Page 13 of Nines's Time

“Oh, you know him all right,” Markus grunts and looks at Lucky. “I’ll inform your brother you said hello.”

The smirk slips from Lucky’s face as he shakes his head.

“You’re involving Luka in this?”

“Of course, I am,” Markus snorts. “Why wouldn’t I get all the help I can? He’s in a damn good position to help and is willing to do so.”

“Fuck me,” Lucky grumbles.

Markus gets up and heads out without further delay, leaving the three of us to sit around the table at the bar we’d met him at. One that’s owned by the club.

None of us say a word at first. All of us are stuck in our own thoughts. This is complete bullshit, and I just want it over with. Everyone in this fucking town knows who the hell I am and knows I wouldn’t touch a minor. Hell, we got enough pussy coming and going at the clubhouse, I don’t need to even think of going there with anyone if I don’t want to. All I gotta do is snap my fingers and one of the fallen harlots, will drop to their knees and ask me how the hell I wanna fuck them.

Though I’ll admit lately, that shit ain’t happened. Not since the other day when I saw a certain blonde woman who caught my attention. Thinking of her, I glance between Lucky and Blow, clearing my throat. “Either of you talk to Sniper or hear anything else about the girl from the party?”

“I know Sniper and Rain went to see her at the boutique in town she owns. Keys was looking into her, but he’s keeping your shit main priority until we get you out of this shit,” Blow states cocking a brow. “You interested in her?”

“I don’t got time for that shit,” I retort, shaking my head.“Just wondering if whatever she’s hiding is gonna hit us.”

“Don’t know, but Dorin informed me that his cousin, Gavril, is very protective of Meadow and doesn’t want to see her hurt. But he also wants her to live life.”

“But what I don’t get is why,” Lucky says, furrowing his brow. “What is it about her that Gavril would be so protective of? It’s not like she’s Rain or Storm. She’s not from the Romanian family. I’ve checked into Gavril myself, and he’s one cold-blooded motherfucker.”

“I’m sure he is, considering he’s Dorin’s cousin,” Blow grumbles and raps his knuckles on the table. “Regardless, this girl is now under the protection of the club. No matter what Gavril’s connection is to her. She’s Nerd’s cousin, and that makes her family. But I still want to know more about her.” My Prez’s gaze comes to mine, and he jerks his chin up. “Why don’t you get to know her, see if you can’t find out what the hell her issue is?”

“What the fuck?”

Blow’s demand throws me off guard.

“You want Nines to get close to some chick? When he’s got this shit hanging over his head?” Lucky snorts. “Are you sleep-deprived or something?”

“Fucker, I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean for it to be said.” Blow casts Lucky a glare before focusing on me. “You need something to take your mind off the bullshit going on. Let Markus do his job, and you do yours. Take care of the club and find out who Meadow is and what she’s hiding.”

“Right,” I grumble, hiding the fact I do want to get to know Meadow. There’s something about her that calls to me. I’ve dreamed of her nightly, and I don’t know why.

The three of us finish up our beers and head out of the bar. I’m sure Blow’s ready to get back to Storm and the babies. Who can blame him? Three kids is a lot at one time. And I know he’s trying to be there for his woman and make sure she knows he’s not putting it all on her. I remember the stories he’s told me of his own dad and know that his reasons for being the way he is with his family stems from that. All in all, in my book, it makes him a damn good man.

* * *

Instead of heading back to the clubhouse, I find myself riding around. I rode out, heading for nowhere, only to return to town and park right in front of Meadow’s boutique. I stare up at the sign and smirk at the name of the place, ‘The Chic Boutique’. Weird name, but from what Storm and Chelsea have said about the clothes she carries, they’re awesome.

Without thinking, I drop the kickstand down and climb off the back of my bike. I start toward the building when my phone rings. I shove a hand in my pocket and yank it out to find it’s Markus calling. Knowing he was meeting with Luka, I answer it quickly.

“Tell me you got something for me.”

“Brother, you know I’m damn good at my job and always work my magic.” Markus chuckles through the line.

“What did Luka say?” I demand impatiently.

“Well, considering at our meeting Luka not only had the DA with him but also the judge, who just so happens to be the ones you would be going against, I spoke with them and Luka about some very alarming things. The judge being a religious man, and not one who can be bribed by any means, decided that he would be inquiring on this himself. I handed him copies of our documentation along with the DA. According to him, he knew something wasn’t adding up, but the detectives on the case were adamant about the who ordeal. They brought the information to my attention that there’s a few dirties in the department that need to be weeded out, however, that’s a whole other story.”

Reeling from this information, I drop my head back and stare at the sky. “So, does this mean it’s done?”

“I can’t say for sure, but it’s definitely looking that way, Nines,” Markus states firmly. “But that doesn’t mean that fucked-up group won’t try to hit you in some other way. Keep watching your back, and I’ll let you know for sure once I finish this up with the judge and DA. Luka also seems to be interested in this whole thing and has decided to join in and make sure the charges are dropped. Told the judge and DA himself that he knows you and knows the type of man you are. Gave you praises and even mentioned you helping him out when he needed it back in middle school, of all things.”

I chuckle, knowing Luka would do that. He was a nerdy but cool kid. Not like his little brother, Lucky. Luka’s about two years older than us, but we were the popular crowd. Don’t know why considering we didn’t give a damn about any of the shit they tried. However, one time, Lucky wasn’t with me, and I saw a group of kids getting ready to jump Luka, and I put a stop to it. Told him to get into boxing or something, and he did, though I don’t think he ever told Lucky about what happened. Now, he’s still the nerdy dude, but he’s bulked up and is a powerhouse that deals in politics.

Finishing my conversation with Markus, I pull the phone from my ear and straighten my head to look into the boutique. I’m not completely out of the fire, but feeling somewhat better, I decided to do what Blow said to do. Get to know Meadow. But not because he said to do it. I want to know who she is and what she feels like. I can’t help but be compelled by her. Who wouldn’t? She’s shy and has that innocent vibe going on, and a part of me, a large part, wants to protect her in every way possible.

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