Page 47 of Inglorious
“Nanci, I can handle myself,” he retorted.
I sent him a lingering look. “Inglorious, I’m not worried about that. Magic runs a bar, and I don’t want to put temptation in your path. Not yet. You’re doing brilliant, and I don’t want to set you back.”
Bitterness crossed Inglorious’s face. “Sooner or later, Nanci, I will cross the path of booze. What will you do then?” he snapped.
I began to answer, but Inglorious stormed out and the door slammed behind him.
“Hate to admit it, but he’s correct. You can’t protect him from alcohol forever. Inglorious will face temptation and will choose whether to drink or not.”
“Shut up, Vortex. I’m just trying to eliminate pitfalls until he’s stronger.”
I studied Vortex. He didn’t seem as pissed at Inglorious as he previously had. Vortex had quit because he didn’t agree with what Inglorious had done. But finding out Inglorious had been protecting Sasha had probably eased resentment and bad feelings.
“Come on, we’re wasting time,” Vortex said.
“Call Hercules,” I repeated and headed outside for my bike.
???
As I entered Magic’s Bar, I paused as I got my bearings. There’d been a lot of Harleys parked, and I guessed at least a club or two were present. I was correct. Devil’s Scythe was—and Rider’s of Vengeance.
“Nanci,” Scythe said, getting to his feet and heading towards me.
“Hey. I hear Party was seen here?”
“Yeah. Asshole’s currently a guest of Magic.”
“Nice. Where’s Magic?” I asked.
“Right behind you,” a voice boomed.
I turned around, stared straight at a torso, and craned my neck. This man was so freaking tall, I had to step back to take him in. Astute eyes studied me, and they lacked friendliness.
“So, you’re Nanci.”
“Yup. You have something that belongs to me.”
“Bitch, I ain’t got nothing belonging to you,” Magic retorted aggressively, and I sensed the entire room get wired.
“Party crossed the Unwanted Bastards. He’s ours,” I insisted.
“Nah. Party’s Inglorious’s. When he gets here, I’ll hand him over,” Magic replied.
“Magic,” Scythe said, and Magic held a huge palm up.
“This bitch has no authority over me. And fuck knows how the Unwanted Bastards are allowing her to pull the shit she is. But she disrespected my buddy, Inglorious. That ain’t forgivable,” Magic boomed.
“Inglorious shit on my brother first,” I hissed at Magic.
“Did he, woman? Or was Inglorious a man so consumed with grief he couldn’t handle it and sought solace in booze? He won’t be the first or the last. And where the fuck have you been, if you’re so concerned about the Unwanted Bastards? Don’t come into my bar waving your bullshit around. You ain’t president in my eyes, and you count for nothing.”
With that, Magic moved away from me. My temper ignited. “What the fuck is this? You disrespect my cut and patch?”
“Ain’t yours to hold. Get Inglorious,” Magic retorted.
“The hell I will. I don’t give a crap if you’re the owner here. If you want the Unwanted Bastards, you get me. President is mine, fair and square.”
“And I don’t give a flying fuck. You dried Inglorious out, sure. But you know that man won’t touch another drop because he’s handling his pain and getting help. You think you run that club? How you going to make me do shit for you? Party will stay with me until Inglorious arrives.”
