Guns & roses

by Glenna Maynard

  “I’d like to see you try. Now go on. Get outta here.”

  Crazy bitch. Ain’t nobody touching my wife but me. I take a sip of my coffee and head into choir. We have lots of business to discuss.

  Everyone is seated at the table except my chair sits empty until I fill it.

  Pulling out my chair I sit my ass in it and pick up the gavel. I slam it down and call our meeting to order. Matías García has been in contact and wants to discuss the future. He had a hefty contract with Mr. Leone for his yayo. I don’t see any reason not to hold to it. Drugs aren’t my first choice of product but having the Columbians on my side when I take out Raul Hernandez couldn’t hurt.

  Raul has cut us off from the Mexicans and it’s not really any love loss considering they were supplying a lot the women of the slave trade. I will never sell women and children. Guns and drugs is different. I’ll turn that shit all day long. My old man would tell me to get away from the Columbians but he’s not here and this is my club. Every choice I make falls on my shoulders.

  I can’t afford a war with Matías García when I have Raul Hernandez knocking on my door. “Set up the meeting, but he comes here.”

  Uno nods in agreement. At least we are on the same page here.

  Chapter 5

  Ainsley

  Looking in my rearview mirror I see my tail. Anytime I step foot outside of the gates of my home Abel has a man watching me. I know he does it for my own protection but it’s annoying as hell. I don’t have any friends here, and it’s too dangerous to keep in touch with any I had back at school. All I have is my stepmother and Abel. I would have asked her to go with me to the clinic, but she has enough on her plate with her newborn. Ruger isn’t my brother. I’m not sure who the father is, but Uno is raising him.

  Stephanie keeps telling me to introduce myself to the other old ladies of the club. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to but more that I think Abel doesn’t want me involved with the club or anyone. He says it is for my own good, but I feel like his prisoner. I step on the gas, driving my fast car, wishing I could just keep going. Sad thing is I have nowhere to go. No one to run to. The one person who gives a damn about me might as well be dead. He doesn’t want me. Maybe it was all a lie. Maybe he used me. Maybe he never gave a damn.

  A siren and flashing blue lights snap my attention back to the road. Great. Pulling off on the shoulder, I roll my window down and wait for the officer to approach.

  He’s a county man dressed in a tan and brown uniform. “Miss.” He tilts his hat at me.

  “Good day, officer.”

  “Wanna tell me why you were goin’ so fast.”

  I offer him my best smile. “I’m on my way to my stepmother’s. She called and said it was an emergency.” My tail thunders past us, but I’m sure he’ll be waiting up ahead. He can’t exactly pull in behind me and say he’s my muscle.

  “I’m goin’ta have to see your license and registration.”

  “Of course.” I swipe my license out of my purse and start digging around in the glovebox for the rest while he examines my identification.

  “Leone?”

  “Yes, well now Black. I haven’t had a chance to change it. But Black is my married name.”

  “You related to that drug kingpin that had his head cut off?”

  I bite down hard on my inner cheek. “No.”

  “That’s good. We don’t like garbage like that around here. Gave the town a bad name.”

  “Never heard of him,” I lie.

  “Tell you what. I’m going to let you off with a warning this time. Slow down.” He hands my license back and returns to his car. I wait until he pulls out to release my tears. My father may have been a monster, but he was all I had in this fucked up world. He’s the only person who truly gave a damn about me even if he had a fucked up way of showing it. Drying up my tears I get back on the road. I should go to the clinic but deep down I know what’s going on. I’ve not had my period for two months. I keep trying to ignore it, but I know I can’t keep pretending. I’m pregnant and this baby could belong to either Axel or Abel.

  Instead of going to the clinic I decide to pay visit to Stephanie. I could use some womanly advice. My tail is waiting up ahead at the filling station, he pulls out right on my ass. It must be boring for him having to follow me around. Murphy is probably in his mid-forties to early fifties. He says I remind him of his daughter, Goldie. She’s been up north visiting her mother and you can tell he misses her.

