“It’s too soon for questions,” Hawk answered. “We still have a lot to see.”
“Yes, you definitely do. I was just wondering if there was anything you saw today that ...” None of them seemed to be paying me any attention, so I decided to rip off the bandage and discuss the elephant in the room. “I know the cards are stacked against me here, and I have no one but myself to blame for that. I used my father’s connection to your club to gain access to Menace’s computer, and then I used what I found on the hard drive to lure you into a meet. I’m sure that makes you think I’m not trustworthy, that I broke some unspoken code, but I had my reasons for doing what I did.”
“Those reasons cost you our trust, and if you don’t have trust, you don’t have anything.”
“I understand, but I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t have done if you were in my position.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the flash drive I’d used to access Menace’s hard drive. I put it on the table and slid it over to Hawk as I said, “That being said, here is everything I got from Menace’s laptop ... It’s the only copy.”
“And you think giving me this makes things right?” Hawk shook his head. “’Cause it doesn’t.”
“No, I didn’t think it would, but I’m hoping it’ll be a start in making things right.”
Hawk lifted the flash drive as he asked, “What exactly were you able to find on Menace’s laptop?”
“Enough.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“I get that you’re concerned I might have something to use against you, but that’s not why I did what I did. I was only looking for things that would help me determine whether or not your club would be the right fit for my business.” Sensing that it wouldn’t help my case, I didn’t want to go into lengthy detail, so I simply told him, “I did that by watching your security footage. I know you have your girls selling coke in your clubs ... I know you’re careful, really careful, and that’s why you’ve done so well with it. I also know you have a secure holding place at a storage lot that’s run by a woman named Ada May. I did a little digging and discovered that you have several other Ruthless Sinners chapters throughout the country—including Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and North and South Carolina—states where marijuana is entirely illegal. Still, you also have chapters where the legal status is mixed. In other words, you have plenty of options for distribution.”
“Looks like you’ve done your homework.”
“Again—I only did what you and your brothers would’ve done if you were in my position.” I took a moment to catch my breath, then added, “Look, I know right now I don’t have your trust, but if you give me a chance, I’ll do whatever it takes to earn it.”
Hawk nodded, but he didn’t verbally respond. None of them did. They simply sat there in complete and utter silence, making me question whether or not I’d ever be able to regain their trust. We all went back to eating, and just as everyone was about to finish up, Country looked over to me and said, “I have a question.”
The other brothers looked at him like he’d lost his mind, but he didn’t seem to care. Relieved to have one of them open up a little, I quickly replied, “You can ask me anything.”
“I’m just curious... You say your stuff is good, but exactly how good is it?”
“It’s the best around. Seriously, you should try it.” I leaned forward and smiled. “All of you should.”
Country looked over to Hawk, Rafe, and Menace. When they gave him a nod, he turned back to me and said, “Bring it on.”
And just like that, our night took a totally different turn.
Five
Country
When Kiersten said her stuff was the best around, she wasn’t kidding. I hadn’t smoked pot in years, but when I did, I smoked the hell out of it. I acquired the habit when my grandfather got cancer. He’d shared a bit of his medical marijuana with me from time to time, and I liked the feeling. I actually liked it a little too much, so I knew firsthand Kiersten’s shit was the real deal, and it had me thinking I might pick up the habit again. I’d never felt so mellow—like I was dreaming but I was wide awake.
Everything had stilled, and for the first time in months, I could sit and breathe without feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. It was a good feeling—a really good feeling. I looked down at the fire and watched as the flames danced and flickered about, and before I realized what I was doing, I started mumbling the words to the song “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash. After a few lines, I looked over to my brothers who were also feeling the effects of Kiersten’s powerful weed. They were all leaning back in their chairs, silently studying the fire like they didn’t have a care in the world.