something I’d encourage you to do.” She nodded at his hands and he realized his phone was ringing. “Tell him you love him already. I’ll see myself out.” The door closed behind her as he connected the call.
“Hey.” Denis rolled his eyes at how lame that was. It’s Carole’s fault, dropping that little bomb without warning. “All well?”
“Now it is.” Cherry pulled in a heavy breath.
“I called, I mean I wanted to call and let you know I’m probably not going to make it home tonight.
We’re in the midst of a meeting that looks to be going on for a ridiculous amount of time.
We broke for a few minutes so everyone could call their significant others.
” Heaving out a huge sigh, Cherry said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, babe. ”
“Yes, tomorrow. Keep yourself safe for me.”
“Will do. Yeah, I’m coming.” That last was louder and carried a tone of irritation. “See you tomorrow.” That last was said in a soft whisper.
The call disconnected and Denis was frozen in place staring at the phone in his hands.
“I’m his significant other.”
***
Cherry
“Busk,” Cherry called out as they headed back into the meeting room, air still thick with smoke. “Brother, why is Mother against us hitting them again? I thought Wildman was all for it.”
“Not sure, but this next portion is gonna be restricted to officers only. Members will be asked to hang in the main room. Hopefully Mother is a little bit more open.” Busk pulled a palm over his face, scrubbing at his five o’clock shadow.
“Junebug isn’t happy about being home alone with the kiddos. ”
“Your kids are six or seven now, right?”
“Yeah, Todd is nearly eight and Landry is six. Then there’s Willy, he’s five. So she’s got her hands full.”
“Willy? You mean Ruger’s boy? Or are you guys fostering or something?”