“Go on. I’ll wait out here,” Jiggy promises.
Satisfied no one should interrupt me, I step into the chapel and slide the doors closed behind me. Still solid. Hardly any noise from the other room trickles inside. I circle the long, pine table and drop into a cracked leather couch to dial Z.
“Cock-a-doodle-do,” he answers.
I glance at the ceiling. “That never gets old, Prez.”
“I know, right?” He laughs. “What’s up?”
I relay the least incriminating version of the story possible.
“Well, fuck,” he says when I finish. “Sounds like Pony handled it the best way possible. Something Priest’s been stressing about.”
With all my own personal drama clouding this trip, I’d forgotten about Priest’s interest in how Pony’s running things. “I honestly don’t see how he could’ve handled it any differently.”
“No civilians got in the way?”
“Not that I saw. Pony says the station owner is a friend of the club, so we’re clear there.”
He’s slow to answer. “Good.”
“You worried I created a bigger problem?”
“No. Red Storm’s been around long enough to know better. Rolling through our territory unannounced, wearing the rocker of an area they can’t claim. It’s like they wanted to cause trouble.”
“Yeah, I thought that too.”
“Fuck ’em. We need to keep those southwest alliances tight,” he says, referencing the Iron Bulls and Savage Dragons without naming the clubs. “That was the whole point of our Texas Summit, right?”
“Right.” And thank fuck for it. Otherwise, I might never have met Shelby.
“Call Blaise. Make sure he knows you’re responsible, so Pony’s not taking the credit.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to make the call? Prez to prez?”
“I wasn’t there.”
Yeah, I’m trying so hard not to step on Z’s toes that I’m probably just irritating the shit out of him.
“I’ll take care of it,” I assure him. “Gotta call him before we get to Texas anyway.”
“Good boy,” he jokes.
“That reminds me. Guess who showed his face here? Smoke.”
“That old fucker,” he grumbles.
“Yeah, Pony seems just as enthusiastic about it.”
“How’s Shelby doing?” he asks.
The fact that he’s asking is the reason I threw my support behind Z to run our charter. “Good. Shows are giving her a lot of exposure. Heard from Jackson again.”
“What’d that prick want?”
“Guess Suggs left everything he had to Shelby in his will.”
He whistles. “Shit. That’s fucked up. Is it a lot?”
“Don’t know yet. She’s plannin’ to donate it.”
“Good for her. If she needs advice, I’m sure Charlotte or Hope can help her out.”
“And I’m sure Teller and Rock appreciate you volunteering their ol’ ladies’ services.”
He rumbles with laughter. “Steer behaving himself?”
Z’s been awfully generous about lettin’ me take half his officers out on the road with me. “Yeah, he’s been a big help, really. Dawson’s got him working with his crew half the time.”
“Shit, am I gonna get him back?” He sounds like he’s joking but it’s hard to tell over the phone.
“Everything all right there, Prez?”
“Yeah. Crystal Ball’s missing Dex and I miss Jiggy’s words of wisdom. But it’s all good.”
“You don’t miss me?”
“Nah, you’re always showing me up with that big, bushy beard of yours.”
I run my hand over my chin. “Well, maybe when you hit puberty, you’ll grow one too.”
“Good one.” He chuckles, then turns serious. “As long as you keep Stella off my back, we’re good, brother.”
“She hasn’t bothered you, has she? I’ve fixed the issues she—”
“Haven’t heard a word from her. Just how I like it.”
I blow out a breath. “Okay. Good.”
“Ice says you’re on top of his operation too. So, thank you for that.”
“Yeah, of course.”
“You gonna see Dex again tonight?”
“I should, yeah.”
“Have him call me.”
“Okay.”
We say our goodbyes and disconnect.
Outside the chapel, Jiggy’s still waiting, although now he’s been joined by a blonde in a yellow sundress. Jiggy jerks his chin to the side, sending her away.
“Don’t let me interrupt.” I hold my hands in the air. “Do your thing.”
He rolls his eyes. “Thanks, I’d rather not have my dick rot off.”
“Ooo.” I press my fingers against my lips and widen my eyes, just to be an asshole. “When did you become so judgmental?”
“Fuck off. What’d Z say?”
“He misses your wit and wisdom.”
Jiggy grins and rubs his knuckles over his chest. “Naturally.”
“Not much else. Wants me to call Blaise. Relieved that we’re whole.”
“We got lucky.”
I pull him in for a quick hug. “Glad you were at my side today, bro.” I lean back and poke him in the stomach. “Also happy you escaped without any holes.”
“Same.”
Dex joins us, hands in his pockets and sullen expression in place. “You all right, bro?” I ask.
“Honestly, I’m ready to get back on the road.”
“We’ll head out early.”
He nods. “Figured.”
“Hey, Z asked you to call him tonight.”
His eyes widen. “When’d you talk to him?”
“Couple minutes ago.”
“I’ll call him now.”
I shake his hand and thank him before he leaves. Can’t help thinking he seems relieved for an excuse to leave the party as I watch him stride away.
“He all right?” I ask Jiggy.
He shrugs. “I don’t think he knows what to do with himself if he’s not working.”
“No wonder he fits in so well upstate.” Rock’s crew is known for working harder than they party.
“We’re not exactly slackers.”
I cock one eyebrow. “We?”
“I work.”
“Yeah, my last nerve.”
He cracks up laughing. “I walked right into that one.”
I slap his shoulder and wish him luck.
Outside the door to my room, I stop at the sound of laughter. Is Shelby watching TV or is someone with her?
I push open the door.
Heather and Shelby glance up at me from where they’re sitting on the floor. Shelby’s cloth and tarot cards are spread out in the space between them.
Okay. Wasn’t expecting to find my ex hanging out in our room.
“Hey, Rooster.” Heather waves at me.
“Logan!” Shelby jumps up and runs over, crashing into me. I lift her and she wraps her legs around my hips and fuses her mouth to mine. “Are you okay?” she whispers softly against my lips.