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Chapter Twenty-Nine

Sawyer

“Bones, man, if you gotta ask if I’m loyal, then I’m doing a shitty job of showing you.” Hobie sat at Fitz’s kitchen table staring at me, and I could see his pained expression at my asking if he was loyal to the club or my father, the fucking turncoat.

I stared at him. Finally, he shook his head. “I am loyal to you . You are the president of the Pahrump Steel Cowboys, and I am loyal to that. Your dad can kiss my ass.”

We both stood and shared a backslapping hug. Hobie braced his hands on my biceps and studied me for a moment before speaking. “Now, how do we go forward?”

“First, we need to see who is on which side. Let me send my mom a text.” I picked my phone off the table and began pecking.

Mom—Sorry but I won’t be there for breakfast. I’ll call you later.

I put the phone down and picked up my coffee, which had gone cold. “Let’s go out to The Roundup and see who’s around. We’ll run by the dispensary first since it’s on the way We need to make changes with the security schedule, so let’s come up with some ideas while we drive.”

I cleaned up the mess we’d made while Hobie went to the living room and pulled on his clothes from the day before. He lived at the clubhouse, so he could change when we were there.

The entire mess needed to come to a fucking head. No way could we survive with such a divide in the club—unless it was Hobie and me against the rest. If someone was on the fence about whether to go with Abner or stay, now was the time to decide.

I left Fitz’s truck at his place and rode to Tumbleweeds with Hobie. We parked in behind the building and went inside through the back door—the new back door that we’d replaced. Instead of having the lock released in the booth in front of the dispensary, Mouse hooked it up so that there was a keypad and everyone had a code that was recorded so it was easy to determine who was coming and going.

The break room was empty, which wasn’t a surprise because a couple of our employees had quit after the break-in. I couldn’t blame them. It had been our job to keep them safe, and we didn’t, plain and simple.

We walked into the store, which had several customers, and I glanced around. Becca Isaacson, our store manager, was with a customer, so I walked over to where Ders was sitting against the wall near the front entrance. Spider was across from him with Tiny as the third security person in the room.

“Who’s in the booth?” I left the scheduling of guards to Derson.

“Hammer. Miri Rey’s with him.”

I pointed to Hobie. “Get Hammer and bring him into the office in a minute. I wanna talk to Becca.” He nodded and walked to the booth door while I went to the office. As I walked by, I motioned for Becca to follow me.

We went into the office and I closed the door. “We’re implementing a couple of new rules, Becca.” I motioned for her to take a seat in the desk chair as I propped my ass on the corner of the desk.

“Call Del and Kenton and the four of us can discuss it at the same time so we’re all on the same page.” Becca picked up the phone and dialed as she stared at me.

I was too close, so I pulled one of the chairs from in front of the desk around and sat down. I didn’t want to scare the poor woman.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Del. It’s Bones. I’m at Tumbleweeds with Becca. I’m sorry if I woke you. Can you hold on while we get Kent on the line? We’re having a little company meeting.”

“Sure, boss. Hey, Becca.”

“Hi, Del. Hang on.”

Becca repeated the process until she had Kent on the phone. These three were day, night, and overnight managers who took care of business for us. We’d checked all their backgrounds, which is why I knew Becca had nothing to do with the hold up.

“In light of the robbery, we’re going to implement some changes. If three club members aren’t here to ensure this place is secure enough for you guys to have customers, close the shop and call me. Everyone at the club will now be rotating through here. If only two come in, clear the store, lock the doors, and call me— only me .

“There are a lot of changes taking place, so please bear with us while we make sure you guys are safe along with the rest of the customer service reps. That shit show never should have happened. We’re hoping to hire about ten new reps, so if you know friends, have them fill out an application, but make sure you’ll vouch for them. Pass the word along to the other reps on your shifts, and for every hire, we’ll give the referring employee a hundred bucks.” Becca gave me a grin as she jotted down what I’d said so she could share it with her employees.

“Can they have a previous conviction for possession of marijuana before it was legalized?” That was Kent, our resident stoner. He hadn’t had any convictions for possession when we ran his background check, but I had the feeling he knew a lot of guys, so maybe filling the overnight shift would be easier than I thought? I fucking hoped so.

“No felonies or violence convictions, but anything else won’t keep them from working here. They’ll work on your shift, so be sure you can stand to be around them eight hours a day.” I told them we were continuing to make upgrades to security, and I addressed their questions. When the call finished, we were all on the same page.

There was a knock on the door, so I stood and glanced at Becca. “Could you type that up and send it to Miles at the clubhouse? He’ll make it pretty, and I’ll bring copies for everyone to sign and date so we know they understand. Float it to your people if you have a chance and see what they think. If there’s any feedback, I’d love to hear it.

“Now, I’m going to borrow your office if you don’t mind. I won’t be long.” I moved the chair to the middle of the space and opened the door for Becca. She took her pad with her and vacated the office so Hobie and Hammer could enter.

