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“I don’t know what you want from us, sweetheart,” Slade said. “We aren’t a bank. We aren’t a food pantry either. I don’t even know why you’re here.”
“I know Marcus was involved with something,” she said. “And I know it had to do with you guys. I’m just… I’m lost right now… okay?”
Slade eyed the baby. Dark brown eyes. A messy top of dark hair. Chewing on his pointer finger. The little guy took his finger out of his mouth and pointed to the clubhouse.
“Fish! Fish!”
Slade looked over his shoulder.
There was an old, faded skull sign that hung next to the clubhouse door. At one point in time the sign had been new andhad theSOFRAWname and logo on it. Hearing that baby’s voice made Slade curl his lip.
“I know it’s bad,” the woman said. “I know that Marcus was a bad person. I left him. I took the baby and left.”
“What’s the baby’s name?” Slade asked.
“This is Armond. Named after my grandfather. I’m Marie. I’m a good person. I’m a good mother. Marcus showed up a few days before something bad happened to him. He was all worked up. Said he got a new job and was going to make a lot of money and he was going to buy us a house. I could tell he was messed up.”
“Showing up here like this will get you hurt, sweetheart,” Slade said. “We don’t want that.”
“Fish,”Armond said.
“Yeah,” Slade said, looking at the baby. “Fish, huh? Can you saylion? How aboutcat?”
“Cat!”Armond called out.
“Sorry,” Marie said. “I think he likes you. We have this animal book at home. He loves it.”
Slade noted the look in Marie’s eyes. One of pure desperation. Looking to shakedown the club for some cash. Looking for someone to take over the roll asdaddy…
“Listen to me, sweetheart, that little one in your arms is giving you some extra patience,” Slade said. “I’m sorry for your loss. I didn’t know him personally. I have no idea what happened to him. I can tell you this—showing up to places like this and demanding things… it will catch up to you fast.” Slade reached into his pocket and took out a folded up collection made up of five twenty-dollar bills. “This is it. This is me giving money personally to you. To make sure this little animal lover has some food. Got it?”
Marie looked ready to cry. “I’m so sorry to do this. I’m so lost right now.”
“Lost is okay, sweetheart,” Slade said. “Dead isn’t.”
Marie took the money. Slade sensed the genuine emotion but he also knew this game. Even giving Marie two pennies was a stupid idea.
“Fish!”Armond said again.
“That’s right, kid,” Slade said.
Marie turned and walked back to her old, beat-up car. She buckled Armond into his car seat and then she left the clubhouse. Virus and Dolph manned the gates, along with prospects Bram and Drix.
“Who opened the fucking gates for her?” Slade yelled as he walked toward the gate.
Bram puffed out his chest. “It was me. She said she was going to call the cops.”
“Yeah?” Slade asked. “And if she offered to suck your dick, would you have unzipped your jeans?”
“I would have,” Dolph said. “Did you see her? I bet she’s a great fuck.”
“Where the fuck were you two?” Slade growled at Virus and Dolph.
“Gate stays shut,” Slade said. “Don’t ever do that again. Or I’ll put a fucking bullet in the back of your head.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Bram said.
“There is noI’m sorryin this world,” Slade said. “You feel sorrow and you’re already dead. Want to hand over that leather cut right now, asshole.”
