Broken Memphis (Little Memphis MC #2)

by Bijou Hunter

  "Not anymore," Ford says, using his bat to push over a dead kiddie thug.

  "Someone scalped them," Joker whispers. "Who the hell do we know who scalps people?"

  Bull scratches his bald head. "There was a drug dealer years ago who scalped his people if they came up short. He's dead though."

  "Yeah, seems like people who are long dead keep returning lately," I say. "Remember Paro snitching out long dead Ginger Snaps?"

  Joker looks over Taz's fucked up body while the rest of us check out the house. I find scalped idiots all over the place. Some of the thugs hid, but none of them got out alive.

  "I'm disappointed," I announce once back in the living room. "I've been dying to kill these fuckers, and someone beat us to it."

  "Think it was Wolfman?" Taco asks Joker.

  "He doesn't have the power on the outside to manage this."

  "Think it was the old man?" Ford asks.

  We stand silently wondering if our club president did this behind our backs. He's been making secret moves for months. The only reason we even know Trigger is a backstabbing fucker is that his oldest boy is also a backstabbing fucker. While I don't trust Madden as far as I can toss his rich boy ass, I also know he's the only reason Joker hasn't walked into a death trap yet.

  "The way Taz is butchered reminds me of someone," Joker nearly whispers. "Fuck. I feel like someone knows all the damn answers and we're being kept in the dark for shits and giggles."

  "Come again?" Taco asks, still rubbing his shaved his head as if thinking too much about scalping. "Taz got his balls whacked off. I don't know anyone who does shit to balls. His dick too. Even Zombie don't mess with a guy's dick."

  Joker crosses his arms in a way that makes me nervous.

  "If this person is our enemy," I mutter, "let me ice him so I can work out my blood lust. I'm pissed Taz is dead and I didn't kill him."

  "He died slower and more fucked up than you would have killed him," Ford says, kicking Taz's dick at me.

  "Gross, man."

  "Looks like the dick was cut off then his balls probably came off then he got disemboweled. He was alive through it, and I bet he didn't die for ten minutes afterwards. Can you imagine him crying like a fucking baby?"

  "Well, when you put it that way, I might want to send Taz's killer a thank-you card. Not a fancy one, but something from the Dollar Store maybe."

  Ford and I grin at each other. A few feet away, Joker remains tense as hell, and his anxiety infects us.

  "What?" Ford asks while Bull peers outside for trouble.

  "Ginger Snaps used to kill guys like this. She took out other pimps in really fucked up ways. It's why she scared people shitless. The bitch was nuts."

  "But you said you watched her die," I remind him then glance at Taz's corpse. "I wouldn't mind so much if a chick fucked him up. I'm a big believer in women empowerment."

  Ford laughs then gets himself under control. Joker ignores our jokes.

  "I watched someone get torn apart that night, but I'd never seen Ginger Snaps before. Not a whole lot of people in the club saw her in person. She ran with a lower level of scum, but Trigger said the dead girl was her, and I figured he'd know. He had met with her a few times and claimed she was crazy. Hell, he said she had a death wish, so he did her a favor by killing her."

  "Except maybe she's not dead," Ford mutters. "Why would she come after Taz though?"

  "I don't know. She appeared quick and started a lot of trouble. Trigger blew her off as a stupid kid. Said she was a crazy hooker who thought she was going to kill all the mean pimps. I remember he laughed her off, but then he started talking about how some bitches couldn't be bought or intimidated. Next thing I knew he had killed her."

  Shaking his head, Taco frowns. "I bet he knows she's back. Hell, he knows all kinds of shit and keeps it to himself. He pushed Big Dick to think Paro killed his boy. He's not even loyal to his lackeys."

  "I'll talk to Madden and see what he knows," Joker says, stepping over a dead thug. "He said a few days ago that we should meet at the school soon and go over shit. I want you all there. Lucky too. All our loyal guys. Just be careful. Madden claims Trigger took the leash off Zombie. The psycho could be anywhere doing anything, so watch your women too."

  Dumping a drink on dead Taz's head, I growl, "Great. Now we have our club brothers to worry about too. Like this fucking town wasn't fucked up enough."

