He was busy serving customers. “I’m good. We’re off to a good start. You good? Angie’s around talking to some of the patrons if you’re looking for her.” He pulled a shot and slid it down the bar to a customer.
“Ah, nah, she can come and find me, I’m setting up. I know she said she’d be here.” I was cocky about it, but I didn’t want the Rebels giving me shit about Angie. I wanted to be in control of the situation, even though deep down my gut knew she was running the show.
Ink served the older gentleman perched on the bar stool and squared himself to look at me. “You got problems,” he commented, his eyes narrowing at my dismissive attitude.
I left him with a smirk and moved over to the pool tables. No way was I confessing to any damn thing. I checked the cues, making sure there was enough blue chalk on deck for the new players if walk-ins joined. I looked down at the clipboard again.
Angie appeared out of nowhere peeping over my shoulder to look at the list. “Anyone on there that I’ve already beaten?” She quizzed.
I jerked up and the clipboard jumped.
Her emerald eyes caught mine in amusement.
My fingers got a hold of the clipboard again as a soft hint of coconut from her hair hit me. “Nope, I’m not on the clipboard. Good to see you made it down here. You getting what you need?” I fumbled a response.
Her eyes met mine. “Good news is that I’m letting you off the hook tonight, so you’re safe. I’ve met some interesting characters. Former bikers, patrons that were here in the early days. I didn’t know you were involved with prostitution.”
The sentence threw me as the color drained from my face as I immediately looked up to see who might have been telling secrets about the club’s past.
She saw the bewilderment on my face and touched the groove in my muscled forearm. “Relaxxx, it helps build the character of the club. I’m not stupid, I know the Saints were once rebels at some point,” she assured me with the warmth of her smile.
“Good, as long as you know we don’t dabble in any illegal activities anymore.” I put the stamp on it as I looked up at the door.
Mia bounced in the door with Numbers. She waved as both of them came over to introduce themselves. We didn’t have time to finish talking about Angie’s new findings as Mia started to speak, “Nice to meet a fellow investigator in the field. I saw your article! You did a great job and I definitely would not want to be your enemy. I see why you worked for the big guns.” Mia gushed.
“Thank you, I heard you’re pretty sharp as well.” Angie smiled.
“Chalk tells me that you’re gathering some intel. I’m happy to chime in with information too. Especially about the case with Numbers and the Devil Riders trying to pin a car theft on him. Might be a good angle; it’s how we got together.” Mia put her hand affectionately on Numbers’ chest.
Numbers chuckled and kissed her hair. “It’s a good story,” Numbers seconded as he gave me the head nod.
“Very cool. We should hang out and you can give me the scoop. Are you working on anything juicy right now?” Angie’s eyes grew in size and I could tell this was her element. She was loving it.
There seemed a clear mark of respect between the two women.
“I am, I have a murder case currently. The remains of a body floating in the Mississippi. Due to some of the evidence and the dealings the deceased has, I’m thinking he may be involved with bikers.”
Angie gaped at Mia. “Oh, we have to get together. That sounds juicy as hell. I think we could do something pretty special together.”
Mia grinned and shuffled around in her purse, pulling out a card. “Here you go. Call my office and let’s do it,” she stated cheerfully.
“Thanks, done and done,” Angie said.
“I will let you get back to your pool conversation with Chalk. Nice to meet you, Angie.” Mia smiled and they drifted off with a parting wave.
Angie and I picked up our conversation.
“Told you, you’d like her. You both have that dog after a bone mentality,” I mused.
“You were right about her. I guess I am like a dog after a bone, if I want something, I want it,” she gloated, her voice dripping with syrup.
“I bet.” My lips curled into a smile.
Now a couple of players walked in to join the pool game breaking into our conversation. I gave her a nod.” Now, I get to work.”
She grinned. “Work? Yeah right. You love this.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I do. It helps to break up the day.”
She gave me a smile then wandered away to talk to some of the brothers at the bar.
I paused and watched her. Too bad, I didn’t feel any spark. It was obvious she was interested in me. But like most times, I just didn’t feel the same way.