Page 60 of On The Rocks

Leaning against the bar, I looked around, taking in the dark-stained planks of wood stacked against the wall, ready to be laid, and all the boxes full of new lights. “It’s coming along nicely. This refurb’s costing a mint, but I think it’ll be worth it. The place needed freshening up, and the new lighting scheme should add to the sexy vibe I’m going for.”

“How’s the ale and cider coming along?” Kit Stone called over from a table where he sat with Bowie and Donovan.

“We won’t know until it’s ready,” I responded with a smirk. “Though knowing Maeve, they’ll be nothing short of perfect.”

“That good, huh?” he asked.

I shrugged nonchalantly, taking a swig from my beer bottle.

“Carbine’s looking forward to opening night,” Atlas announced, his eyes sliding innocently toward me. “He seems quite taken with our Toots. Says she’s a breath of fresh air compared to the other single girls in town.”

Something heavy slid through my stomach.

“Maybe Carbine needs a reminder that Maeve’s not single,” I suggested cuttingly. “I’d hate to see the old friendship between the O’Sheas and the Demons get all fucked up by Carbine’s inability to keep his fucking hands to himself. Ripping his arm off and beating him around the head with it isn’t exactly conducive to keeping the peace between us all.”

Donovan nodded toward me. “Excuse my big brother, gentlemen, he’s gone and lost his mind for the girl he never wanted.”

I cocked an eyebrow in warning. “Maeve’s my wife, and any move made toward her is a blatant and personal show of disrespect. Carbine shouldn’t fucking test me.”

Atlas sat forward, his signature shit-stirrer grin curving his mouth. “All the girls love a muso. Since his band’s made a splash, he’s been fighting ‘em off with a stick.” His lips twitched. “Your ex has been sniffing around him for the last couple’a weeks.”

“My ex?” I asked, my forehead knitting together.

Atlas waggled his eyebrows. “Saskia.”

“Not my ex,” I denied. “Not my anything. Tell your brother not to hold back on account of me.”

“He wouldn’t anyway,” Atlas confirmed with a chuckle. “He’s thinking of taking her up to Rock Springs at the weekend. Dischordium’s playing at the Kings of Anarchy’s new clubhouse and bar. We’ve told Carbine and his boys to keep their hands off the KOA women, at least until we’ve established a stronger relationship.”

“How’s it going with them?” Donovan inquired. “I was surprised you gave another one-percent club permission to set up in our backyard, especially after the shitshow with the Sinners.”

“They’re a different breed to the Burning Sinners,” Breaker explained. “The KOA is a big MC. They’ve got chapters all overthe country, so nobody messes with ‘em. We’ve always been allies. Pop and Abe are good buds with their main charter prez, Big Daddy. I met Pagan, their new Wyoming president on deployment in Afghanistan.”

“Small world,” Donny muttered.

“Miniscule,” Break agreed. “He was EOD, too, though a different unit to mine. From what I recall, his platoon worked out of a Marine base in Cali, but our paths crossed a few times.” The corner of Break’s mouth hitched. “He’s a crazy bastard.”

“All EOD are crazy bastards,” Donovan interjected. “If they’re not blowing shit up, they’re in danger of getting their shit blown up. It ain’t for the faint-hearted.”

“Still doesn’t explain why you’re letting them set up shop in our backyard,” I grumbled.

“Since the Sinners disbanded, things have been sketchy,” Bowie admitted. “We’ve had a few of the smaller MCs and street gangs trying to move in. Let’s just say we’ve had to clear more scrags outta town than we’d like.”

“Fuck,” I muttered.

He nodded his agreement. “My sentiments exactly. Eventually, the officers decided that if we’ve gotta deal with the Devil, then better the Devil we know. The Kings have been looking for a foothold in Wyoming for a while, so Cash approached Big Daddy and offered a place. They’re taking over the dope and gun trade out of that little town just north of Rock Springs called Coal Creek on the condition they keep that shit outta the places it shouldn’t be, namely away from kids and innocents.”

Donny’s stare slid to me, and he raised an eyebrow in a silent response. “Can you trust them?”

Breaker nodded slowly. “They’ve always been honorable with us. More so than most other clubs who wear the diamond patch. Their club’s been around a lotta years, and they live by theold code, much like the Demons did back when we wore the diamond, but I guess time will tell.”

Bowie barked a laugh. “Get this, they’ve got a strip club and a stable of women. All on the payroll with vacation and sick days, plus goddamned insurance.”

“Hookers and club girls with health insurance.” Atlas shook his head. “I thought it was only our club that did that shit. Can you fuckin believe it?”

“Oldest profession in the world,” I pointed out. “I always thought it should be regulated so women can be safer.”

Atlas took another swig of beer, smacking his lips together. “We’re all of the same mind as you are. As long as there’s no coercion—which there’s not—and the women are healthy, lucid, and above all else, willing—which they are—we live and let live. Some of these ladies could have huge medical bills to pay or struggle to feed their kids and families. If they’re gonna charge for their time, they should be safe.”

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