  "Better watch your language now that you have a kid in the house," Joker says, struggling not to laugh. "Maybe you can spell the cuss words like Bebe does. Wait, can you spell?"

  When I kick Taz's dick at him, Joker only laughs and heads for the door. "Someone light this place up. I don't want to leave anything behind to link us to the bloodbath."

  I'm granted the pleasure of setting Taz's corpse on fire. Afterwards, Ford and I watch the house burn from Graciela's porch before the fire department puts it out. We laugh when the stoners next door to Taz's place flee when the cops arrive. Despite the entertainment, I'm enraged that I wasn't the one looking in Taz's eyes while his life faded away. I also had big hopes about killing the guy who forced Lula to drink beer and gave Bebe a black eye.

  Ford knows why I'm grumpy. Of course, I don't want to talk about my feelings, and he doesn't want to hear them either. After walking from Graciela's house to our Harleys, we ride for an hour around Little Memphis. As the night grows cold, I struggle to let go of my need for vengeance.

  10

  Bebe

  Seductive Duckies

  At nearly ten, the men return while I cuddle in bed with Lula. I hear Shay and her brothers leave quickly with Ford. Thinking of Pax alone in the house, I'm bothered by the image. I also worry he might be hurt from raiding Taz's house. The questions finally drive me out of bed, and I tiptoe from the room.

  Pax is in the kitchen, leaning against the counter. His arms crossed tightly, he's watching Folgers intently. I know he's pissed. I consider sneaking back into the bedroom but don't have the heart to ditch the sexiest pissed brat I've ever seen.

  "Did everything go okay?" I ask, feeling dumb to word his raid on a pimp's house as if he'd been to a business meeting.

  "I didn't get to kill Taz."

  His mumbly tone sounds like Lula's when I tell her she needs to stop playing.

  "Did he go into hiding?" I ask, stepping closer.

  Pax notices my proximity, and his demeanor shifts. He's less focused on Folgers and more on my lips.

  "He's dead, but I didn't get to kill him."

  "Did Ford steal your thunder?"

  "He wouldn't do that. Not with his dream of keeping both balls."

  "So who killed Taz?"

  "I don't know."

  Pax steps closer, leaving a foot between us. I feel as if he's pressed against me, and his intense gaze tears away my confidence.

  "Did he suffer?"

  Pax's gaze leaves my lips, and our eyes meet. I see a hint of humor in his blue eyes.

  "Yes. Whoever killed him cut off his dick and balls."

  I shouldn't smile, but I do. Pax shares my grin.

  "Good," I whisper. "He made my baby cry."

  "Whoever killed him made him cry too. I just wish it was me."

  "Would you have cut off his dick?" I tease, shuffling closer. "I'd think you'd want gloves and a whole lot of Purell if you'd touch a guy like Taz."

  Grinning, Pax tugs at the seam of my nightgown top. "I've touched worse, but I always stay clean. If you catch my hint."

  "Aren't you going to send me your test results with flowers like Ford did with Shay?"

  "Ford's a turd."

  Pax studies my face like he's taking in every feature. Not really dissecting what he sees but memorizing me. I feel small and weak while he's big and intimidating.

  I don't know what he sees on my face, but his expression hardens. "Why were you crying earlier? Do you want to go back to Darby's?"

  "No, and you know it's not that. I like it here. Do you want me to leave?" I ask, fearing he'll stea
l this new life from Lula.

  "I'm not a child. I asked you to come here."

  "You didn't ask."

  Pax leans forward, erasing more space between us. "No, I didn't."

  "Ford is back now, so maybe you've changed your mind."

  "No, he isn't back. He's down the street with his woman. I'm never gonna change my mind, Bebe. I'm too stubborn."

  A minute passes as Pax somehow shrinks the space between us even more until I can feel the heat radiating off him.

  "Lula loves her room," I say.

  "Why isn't she sleeping in there then?"

  "It's new, and the top bunk is scary at night. She took a nap in the room earlier."

  "I don't care if she likes it or not. No skin off my ass either way."

  "You're lying."

  Pax grins. "Yeah, I am. You gonna make something of it."

  "I'm sorry you didn't get to kill Taz."

  "I'm real put out about that."

