Chapter 19
“What’s going on today?,” Rider asked.
Ox was leaning back in his chair, his hand scratching at his beard.
His long hair was down around his face as Prettyboy eyed him. It was either watch Ox or stare at Axel, who was low-key staring at him as if he were waiting for Prettyboy to make one wrong move.
“Axel, why don't you tell them what’s going on?”
“Silver Bullets have been circling my clubhouse for the last few days. They haven't made any untoward moves against me or my men, but they’re ready to bite.”
“What do they want?”
“They found the warehouse we use for our coke shipments. We haven't been preparing our shipments there because of that fact, so they're lying in wait to ambush us I would guess,” Axel said tiredly.
Prettyboy glanced at Ox.
“You tryin’ to branch out, Axel?”
Fury’s deep voice filled the silent room like a cloud of smoke.
“Yeah, man. Trying, but it ain’t that easy. Not many options for us right now.”
Fury looked like he wanted to say something important, so Prettyboy sat up straight in his seat.
“What if we talk to Rayna about getting in contact with her dad’s old partner?”
Ox’s head snapped up.
“What?”
“What if we utilize the little black book? Guns may not be the best, but its certainly cleaner than coke. He was a good partner, a silent one.”
“Rayna has to give me her blessing. I won't give out that info without her consent,” Ox said.
Axel cleared his throat.
“I appreciate it, Fury. It would help us out a lot, but I agree. Ask Rayna first. She’ll have to sign off on it before I take that info from her. He still in business?”
Ox motioned towards Rider.
“Far as I can tell, yeah. I check in on him a few times a month.”
Axel nodded, his long hair falling into his scarred face as he sighed heavily.
“I have something else I want to discuss before I leave here today.”
Ox’s eyes narrowed questioningly.
“Esmeralda. I can’t take her back to my clubhouse with all this heat we’re workin’ with, but something tells me she won’t want to come back with me anyways.”
The sad tone of his voice had Prettyboy wincing, but he knew he owed Axel a thank you. Axel nor Prettyboy had control over Esme. The truth of it was that she could have chosen Axel instead of Prettyboy, and if she had he would have let her go. He would never keep her against her will. Still, Axel could have taken her home with him anyways.
She was still technically a part of Axel’s club, and she wouldn't be a part of the Seven Deadlies until she took Prettyboy’s name or his brand.
I want her to take both, honestly.
I’m a selfish bastard and I want it all.
“She’s welcome here for as long as she needs,” Ox said.
Axel seemed relieved, but then he looked up at Prettyboy.
“I don’t have a right to ask, but fuck all that noise. I need to know what your intentions are, man.”
Prettyboy felt every pair of eyes in the room land on him.
Fuck, why?
Tell him the truth. He deserves to know.
“I’m keepin’ her for as long as she’ll let me.”
“Esme is a forever kind of woman. You ready to give her your brand?”
“I’ve been ready. I’m just waitin’ on her.”
Axel seemed pleased by that, but he did nothing but nod.
“I guess now is as good a time as any to tell everyone in here that I plan on askin’ her to be my old lady,” Prettyboy said.
A resounding cheer echoed inside of the small room and Prettyboy found himself grinning as Limit smacked him hard on the back.
“Good for you, brother. She’s a keeper.”
Yeah, she is.
“That’s great! I like Esme. She lets me talk to ‘er until I get tired,” Green said with a cheerful grin on his handsome face.
Prettyboy rolled his eyes but Axel caught his gaze.
He didn't have to give Axel a damn thing, but he knew that the older man was suffering- even if he refused to admit it. Losing the woman you love isn't ever an easy thing to handle, but Axel was doing an admirable job of keeping it together.
Prettyboy stood and held his hand out to Axel.
He half expected Axel to snub him, but instead Axel stood and shook his hand like the upstanding man he was.
“Good for you,” Axel murmured.
Prettyboy nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Now that our brother has pulled his head out of his ass, do we have any other issues to address before I drop a bomb on all of you?,” Ox asked.
Prettyboy sat down, his green eyes surveying his president.
Fury waved his hand in the air.
“Rayna and I had an appointment with Laura today. I’m only bringing this up because she’s really upset and I don't want someone to say something by accident and hurt her more…we can’t have kids. The bullet she took tore her insides up. We have to utilize some other options if we want children,” Fury said.
Prettyboy’s stomach lurched.
“Damn brother, that’s rough. I’m sorry,” He said as he nudged Fury’s shoulder.
Fury’s dark eyes didn't leave the tabletop as he nodded.
“Thanks.”
“I’m really sorry to hear that,” Ox said.
Axel said something similar.
