CHAPTER TEN
Fringe
At Lucifer’s I nurse a beer as I try to get what happened earlier straight in my mind.
Frank stopped me before I tore apart his garage.
“What did they say?” Worry lines crease his forehead, no doubt in reaction to how I’m handling the conversation outside.
“It’s fucked up, man. Seriously fucked up.” I sigh as Frank waits for me to continue. Brushing my hair from my eyes, I take a deep, steadying breath. “They want me to sign up. In fact, they’re kinda forcing it, spreading the word that I’m already an associate.”
“Why? I don’t get it.”
“A couple of reasons. I’m a legacy.” I watch his eyes widen. “Yeah, my old man was an LA.”
“Was? If he’s not now, how does that make you a legacy?” He runs a hand down the back of his neck.
“He still is, once in you’re never really out, but he’s not active anymore. They want me. Dad still holds a lot of sway with them and he’s been whispering in their ears about me.” I bark out a laugh. “They kicked his ass out a few years ago. Probably didn’t want to put up with his shit anymore but he’s still honorary or some such shit.”
It’s Franks turn to sigh. “Alright, so there’s that. Doesn’t mean you have to join, does it?”
Shaking my head, I walk to Frank’s office and he follows me. Once there, I plop down heavily into a rickety old chair and he bumps an ass cheek up against his desk. “No, it’s supposed to be mutual and a big fucking honor and all, but I have a gut feeling that they’re gearing up to go to war with another club and I’m a pawn.”
Frank exhales sharply. “Fuck me.”
“Yeah.” Frank’s slowly getting the picture, but I spell it out anyway. “If I’m an LA, I won’t be working on any of the other clubs’ bikes. That’s a huge coup for them.”
“And, I lose at least half of my business. Fuck all, Fringe, it ain’t right. Just ain’t right.”
“I know, man, and I’m sorry.” My eyes drop to the floor. I can’t take looking at him anymore. “I’m trying to figure a way out of this, I just don’t know what it is yet. Believe me, I don’t want to join up.”
“You’re the best mechanic I ever seen.” Frank sighs, pulls out a handkerchief and wipes his mouth. “I’ll keep you on as long as I can.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll do whatever I can to make this right.”
We shake hands and I get my ass back to work.
That all happened hours ago. At the bar with a now empty beer, I wish to all hell that I had never set foot in the place tonight.
I walked in and got this spot at the bar just in time to see Dawn’s obscene and beyond stupid display.
I didn’t think this day could get any worse, yet the hits just keep on coming.
Half watching, because that shit isn’t made for the public eye, I saw her when she came. I couldn’t help it, couldn’t turn away.
She’s standing in front of me right now with a look of contrite horror on her face but all I can see is her come-face, like it’s superimposed over her skin. And, all I can think is that she looked so beautiful when she came. Damned if I know what that’s about.
“So, umm, you saw?” Her face is beet-red but she smiles through it to the bartender when he hands her a bottle of beer.
I grab the bottle from her as she lifts it to her mouth. “I think you’ve had more than enough.”
“What? I’m not drunk, Fringe. I only had a couple, for real.”
“Then what the fuck is your excuse for that… that bullshit?” I motion with a hand toward the booth that fucker, Lobo, still occupies. “I’d be happier if you were drunk.”
“What’s up your ass? I didn’t do anything wrong.” She’s talking a good game but she’s looking down, can’t meet my eyes.
I let her stew for a moment while I take a swig of the beer meant for her. Then I just stare at her until she squirms. “Dawn, you can’t do shit like that here. Or, fuck, anywhere in public. What if someone took pictures? Or a video? You want that kind of shit plastered all over the Internet?” I have to force myself to loosen the grip on the bottle, otherwise I might shatter it.
“I… umm…” She’s lost for a moment but manages to think of a retort just in time. “The club wouldn’t let that happen. They got my back.”
That’s it. She’s crossed a line, talking like she’s one of them. Like she’s one of the bitches, their property. She’s so damned clueless.
I grab her arm and yank her hard, making her follow me. I’m taking her out of this place. I have to talk some sense into her and it won’t happen here.
She digs her heels in and swats at my arm. I’m stronger than her by a country mile so I’m not worried that she’ll break free. What I am concerned about is— Before I can think it, it happens.
“Problem here, Fringe?” It’s Cutty. He’s in tight with Skull and was at the shop earlier.
I steady myself and pull Dawn to a stop behind me. At least she’s stopped struggling.
“Nah, brother. You know Dawn and I are friends. She’s just screwing around.”
“Yeah? That right, Dawn?” He raises an eyebrow at her.
Cutty is one of the older members, in his forties or fifties, and all muscle. I’m dead if Dawn doesn’t cooperate. I increase the pressure on her arm, not enough to hurt her, but to send a message.
“Yeah, we’re cool, Cutty,” Dawn says to my relief. “I gotta get home and Fringe is my ride.”
Cutty nods. “Alright, then.” He walks off without another word.
I get our asses out of Lucifer’s and once outside, I let go of Dawn. Immediately, she lets fly with a punch to my arm. I’m in no mood and sidestep it.
“What the fuck was that, Fringe? That was so not cool of you to drag me out of there like that.”
I’m stunned. “You’re pissed at me? At me! Oh, baby doll, you are so barking up the wrong tree.” I grab her again and haul her to my bike, clenching my teeth. “Get on and don’t say another word.”
“Where we going?”
I turn to glare at her and all I can see is the face she made when she came… when that asshole was touching her.