Page 20 of Shame

“I heard it was seventy-two,” Rhino says.

“No the fuck you did not,” I bark, picking up a burrito.

“Well, anyway, you guys have any new ideas for this charity event?” my brother asks.

No nonsense, that one. Always. Can’t even have a fun conversation with the guy.

“Yeah, how about one of them kissing booths?” Rhino says, wagging his eyebrows. “Grizz can show off his hairy ass for people to kiss.” He laughs like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever said.

It’s not.

“We’re not trying to traumatize the children, Rhino. We’re raising money for them to get a better library,” Snapper adds calmly. For being in a bad mood, he’s sure keeping his shit together.

“No way in hell am I putting my ass on display so your horny ass can try shoving your dick in it,” Grizz shouts at Rhino.

“Your ass is the last thing I want my dick in, fucker.”

Grizz rolls his eyes.

“I’m trying to eat here,” I say. “I don’t want to think about dicks or Grizz’s hairy ass.”

Rhino laughs harder, then picks up his second burrito and finishes it in three bites.

The guy can put food away, and I have no idea where the fuck it goes. He’s no bigger than the rest of us. Maybe even in better shape, too.

“Yo, Shark! Someone wants to see you,” Turtle calls from the doorway.

“Bet it’s the sheriff looking for a place to shove all those guns,” Rhino says, busting out laughing. “You know what I’m saying, Shark?” He keeps laughing, and I just shake my head.

“I’ll shove them so fucking far up his ass he’ll taste the metal,” I say as I get up and head for the door.

When I’m outside, I look around, but don’t see Dunner, Shaw, or anyone else who could wanna see me.

“The fuck—”

“Shark?”

I turn around to face the door, and a few feet from it, leaning against the building, is Noah. Terry’s son, from the convenience store.

“You here for me?” I ask as he walks toward me.

He nods, shoving his hands in his pockets and stopping in front of me. “Yeah, I wanted to talk to you.”

He’s a young kid. Maybe not even twenty-one yet. Baby face, too scrawny.

“About?” I ask carefully. “Everything okay at the store? Those Iron pricks show back up?”

“Nah, they didn’t. Everything with the store is good. I, uh…” He clears his throat before sneaking a glance at the clubhouse. “I was hoping to join the club.”

My brows shoot to my hairline. “You wanna join the Merciless Few?”

“Yeah,” he says confidently, nodding his head.

Over the years, there have been plenty of people wanting to join the club. Most of them don’t know what they’re getting themselves into. The others aren’t cut out for the life. We’re a small chapter in a small town. We like it that way. It’s easier to manage, to control, to keep people in line. Less room for fuck ups and people to screw us over. Though we have ways of dealing with those who do, we don’t actually wanna do that shit to anyone. We won’t hesitate to do it, though.

After Noah stares at me for a long time, I finally laugh. “Your daddy ain’t gonna like that.”

He frowns. “I don’t care what my father thinks.”

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