“Do you guys need anything? You want me to hack into some databases and see if I can get any info for you?,” Rider asked.
Fury chuckled under his breath.
“Yeah man, that would great. Maybe she’d feel better if I could give her some alternative info,” Fury said.
Rider nodded and hurriedly began clicking away on his tablet.
“Sorry about your troubles,” Green said.
Prettyboy could tell Green was tore up about it, especially because Rayna was his best friend. He couldn't imagine going through that…could he?
Did he even want children?
Maybe.
Esme makes everything seem possible…
“We have one last thing to discuss before today’s church session is over. I’ve been thinking long and hard about this, and trust me when I say that I’m sorry I didn't think to do it sooner. Prettyboy, I’m sorry for the trouble Tashsa has caused you. I thought Rayna could kick her ass into gear, but obviously that didn't work out the way I thought it would,” Ox deadpanned.
Every man in the room sat up straighter.
“Tasha’s out. I’m kickin’ her out of the club, for good.”
“Wow, shit, are you serious?,” Slayer asked.
Prettyboy happened to know that Slayer and Tasha fucked on the regular.
“As a heart attack. I don't like the way she mouths off, I hate the way she speaks to Prettyboy, and she ain’t loyal. Can’t have bitches like that on my lot,” Ox said seriously.
Limit nodded in agreement, and so did Axel.
“Somebody bring her in, I know she’s here.”
Slayer rose to go find her.
“What about Ruby and Loretta?,” Limit asked.
Ox waved his hand.
“Those two are harmless. They can stay. I’m looking into a couple of new business ventures that, if they work out, will bring in more money and pussy than any of us can handle.”
Green whistled and rubbed his hands together excitedly.
“That’s my kind of business.”
Prettyboy, Axel, and Rider all started laughing.
“Yeah, we know.”
Before anyone could speak again, Tasha came trotting into the room. She had on a cut off white t-shirt and jean shorts that had to be painted on.
Prettyboy grimaced at the sight of her, he couldn't help it.
“What’s going on?,” She asked.
Ox glared at her, his amber eyes flooded with anger.
“I’ve given you a lot of chances to get your shit together, Tasha. Truth is, I don't know why I kept you around for so long, but your time here has come to an end. It’s time to pack whatever belongings you've got on my property and hit the road. You’re no longer welcome in Seven Deadlies territory.”
Her entire face crumpled and Prettyboy felt a sick sense of satisfaction at the sight.
She didn't care about my feelings when she was verbally accosting me, or my woman.
Fuck her.
“What? No! I’ll be better, I swear-”
“No. You've had too many chances. There is nothing to argue about. Get your shit together, and get out,” Ox demanded.
His menacing tone left little to the imagination as far as his anger went- Prettyboy did wonder what made him have such a drastic change of heart, because Ox was always the level-headed one. He never handed out a punishment unless someone truly deserved it, but usually the tagalongs were ignored altogether. Then again, apart from Tasha, none of them caused any trouble.
But, he was right.
A disloyal bitch could bring down an entire operation like theirs.
“This is bullshit, Ox!”
“No, baby. What’s bullshit is you walkin' around here like your shit don’t stink! Watch your mouth. You're no longer under our protection.”
She was crying, full on hysterical, but Ox didn't even budge.
“You’ll regret this!”
“The only thing I’ll regret is letting you stay for as long as you have. Go, now, or I’ll have Limit remove you.”
Limit stood to his full height, and he towered over her.
She whimpered, her black mascara running down her cheeks as she turned towards the door and stormed into the hallway.
“Fuck you! Fuck this club! You’ll regret this!,” She screamed as she stomped down the hall.
Fury cleared his throat.
“Well, that went well.”
“Didn’t expect her to go quietly,” Ox said.
Prettyboy swallowed audibly.
“Thank you.”
Ox’s gaze snapped to his.
“Don’t thank me. I should have kicked her ass to the curb the first time she insulted you. I guess I didn't think her opinion really mattered, but I can’t have her causing scenes with all of the old ladies. Rayna literally tried to convince me I should let her kill Tasha just last week,” Ox said with a wry grin.
Fury’s booming laughter triggered the laughter in the rest of the room.
“You lucky bastard,” Limit said with an eye-roll.
“I am, aren’t I?”
“If that settles it, let’s call it a day, boys. Head out and have a good time. It’s the weekend. Let’s raise a little hell,” Ox said.
His gavel sounded and suddenly all Prettyboy could think about was asking Esme to stay.
To stay with him.
To love me.
Esmeralda Quinn wasn't just any woman.
She deserved the best, and Prettyboy wanted to give it to her.