Page 95 of Memphis

“If I see you or any other Sparrow near Fury land, you’re as good as dead. Is that understood?”

“Yeah, we got it.”

“Good.” Dad withdrew his weapon and aimed towards the ceiling. “You’ve all got two minutes to get out, or you’re going down with the bar.”

“What?” Bolder gasped.

“A minute and a half,” Dad warned as he fired off a round.

The Sparrows scattered like flies, and within seconds, they’d all left the premises. Dad took a quick look around, then ordered, “Do a walk-through and make sure everyone is out, then torch the place.”

No one questioned the order.

We all knew it was coming.

The bar wasn’t just the Sparrow’s hangout. It was owned and run by one of their own, and they were lucky it was all they were losing. It would’ve been much more, but we’d already taken out everyone involved in the shooting. Ghost and I checked all the bathrooms and the kitchen, and once we were certain there was no one around, we went back to the main bar and checked in with Seven. “Bathrooms and kitchen are good.”

“Office is too,” Goose added.

“Then, we’re good to go.” Seven gave Rusty the go-ahead, and he and several of the prospects started dousing the place with gasoline. “Time for us to clear out.”

I nodded, then followed them out to the parking lot. We’d just mounted our bikes when Rusty and the prospects came rushing out behind us. We all stood in the parking lot and watched as the flames started to engulf the bar, and as soon as he could see that the fire had taken hold, Seven gave us the signal to roll out.

This time, we didn’t ride in formation. Instead, we dispersed in different directions, hoping to avoid any possible run-ins with the cops. I wasn’t worried. After years of issues with the Sparrows and their bar, they would be more than happy to see the place go. Hell, they’d probably thank us for burning the place to the ground.

When we got back to the clubhouse, everyone gathered in the bar and enjoyed a celebratory beer. I was just finishing mine off when Dad came over and sat down next to me. “It was good to have you back tonight.”

“It was good to be back.”

“You’ve come a long way.” He shook his head. “I was afraid...”

“Me too, but all is good. I’m back at it, and I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.”

“How’s Big Louie making it? I haven’t been able to check on him yet.”

“Better, but just as stubborn as the day he got shot.”

“He still won’t consider letting us put him up somewhere?”

“No, but I’m gonna keep working on it. No way I’m gonna let him go back to living on the streets. I’ll put him up somewhere.” He took a pull from his beer before asking, “What about Antonia? How did things go with her father?”

“About as well as could be expected.”

“She understand why he had to go?”

“Yeah, she got it. I actually think she was a little relieved about it.”

“Can’t exactly blame her. She’s been through a lot, and she’s gonna need some time to process all that.”

“Definitely.”

A knowing smile crossed his face as he asked, “So, she’s moved in for the long haul?”

“She has.”

“So, you’ve got yourself an ol’ lady.” He gave me a pat on the back. “I’m happy for you, son. You’ve got yourself a good one. She’s a smart, beautiful girl, and it’s clear she cares a great deal about you. She’d have to. Otherwise, she wouldn’t put up with your shit.”

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