  "I'm sorry," I whisper.

  "How sorry?"

  Lowering my gaze, I focus on Folgers. The dog walks past us and sniffs the front door. Pax tenses when he thinks Folgers senses danger. I watch him while he watches the dog. Folgers decides nothing is wrong and walks to the couch and stretches out.

  "Little Memphis has never been a safe place, but things are ugly these days," Pax mutters. "You should always be careful about locking the doors and making sure you're not followed when you run errands."

  "Okay."

  Pax finally focuses on me again, and I realize his tension has turned into a hunger. The intensity in his eyes makes me wonder if he'll force me if I say no.

  "Does Lula sleep deep?" he asks in a low, needy voice.

  The question crawls over my skin like hot kisses, leaving my body craving his touch.

  "No, she wakes up easy," I lie.

  His gaze still holding mine, Pax nods. He understands I'm rejecting his offer. I wait to see if my choice matters. Pax tugs at the seam of my nightshirt and sighs.

  "I like this," he murmurs. "Duckies."

  "Perri bought it for my last birthday."

  Pax's fingers graze the bare flesh at my waistband. A hot urge stirring in me, I nearly cover my breasts to hide my hard nipples. No way do I want him knowing how much my body betrays me.

  "When is your birthday?" he asks, his index finger still teasing my stomach.

  "I don't know," I whisper.

  His gaze lifting to my lips again, Pax gives me a sly grin. He's not ready to give up on finding relief inside me.

  "Is your birthday soon?" he asks, his fingers sliding up my shirt like an unhurried spider.

  My mind finally unfreezes. "It's in April."

  "I'll remember that."

  "No, you probably won't."

  I place my hand on his and stop him from reaching my breast. Pax leans back against the counter and scratches at his blond beard.

  "I could go to Suede and shake off this weird feeling I have now. Problem is the only girl at the bar who will hook up with me is Maggie. She doesn't take guys back to her place, and I can't bring her here."

  Pax stops talking, as if he's waiting for me now to say something. I think he hopes I'll rip open my top and do him right there. Though my pussy throbs for me to do just that, I only sigh.

  "I'll pick you up a F U C K I N G sympathy card tomorrow while I'm out."

  "I like when you spell."

  "I like a lot of stuff about you too," I say, stepping back and finally covering my rigid nipples. "See you in the morning."

  Pax watches me go, and I feel his gaze on me until I step into the bathroom and shut the door. Only then do I realize I've been holding my breath.

  Sitting on the toilet, I rub my tits and struggle to get my body to stop humming for Pax. A very cold shower might help, but he'd hear the water and know I'm in heat. No way in hell am I giving him that kind of power yet.

  11

  Pax

  Manly Nightmares

  I don't have bad dreams often. A therapist told me when I was a kid that bad dreams came from insecurities we have when awake. I'm not insecure. Things don't scare me. I don't care when bad shit happens to other people. I never let anything bother me enough to have bad dreams.

  Until Shay came along and trapped my brother in her steel pussy. Now I have bad dreams a lot, but they were never as bad as this one.

  Waking early, I skip my shower since I spent an hour under the water before finally crashing the night before. My dick still hurts from jacking off for so long, but my hands won't give me what I need.

  Upstairs, I turn on the coffee then peer into the bedroom where the woman I need is sleeping. Her feet are sticking out of the covers as usual while her face is hidden under all her dark hair. Next to her, Lula sits up.

  When the kid sees me, she looks relieved. I think she needs to piss, so I curl my finger to have her come with me. Lula looks tiny crawling out of bed in her pink nightgown and messy hair.

  "You need to use the toilet?" I whisper.

  Lula nods then stares down the hallway. Waiting for her to get moving, I realize she's scared. Nothing frightened me for long as a kid. Ford and I always rolled with our problems. When we thought the boogeyman was hiding under our beds, we took our bats and hunted it.

  Lula isn't tough like I was though. She's soft like her mom. Liking that quality about them, I don't want Lula growing up to be mean like some girls do. I hope she grows up to be smart and kind.

  I hold out my index finger, and she takes it as we walk to the bathroom. After I whisper I'll wait at the open door, Lula does her business then washes her hands and returns to me.

