Page 11 of Joker's Ghost
“Well, if you got all this shit last time you were here with Cobra, we wouldn’t be down here again. According to the women, there are two more boxes of decorations.”
I shake my head, mumbling, “This whole Halloween bullshit is taking on a life of its own. Every year this party gets bigger and bigger. What started out as a thing for the kids has turned into an event.”
“Right, and are you gonna be the one to disappoint your pregnant wife and all the other women who’ve been looking forward to it?”
“I already told Daisy I ain’t dressing up as any old-time gangster.”
“Oh yeah, and how did that go?” Python sets the box down and crosses his arms over his massive chest.
“It went the way everything else goes. She ignored me, ‘cause in the end, she knows I’ll fold—but not this time.”
“Yeah right, you give new meaning to the phrase ‘pussy-whipped.’”
“Uh-huh, like you ain’t afraid of your five-foot-two wife.”
“We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you.” Python smirks. “And you, my friend, are wrapped around that woman’s finger and won’t admit it. I, on the other hand, admit it full-out.”
“You’re a real prince. Now let’s get these boxes upstairs so we can get outta here.”
“What is it that’s got you so spooked? It’s just a damp, dingy basement.”
“I don’t know, I get a wonky feeling whenever I’m down here.”
We each hoist two boxes on our shoulders and head for the stairs. We get halfway up the cement steps, and I hear the vibration again, only this time there’s also a humming sound like the whine of an engine.
“You hear that?”
Python stops midway up. “Hear what?”
“Like a high-pitched buzzing.”
Python stops and listens. “I don’t hear anything except my muscles telling me to put this goddamn box down. What the fuck did these women pack in here, rocks?”
“Forget it.” I follow Python up, and the sound fades. Geez fuck, am I losing it? Must be some kinda logical explanation. Like a vibration from the air-conditioning or the hot water heater.
All I know is I go down to that basement at least two or three times a week for liquor and other supplies, and I never heard that sound until we had the meet with the Nomads. Sounds fuckin’ crazy, but it’s the only common denominator. Bottom line, I can’t wait to get this fuckin’ job done.
We dump the boxes on some tables in the back, and Daisy, Virginia, Madeline and Sheena descend on them like vultures. Mamba’s Mandy would be joining them later whenshe closed up her nail salon. By tomorrow night, I had no doubt The Gold Mine would be decked out in full Halloween mode.
Daisy turns toward me, wraps her arms around my neck and whispers, “You’re the best.”
And that right there is enough for me. Knowing my girl depends on me is all I need. One of my duties as VP is to always have the prez’s back, along with all the other brothers, but my loyalty also includes my family. A family I never thought I’d have, and surely would never put in jeopardy.
Python and I head to the bar where Rattler lines up shots of Jack Daniels.
“Does anyone have any questions about what goes down tomorrow morning?” Cobra asks.
We all shake our heads no.
“Should be easy in and out,” Rattler says. “We’re getting there early so we’re gonna have the jump on them.”
Cobra raises his glass. “Club First, Brothers Always.”
All the brothers join in with the toast, but I just want to get these Nomads gone.
I’ve come too far and waded through too much shit to have it snatched away from me because of some stupid curse or what I perceive to be a curse or just fuckin’ bad luck. Either way, I wasn’t gonna let any of it interfere with my family.
Probably why I’ve been acting so paranoid lately. Daisy is usually the hyper one, but after what we experienced with her last pregnancy and the stress and anxiety she suffered afterwards, it’s made me extremely careful.
