Okay, I have to stop before I end up with a wet spot on my pants. I adjust myself and head in the direction she went. Not because I'm looking for her. I'm looking for my brother. I mean, I wouldn't be upset if she ran into me again. Holder is supposed to be here. I don't know why, but that's what his sister said when I went by his house. She had started living with him when she dropped out of school, and their parents were giving her a hard time. That's Holder for you, though. He loves his sister.
I see the shaggy blond hair through the window of Cole’s office. I should have known he would be here hanging out, helping Cole. What I didn't expect was the wild-looking Ayida sitting between them when I walked in.
She’s trying to talk her way out of more work. Girl after my own heart. "Please! I've done what you said. Can I please just get lunch? I have other stuff I'm working on." She is so beautiful and using her looks to get her way with the guys. Bottom lip stuck out, and her head tilted down so her eyes look more prominent and innocent. She is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and she is going to be the end of us. Looks like fun, though.
"What the hell you got to do?" Holder questions, being charming, as always. He could be charming if he wants, but we're still the monsters in this city. The monsters that kept the others in line. That's why I was looking for him now, to let him know about our last job.
"Well, we got the thumbs up from our last client. Why don't we make it an early day and go celebrate?"
She's looking at me like I had just handed her a puppy. She might have a body full of tattoos and piercings, but her face still looks like an innocent girl that needs my help.
"Thank you! See, Fletch agrees. I'm ready to eat, y'all can drop me off at Old Man's, and I can do what I need to do." I think I just made a friend. "Well, you all heard the lady. Let's get out of here before her pop catches us sneaking her out." They look at each other and shrug. I have won the battle!
Piling in my SUV we head towards Commerce Street. I don't even ask for opinions, I'm going to my favorite place, and everyone can kiss my ass. Judy's Place is a little hole-in-the-wall that serves Cajun, French, American, and a bunch of crap I think Judy just made up. Noticing their weird looks, I realize a crooning love song is softly playing in the background. I'm not exactly the hardcore kind of guy like the other Sons. Don't get me wrong I'll get my hands dirty, but I like the classics and have a love of art and literature. I know this isn't their idea of good music, so I switch my playlists to something more "badass." The guys seem happy and more at ease now that the love song is over.
Bunch of pussies can't deal with emotions or anything beyond blood and pain. They call me the runt of the group, but at least I'm not scared of showing other sides of myself than just the violent son of an asshole. I notice Ayida looks a little more relaxed too. I guess she isn't comfortable with feelings either, or she just has shit taste in music. I clear my throat and cut my eyes to the blue-haired beauty sitting next to me. I'm a gentleman and made sure she got the shotgun seat. "So, if you don't mind me asking, why the blue hair?"
Catching her off guard, her cheeks tinge pink while she runs a hand through said hair. "Well, I've only had it blue for a few weeks. It was my natural brown. When I moved here, I figured it was a new start, a new me. Might as well do something to change my appearance. Blue just seemed to fit my attitude at the time. Not depressed but dealing with some shit." Hmmm, well seems we got some deeper stuff going on here than just a daddy's girl coming home for the money.
"While we're on a personal subject, why did you come home after all this time?"
Her eyes went dark, and I swear the temperature dropped in the car. "That is my business, and I'm not in the mood to talk about it." She shut that shit down real quick.
"Okay, what do you do for fun?" Never corner a wild animal, always give them an easy out, or you might get your face mauled the fuck off.
"I don't know. I haven't had a lot of fun in the last few years. I guess getting tats and piercings is my version of fun. Well that and baking." Aww, little homemaker in a killer costume.
"I wouldn't mind trying your muffin sometime." Okay, so it was cheesy, but I couldn't help it. At least it got me a little smirk.
"I don't think you can handle my muffin." Damn. I'm really gonna like this girl.
Turning into Judy's I hear a loud groan; to my surprise it is the little badass next to me and not the guys. They're too busy whispering in the back like a bunch of old women to pay any attention.
"Not you too! Old Man loves this place. We were here all the time growing up. Judy might as well be my godmother,” she whimpers.
One of the reasons I love this place is because all the Family eats here, and nothing gets by Judy. Any info you may need you can get from her.
"They have the best étouffée in the whole city. Humor me and eat here and I'll get you some beignets for dessert." Girls like sweet shit, right?
"How about you buy me a beer with my lunch, and we'll call it even?" Well, okay, should have seen that coming.
"Deal! Let's eat. Oh yeah, forgot to tell y'all. Clint is meeting us here. He just got back in town last night and wanted to fill us in on what's going on up north." Ayida turns her curious gaze towards me, and all I can think is, I wish I could look at her all the time.
"Who is Clint? I don't know if Old Man wants me to meet the whole Family in one day without him." She seems nervous, but I guess I would be too meeting another one of the Family.
"He is the other head son in the Family. Like us three, he'll take over for his family when his father passes on."
Her eyes spark up in recognition. "I didn't realize y'all was ‘The Sons of Fortune'. I thought Holder here was a lackey of Old Man’s. It makes a lot more sense now. He is a privileged prick." Her taunts are getting the effect she wanted. Holder is red across the nose, giving a pretty stern glare in her direction, and crossing his arms tightly.
"Now listen here, you spoiled brat. You don't get to come in here and make assumptions about us. You're the one that ran away with the first man that gave you attention instead of staying and helping Old Man and taking a seat at the table when his time comes. Now he had to let his family name go because you were too busy with your new life, with your boyfriend. Keep your assessments to yourself."
Oh yeah, she pissed off Hold, but apparently, he had pushed the right buttons because she's striding up to him with death in her eyes, and her fists balled up at her sides. Before anyone could blink, she sucker-punched him right in the nose, sending a spray of blood over his shirt and her shoes. I run to pull her back. I'm not worried about Hold hurting her, but I am worried she might hit him again now that his hands are covering his eyes.
"What the fuck? You bitch!"
She is still seething. "Don't fucking talk about my dad or my life like you know anything. I was just joking about the prick comment, but I guess it was on the nose, huh?" Damn, this girl is savage. Hold gets the bleeding under control and is cleaning up, growling and grumbling. I need to calm this situation fast.
"Okay, Baby Girl, I know he pissed you off after you pissed him off, but no need in hitting. Let's eat and see if we can go back to being civil. Can we at least try? Everyone will be on their best behavior. Pinky promise." She gives me a shy smile, the complete opposite of the wild animal that was going for blood a minute ago.