  I arrive at Stephanie and Uno’s house, and am buzzed through the gate automatically. I don’t bother with knocking. I never do. I find her in the kitchen with her blonde curly hair swept up in a messy bun on her head. I can’t believe my eyes when I take in her haggard appearance. The woman is always so put together, never a hair out of place. Today though she looks a hot mess. Her spaghetti strapped tank top has baby vomit stains on it and she’s wearing a pair of plaid pajama pants that appear two sizes two big, draping off her hips. Dark circles rim her eyes.

  I hope this isn’t a terrifying look into my future.

  Ruger is sitting inside the doorway that leads to the back patio. When the swing moves forward, he goes outside and when it swipes back, he’s in the kitchen. The fresh air is good for him. “Hey, what brings you over?” She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Exhaustion is wearing on her.

  “Oh, well I thought I’d come over and see if you needed any help or whatever.” Uno hired a nanny, but they give her the weekends off.

  “I could use five years of sleep.” A light laugh follows with a big yawn. “Uno says you’ve been sick. Everything okay?”

  “Well my husband still thinks I’m his possession and I…” I bite my thumbnail.

  “You what?” her head tilts as she studies me.

  “I gave into him last night.”

  “Well that’s a start. You know he’s young and cocky. Abel has a lot to learn but play things right and you can mold him into a man you can love or at least tolerate.”

  I grin. “Like you did with Uno.”

  Rolling her eyes, she shakes her head. “That’s different.”

  “Mhmmm. He doesn’t spend his nights with club girls either though, does he?”

  “He knows better.”

  “Exactly. Abel has been spending his weekends at The Inferno. I don’t expect him to love me, but I’m not stupid. I know what he does there.”

  “But not who,” she muses.

  I sigh and go over to check Ruger when he starts fussing. He lost his pacifier. I smile down at him as I place it back in his mouth. “He’s so cute.” He has a head full of dark hair.

  “He wasn’t so cute last night when he wouldn’t go to sleep.”

  “But you’re happy now that he’s here? I mean he brought you and Uno closer?”

  “You could say that, but we have a lot of history, and a baby does change things, but it’s not a magic fix. I hope you don’t think having a baby will make Abel change who he is.”

  “No, but maybe it would make things easier.”

  “Or harder. Don’t be in a rush to grow up.”

  “Says the woman who arranged my marriage.”

  “I wanted you to be protected, and I won’t lie to you, part of it was for selfish reasons. We needed this fresh start for both our sakes and our relationship. If I didn’t get Uno out of Webb Hollow let’s just say he’d be next to your father.”

  “Was he as horrible as people say?”

  “No.” Her gaze meets mine. “He was worse.”

  I twist my fingers together. “I think I’m pregnant.”

  “I thought so. Axel or Abel?”

  I shake my head and shrug. “Does it matter?”

  “Nope, but if you’re smart, you’ll hang onto your secret a while longer. And when the time is right, tell Abel the baby is his.”

  “I can’t lie to him.”

  “You can and you should. Make him fall in love with you and
maybe while you’re doing that, if you’re lucky you’ll fall for him too. I know you think you love Axel, but you hardly knew the guy.”

  “You don’t believe in love at first sight?”

  “First comes lust then love grows. Axel took your virginity, but Abel is your husband. You guys are young and have years to figure it out.” I don’t correct her. Axel wasn’t my first…he just felt like it.

  “If Raul doesn’t kill one of us first.”

  “He still sending you creepy shit?”

  “Yup. Yesterday he sent photos.”

  “Dick pics? Was he big or ya know?” She pinches her fingers together and I laugh.

  “Not those kind of pictures. He sent me crime scene stuff from…”

  “I’m sorry you had to see that. I wasn’t a fan of your father, and I’m not sorry he got what he deserved, but you aren’t your father. You’re nothing like him. I can’t believe you’re even related. You must take after your mother.”

