Rock side-eyes me as if he’s annoyed I didn’t get here faster. Too fucking bad. He knows I live almost an hour away.
“Loco called,” Rock explains. “He wants to meet up.”
No wonder Rock’s annoyed. He hates anyone demanding things from him, let alone the leader of some trivial street gang.
“He specifically requested your attendance,” Wrath adds.
“It’s about fucking time we heard from him. You think he has a lead on what’s up with Grillo?”
“We’ll find out.” Rock stands and opens the closet door. Something beeps and there’s a metal clank. Rock slips on a shoulder holster.
Teller’s eyes narrow as Rock stuffs a pistol in each side of the holster. “You worried you might have to shoot someone tonight?”
Rock turns his head and stares at Teller for a beat. “No,” he answers, slow and packed with sarcasm, “I’m packing Glocks in case we want to stop and go bowling. The fuck’s wrong with you?”
Murphy doubles over, wheezing with laughter.
“I think if we start rolling in to visit Loco unarmed, he’ll get offended,” Wrath says. “It’ll tarnish the gangster image of himself he has in his head.”
Dex chuckles. “You should’ve been a psychologist. Nailed that one.”
Teller throws a scowl at everyone. “Whatever. I’m just glad we’re meeting him at the diner tonight instead of the whorehouse.”
“Big amen to that, brother.” Wrath reaches over and slaps Teller’s arm. “Hoping he gives us a minute for dinner before we get down to business. I’m starving.”
“Aw, poor Wrath.” Murphy pulls a sad face. “Trinity didn’t feed you today?”
“Actually, no. She’s working late.”
“Are your hands broken?” Teller asks. “Feed yourself, ya lazy bastard.”
Wrath glances at his phone. “My feeding window starts at six.”
“Jesus Christ,” Rock mutters.
“Feeding window?” I cock my head at Wrath. “What are you, a fucking dog now?”
“Don’t ask, Grinder,” Murphy warns. “You get him started, he’ll never shut the fuck up about intermittent fasting.”
Wrath shoves Murphy to the side. “Don’t be cranky with me. Not my fault you’re gaining weight with Heidi pound-for-pound. She’s having the baby, not you.”
Teller snickers into his hand. “It’s sympathy pounds.”
“Shut up, both of you.” Murphy lifts his shirt and smacks his abs. “Still harder than a brick wall.”
“So is your head,” Rock comments.
“Put your hairy belly away,” Wrath groans. “You’re gonna give me nightmares.”
“Can’t believe I missed fifteen years of this,” I say to Rock.
He lifts his gaze to the ceiling. “Hasn’t always been this colorful.”
“Yeah, Wrath only learned to speak in full sentences recently,” Murphy adds.
“Probably around the time your balls dropped,” Wrath shoots back.
“What does that…what the…you know what, never mind.” Dex slaps his hand on the table and stands. “We ready to go, Prez?”
“Yes, for the love of fuck, can we please.” Rock waves his hands toward the door.
I fall in next to Murphy. “You trying to goad Wrath into killing you?”
“He knows I’m messing around.”
Quick like a cobra, Wrath wraps one of the tree trunks he calls arms around Murphy’s neck and choke-hugs him. “I don’t know. You’re extra mouthy today.”
Murphy gags and tries to pry Wrath’s arm from around his neck.
“I need my VP in one piece for this meeting,” Rock warns.
Wrath releases Murphy and thumps him on the back.
“Thanks, Prez,” Murphy croaks. “I felt your concern.”
“I’ll choke you myself if you don’t settle the fuck down.”
“Calm yourself, Rock,” Teller says. “You’re wound a little tight tonight.”
“And you’re begging for an ass-kicking. Watch your fuckin’ mouth.”
“So fucking glad I rushed up here for this bullshit,” I mutter to Dex.
He shrugs. “They’ve been at it for days. Murphy runs his mouth. Rock calls him out. Teller mouths off to defend Murphy. Rock bites his head off.” He waggles his hand toward them. “Then Wrath pokes his nose in it and makes it worse. Rinse, repeat.”
“That ain’t good.”
“They’ll get over it.”
We finally get on the road. I decide to take my chances wearing my cut and riding with my club brothers, because fuck am I tired of worrying about every little thing. Dex rides at the back with me. Rock sets a lazy pace through the mountain roads leading to Loco’s diner. It’s old school. One of those buildings that looks like someone dropped a silver sardine can in the middle of a field. Parking lot could fit an entire city of cars in it.
Rock circles to the back of the building, backing his bike right up to the wall next to the door. Loco steps out with a big grin stretched across his smooth, dark face.
“Heard you all comin’ about a mile away.”
“That’s the idea,” Rock says, taking off his helmet and shaking Loco’s hand.
“Kings ain’t afraid of no one,” Loco shouts in his highly animated way. “Gotta love it.”
“Should we be afraid of someone around here?” Wrath asks, taking a slow glance around the parking lot.
“No. Fuck, no. You think I lost my fuckin’ mind? That’s not what I meant.” Loco wiggles his fingers at us. “Come on inside.”