CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Fringe
“I didn’t expect this.”
Angie and I pull up to a spacious four-bedroom home. It’s modern, well-kept, and nothing indicates that it belongs to a Lucifer’s Angels club member.
“Most of the LAs are successful, legitimate businessmen. It’s the younger, newer members who think they have something to prove. They’re the ones with the chips on their shoulders, who get into scrapes with the law, but the older guys can be insufferable douchebags, too.”
Littering the yard, driveway, and block surrounding the party house are member motorcycles.
Angie frowns and passes the house, pulling into a parking spot a couple of blocks farther up. Hands still on the steering wheel, engine on, she looks at me. “Are you really sure about this?”
“It’ll be fine.” I give her a reassuring smile. “Come on.”
She doesn’t look reassured but shuts off the engine, grabs her purse and we both get out of the car. I put my hand on the small of her back as we walk up the block. There’s no sound of a party as we approach the house and Angie looks at me questioningly.
“Kegger has a large finished basement that he had soundproofed for club parties like this. Everyone in the club loves him.”
She nods as we walk down a short slope devoid of snow and ice to the basement’s private entrance where I open the door for her. That’s when the driving beat of music so loud it vibrates my bones hits us.
There’s a few kegs sitting in ice buckets on the other side of the door, so I lead Angie there, grab a couple of large plastic cups and fill them. Handing one to her, I take a long swig as someone claps me on the back. Turning, I come face to face with a broadly smiling Kegger.
“Glad you could make it, Fringe!” he booms, the strength of his greeting only partly necessary as the music lowers to slightly less eardrum-blasting.
I nod and raise my cup to him in a salute but he’s already moved on to Angie. “And who do we have here?”
I stifle a sigh. Kegger is in his late fifties, has a wife, or old lady as they’re referred to, but is ogling Angie like she’s the first woman he’s ever laid eyes on.
Forcing myself to remain polite, I make the proper introductions.
Angie nods and offers a small smile. “Pleased to meet you, Kegger.” She offers her hand timidly for a handshake.
He takes her hand and brings it to his lips, making a show of being gallant, but he’s rubbing her palm with his fingers. Fucking lug nut.
“Well ain’t you a pretty little thing.” He holds on to her hand a couple of beats longer than necessary.
“Thank you.” She smiles but glances at me like she’s asking for rescue.
“Hey brother, looks like a great party.” I clap him on the back to distract him from Angie.
He grins, showing off his gold tooth. “Make sure you grab some grub before all these animals scarf it up.”
We nod, chat for another second or two and then leave him to make our rounds.
Deeper into the belly of the beast we go while I upnod or raise my cup as I’m greeted. The party must have started much earlier, because most of the boys are trashed and my boots are sticking to the cement floor. Looking down at the sexy shoes Angie is wearing, a fancy pair of black high heels, I guide us to a less crowded spot where we can stand without being constantly bumped.
I take another swig of beer then bend low to her ear. “Want some grub?”
She looks up at me and laughs. “Maybe later.”
I laugh with her then notice Skull making a beeline for us. Good. Since he knows I’m here, we can leave all the sooner.
“Hey hey hey.” He claps me on the shoulder as I shake his offered hand. “Good to see you, brother. Just get here?”
I nod and remind myself to be well-mannered. “Angie, this is Skull. He’s a lieutenant in the club.”
Skull smiles widely. He’s a decent enough looking guy but something about him is greasy. “Fringe is a lucky man, Angie.”
At least he didn’t pull fucking “Game of Thrones” kiss her hand bullshit.
“Oh, you’re being too kind, Skull. So, you’re a lieutenant. That must be exciting.”
He shakes his head, his eyes narrowing. “Fringe got it wrong. He can’t seem to keep our titles straight, but, yeah, it’s more of an honor than anything else.” He claps me on the shoulder again. “Welp, I got people to see and beer to drink. Glad you two could make it.”
Once he’s gone, I lean in toward Angie. “Holding up okay?”
