Page 45 of Panther's Magpie
“Problem solved. The bitch is blocked.” He smiles at me.
“She will change her number. You know this,” I tell him.
He shrugs. “Meek can screen all your calls.”
“You are ridiculous,” I tell him.
“No, that soul-sucking leech is ridiculous. She will keep coming back as long as you give her a shred of attention. So stop giving it to her,” he warns me.
He’s right, of course, but it’s not like I invited her in. I always tell her to leave. I guess part of me respects the time we spent together and won’t be cruel to her just to be cruel. That’s the small opening she takes each and every fucking time.
Shaking my head of thoughts of her, I turn my phone off. Hawk is the last through the door, shutting it behind him.
“How did we do on the charity run?” I ask.
Talon smiles. “Three hundred forty-two thousand, boss. Best run yet.”
As treasurer, it’s his job to make sure our money is accounted for and going where it belongs.
“That’s amazing, man. Donate the whole bit. We can cover the overhead to run it,” I tell him.
He nods. “Already done. The hospital is grateful. It’s enough to purchase a new machine they need to continue to furthertheir research. They are developing a new way to battle cancer that won’t be as harsh on the body as chemo. It’s really quite spectacular.”
“Then it is a good cause. Put them back into the rotation for next year. Hopefully we can help them along. What about the fire downtown?” I ask Hawk.
“Arson. Pretty sure it’s our new friends at Ragged Anarchy. A witness saw a cut, and it wasn’t ours. We have no beef with anyone else.”
“Why that warehouse, though? Sure, we own it, but we haven’t used it in decades,” Eagle chimes in.
“It’s not about us using it,” I tell him. “It’s to send a message. They know about us and can find our shit and fuck it up. I threw out a warning to them, and instead of heeding it, they are playing chicken. That means we need to hit back. Meek, find me where it will hurt them most. I also want that bar gone. Make it happen.”
“On it, boss. I will have schematics sent over to everyone by this evening for plans to be made.”
“Good. What about the families that were displaced?” I ask.
“The girls are rallying now to get them resources. We will need a crew of men to swap out to help build the houses back,” Eagle tells me.
“Get the prospect on one of them. Swap out guys on patrol with the crew. We take care of our own,” I tell him.
He nods.
“Great. Everyone knows their jobs. Get to them.”
As we all leave, I’m shocked to find Maggie sitting with Lisa, Kim, and Rain, laughing as they use the telephone tree to gather resources.
When Maggie looks over at me and smiles, I think about how right she looks there with the other old ladies.
I really shouldn’t want the girl, but I do. More than I realized.
Walking over to the girls, I stop behind her chair, massaging her shoulders. “I hope you ladies are being productive,” I tease.
“You might rule this club, but you don’t rule me, son,” Lisa teases back.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Lisa. After all, who would bake me those amazing chocolate chip cookies if you decided you didn’t like me anymore?” I joke back.
She laughs. “I bet Maggie can make a mean chocolate chip cookie.”
I don’t miss the way Lisa winks at me.
