Wrath Chapter 14 #2
With things firmed up, we only talked a few minutes more before the call ended. Ten minutes later, I was trying to get myself into actual work, which today consisted of reviewing some numbers for all our businesses. There was a knock at my door. I’d closed it to make my calls.
“It’s open,” I called out.
Swinging open, I saw it was Crusher. I waved him in. He came to the desk and took a seat across from me. He had a somber look on his face. God, what now?
“I can tell something’s wrong. What is it, Crush?”
“I reviewed the video from yesterday evening to see if I could identify who left the box. I wanted to do it last night, but then I got caught up in that search for who had taught good ole Clark how to hide his money. We know he’s not smart enough to do it.
Still digging on it, by the way, but I’m closer.
I can feel it. Shadow is coming at it from another angle.
Anyway, it wasn’t until this morning that I checked the video. ” He paused.
A sudden thought had my gut clenching. He better not say it. “Tell me,” I ordered.
“I caught the person who left the box. He waited until dark and came in a nondescript car. He stopped up from the gate and ran to it, then dashed back and took off. He was in all black clothing and had a hood on, but even so, his face was caught by one of the hidden cameras.”
Crusher sighed, then finished. “I’m sorry, Pres, but it wasn’t Killer or one of the Black Outlaws. It was Psycho. He left the box.”
I slammed my fist on my desk, making everything jump and rattle as I swore.
“Fuck! I knew it. When you started, that popped into my head. I hoped you’d prove me wrong.
Goddamn, what’s wrong with that man? He’s gone off the deep end.
He’s taking this too far. All this to scare her into coming back.
Does he think I’d allow it even if she agreed?
She’s my old lady. She wears my name on her fucking skin.
Jesus, I can’t tell her this, Crusher. No pun intended, but it’ll crush her.
I’ve got to think about how to address this. ”
“I’m sorry. I know it’ll hurt her. His twisted brain must have a reason. I don’t doubt that he loves her,” Crusher added.
“He does. Shit, alright, I’ve got to solidify my claim.
Just a heads-up, two Pagans from Cherokee and two of Bull’s men will be coming tonight or tomorrow.
Panther, Cougar, and maybe Scooter, as well as Tonda, are coming sometime today.
I need to let the others know. We want to make them feel welcome.
And I need to have the prospects check that the rooms are clean and ready for guests. ” I was rambling off my new to-do list.
“I’ll get with Storm. We’ll handle all the notifications and make sure everything is good to go. Let us know if you need anything else. You don’t need to do it all.”
“I know. Thanks, Crusher. If you find anything else on Psycho or Clark, let me know.”
He rose to his feet. “Sure thing. Talk later,” he said before leaving.
I sat there deep in thought on what to do to solidify my claim to Jalisa. I grabbed my phone. My call went through.
“Hello, this is Carol Lynn,” a woman’s sweet voice said.
“Hi, Carol Lynn, it’s Wrath. How are you?”
“I’m good, just busy. Let me guess, you’re calling about that property cut. Sorry for the delay, but it’s out with our delivery man, and it will be delivered to the compound within an hour. Will that work?”
“Yes, that’ll be perfect. Thanks. Sorry for pushing for it.”
“No problem. You know, we always love working with you guys. We’ll see you at the car show at Emiliano’s, won’t we?” she asked cheerfully.
“You will. And you’ll get to meet my Jalisa.”
“Wonderful, I can’t wait. Tell everyone hello, and let me know if you have any issues with the property cut. It’s been a while since I’ve done one of those.”
“True, but who knows? This might be the start of more. Thanks, and tell West I said hello.”
“I will. Goodbye.”
I was pleased. West and his wife, Carol Lynn, had been our leather dealers for a long time.
They owned Hide & Seek Leather, and we’d never had complaints about their goods.
I was happy to have that as an additional reminder that Jalisa was mine.
I knew one more thing that I could do right away.
I sent off a text and received a response within minutes.
I smiled at the answer. Getting up from my desk, I left my office and went to another room in the clubhouse.
When I entered, Fury was setting things up. He grinned at me.
“I’ve been waiting for you to bring your ass to me. I’ve got the perfect thing if you like it. Take a look at that paper right there.” He pointed to one next to where I would sit.
I sat and picked it up. Damn him, he was right. He always seemed to know what to give you if you didn’t have an idea. And if you did have one, he made it come to life in ways you never imagined.
“Damn, that’s perfect, man. I love it. When are you gonna let us buy a damn shop so you can bring your work to others? We love having you whenever we want, but more people need to be graced with your artistry. You should talk to Jalisa.”
The idea popped into my head. I knew he’d say what he always did, that having a shop wasn’t necessary. We’d been after him to open one for a few years.
“I’ve been thinking about the shop idea.
If we could find a place that wouldn’t cost too much to buy or rent, I’d be willing to consider it.
However, I’d want others to do ink-slinging besides me.
I can’t be tied to a place all the time.
It would drive me nuts. And I’d be selective about who was hired.
We wouldn’t want to ruin our reputation once we establish it. Why should I talk to Jalisa?”