“Yes.” She smiles and there’s that sweet twinkle in her eyes again. “Except for all these weird nicknames, it feels like any other house party.”
“Ah, hell. Now you’re thinking I’m not very original with my nickname.”
We both laugh and settle into a more relaxed stance.
Bad decision.
“Well, lookee here, brother. Look-it what you brought for us. Mmm mmm.” I don’t know this punk’s name, but he’s one of the younger members.
I open my mouth to reply but he’s already grabbed Angie and plastered his lips to hers. She yelps and struggles to get out of his grasp as one of his filthy paws moves to her breast. He looks at me and winks, his lips still glued to hers.
Blood pounds in my temples, taking away my ability to think rationally, throwing me into pure animal instinct. I step forward, grab him by the arm and wrench him free of Angie. In a single fluid motion, I punch him in the face. He’s completely caught off guard and my punch lands squarely on his jaw, staggering him backwards. He wavers, his arms pinwheeling, but he can’t catch his balance and lands hard on his ass.
The music abruptly stops and all eyes turn to us.
Throwing my arm around Angie, I pull her in close as Skull manages to get right in my face.
“What the fuck, Fringe?” His eyes are cold, narrowed, his lips tight and thin.
There’s nothing for me to do but return the stare. I’m not backing down. It could be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, and maybe the last, but my brain is screaming fight instead of flight.
“Son of a fucking bitch put hands on my woman.” I spit the words out, my tone low and dangerous. “She is not community property, Skull.”
“Alright, I hear you, but that doesn’t give you the right to punch a brother.” He’s still glaring, posturing, ready for battle.
By now the asshole is on his feet and standing almost shoulder to shoulder with Skull. Others have come up, formed a semicircle in front of Angie and me. This could get much uglier, very fast.
And, still I can’t control my mouth. “He’s not my brother. None of you fucking are! I came here tonight out of respect for the invite, no other reason.” I look around to some of the others. “Can’t you all get that through your thick fucking skulls already?”
Angie’s shaking against me. Of course, she’s terrified. Any sane person would be. I guess at the moment I’m crazier than a loon.
Skull lifts a finger and pokes it into my chest. “You’re tempting me, Fringe. That what you fucking want?”
I tense harder than I already am. If it’s a fucking fight he wants…
“Fringe, please, don’t.” Angie grasps my arm like she can hold me back. Like she can contain a whirlwind.
“Listen to your woman, Fringe,” Skull growls.
Ever so slowly, I loosen my hand until it’s no longer forming a fist. With a tight nod, I take a backward step, pulling Angie with me. Skull and the others take a step forward, but they keep the same distance between us. I think they might be letting us go but I don’t let down my guard.
Another couple of backward steps, then I turn, keeping my eyes on Skull and crew, and move fast with Angie through a parting sea of Angels to the exit. Opening the door, holding it open for her, she steps through.
I’m right behind her, but Skull has one more parting shot. “We’ll talk real soon, you and me, Fringe. Real soon.”
Finally able to hold my tongue, I say nothing and quickly follow Angie from the house, letting the door slam shut behind me.
We don’t stop until we reach Angie’s car. She takes out her keys but her hands are shaking too much to unlock the door. Gently, I put my hand over hers and take them from between her fingers.
Unlocking the door, I note the near panic in her face and speak quietly. “I’ll drive, if you don’t mind.”
She nods and I walk her around to the other side of the car, letting her in. Making sure she’s secure, I race back to the driver’s side and throw myself behind the wheel. I start the engine as Angie collapses in her seat.
“I’m so sorry.” Pulling away, I keep an eye on the rearview mirror to make sure we’re not being followed. As soon as I speak, Angie bursts into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. The sound makes my heart hurt. I can’t believe I put her through this. What was I thinking bringing her here in the first place?
She breaks through my self-hate when I realize she’s saying something. I can barely understand through her sniffles, but at last, I figure it out after she repeats herself. “I’m the one who said, what could happen in thirty minutes?” She’s crying and laughing at the same time.
She’s one amazing woman.