  “Well let’s hope not considering she lives in a mental institution. Maybe I was adopted.”

  “That’s not funny. Your father put her there. Have you thought any more about going to see her?”

  “No. Her doctor doesn’t think it would be healthy for her.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “I guess. Honestly, I don’t have any real desire to see her. If she’s as crazy as they say, then nothing good can come of it. I have other things to worry about.”

  “Have you taken a test yet?”

  “No, but I haven’t had a period, and I’ve been having morning sickness.”

  “Want me to make you an appointment?”

  “Not yet. Like you said I need to wait. I’ll stop off and get a test at the drugstore on my way home.”

  “There’s something you should know. Something about Axel.”

  “What?” mentioning him is unexpected considering he refuses to have anything to do with me.

  “He’s been accepting visits from his ex-girlfriend. She goes every Sunday for visitation.”

  A lump forms in my throat and bile creeps up my esophagus. I mentally shake myself. I married his brother. I lost all right to care who he talks to or who he sees. I need to get over him and accept that he made his choice and I have to make mine. It’s time to move on with my life.

  “How do you know that?”

  “I overheard Uno talking to Abel about it. Abel didn’t want to hurt you, and he said not to tell you, but I thought you should know. I thought maybe it’d make things easier if you did. You should drop by The Inferno and surprise your husband with a just because blowie.”

  My cheeks redden.

  “Just trying to get the ball or balls rolling.” She smirks and Ruger starts crying.

  “You’re terrible.”

  “I know.” Picking Ruger up from his swing her nose scrunches. “Ew. Maybe you should change him. Get you some practice.”

  “How about no. That’s my cue to leave.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Remember what I said. Make that husband of yours fall in love. Use your body. Do whatever you have to but keep him happy. It’ll work out.”

  I sure hope so.

  Chapter 6

  Abel

  “Two-ball, left corner.” I point with my stick and line up my shot.

  “That Oaklyn, damn, man. She can give mean head.” ATL grins.

  I sink the ball. “She’s a fine piece. If that’s what you’re into.”

  “You tap that?” Trucker wraps an arm around my shoulder and nods toward Teagan.

  “No and if you’re smart, you’ll stay away. That’s Murphy’s sweet ass.”

  Harlem rubs his chin. “Looks like to me your man Murphy got him some strange.”

  “Fuck me. Who is that? Damn she fine.” Snoop smacks ATL across the chest, shoving him backwards.

  I look across the bar toward the door and smirk when I see Ainsley canvassing the room looking for me. Murphy is standing at her side keeping a close eye on my wife like I ordered him to. I gave him the detail because I know he won’t cut her any slack and won’t hesitate to report to me.

  “That would be my wife.” I hand my stick off to Trucker.

  “Fuck. We thought maybe she was a damn toad or some shit with the way you keep her locked away but now I see how it is.” ATL nods giving her a second look.

  “Just remember lookin’ is all you can do, and we won’t have any problems.”

  “Damn, Prez. She got a sister? Fat cousin?” Trucker might as well be wagging his damn tongue at her.

  “Shut the fuck up and stop eye-fuckin’ my woman.” I move toward her.

  The corners of her mouth lift into a smile when our gazes meet.

  “I got her from here, Murph.”

  “Later, Prez,” he tells me in his gravelly voice, no doubt going to find Teagan.

  “Heard you had a run in with the local five-o.”

  “It was nothing.”

  “What brings you here?”

  “I was bored.”

  “Why didn’t you go to the clinic?”

  “Changed my mind.”

  “C’mon let’s get a table.” I grab her hand and can feel all eyes on us as we move toward the back for more privacy. Ainsley has never come to The Inferno since we opened the doors last month.

  She slides into the booth first. The jukebox kicks on and the lights dim. Ainsley fidgets with some of the broken frays on her ripped jeans. I place my hand over hers, stilling the nervous activity.

