Page 15 of Eden's Joker

Joker

I was all set to start the day, even after getting practically no sleep on the lumpy mattress in my room at the Fire & Heart Inn. And it wasn’t just the broken springs poking me just about everywhere that prevented me from sleeping. It was mostly the thought of Eden, and how close I was to finally doing what I set out to do at sixteen when I struck out on my own after one bad foster home situation too many. Used to be I could sleep anywhere and back in those days I usually had to. But I’ve grown accustomed to a lot more comfort since.

Still, this little sacrifice is worth it because the end result of this mission will be the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. I bet Eden will be sweet to taste too. Butnot as sweet as the revenge against her father, Ice, and the rest of the Devils.

My phone buzzed with a text just as I was getting ready to go down to the bar of this less-than-fine establishment to see who’s here, who’s not and who I can expect to meet while I’m here.

And now I’ve just been sitting on the edge of my bed, a particularly nasty spring poking me in the ass, which I hardly feel, reading and rereading Eden’s text.

I can’t make it tonight.

It felt like a blow to the gut reading it and took my air just like a real punch would. My knee jerk reaction was to throw the phone at the wall. But I’ve learned to calm those kinds of knee-jerk reactions before acting on them a long time ago.

You catch more flies with honey.

One of the few valuable pieces of experience I got growing up in the foster system. Not reacting to provocation was another. It was never worth it in the end. Best to cool off and seek revenge with a clear head and a good plan.

Which I had.

Until this moment.

What the fuck is this? Cold feet? Did she find out who I am? Did I scare her off with all my dumb warnings not to trust me yesterday?

I have no idea where those came from. But if they’re the reason I’m getting this text now, then I’llhave no one else to blame but myself for failing to get her.

How come?I texted back once I could breathe normally again and remembered that there’s other ways to get Eden. I have plans B and C and many more after that for doing that. Getting her to come with me willingly would just be the cherry on top and a nice extra knife through Ice’s heart, but it’s not necessary. If we have to, we’ll just grab her.

I was really looking forward to seeing you,I add when she doesn’t reply right away.

Me too, but something’s come up.

I’d believe her if she followed it up with what that thing was, but she doesn’t.

Tomorrow night then?

Why am I pushing so hard for this? I could get her tonight and have her over at our real HQ in the town of Justice by tomorrow night.

I’ll let you know.

And then nothing.

I don’t date women. I just fuck them. So I have no idea what to make of this. On the one hand, if she wanted nothing more to do with me, she’d just ignore my texts. And on the other, she might be too polite and sweet to do that. I very nearly asked her if she’s done with me. But that would make me sound like too much of a teenage lovesick puppy and, if nothing else, she’s not gonna go for that.

So I just text back a quick,OK,then give in to theurge to hurl my phone at the wall. Predictably, it cracks. And normally that would make me happy because I’ve always had a thing for destroying things. Especially nice, expensive, pretty things. Like Eden.

I’m still fuming inside as I reach the bar, which is mostly empty this early in the morning. Which would work just fine for me, since I need a quiet talk with my guys to tell them we’re altering our plan a little. How much, I’m not sure yet. But could be we’re going all the way tonight.

The problem is, the people who are in the bar this early are ones I absolutely didn’t want here.

It’s Karma, Grim and Psycho of Forsaken Outlaws MC, a nomad band of fugitives from the law that have helped out on some of my missions in the past. They have no idea I’m plotting revenge against the Devils, or how I’m planning to bring it about. They balk at any job that involves even a whiff of human trafficking. Or at least Karma does, and she’s pretty much their leader although it’s Grim calling himself president.

She’s a tall, blonde hottie in the way warrior women like Xena or some Viking shield maiden are hot. Not for me. Too wiry and strong. I prefer my women soft and pliant, and as innocent as I can find them. Once I’m done with them, some turn into Karmas. And some just turn into whores.

The Forsaken might not know of my plans with the Devils, but they do know that I’m still the president of Lost Sons MC. They’ve also been on abouteight runs with us so far, so I’m pretty sure they also know the only way I’m leaving the Sons is if I’m dead. And they’ve met all my brothers. Which is a problem. Because I’m planning to tell anyone who will listen around here that I’ve been kicked out of my MC.

It’s not a problem I’ll solve standing in a dirt and garbage-covered parking lot of this inn, looking at Karma and her guys through a grimy window with the rising sun beating down on my neck. All I’ll solve by doing that is not having a pounding headache yet. But I already feel one starting at my temples.

Scorpio and Toons are pretending to sleep out in the open, in the dirt, leaning against the sides of the concrete rectangle that makes up this bar. They’re doing a pretty good job faking being a couple of passed out losers, but I feel their eyes on me very keenly. I walked over to Scorpio.

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