"Infestation alert," I said with a smirk. "Not like they can do anything. You want to live there, you can. Might be a good idea. MaryCat and Keira seem to get on okay, and I know my wife—" I faltered there, because it was still way too easy to call her that when she wasn’t. Our conversation in the kitchen made me see that.
Dig winced. "I know what you mean, man. And I swear, Keira’s been the real MVP with MC. I’m grateful as fuck."
"Keira’ll carry on watching out for MaryCat and Maddox if you’re happy with that."
"MaryCat can be trusted with Maddox," he argued, folding his arms across his chest. "I don’t understand why her mom would think otherwise, so don’t believe MC’s bad press, okay?"
"I don’t, not particularly." My lips twisted. "I wasn’t even talking about the PPD. I just remember how isolated Keira was back when she first gave birth." Hell, until Cy had gone to preschool. Only Rene had consistently checked in on her. "Encourage the friendship or don’t, I don’t give a fuck. It’d be good for them though. At least they both know each other."
"Sorry, Storm," Digger muttered with a sigh. "Didn’t mean to get all defensive."
"If my mother-in-law had tried to take Cyan away from us, I’d have been more than fucking defensive, bro. I get it.
"You do you though. You wanna stay, you stay. The Enforcer’s position was only a suggestion. You and I both know there’s no movement on the council in West Orange unless, God forbid, something happens to one of my brothers."
Dig flinched. "Hell, nah. I don’t want that. I like the chapter as is."
"So this is your one shot at a promotion." I studied him. "Do you want more? More money in your pocket? More authority? More of a fixed position?"
"I don’t know the lay of the land. Is it wise to have a rookie to the area as your main security?"
"Mash, he’s the guy I asked to take the job, said he’d help out whoever I decided on."
"Why didn’t he want to take it?"
"His Old Lady’s sick. Needs the dough, but ain’t got time for the responsibility. Got a couple kids, you know?"
"It’d be good if you could get Keira onto that."
"Helping out? Remember Rene? She was always there, her nose in everyone’s business." I smiled at the memory. "Bear was fucking lucky that she put up with his ass."
"Keira will stand by you, too, Storm. It’ll just take time. You’ve both been nuts for each other since day one," was Digger’s gruff retort.
If anyone would know, it’d be him, seeing as he’d inadvertently started all this.
Well, his shitty bike breaking down had.
"Might take more time than any of us have," I said softly. "It’s all good. Anyway, I know she’s going up to North Canton today. Cyan’s enrolled in a private school there, and today’s the first day of class. But it works out well because there’s a state college in town too.
"She wants to be a nurse, and I want her to have whatever she needs to be happy. She won’t have time to do all the shit Rene did, and I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t have the inclination either."
Dig moved over to the desk and sat his ass down on the edge. "Storm?"
"Yeah."
"You really think I could do it? I never aimed for the council because Rex’s men are fucking unstoppable up there. I wouldn’t have it any other way, you know?"
"I get ya. Enforcer might not be the best job for you, but you can give it a shot, right?"
He nodded.
"Anyway, everyone’s in a temporary position for the moment. I want them to learn the ropes, see if they can handle it or, if they can’t, see if they can grow into the job. The offer’s open to you as well."
"I appreciate that, man. But do you think the others will?"
"Don’t give a shit," I admitted dryly. "To be honest, I’d have preferred you as my VP seeing as I trust you, but that position was taken, and Sweet Lips is good at corralling the men. I’ve seen him in action. I think he’d be good at it. We’ll see though. It’s all up in the air for the next couple weeks."
He stared at me, his mouth firming as he figured shit out in his head. "I’m down for it, but I just gotta check with MC." He held up a hand. "Don’t give me crap for it either."
I shrugged. "Wasn’t going to. Sounds like a smart man who’d key his other half in on a decision like this."
His brow furrowed, but he nodded. "Thanks, man."
"No problem. The worst thing that happened to you guys might be the best thing in the end."
Getting to his feet, Digger said, "I’ll go and speak with her so I can get you an answer ASAP."
"Appreciate that."
He dipped his chin in farewell and I watched him go, closing the door behind him.
Reaching for my cellphone, I found my message chat with Sin, who was our liaison with the Five Points’ Mob and West Orange’s Enforcer, as well as a damn good brother.
Me: What’s going on with the Five Points? Are they giving us crap about taking MaryCat in?
Sin: Taking her in? She’s a Sinners’ Old Lady.
Me: Preaching to the choir, brother. I just meant what’s the status. We both know that was more of a prison break than anything else.
Sin: Sorry. Every time I think about what Mom put MC through, I want to tear out her throat.
I wasn’t the only one with mommy issues.
Sin: Aidan Sr. made a few rumbles, but as far as I can tell, he’s backed off.
Me: Why?
Sin: Fuck if I know. Maybe Lodestar arranged something with her point of contact over there.
Me: Who’s that?
Sin: Tiffany said it was Savannah Daniels.
Me: The reporter who broke the exposés on the NWS?
Sin: She’s Aidan Jr.’s new fiancée.
Me: O.o Well, that’s fortunate.
Sin: Right? Tiffany said that Savannah and Lodestar grew up together.
Me: Ever get the feeling the ties that bind the Sinners with the Five Points were destined?
Sin: Not sure I believe in fate.
Me: Hahaha. Fuck you.
Sin: :P
Me: Okay, so I don’t have to worry about a bunch of Five Pointers tearing down my way?
Sin: No, and I’d have warned you first. I’d have been down there so fucking fast your head would have spun.
Sin: I’m not about to let my baby sister have her kid snatched away from her.
Me: Again, preaching to the converted, bro. FYI, just asked Digger to be my new Enforcer. I think he’ll say yes.
Sin: He’d be a schmuck if he didn’t. Anyway, good for him. Rex’ll be pissed. He was great at what he did.
Me: Digging. Yeah, fucking waste to have someone that talented at finding shit out not in a council position.
Sin: Won’t hear me arguing. MC should be with someone high up the ranks.
Me: Okay, just keep me in the loop if something changes with the Five Points?
Sin: Bet your ass I will.
Me: Appreciate it, brother.
Sin: Same goes. Thanks for taking her in.
Me: You said it yourself—she’s a Sinner.