  In the kitchen, I pour myself a cup of coffee and make her a bowl of cereal. We sit at the kitchen table and relax in silence. A few minutes later, Bebe rushes out of the bedroom in a panic.

  "I'm up," she mumbles.

  "We're fine. Go get cleaned up before I leave."

  "Where you going?" she asks, trying to seem casual.

  "I got people to kill."

  Lula isn't paying attention. She only has eyes for her mom. I can't understand that sort of love for a parent, but I guess it's how I feel about Ford. To have someone who means everything to you, even though they drive you fucking crazy.

  Bebe kisses her daughter on the head and caresses her messy hair. Watching them, I feel sad about my mom never doing that shit with me. I was a cute fucking kid, but I don't remember my mom ever wanting to touch me or Ford the way Bebe needs to touch Lula. They comfort each other in such a beautiful way that I'm ready to fucking kill anyone who so much as inconveniences them.

  When Bebe lifts her gaze to mine, she looks tired and still a little startled. There's warmth in her expression and not just because I left her panties drenched the night before. She sees me as a good guy who is sweet to her kid. I like her thinking of me as nice. Being good usually equals weakness, and I sure as hell think Ford's gone soft since meeting Shay.

  With Bebe though, I'm willing to be a wuss as long as she looks at me the way she is right now.

  I need to leave for breakfast at Hunk O' Love, so I give the sleepy girls a head nod before disappearing out the door. Ford is pulling down his driveway when I pass, and he follows me to the diner.

  "Hello, sunshine," he says once we arrive. "You look sexually unsatisfied."

  "Do you think Shay would still want you if you lost an eye and needed to wear a patch?"

  "My baby isn't shallow."

  "Whatever you need to tell yourself, pretty boy."

  We enter the diner to find everyone already seated and several guys already eating. Trigger is sitting at the end of the table like everyone's favorite sickly grandpa. Even with his rough, sun-beat skin, he looks pale. I also notice his dark eyes seem sunken into his head. His gaze freaks me out, so I decide to avoid looking at him. Then I worry I usually look at him more, and he'll know I'm avoiding him now.

  "What the hell happened?" Big Dick asks once the waitress has brought all the food and
shuts the door to give us privacy.

  Big Dick is one of Trigger's bitches. They met in prison before founding the club. Now they're old men in a young man's business.

  "We don't know who took out Taz," Joker says. "If I had to guess, there might be a turf war happening between pimps. Paro's death shook things up, and everyone is now making a play."

  Big Dick shrugs. "I guess things will get messy for a while."

  Eating my hash browns, I glance up at Ford, who is thinking what I'm thinking. Big Dick is in charge of the West Side. If a turf war breaks loose, his job is to stomp it out. The fucker wanted to burn down the city when his boy was killed. Now he plans to wait shit out. Something's changed, and I doubt the problem is as simple as he's old.

  "After Paro and Taz, the next pimp in line to take over is Fleecy. He might be the one making moves, or he could be the one who comes out on top. Either way, we'll check what he's up to lately."

  Trigger nods, but he doesn't want Joker sniffing around the West Side. If the old man took out Taz, he won't be happy with people finding out this fact.

  Joker deserves an Oscar for his performance at the restaurant. He never flinches, never seems even a tiny bit nervous about his president gunning for him, and he never loses his famous smirk. The guy is a rock, but I'm tense sitting four chairs down from Zombie. Normally, the tall, scary fucker doesn't bother me. After my nightmare, I want to take my bat to his face.

  The rest of the breakfast is everyone talking family. This kid did that. That kid did this. I don't care about their fucking kids, so I decide I'll stare at Ford. He refuses to take the bait, but I don't give up. I'm still crazy staring at him when we leave the restaurant.

  "If you kiss me," he says, "I'm punching you."

  "Bebe is the only person I'm thinking of kissing. For now anyway."

  "Big mistake. Once you nail her, she'll think you're together. What happens when you nail the next chick?"

  Joker comes up behind me and sighs. "You're going to lose a ball if you piss off Bebe. She has a ball-ripping vibe about her."

  "She's a good girl and would never damage such fine balls," I say, waving lovingly at my crotch. "Don't project your crazy women's shit on her."