“Hammer, sit. Hobie, close the door.”

The older man came into the office and sat in the chair in the middle of the room. Hobie leaned on the wall behind him, cleaning his fingernails with a pocketknife.

I leaned against the wall facing him. “Just so we’re clear, if you lie to me, Hobie’s going to cut off a piece of you somewhere and he won’t stop until I get the truth out of you.”

“Bones, just ask me. I got a call from Abner. He wants to have lunch. Clearly, there’s something going on. What is it?” Hammer didn’t look afraid at all.

“Do you know who robbed us?” Straight to the point.

“Well, I’m guessing it was the Scorpions. Am I right? Do I win a prize?” Old smart-ass.

Hobie rolled his eyes and stepped closer, sliding the tip of the knife along the side of Hammer’s neck, drawing blood. Hammer lifted his hand quickly and wiped at it while Hobie leaned into his ear.

“I’m not fucking around, Hammer. Answer the man.” It was the Cowboy way.

“Okay, Boyd tried to get me to go in with him on some fucked-up plan. Hell, I can barely walk up a flight of stairs, so I wasn’t about to do anything stupid.”

Hobie looked at me and nodded that he believed Hammer.

“Do you know who else was in on this shit? I mean, besides the Scorpions.” I had the feeling he knew exactly who was involved.

“Look, prez, I didn’t take part, okay? You know it was Boyd, and I’m guessing you know your old man had something to do with it. Stupid fucker wanted out but seems like he’s been keepin’ company with the Scorpions, and now they wanna fuck us up. What are we gonna do?”

Hammer turned around. “Hobie, get the fuck from behind me and put that damn knife away before you hurt yourself. I, personally, don’t mind the direction the club is headed in. Maybe the money doesn’t come in such big chunks, but it’s steady, and when I file for Social Security, it’ll be a nice addition to our monthly income.”

I chuckled. “Okay, Hammer. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I don’t guess you could tell me if any of the others are with him?”

Hammer coughed. “Hobie, will you get a bottle of water from the kitchen?” Hammer kept coughing, so I nodded toward my friend and left.

Once he closed the door, Hammer stood and walked over to me. “Boyd and his old lady are in San Diego at your folks’ house. They’re coming back once… son, your father is gonna kill you if you don’t go along with crawling to the Scorpions and begging them to let you prospect. I don’t know what you do, but you better do something.

“If I was you, I’d resign the presidency and let the chips fall. I’ve got savings, so I’ll be fine. The missus and I can move to Michigan with our daughter. Her husband is a member of the Detroit Police Department, so I’m not worried about anybody comin’ after an old dog like me, but you got a target on your back, and I don’t wanna see anything happen to you.”

Hobie returned, bringing each of us a bottle of water. “So, do I get to cut his tallywhacker off?”

Hammer laughed. “The way I hear it, you could suck it off.”

They both laughed and we walked out of the office, me patting Hammer on the back as he headed to the booth.

“Well?” Hobie stopped next to the back door.

“I don’t believe he’s involved, but he’s got a contingency plan—Detroit. Son-in-law is a cop. They’re coming for me, according to Hammer. My dad knows I won’t give up, so I’m sure he’ll kill me—”

“If you don’t get him first,” Hobie said.

Could I shoot my father? I wanted to say I couldn’t, but if it was him or me? What would I do with my back against the wall?

Hobie and I drove out to the clubhouse, both of us quiet. My truck was in the parking lot behind The Roundup, and there were bikes and cars everywhere. It was about three in the afternoon, and we hadn’t eaten anything because we had a lot of shit on our minds.

“You wanna go eat first?” Hobie was idling in the parking lot, not pulling into a spot.

I sighed. “Yeah. Looks like Arlo’s getting ready to close to outside customers. Wonder if they’re cookin’ food for a party?”

“I can call if you want.” Hobie shifted into Park and retrieved his phone.

It rang once. “The Roundup. Gil— Gilly s-speaking.”

I glanced at Hobie and we both smirked. The young man sounded out of breath.

“Hey, Gilly. It’s Hobie. Is Arlo busy making food for a party at the clubhouse since Abner’s back?”

“Yeah, how’d you know? He’s searing prime rib right now. You need to talk to him?” Hobie turned to me and I nodded.

“Yeah. We’re coming in. Don’t shoot us.” Gilly’s giggle made me smile before Hobie ended the call. I liked the kid.

We knocked on the back door before going in without waiting for an invitation, finding Arlo at the eight-burner stove with four huge iron skillets and hunks of sizzling meat as he masterfully flipped them to cook on four sides.

“Dude, what are you making?” Hobie stepped closer, looking for anything to eat as though we hadn’t stopped on our way out to Pahrump and grabbed burgers.

