“Gotta admit, he’s pretty hot. Like the way he shaves right above his ears and just pulls the rest back. And,” Cyndi came around to the floor, “he’s big too. Wonder what he looks like naked.”
Okay, time to shove her little charge to the backroom before Eva’s head-to-toe flush gave her away. “Enough,” Eva scolded, walking towards the door. She paused to erase any tell-tale signs from her face before flipping the ‘Open’ sign over, just as Ben took off out of the plaza. Even for the sake of saving face, she couldn’t prevent her eyes from following him, his wide back and shoulders covered by his leather and work shirt. The corner of her mouth hitched up in remembrance.
He looked fucking incredible naked.
~~~***~~
“Got a lot to talk about gentlemen.”
Vic leaned back in his chair as the rest of the Skulls gathered about the oak table. “Let’s do it quick so you guys can get to your days.” When he was certain everyone was seated, he brought the gavel down. “First thing’s first – Wednesday we’re all riding down to Flatwoods. Other three charters meeting us. We need to discuss this Santagio sitch and what’ll mean once we’re done.
“Means we’ll be flat broke once it’s done,” Doug grumbled.
God, sometimes Ben wanted to punch Doug good and clean in the mouth. “We discussing moving the last of the narcotics?”
“That’s number two on the agenda.” Vic turned to Aero. “You want to take over, V.P.”?”
Aero leaned forward. “Got a call from the little paisan. Said only time Uncle Emie’s guys are free to receive is early Saturday afternoon at one. And….
only
up north, meaning we’ll be transporting the remainder of the ‘scripts up to the Akron drop spot – about a two hour ride.”
Taz bounced back and forth in his chair, shaking his head. “We’d have to leave the clubhouse no later than ten thirty – in case of traffic and shit.”
“Fastest route is eleven, then cut over to I-76,” Doug added.
Vic tapped his fingers against the table. “And I’m guessing that’s
exactly
the route they’re countin’ on.”
Ben’s eyes flitted over to Vic. “Setup?”
“That’s what I’m going with. And here’s how we’re gonna handle it.” Vic looked between Ben and Tanner. “You two, get with Charles after work Friday night. He’s holding aside a small box truck and couple of shirts – both with company logos on it. Load the ‘scripts and get them back to the clubhouse. Wes,” he regarded the young patch,” you and Taz’ll head out an hour ahead of us Saturday in the truck – in Owens’ uniforms. You’ll head west on Route 250 then cut up to I-77 – meet us there.”
“If you guys even make it there,” Tanner stated. “My guess, the law’s gonna be waitin’ for a bunch of bikes crossin’ the Ohio border.”
“Which is why they’ll be carrying the ‘scripts
and
our guns in the truck. We don’t want anything incriminating on us. Everyone check your bikes – I don’t want so much as a tail light out – and be sure you got your license and insurance with you. If we do get stopped, I don’t want to give those assholes any reason to hold us.”
“And imagine how shocked Uncle Emie’s guys are gonna be when we all arrive whole,” Doug snickered.
Ben shook his head vehemently at Doug. “No.” He then looked at Vic. “We
don’t
continue on if that happens. If we get stopped, we call Wes and Taz to turn that truck around and bring the ‘scripts back. If Emilio has Ohio staties in his pocket, they’ll just alert him that we got past clean. He’s not counting on that happening, nor will his guys waiting for us.”
There was no way they were going to continue on if that happened and Ben saw Vic process all he said before nodding. “Agreed. We’ll discuss the logistics further on Wednesday. Now….onto number three. If this
is
a setup, and if it is was indeed Joey Perrone Dewey was referring to, then it seems the Santagios are not just wanting out of a long-term business arrangement.”
“They want to ruin us completely,” Aero filled in. “Question is…..why?”
“Because he’s an obnoxious, guinea asshole trying to ‘establish’ himself by putting his foot on the throat of anyone he thinks may give him shit,” Vic answered. “Translation: it’s a ‘my dick’s bigger than your dick’ move.”
