Page 125 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
I swiped to open the list and read off names.“Hickey, Sprout, Wolf, Walt—”
“Jesus.They got Hagerstown calling.I’m fucked.”
The rest of the names didn’t mean much to me except one.“Nonno.”
That deserved a grimace.But Jackson motioned for the phone.“I’m not ready for this.Just so you know.”
“I’m not either.But ready is a relative term.We got this, one way or another.What are they going to do?Come after us?Try to kill us?Been there.Got the gun to prove it.I’m going have to step up my game to match you and Zoe.”
I wasn’t trying to make Jackson smile, but he found humor in them.“You are the most amazing woman I have ever met.”
“That sentiment?Right back at you.”
His grin didn’t fade, at least not until he dialed.Then it did.The night was so quiet, I could hear the whole conversation, not just Jackson’s half.
“Yo, Wolf, what’s up?”
“Big G is here.He flew in.And he’s asking for you.”
Jackson hung his head.I moved closer to rub away the tension building in his shoulders.I whispered very quietly.“We.Together.”
He nodded in agreement with me.“What’s your bead on it?More importantly, what is your wife’s opinion?”
That was answered with a tirade.I smiled, hearing the tone.Wolf wanted to be a bad ass, but even in the short time I knew the couple, I could pin down who really drove that dynamic, and it wasn’t him.
“And she thinks you should listen.”His words trailed off into a resigned silence.
“Tits would make a damn good VP.”
“Fuck you.”Wolf’s response fired back with the ease of habit.But he tacked on, “If she could be.Hate to say this, brother, but you need to come back.I know we had to let you walk out, but man, this place… it fucking needs you.”
“No, it doesn’t.You and Bear need to keep your heads on.I told you that.”
“I’m not a mind-reader, but there is a rumor going around about Shock.”
Jackson met my stare of fear.I couldn’t read his face at all.
Slowly, he asked Wolf, “What is it?”
“Can’t say much over the phone, but it sounds like he betrayed the club.”
Silence.Jackson could tell his man those rumors were true, and he chose to keep silent.I knew part of that was because he was out.Once out, you didn’t talk about the club, ever.Nor did you speak with the members.They turned their backs, ignored your entire existence.This conversation was significant in its unusual breach of protocol.
I added a quiet kiss to Jackson’s neck.Lending my support and letting him know we were a team.
“Jackson?”
“Can you buy me a day and a half?”
“I don’t think so.Do you need cash for a flight?”
Oh, dear.I was losing him.I shook my head, not ready for this to be over.Not willing to part with him again.I mouthed, “Zoe,” at him, infusing that one word with as much demand as I dared.
The muscles around the edges of his face tensed.He opened and shut his mouth, seeking a response.
“Sprout’s right here; he says he’ll charter a flight.Just give us a location.Youhaveto come back.It’s Big G.”
Jackson took time to answer.When he did, it was short.“Bangor, Maine.Tell Sprout I need a jet waiting at the airport there in two hours.”