Gilly was wrapping large potatoes in foil and placing them on a huge baking sheet. The two men could put on a feast in no time, and the food was always delicious. I just had to know why and who had requested it.

“You’re busy, so we won’t keep you,” I said before I stepped closer to Arlo. “Who asked you to do this?”

Arlo Kitchell patched in just before Keller retired. He was a quiet guy when he first came around for a poker run the club was hosting for a local family whose house had burned down. My dad had emailed me about him and how Arlo seemed to fit in with the club. When I met him after I was discharged, I liked him immediately.

Arlo had been riding minibikes since he grew up somewhere he didn’t talk about. He’d gone to culinary school, though he’d never said where, and somewhere along the way he’d worked in more than a few fancy restaurants around the country, which he’d used as references for when he applied for the job as a cook at The Roundup.

I immediately liked the guy when I met him. He had a spirituality about him, though he didn’t talk about a specific religion, just the universe and how much it would give back if one only took the time to appreciate it. He was thirty-six—close to my age—but he was so settled in his skin, he seemed as if he was light years more mature than any of us.

“Bones, you hungry?” Arlo glanced over his shoulder as he moved the large hunks of meat into hotel pans beside the stove.

“No, man. Thank you, though. I, uh, you got a second to step outside? I need to talk to you about something.” I could hear my voice trembling as I asked the question, but I was determined to get to the bottom of this latest clusterfuck if it killed me.

Arlo turned to Gilly. “Go ahead and put those in the oven if you don’t mind. It’s up to temp. I’ll be right back.”

He and I walked out the front door of the restaurant so we couldn’t be seen from the club, which was behind the restaurant. When we stepped outside, we could hear loud rock music, which meant the party was in full swing.

“I’ll be quick. Who asked you to cater the party?”

“Abner called me this morning after you stood him up for breakfast and asked me to make food for his homecoming party. What could I say, Bones? He’s the past president and he’s your father. I couldn’t say no.”

It sounded as if he had something else to say, but the door opened and Gilly came out with Arlo’s jacket. “Sorry, guys. It’s chilly out.” He handed it to Arlo and turned to leave immediately. The chaplain gave no reaction.

“I don’t know if I’d call it a homecoming party. I don’t know if he and Mom are staying.” It hit me hard saying those words because it was better for them if they stayed in San Diego. The club didn’t need Dad getting involved in its business and wrecking everything I’d accomplished.

I needed to know which side of the line Arlo stood on—my side with the club members’ best interests at heart, or my father’s side that would take the club right back to where it had been when I got out of the Army. Was Arlo with me or against me?

Arlo reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a blunt. “Take a hit?”

I nodded. “Is it the last? Is this the last time we’ll share a smoke as friends?”

Arlo pulled his lighter from the pocket of his jacket and lit it, taking a few puffs before he passed it to me. “I fuckin’ hope not, prez. What the hell is going on? The tension when the guys were here for breakfast had my chakras bouncing off each other. Nobody fucking talks to me. I have no idea what’s going on, but Gilly made sure I had this.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small Ruger, extending the palm of his hand where the gun rested.

I took a hit from the blunt and held it inside, wishing to fuck it could take away the shit happening right in front of me when I exhaled. Life shouldn’t be that way.

After passing the blunt back to him, I leaned against the post holding up the front porch roof, waiting for Arlo to show his hand, one way or the other. I believed him to be an honest guy, and I respected him, regardless of the way things played out between us.

He lifted his foot and pushed off the cherry on the bottom of his clog, holding the blunt and touching the tip until it stopped smoldering. He lifted his gaze and met mine. “You’re my brother, Bones. You’ve never asked me one question about my past. You accepted me and supported me since the day we met. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I’m a Cowboy to my core. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not turning over my kitchen to any Scorpion motherfucker.”

He pulled me into his arms and clapped me on the back, assuring me he was on my side. I appreciated that I didn’t have to ask the question. He freely gave me a passionate answer.

Hobie called Ders and Spider, and they came to The Roundup when they were relieved at Tumbleweeds. Before I opened my mouth, they both swore allegiance to me. T-Roy called me after Ders phoned him and told me he was ready to fight by my side.

Tiny scared the fuck out of me, waiting by Hobie’s car when the two of us were ready to leave as the party carried on. “I hope you don’t think you have to ask me if I support you as our prez.” He looked down at the gravel parking lot, so I pulled the big kid into my arms and hugged him.

“Didn’t think I did. Go enjoy the party, Tiny. Shit’s about to get real, and I don’t want any of us getting hurt, but if the Scorpions challenge us, we’ll fight together.” Tiny nodded and went back to the clubhouse.

Hobie and I left without me seeing my father. I’d told each of my brothers to be safe, and I would see them in the morning. I would second-guess myself about whether leaving was the best idea, but if Keller was able to talk them into joining him, then I wouldn’t be mad. They had to follow their own conscience.