Ben took a big intake of breath and let it out. “Yeah, but how long until he succeeds? If he’s intent on shutting down the Skulls, he won’t stop after one fail. He’s too proud to fail. He had to put his nephew up to using Dewey to get the parts, so they have to know about the botched pickup Saturday night. Joey’s been screaming about………..” Shit. Ben clamped his mouth shut, but it wasn’t fast enough.
“Screamin’ about what?” Doug asked.
To request speaking to Vic and Aero in private afterwards wasn’t going to fly at a table full of men who had their eyes on him. Double, fucking shit.
“You got something to say, Big Ben, say it now,” Vic told him.
He needed that deep breath more than ever. “”Guess I gotta. Only reason I didn’t is because there’s someone else involved I don’t want……involved.”
Doug snorted. “Let me guess – some bitch?”
Ben shot up like a cannon blast. “I swear to fucking Christ, Doug….keep your damn, fucking comments to yourself!”
Everyone at the table was stone silent. It was rare, if ever, that Ben lost his cool. And no one dare mess with him when he did. It wasn’t in his nature. Even with all his past shit, he always remained even keel, keeping to himself and not stirring the pot. He justified that his outburst had nothing to do with Eva, but Doug and his blowhard attitude pushing him over the edge.
“Ben, cool it bro.” Aero was next to him, tugging his arm to pull him back to his chair. “And you,” he looked across at Doug, “wait to hear what he’s gotta say before coming to conclusions.”
“Oh, what are you his watch dog?” Doug shot back.
Aero stood and pointed at him. “No, that’s
your
job, asshole. Or maybe that sergeant’s patch is too much for you.”
The flat of Vic’s hand came down so hard on the table it practically shook the floor. “
Enough!
Shut the fuck up all of you and sit the fuck down!” Everyone was seated and calm, though eyes were glaring around. “You got the floor, Ben.”
It was the last thing he wanted, but this time it was his own mouth that fucked up. “Two weeks ago I spun out, almost hit some chick. She dented her fender and tail light in the process. I offered to fix it up.” His eyes went Taz, who was grinning ear to ear, silently telling him to shut up. “She owns the card shop across from Clarks.”
Aero perked up. “The brunette in the blue dress?”
“You know about this?” Vic asked.
“I just saw her – and what a sight it was.”
“Long story short,” Ben cut back in, “I….spent some time with her. Told me she was in Ticker and overheard something.” Ben repeated what Eva overheard which caused everyone to eye each other.
“And what the hell does she know that she called you with that little tidbit?” Doug pushed his luck by asking.
Ben kept his temper in check, not giving Doug or anyone else fodder for his odd behavior. “Didn’t tell her shit, Doug. She overheard Joey bitching about ‘bikers’ and thought he might be referring to us. Just told me out of concern, is all. Now these ‘biker bastards’ could very well be the Hogs Joey was referring to since Dewey was a ‘no show’ Saturday night. But until we know what’s up Emilio Santagio’s sleeve, I ain’t assuming anything.” A long pause of quiet followed to which Ben was thankful. He hoped the focus would be on the message and not the messenger.
“Nor should we,” Vic finally spoke up. He then leaned forward, giving his men a hard look around the table. “This took long enough. Wednesday we meet the other charters to discuss future options and Saturday we do the run and see what the outcome is. For now, lay low, do our regular jobs and keep quiet.” The tense air in the room was as tight as a guitar string and needed to be loosened. “And in case any of you are wondering, don’t worry – we’ll be back in time Saturday for my fucking party.” That cracked a few smiles and let out a few snorts. “My wife may be slick with those town hall minions, but she’ll never get anything past me. Now go on,” he slammed the gavel down, “get outta here.”
Ben was the last one sitting and Vic looked as if he expected it. “Something else you want to add, brother?”
“Wasn’t keeping that from the club on purposes, pres. Wanted to tell you in private.”
“Because of the girl?”