  Leaning in close my lips brush along her ear. “Got something you want to tell me, wife o’ mine?”

  Twisting to face me, her lips are centimeters from mine. “I want us to try. I want to really try.”

  Her words are not what I was expecting. Gazing into her eyes, I wish I could believe her but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy her attempt. “You giving up on that fairytale of my brother rolling up on his Harley to rescue you?”

  “I don’t want to talk about him, Abel. He’s not part of this. Part of us.” Taking my hand, a slender finger rubs over my wedding band. “You’re my husband. You stood up and gave me your protection when you could’ve left me to fend for myself. “

  “I could still hand you over.”

  “You won’t.”

  I lick my lips and motion for Carmen to bring me a beer. “You want something to drink?”

  “Just a water.”

  I glance at her knowing damn good and well why she only wants water but don’t comment.

  “Can I get your lady friend a drink?” Carmen hands me a bottle of Bud and smiles at Ainsley.

  “My old lady will take a water. No tap shit. Get her bottled and a cup of ice. Crushed not cubed.” She scurries off.

  “I hate that term. I’m not old.” Ainsley looks at me, lips curving into a warm smile.

  “What would you rather be called then? My old man calls my mother his top bitch.”

  Brows lifting, her mouth opens but before she can comment Carmen is back with her water and ice. “Thanks.” Twisting the cap off the bottle, she pours the water over the ice, and squeezes the lemon slices over it. After taking a drink she gazes around the bar taking in the scene.

  Drinks are flowing, club members and sweet asses are dancing and having a good time.

  “What’s going through that head of yours?”

  “I’m wondering which whore is yours.”

  “All of them, but if you are wondering which one I’ve taken to my bed, then none of them.”

  “Get real. I’m not stupid. You expect me to believe you’ve not fucked around once since we came to Texas. Since we got married.”

  “I didn’t say that. I said I’ve not fucked anyone that’s here tonight.”

  “What about her?”

  “Who?” I look around then spot Oaklyn at the pool tables with ATL and Snoop.

  “That bitch who can’t take her eyes off you.”

  “You
jealous?”

  “Just curious. She’s pretty. Looks like a stripper but pretty.”

  I chuckle. “Don’t worry that pretty head of yours. You keep giving me a reason to come home and I won’t have any reason to touch club pussy.”

  “If she looks at you any harder she might pop a blood vessel.”

  I glance back at Oaklyn and shake my head when she winks at me.

  “Let’s go upstairs.”

  I slide out of the booth and hold my hand out. Oaklyn is beautiful and I could be an asshole and send Ainsley home so I can fuck her, but I find that tonight I want my wife.

  “What for?”

  “Because I want to fuck you.” I can’t get any realer than that for her.

  Cheeks blooming pink, she joins her hand with mine. “I have a better idea.”

  “What could be better than fuckin’ you?” I murmur, pulling her body against mine.

  Ainsley stares up at me with soft eyes and a warm smile that holds hope. “I meant what I said about us trying. I think we should do this right and take things slow. Become friends first.”

  “Can we be friends with benefits?” I thrust my hips into her.

  “Abel.” She laughs. “I’m being serious.”

  “Me too, baby.”

  “I’ll play you for it. You win we do this your way. I win you have to date me.”

  “Date my own wife?”

  Going up on her tiptoes she mocks, “You scared?”

  Closing the distance between our mouths I press my lips to hers and confess, “Terrified.” Ainsley has no idea how deeply she drives me wild. She’s gorgeous and I know I could be crazy for her. If only the old man has sent me down in Axel’s place things would be different. “What are we playing?”

  “Pool.”

  “You any good?”

  “I’ve never played, so you’ll have to teach me.”

  “There’s a lot to learn.” I tug her toward the tables. My wife should look out of place standing next to me, but she looks like she belongs. And hell, maybe she does.

  Trucker practically falls over his own feet as he rushes to introduce his idiot-self. “Hello, darlin’. They call me Trucker.”