Tarot

 

 

The caller was Tank. I stepped away from Peyton and answered it.

“Brother,” he said. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I think someone is trying to frame you.”

My stomach tightened. “What do you mean?”

“I just got a call from Phoenix. He was asking me some serious questions about you.”

“Me? I don’t understand. What was he asking?”

“Apparently, they’ve been robbed and the guy on video looks exactly like you.”

My blood began to boil. “I didn’t rob anyone. That’s bullshit.”

“I believe you. You and I go way back and I know you’d never steal from anyone, let alone your own club. Anyway, if that wasn’t bad enough, Devon’s being stalked and she claims you’re the one who’s doing it.”

 I was so outraged, I had to step out of the house. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said angrily. “I was over at her place last night helping her.  She had a Peeping Tom looking through her windows and Phoenix called me up, asking me to go and check on her. That’s all I did. I’m not into stalking anyone, especially women.”

“Relax, brother. I believe you.”

“Why would she accuse me of this shit?” I said in disbelief. “I don’t understand.”  

“Apparently, the neighbor noticed someone who looked like you in her backyard last night.”

I grunted. “Of course, they did. I was checking around for the asshole looking in on Devon.”

“The neighbor claimed it was around seven that the Peeping Tom was lurking around. Phoenix said he didn’t talk to you until much later.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I was having dinner with someone at that time. What in the hell? Don’t they fucking trust me?”

“They want to, but obviously, someone is messing with their heads.”

“Yeah, apparently.”

“There’s one more thing,” said Tank. “Devon claims she received a dick-pic on Facebook from someone calling themselves ‘Tarot’. Apparently, the guy had a pair of her panties and was—”

  “Enough,” I growled, pacing back and forth. “You know it wasn’t me. I don’t even have a Facebook account, and I sure as shit wouldn’t send a picture of my dick to anyone. Someone is framing me.”

“It certainly looks like it.”

Trying to calm down, I ran a hand over my face. “I need to talk to Devon.”

“That’s not going to happen. Devon is pretty freaked out about this and they don’t want you going near her until this shit is figured out.”

The fact that they didn’t trust me was like getting kicked in the stomach. “This is bullshit!”

“You have any idea of who might be doing this?” asked Tank.

“Honestly, my gut is telling me it’s the Blood Angels.”

“I was wondering about that as well. Why would they concentrate on you, though?”

I thought about it. A riff between me and the club could create a big distraction. I told Tank my thoughts.

“It makes sense. Hopefully, we can get to the bottom of this quickly.”

“I hope so. The fact that Phoenix and Devon believe I’d do this shit is really pissing me off though.”

“They just don’t know you well enough. I told Phoenix that it couldn’t be you. He’s definitely willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.”

I grunted. “I’d hope so. Besides, I have witnesses who will attest that I was having dinner last night and nowhere near Devon’s place until after Phoenix called.”

“I don’t think you’re going to need them.”

It sounded to me like I would.

Tank sighed. “I gotta go. Tell Phoenix to call me later after you talk to him.”

“Will do.”

“I know you’re pissed off,” he said. “But, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“Damn right we will.”

We spoke for a few more seconds and then hung up. I walked back into the house and explained that I needed to sort some things out, but still wanted the house. They had me sign some paperwork, and then John took off.

“What’s wrong?” asked Peyton, searching my face.

“More club stuff,” I replied, not wanting to drag her into any more of my drama.

“You want to talk about it?”

“Maybe during dinner. We’re still on, right?”

She smiled. “Of course.”

I relaxed. “Good.”

“Here’s my address, by the way,” she said, handing me a slip of paper.

I stuck it into my pocket. “Thanks. I’ll call you as soon as I can.”

“Okay.”

We walked outside to her car. She got in and rolled down the window.

“I’m glad you’re buying this place,” she said, looking past me toward the house. “I think it’s a great place to raise a family, as well as a great investment.”

“Me, too,” I replied, leaning down. “You know what else?”

She gave me a questioning look. “What?”