He sighed, not knowing whether to agree or not. “She was either in the right place at the right time or….the other way around.”
Vic folded his arms. “Sounds like you care about her.”
Detatched emotion was synonymous with Ben. To admit a woman dented his exterior wouldn’t be his undoing, but it would raise eyebrows for sure. “She’s alone – no family. Owns her own place and business. Just trying to make her way.”
“Didn’t answer my question, big guy.”
Hell, Vic’s own wife couldn’t put one over on him. “Yeah. I do. And…..I meant what I said. She don’t know anything.”
“I hope not. Didn’t turn out too well the last time.”
~~~***~~~
“Heading next door for coffee, Cyn? Want some?”
Eva poked her head into the stock room where Cyndi had transformed back to her old self – tight knit thermal, black leggings with some logo splashed across her ass and Uggs. She also transformed the room – putting aside a small pile of the old stock, then re-organized what remained. She even put some old Christmas stock and decorations on a low shelf, making them easy to get to as soon as Thanksgiving was over.
“Uh….no thanks. Still working on my Diet Coke from lunch.”
It was already after four and they were still waiting for the shipment. The vendor had called around one saying the driver was backed up, but would definitely get there before five. “Okay, listen. Finish up and watch the front till I get back. Then head on home. I’ll wait for the delivery.”
Cyndi pulled herself out of a stack of empty boxes to be cut up and brought to the dumpster. “No….that’s okay. I’ll stay……”
“Go home, Cyn. You did a lot today. I appreciate it.” She glanced around the room. “Looks good in here.”
Eva left the young girl beaming then headed next door to Tippitt ‘n Sip-It. Though the sun was starting to go down along with the October temperature, she didn’t bother with a coat - instead just grabbing her wallet. Even though a nice, hot coffee appealed, Eva couldn’t resist a large iced. On the counter, she saw the same flyer Elle had given her and Janice.
“You goin’ to this thing tomorrow night, Eva?”
Merrill was a big, burly, balding man with cherubic cheeks, crinkly blue eyes and a constant good nature. He and his wife started Tippitt ‘n Sip-It as a coffee truck back when Eva was still in high school. They purchased an old RV, renovated it and drove around from six in the morning to out-of-the-way businesses, offering door-step service to those who couldn’t leave their job for caffeine, hard roll and pastry boost. Today, Merrill’s son still drove the truck while he manned the shop alone after his wife passed away from cancer almost a year ago. Having lost her father, Eva related to the big, sweet guy on that level.
“I am.” Eva remembered Elle’s charge to ‘be there or else’. “Think this might be good for our little community in here – enticing out-of-towners to come in to shop, eat and,” she raised her icy brew,” drink coffee. Maybe come up with some seasonal flavors or combinations like ‘double mocha-vanilla-mint-chocolate chip’.”
Merrill made a sour face. “I ain’t sellin’ out like those hoity-toity chains. But maybe some flavors. “So,” he paused to take her money and make change, “I guess you finally met Elle.”
“I did – at the bakery.”
The big man snorted. “Two peas in a pod, those two.” The other ‘pea’ being Janice, she supposed.
“Because of the MC?”
“Ah,” Merrill looked enlightened. “You know the connection.”
Yeah, well you see Janice filled me in on all the juicy details because, like her son it seems, she likes to talk and, oh yeah, also I’m banging one of the members.
Of course, Eva verbalized that only in her head. “I do. Elle’s a pretty important lady around town hall, I hear.”
“Little lady,” Merrill said, handing back her change, “she
is
town hall. Oh, she comes across as some community organizer who forms committees, puts together functions and campaigns for everything that hits the ground, but she’s a lot more than that. If officials vote one way, you can guarantee Elle can schmooze them enough to make it swing the other.”
Elle was intrigued. “What kind of votes?”
“Raisin’ taxes, takin’ away certain programs, road work, zonin’ problems. If the vote is somethin’ that’ll be a burden on the town – or the residents – she’s right there to make sure it don’t. Makes her look good with the people, which in turn….”