Page 42 of Size Queen
“What made your father want to run the Rolling Heads?”
“He started the Rolling Heads with Kace’s dad back in the ’80s,” I explain. “First it was just a bunch of guys riding bikes, looking tough and getting girls on the beach. Then, other guys with different bikes and different jackets would come in and start trying to take what was theirs. People are constantly trying to destroy the Rolling Heads, purely because they’re jealous that we get our way no matter what. It’s like that term—‘haters.’ I’ve got a bunch of fucking haters coming at me, hawks determined to kill.”
“How did that fire get started in the first place?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest,” I reply. “My boys and I went over to their clubhouse to talk with their leaders—”
“So, youwerethere?” She raises her eyebrows.
“We were all there,” I say. “We didn’t go there to create violence. We wanted to scare them and tell them to get lost. I have to admit, I had no idea the kind of madness we were dealing with. They were willing to burn down the entire building because it was filled with me and my men. These guys aren’t playing.”
“Do you think you might be going to jail?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I don’t think they got shit when it comes to proof. If those asshole Hell-Snakes did have proof, it would likely contradict whatever bullshit story they’ve been telling them. I’m still here; I’m a free man.”
“What if they find evidence?”
“They won’t,” I say with confidence. “How’s your soup?”
“It’s delicious,” she says. “Damon… can I ask you something, and please don’t freak out or run away?”
“You can ask me anything in the whole world. You can say anything to me—I’m not going anywhere.”
She hesitates for a moment before choosing her words.
“Have you ever been in love?” she asks quietly. “It doesn’t have to be a relationship. Have you ever been hopelessly head over heels for a girl before?”
“I think I’ll have to go with no.”
“Get out,” she says doubtfully. “You’re such a kind soul.”
“I have a pretty diverse soul,” I say. “Most women get scared once they get too close to me. Any woman that does get close enough is usually crazy, so I end up having to break it off.”
“That’s a shame,” says Noelle. “So, which do I fall under?”
“You tell me,” I retort. “Are you scared of me?”
“I’m scared of what you could be capable of,” she says slowly. “I don’t know what all goes into your… ‘business,’ and I probably don’t want to know. I guess… the only thing I want to know is…”
“Yes?”
“Can you evenhavea serious relationship?” she asks. “I mean, let’s say you fell in love. Couldn’t your rival gang use your girlfriend, wife, whatever, as a way to get to you?”
“Well… anyone could do that, couldn’t they?” I propose.
“I guess so… but, I think it’s more likely to happen in your line of work than someone that works at a candy store for a living,” she throws back.
“True,” I say with a laugh. “To be as blunt as possible: no one I care about has ever been hurt as a result of my, shall we say, extracurricular vocation.”
“Okay,” she says, seeming to accept. “I guess my next question would be… how do you feel about me?”
“Oh boy.” I laugh nervously. That came outta nowhere.
“Like you, I’m okay with the truth, whatever it is,” says Noelle.
“Well, the truth mightreallyscare you.”
“Why, do you have an STD?”