Page 29 of Clash
“Where are you going?” Ranger asked.
“None of your fucking business. Fuck off.”
Flashing them my favorite finger, I parked my bike, then grabbed one of the club’s cages before heading straight for the park that was within walking distance of my house. I was hoping if I hurried, I could catch them and play with Alex, keeping my promise to him. But what I found when I got there, made everything so damn worse.
When I pulled up and found Alex screaming, and a shady-looking guy tugging on Gina’s arm, everything in me boiled over, a simmering pot burning everything below the surface. Between the useless trip to the club, combating these weird feelings for Gina, and the crazy attachment I have to her son, seeing the man fucking manhandling her like that just made me see red, and instantly reach for my gun.
I probably would’ve shot the fucker if he tried anything stupid, but with the way he cowered, quickly exiting the park, I knew the spineless weasel wasn’t going to fuck with me. He was incredibly smart for a dumbass, because my trigger finger was itching to pull the trigger just for the hell of it. I was thirsting for blood.
Then, when I saw Alex’s arm and the blood streaming down his face, that thirst was nullified. Everything in me, that protectiveness that only appeared when these two were around, took over. I scooped up that kid in my arms, immediately heading to the cage I brought with me. I could see the terror in Gina’s eyes, her silent plea to not take Alex to the hospital, fearing it would somehow bring her husband to our doorstep. It wouldn’t. I had connections at the hospital that other people could only dream of.
The club paid a particular doctor there to cover up our indiscretions when they were too much for Zeppelin, the man who took over as SGT at Arms for the club after I took on the VP role. An added bonus was the fact that my mother was the head charge nurse, and pretty much could get away with anything shewanted. Perks of fucking your boss, I guess. Yeah, she thinks I don’t know about her and Dr. Isaac, but I’ve seen his car at her house numerous times—well after it should be there.
The thing that kind of pissed me off though was the way my mother kept prodding me about Gina. She could tell I was attracted to her, but she kept egging me on anyway, trying to get it out of me. She wouldn’t… at least not in front of Gina. How do you explain to your mother that you met a woman and fell in love so easily? It hasn’t even been a whole week, and I was already picking out China patterns and planning weddings in my head.
It was absurd. And I needed to knock that shit off fast.
So yeah, Mom kinda pissed me off with that shit, but after everything that happened at the hospital, Alex returning home in a cast, I was ready for the damn day to be over with, too exhausted from this father-like stuff to function.
“I don’t know how you do it,” I uttered, shooting Gina a weak glance before groaning against the comfort of my favorite chair. It used to be my grandpa’s, and everything about it made me feel like home.
“What?” she asked, snuggling back against the couch cushions as she stroked Alex’s hair. He was fast asleep, pain meds doing him in. He made sure to show Skittles his cast, and it made me feel good that he liked that stupid teddy bear so much. I wasn’t sure if it was too girly.
“This parent stuff. Today was a bit exhausting. I’ll admit, when I saw his arm, and then that guy manhandling you, I went into instant protection mode, which was weird, I normally hate kids. But not this one,” I informed her, motioning to the slumbering Alex.
“I think you’d make a good father someday, Clash. You have natural instincts.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Only when it comes to him, it seems. That kid is absolutely amazing.”
“Thank you,” she said shyly. “I got pretty lucky.” She looked lost in thought, and I couldn’t help but ask why.
“What’s got you so lost in thought?”
She shrugged, her fingers moving through her son’s hair, a pensive smile on her face. “Honestly, I’m just thankful for everything you’re doing for us. This… it’s all too much, Clash.”
“It doesn’t seem like enough,” I admitted. “I wish I could do more.”
“It’s enough; trust me. Once I find a job and get some money together, I’ll pay you back for everything, and we’ll be out of your hair.”
I didn’t want that. But there I was, thinking about a stupid future again, picturing things that would never happen. I was a glutton for punishment.
I started to think about Lela, our cleaner, and the way she’s always complaining about needing help for jobs. She’s the reason my house looks absolutely spotless, but cleaning houses was only one of her skills. You should see what she can do with a crime scene.
“I know of a job you could probably get pretty easily.”
Gina cocked her head to the side, staring at me in confusion. “What’s that?”
“Well, I need to talk to my contact first, and see if they are even interested in taking on new recruits. Their girls are always busy this time of year. But I think it be perfect for you. You have the look for it.”
“Look?” Her eyebrows raised. “What kind of job are you referring to, Clash?”
I was too tired for this shit. She was getting uptight over nothing. She should be grateful that I know people hiring help. The economy nowadays makes the job market rather slim.
“I told you, Gina, I can’t divulge that kind of information until I contact them first. They’re pretty particular about whojoins them. They’re looking for hard-working women who don’t mind spending time on their knees a lot. I’ll give them a call in the morning and see if I can set something up.”
“Why are you being so cryptic about this?”
“I’m not. I just don’t like giving out personal information until I know it’s okay. They’re protected by our club, and one of our investments. I can’t just tell you about their business without speaking to them first.”
