Page 71 of Bounty
Swiping at her cheeks, she turned the back toward us.Mother-in-law of Slicewas written on it.
“I thought the cut would resemble yours, Slice,” Dad said, revealing he’d known about Slice’s present.
“Open yours, Effie,” Slice said, ignoring my dad as Mom shrugged into her cut and squealed again.
Laughing, Dad took her into his arms and kissed her.
My heart pounding in anticipation, I copied Mom, tore away the ribbon on my box, and lifted the top. My cut was also leather with the words,Property of Slice.
“Bet that beats a fucking engagement ring, Effie,” Saw said as he and Ziggy carried an ice chest in.
“Says you, fuckhead,” Slice retorted as he helped me put my cut on.
I understood what Dad meant. Slice had a denim cut. It would’ve been nice to match.
“I won’t ever spend that much money on no broad,” Dolph complained, walking in with Drifter, Goose, Raider, and Desmond following.
“Who has the bud?” Raider asked.
“All right, fuckheads, behave,” Goose ordered. He wagged a finger at the two Dweller boys. “Outlaw gave me permission to kick your ass if you fuck up Effie’s celebration.”
“Can you bring an ice chest in a fancy restaurant?” Cassie asked.
“No motherfucker’ll stop us,” Saw replied.
Ziggy pulled out a bag of weed, and I gasped.
Growling, Slice stormed over and snatched it from him, while Saw slapped the back of his head.
“What’s going on in here?” Riker demanded, sauntering in and carrying a garment bag.
As uncomfortable as Striker made me, it couldn’t compare to how I felt in Riker’s presence. His soulless eyes chilled me.
Luckily, the guys congratulating me distracted me. Heath helped to pass out beers from Saw’s ice chest. They toasted me and someone produced a Bluetooth speaker, hooked up their phone and provided loud music.
I expected management to throw us out, but that didn’t happen.
We danced, talked, and drank. Even Cassie loosened up and Mom floated on a cloud, flitting from Dad, Riker, and Goose, to the younger guys, and then me and Cass.
Near midnight, Riker stood. “Silence!” he ordered.
Instant silence fell.
“You sure about this, Slice?” Riker asked.
“Positive,” Slice answered.
I squinted, clueless.
“And you don’t care, Goose?”
“Nope.”
Riker stared at Drifter and his eyes chilled.
Slice and his twin exchanged glances. Their mood dampened a little, which really piqued my curiosity.
“I guess that’s a no for us working together, bro,” Drifter said glumly.
