Murphy jerks his thumb at Teller. “He doesn’t want anyone to know all the kinky shit he lets Charlotte do to him,” he whispers loud enough for Teller to hear.
Teller plants his hands on Murphy’s chest and shoves him. Laughing, Murphy stumbles backwards and flashes a grin.
I yank them in closer to me and slap both of them on the back. “Fuck, I’m glad you two are here. Now, focus.”
The house is enormous. Maybe a little much, but as president of downstate, temporary or not, I may have to entertain certain people. I’d rather do it here, in this gated McMansion neighborhood than at the clubhouse. I also want to be able to spend time with my family away from the club.
Perfectly matte white walls everywhere. The kitchen could fit Lilly’s whole house. I can perfectly picture her blending up plenty of green smoothies for Chance in it every morning. The living room’s furnished and after running my gaze over the beige fabric couch and thick white carpet, I’d say there’s a good chance I won’t ever see my security deposit.
Outside is the best part. A yard for the dogs to romp in. A semi-indoor pool. The patio surrounding is enclosed in brick and glass, but the ceiling rolls back with the push of a button to give an unobstructed view of the sky.
“Gonna need to keep the kids out or teach them to swim,” Murphy points out.
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“It’s a real high-end area. I’m sure you can find someone to come to the house and give them swim lessons,” Teller says. He glances around and shrugs. “Might want to see if you can find a nanny for the kids.” He lifts his chin Murphy’s way, then mine. “You’re gonna need to have the girls with you for club events. Can’t ask Hope to drive all the way down here and watch ‘em.”
Murphy runs his hand over his beard. “I don’t want some stranger around my kid.” He slides his gaze Teller’s way. “You think Carter will mind visiting?”
Teller laughs. “I think he was looking forward to having my house to himself on the weekends.”
“Murphy has a good point about not bringing in more strangers than necessary,” I say. “And I actually trust Carter. Chance loves him.”
“Charlotte and I were talking about buying him a truck.” Teller shrugs. “Maybe that’s how I’ll sell it to him, so he doesn’t complain it’s charity.”
“A nanny-mobile.” Murphy snickers into his hand.
The agent’s been waiting outside, as if she’s afraid to be alone in the house with us. But she pops up now. “I can recommend a cleaning company for you and a nanny service if you need it.”
I shrug and glance at Teller. “Perfect. Then Carter won’t have to play maid too.”
Teller rolls his eyes. “This is my future-brother-in-law we’re talking about. I’m the only one allowed to exploit him.”
“No exploitation necessary. I’ll pay him whatever the going nanny-rate is around here.”
“You might want to work out his schedule with Rock. Carter’s been working in the shop a lot lately.”
“All right.”
“So, you’re gonna take the house?” Murphy asks.
“Yup. Wanna get them moved down here as soon as possible.”
Out front, Teller glances down the street. “I’m not thrilled about having so many neighbors, but at least it’s quiet.”
Murphy clasps his hands behind his back and winks at the agent. “Not for long.”
The next morning, I ask Murphy and Teller to stick around the clubhouse and keep an eye on things while I head to the hospital to visit Sway.
Most of our out-of-town brothers have gone back to their charters. Can’t fault them. Everyone has their own problems and needed to get back to their own lives. They showed their respect and helped where they could. The rest is up to us.
The number of brothers staying at the hospital around the clock has gone down, but Stitch, the prospect Priest left up here, is hanging out in Sway’s room, flipping through a magazine, when I walk in the door.
He jumps up as soon as he sees me.
“How’s it going, kid?” I ask.
“Not too bad. Sway’s new nurse is so hot, I’m about to go code 143 on her.”
I’m too old to decipher that, but Sway laughs, which is good to hear. “I knew you weren’t sticking around just to keep me company, you little shit.”
Stitch shrugs. “You need me to get anything for you?”
Sway gives him a list that should keep Stitch occupied for a fair amount of time. On his way out, I stop and hand him some cash for his shopping spree.
“How’s it going, brother?” Sway asks.
“Not bad. How you feeling today?”
“I’m alive.”
I huff out a laugh. “That’s promising. You up for a chat?”
“Gee, let me think about it. My afternoon’s so busy.” He points to a chair. “Have a seat. Entertain me.”
I hate bringing up club business when he’s supposed to be recovering but with Shadow pushing to go after the Vipers, I’m backed into a corner.
“Was wondering when you were going to ask me for some advice on how to run a club.” The nerve damage only allows him to half-grin, and it makes him look even more evil than usual.
“Not exactly advice.”
“Gettin’ all your pointers from Rock?” He doesn’t say it in an angry way, more like he’s disappointed I picked old Dad over new Dad.
“It’s not a contest, Sway. You gonna let me ask or not? I wanna get you while you’re still lucid.” Yeah, that was a dick comment, but he pissed me off. Besides, he can take it.
He’s not insulted. “Shit, brother. I look forward to your visits. Everyone else whispers, fake smiles, and tiptoes around me. Or cries. Like I’m halfway to my grave.”
“You did get shot in the head.”
“And I’m still breathing, ain’t I?”
“And running your mouth,” I add.
He laughs and struggles to sit up. I stay in my seat because, half-dead or not, he’d probably jam the stubby pencil on his nightstand into my neck if I tried to help him.
“All right. What’s on your mind?”
“First, have any details of the night you were shot come back to you yet?”
He goes completely still and closes his eyes for a few seconds before answering. “Nothing, brother. It’s all black.”
“What’s the last thing you do remember?”
“You think I didn’t go over this with the doctor, the cops, Priest, Steer, and everyone else?”
“Humor me.”
He closes his eyes again and sits back. “Talking to Tawny on the phone.”
“So, you have talked to her. People say she’s been missing for a while.”
“She’s not missing. At least, she wasn’t.”
As far as I know, she still hasn’t been by to see Sway. I need to find Janice later and ask if she’s heard from her mother. “What does
that mean?”
He gestures to the bandage engulfing half his skull. “I’ve been preoccupied.”
“But you talked to her? That night?”
“We talked.” He shifts his gaze away. “Or fought. I can’t remember.”
“Don’t get mad, but is there any chance she shot you?”
His face darkens. Whatever their issues are, Sway’s protective of Tawny. Always has been. Or maybe he feels guilty for all the times he’s cheated on her. “You drop that line of thinking right now, Z. I’m not fucking around. Breathe a word of that to anyone, and I’ll fucking kill you.”
“Easy. This conversation is between you and me. But I need you to be honest. And I need you to seriously consider the question. Is it possible?”
This time, he seems to really weigh the odds of his wife of over twenty years pulling the trigger. “Nah, Tawny woulda shot me in the dick for sure. She always said that’s where my brains were, anyway.”
“Can’t blame her there, brother.”
We both have a laugh, which helps to smooth over the awkwardness of accusing his wife of trying to murder him.
I shift forward, indicating the first uncomfortable part of our conversation is over with. Not that this next part will be any easier. “All right. Club business talk. Have you had any indication Vipers have been moving in on your territory?”
His eyes turn cold. “Who said that? Shadow? He trying to stir that bullshit up again while I’m down?”
“Is that a no?”
“I don’t know. He never brought me enough proof. After National, I wasn’t about to start trouble anywhere without a damn good reason. I wanted off Priest’s radar.”
“And now you’re on it.”
“Tell me about it.”
I can’t get the conversation I had with Rock out of my head. “Anyone you can think of who’d want to make a play for your patch?”
He stares at me too long for my liking.
“I can think of one or two people who might benefit.”
I meet his gaze head-on, daring him to say it out loud.
“But I just can’t see it,” he finally finishes.