15. Mack
15
MACK
W ell fuck.
I probably never would have walked away from Gigi without resolving whatever bug crawled up her ass if I’d known that we’d be going on a run the next day before I’d get a chance to talk to her.
I spend the rest of the night partying at the clubhouse with the rest of my brothers — even though partying, in my case, involves getting as drunk as I can to forget about my fight with Gigi. Halfway through a bottle of whiskey, I tell myself that the best way to get over someone is to get someone else under me. But the usual flock of club bunnies that hang around during parties doesn’t do a damn thing for me. None of them look like Gigi, and none of them have her fire or her sexy body. After the second one gives me a lap dance and tries to pull me over into a dark corner, I give up thinking I can replace Gigi in my mind with someone else. For once in my life, I can’t convince my dick to get interested in anyone else.
Early the next morning, I wake up to the sound of pounding. At first I think it’s my head throbbing from this goddamn hangover, but then I realize it’s one of my brothers pounding on the door of the free apartment I nabbed for the night. “Church!” Black shouts. “Get into the chapel, now!”
Fifteen minutes later, all the Bastards are seated around the large oak table in the chapel. Elmo gives the Bastards a status update on what he’s found out about Blaze. It’s pretty fucking disappointing.
“Can’t find his legal name. Can’t find any other aliases. Can’t find where he’s from. Can’t find a legal residence,” Elmo tells us. “The only reason we know he’s a nomad is because of his bottom rocker. Can’t even find what chapter of the Scorpions he came from.
“No one I know knows him. No one outside of the Bloody Scorpions seems to have even heard of him. And except for the times when Mack and Fury have seen him, no one else seems to even recognize the motherfucker’s description.”
“The guy’s like a ghost,” Black mutters.
“Not far from it,” Elmo agrees. “I haven’t had this much trouble tracking someone down like, ever.”
“So, what do we do?” Fury asks.
“Elmo’s gonna keep digging,” Magnus says. “Meanwhile, we got a run to deal with. The next shipment of guns to our friends up in Canada is due to go out. I was gonna send a bunch of us up across the border next week like usual, but with everything goin’ on down here, I don’t wanna be gone that long.” Magnus looks around the table. “With Sturgis starting this weekend, it’s perfect cover for us.”
Norse continues where Magnus leaves off. “We’re gonna ride west in the direction of Sturgis, like we’re on our way to the rally. Hidin’ in plain sight. Our Canadian friends are gonna meet us in a predetermined location in central South Dakota to make the exchange.”
“That’s right,” Magnus agrees. “Elmo’s stayin’ here to keep lookin’ for him. Everyone else is coming on the run. Except for you, Reed.” Magnus turns to him. “You’re gonna stay here.”
“What the fuck?” Reed explodes. “You’re leavin’ the fuckin’ Road Captain behind on a club run?”
“Hate to do it,” Norse adds, backing up the prez. “But we need someone to stay behind and guard Gigi. And you’re the best shot of all of us.”
“Motherfucker,” Reed mutters. “This is bu?—”
“Careful with your fuckin’ words, Reed.” Norse interrupts him sharply. “I know you ain’t questioning your president’s decision.”
Reed’s mouth clamps shut. His jaw works, biting back whatever he wants to say.
“Good,” Magnus says on a nod. “Mack, Black, and Norse, get over to the warehouse and make sure the shipment is ready to be transported. The rest of you, be ready to ride in the next few hours.”
At Magnus’s words, I know I’m gonna have next to no time to myself before we leave on this run. I sure as shit don’t have enough time to hash through whatever happened between Gigi and me. That shit’s gonna have to wait until I get back and I can get a moment alone with her, assuming she even wants to talk to me. One day ain’t gonna hurt anything, after all.
As I get ready to leave for the warehouse, I know it’s gonna be hard as shit pushing Gigi out of my mind. But that’s what I have to do. My club counts on me to be clearheaded when we’re out on club business, same as any other member. Whether I like it or not, this thing with Gigi is on the back burner until I return.