“He bought it in cash years ago, and all the insurance policies and forms are up-to-date, complete with your name as beneficiary should anything happen to the bar.” Leo cleared his throat. “Richie is a stickler for paperwork.”
What an oddity, considering he had no problems getting into bed with the Iron Horsemen and stealing from them.
“I don’t understand. Why did he do this?”
“Why, I can’t say. I don’t get paid for why. I just do as my clients ask. And this client made it very clear that you now own Dive Bar. Just sign here, and this copy too please.”
I took the pen from his outstretched hand and signed my name next to a sticky arrow on the deed and a copy of the paperwork for the attorney to keep.
“Thank you for reaching out to me, and for your time today.” I stood, making sure I had all my belongings, including the paperwork, needing to get out into the sunshine and breathe air that didn’t reek of mold and dust mites.
When we escaped the lawyer’s office, I inhaled deeply. And did it a few more times. The street smelled of grease and urine and I instantly wished I hadn’t bothered taking such a deep breath.
My head spun with everything Leo had told me; none of it made any sense at all. It only made me more confused.
“Let’s get back to the clubhouse,” Colt said. “We can talk there. Yeah?”
I nodded.
We climbed into his truck. “I can’t wait to get you on the back of my bike. I hate having to take the truck everywhere.”
I held up my cast.
“Your safety is my top concern,” he said, pulling his aviators out of his vest pocket and sliding them onto his nose.
“When did you get on a motorcycle for the first time?” I asked.
“Twelve.”
“That seems young.”
“I was big for my age.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I bet you were.”
He grinned. “Why do you think my road name is Colt?”
“Then you really are nicknamed after a young male horse?”
“No, it’s not a nickname, but a road name. Road names are given by your brothers.”
“So how did you get your name?” I queried.
He scratched the stubble on his jaw. “When I was fourteen, I went with my dad to visit another club. The meeting place was a strip joint.” He shot me an amused look. “While my dad was taking care of business, I was told to sit at the bar, enjoy a cherry coke, and wait. Well, I heard a noise coming from one of the dressing rooms, so I went to investigate.”
His jaw clenched at the memory. “One of the bouncers had a stripper on her knees and he was forcing her to give him a blow job. She was choking on his dick and not enjoying it. Her eyes shot to mine, tears streaming mascara down her face, and before I could even think, I had my dad’s old Samuel Colt revolver out from my back pocket, and I was pistol whipping the shit out of him. I put that fucker in the hospital.”
“Holy shit, are you serious?” I asked, my mouth agape.
“Completely. Told you I’m protector of women.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “You really are.”
“Does that story change how you view me?”
“I saw what you did to that shithead the night we met, remember? I—the world needs more men like you, Colt.”
His grinned. “So… do you have any nicknames?”