Page 14 of Blood & Ash

“Looks like it,” I respond, my gaze on the urn containing my father’s ashes.

“You sure you can handle this Shelby situation?

“There’s no other way.”

Goose claps a hand on my shoulder, solid and reassuring. “We’ll get through this.” Out at the bar, the tables have been cleared for Eightball’s casket and my Pop’s urn. He said he knew he was going straight to Hell and might as well arrive already charred. He had a dark sense of humor. Said to stick his ashes on a shelf behind the bar where he could still be part of the party. That’s exactly what I plan to do.

The wake isn’t open to the public, but I know folks like Buford Adams will want to pay their respects and I want them to come.To see Goose and I mourning the loss of our fathers. To see we’re here getting shit faced with the rest of the club and the other brothers who traveled to be here.

The wake begins as the sky darkens outside. The clubhouse fills with men who revered War and Eightball. Their faces are hard and yet sorrowful as they pay their respects to the fallen leaders of our club. There’s an unmistakable sense of loss hanging heavy in the air. The old ladies all have tight faces, knowing that any time this could be the fate of their men. Even the hangarounds and whores’ faces are ashen.

My father was a tough son of a bitch, but he was loved by many.

Feared by more, which is why this coward’s way of taking him out makes me angrier with every passing second. He deserved to go out honorably. Not at the hands of a greedy whore.

I walk with Goose to his father’s casket. “Party is over, old man,” he mutters and shakes his head. “How could he be so goddamn stupid?” he looks at me and I wish I had an answer that made fucking sense.

“Wish I knew, man. Wish I fucking knew what either of them were thinking.”

I leave him to stew on his anger. I’m mad as hell, too. If I were a better leader, I’d gut Shelby with a wire hanger, drop her out in the gulf to be fish food, and that’d be the end of it. Her and that fucking sleaze, Marty. No one would miss them.

Well, Ashley, Shelby’s little sister, might, but she’d be the only one.

I accept offers of condolence from Pop’s oldest friends. Ol’ Ladies offer up all their baked goods and pre-made dinners. Enough to feed an army for two weeks. I’m sure Momma Tee will appreciate their efforts. Who the fuck knows where her head is at. I glance around the room, wondering where she’s at. I haven’t laid eyes on her since she was trying to get me to talk to Shelby.

I figured she’d be the first here, but everyone grieves in their own way.

Even Goose’s mom is here and that’s saying something considering how she felt about Eightball. I watch as she stands at his casket, shaking her head. I can only imagine the words she has for him, even in death, with how volatile their relationship was.

Buford Adams arrives later in the evening, his gaze wandering around the room before landing on me. He hurriedly shuffles straight up to me, extending his hand, ready for a handshake. I take it reluctantly, wondering if he was in on this fucked up attack. I don’t trust anyone who isn’t a brother in this club.

“Sorry for your loss. Damn shame. Always liked your old man. I know a lot of folks liked him while others woulda loved to run him out of town. Want you to know that whatever is going down tonight, I’m on your side.”

“The fuck do you know?”

“Walk outside with me and I’ll tell you what I can.”

I light up a cigarette and make it appear I’m escorting him out.

“Picked up Randy’s boy copula’ hours ago. Clayconfessed he was paid to take his father out. Someone offered him a substantial amount of money. Got him all fucked up on meth and played on his fears and paranoia that Randy was going to close up shop and skip town before the FEDS shut down the whole operation. We know that shits not true. I’ve always turned an eye. Your club puts a lot of money back into this town. I’m not looking to fuck that up.”

“He give a name?”

“Yeah. If I tell you, I need you to promise me I won’t be getting a call about a body.”

“You know I can’t promise that.”

“I don’t ask for much, son. But this isn’t negotiable.”

“Fucking Shelby.” I flick the butt of my cigarette to the ground.

“I’ve watched you kids grow up. I don’t know who made her do it, but I know she’s a good girl.”

“Right. A good girl who got three men killed.”

“I’ve got a car on her house and an officer following her. Don’t do anything stupid. I’ll question her and get to the bottom of this.”

“Don’t worry. Won’t be a hair out of place on her head.” I may not be able to kill the bitch, but I damn sure can make her suffer.

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