Page 5 of Blue

Clark made a humming noise on the other end. Never good when the president got quiet.

Mooky sought the toilet seat to steady himself and sat upon it.

“Guy pulled me over, got all loud and shit. Sam put him in his place. He’s showed up at the shop. Arrested me when Angela pulled her shit. Nate’s taking care of my divorce. It should be done with soon.”

Another hum came through the phone. “Not soon enough.”

That wasn’t good. He hadn’t known their new president long enough, but he understood when shit was fucking rank.

“He’s sniffing around the Spoke and showing up at Razzle.”

Mooky drew his brows together. “Why?”

“Sam says he’s trying to make his bones, build a case off you or something.”

“And Sam can’t stop him?”

“Sam’s not that high up.”

Mooky hung his head. The booze fucked him with him. He needed a clear goddamn head.

“The business with Flores’ family done yet?”

“Yeah. Should be able to leave tomorrow.” As much as he wanted to, Mooky couldn’t ride like this. He’d lay his bike down for damn sure.

“Tonight.”

Squeezing his eyes shut, Mooky groaned. “Prez.”

“We don’t need fucking heat. Get back here and fix your shit.”

The call ended.

His hand fell, still holding the phone as he considered hiding in the bathroom for the rest of the night. He wouldn’t get molested in there. And, if he needed to puke, well, this was the perfect place. This enormous house had to have more than one bathroom.

“¿Hola?” Someone knocked at the door.

“Uh.” Mooky stood up and flushed the toilet. “Um.un minuto.” It was the only Spanish he could remember. At least, he hoped it was Spanish. Close enough. He had more important shit to worry about.

After running the water, he tucked his phone back into the pocket of his cut. He cupped his hands and splashed some water on his face a few times—like that would sober him or something. Scrubbing his hands down his features, he caught his reflection.

“What a fucking mess you’ve gotten yourself into,” he muttered before he left the bathroom.

CHAPTER 3

Blue

“See, I told you,” Aunt Elaine said with glee.

The pair walked down the strip mall’s path arm in arm. Blue had noticed they’d been in step since leaving the thrift store.

“You know, that’s the first time I think we’ve ever left that place without bags.” Her aunt said.

Blue’s gut twisted as her emotions warred within her. The idea of going into another tattoo shop, looking for a job, felt wrong—like doing this betrayed Mooky and Odin’s Fury. It wasn’t right.

She still needed a Plan B. She needed to do something. Mooky wouldn’t be gone forever. She’d either stay and still need to find a new place to learn to tattoo if, or maybe, when he fired her. Or she needed to find a new place now. She knew she’d feel like an utter ass when she faced Mooky either way.

This was a lose-lose if she’d ever seen one.

---