He stunned me with his remark, and it took a few moments for me to answer.
“Christ, finally, we’ve been trying for years.
Too late, you said it. I’m not letting you squirm out.
We’ll inform the club at church tomorrow night and work on finding a location.
As for why Jalisa, she’s a graphic designer.
You should see her artwork. If you ever want ideas, I bet she would be able to help.
Ask her to show you her character art if you want to see her work.
” I hoped Jalisa wouldn’t be mad at me for suggesting it.
His eyes sparkled. He liked the idea. “I will. Now, let’s get you inked so you can show your old lady. I’m glad we never inked over your left pec. It’s the only place for this one. Anything you want changed?”
“Not a thing. Go for it,” I told him, removing my cut and shirt.
He adjusted the chair so I was lying back.
After a couple more minutes of preparation, the process began.
The buzz of the ink gun and the pricks of pain lulled me into a fog.
When the buzzing stopped, I was slow to surface.
I’d relaxed. He was wiping it and then covered it with Saniderm.
It would keep it clean and let it heal. I’d change it every day.
It had worked great for my other tats. I got up and went to his big mirror.
Studying the tat, I saw it turned out even better than his sketch.
“Dude, I love it and know Jalisa will, too. Thanks, and I’m not forgetting what you said. We’re making this shop a reality. More people deserve your amazing work.”
He waved away the compliment, which was his style. I squeezed his shoulder before strolling out. I couldn’t wait until later. I had to show it to her. I knew I’d stay if I went home, so instead, I texted her.
Me: Babe, if you can, come to my clubhouse office. I have something to show you.
Jalisa: Sure, be there in 5. Everything OK?
Me: No worries. Just need to see you.
I waited in my office, but I didn’t start anything. I impatiently counted the minutes. When she came through the door, I soaked up her smile. She came straight to me. A kiss was a must. When we ended that, she asked, “What did you need to show me?”
Moving her away, I shrugged off my cut. Her eyes widened, and they grew bigger when my shirt came off.
Then, like always, she ran her gaze over my chest. Her mouth opened when she saw my new ink.
She moved closer to me and studied it. Her fingers lightly ran around the outside of it. Finally, she looked up at me.
“Lucian, I love it. Oh, baby, that’s amazing. Did you come up with that design?”
“I wish I could take the credit, but it was all Fury. He had it already made when I went to see him. The guy is a genius. I think it’s spot-on.”
“It is. And now, everyone will know you’re mine,” she purred.
The tattoo showed a heart, but not a cartoonish one. It had chambers, arteries, and the whole thing. The heart was wrapped in barbed wire, and a feminine hand lightly squeezed it. The wording read, My Heart Belongs to My Lil’ Lunatic .
“Yes, they will. I can’t wait to take you out and show you off. Although I’ll show you to a few today or tomorrow,” I told her.
“What do you mean?”
I quickly explained about the men coming. She was happy to meet the ones new to her, but even more thrilled with the Fiends coming, especially Tonda. Her happiness dimmed a bit.
“I wish Dad were one of them, but I haven’t forgiven him yet.”
It hurt not to tell her why it might never happen.
I couldn’t do it. Not yet, not until we figured out why.
I kept praying for a good reason, though I had no idea what it would be.
She admired my tat again, we shared another kiss, then I sent her to the house.
I had to get work done, and she was too distracting.
When I told her that, she laughed and shook her ass as she left.
I was smiling when I sat down to get to work.
???
Cougar, Panther, and Tonda arrived first, right after lunch.
Scooter ended up staying behind in Athens with Panther’s club.
Around four o’clock, Pope and Cyclone from Agony’s club pulled in.
Introductions were made. The final visitors didn’t arrive until after dinner.
It was Bull’s men. The two that Bull sent were Loki and Vex.
They were in the common room, shaking hands and greeting everyone.
I brought Jalisa forward. They both came to attention.
“Babe, this is Loki and Vex. They’re Archangel’s Warriors out of Hunters Creek, Tennessee.
Their president is Bull, who is the charter president of all Warriors. Guys, this is my old lady, Jalisa.”
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you,” she said, holding her hand out.
Nomad called out, “We call her Lil’ Lunatic or Lunatic, and she answers to both.” This caused laughter while Bull’s guys looked uncertain.
“It’s my nickname, and I more than like it,” she assured them.
They grinned and shook hands. Everyone was ordered to relax, have a drink, play a game, or whatever.
Tomorrow, I’d get into the details of extra duties.
I already had two of my guys patrolling the grounds.
The security system was set to alert if movement outside the walls within ten feet of it was detected.
It had done it each time a group arrived.
It could be a pain, but it was better than not knowing.
Our road had little traffic on it, other than if you had reason to come to the compound.
As I watched everyone interact, I tried to ease the knot in my stomach.
As the day of the car show drew closer, I became increasingly anxious.
I wanted this to be over. At least knowing it was Psycho who left the box, I was less worried about this weekend, but I was still not telling anyone it was a hoax.
Who knew what he might try when Jalisa didn’t appear back at the Fiends’ compound by the deadline?