Page 104 of Dirty

I exhaled heavily and looked up.

Smokey nodded. “Just protecting the fuckin’ club.”

Crip walked out, got on his bike and shook his head. After taking a deep breath and staring up at the sky, he looked at me.

“Sorry, Brother,” he said. “I really am.”

Before I could respond, the sound of a pistol firing caused us all to look toward the building.

Crip got off his bike and walked inside. In a few moments, he returned.

“It’s over,” he said.

I looked at the reflection of my face in my mirror.

It’s never going to be over, I thought.

Ever.

THIRTY-SIX

Lex

I met Adam at his house at 6:00, and although he’d been home for an hour, we really hadn’t spoken. I felt like something must have happened, but I knew better than to ask.

He’d made it clear that club business was not to ever be discussed.

I stood and then looked down at him. He seemed depressed. “Get up.”

He looked at me. His eyes were emotionless.

“Get up,” I said.

He stood, and then pulled his hat down low on his head. “What?”

“Follow me,” I said.

I walked out the front door and down the steps. As I reached the landing, I turned toward him. “Need some help?”

He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

He limped toward the edge of the porch, and then carefully walked down the steps. “Where are we going?”

“Just follow me,” I said.

I walked to the garage, unlocked the door, and opened it. “Come here.”

“I’m really worn the fuck out,” he said. “It’s been--”

“Come on,” I said. “I’m waiting.”

He walked inside the garage and put his hands on his hips. “What now?”

“Get on,” I said.

He sighed, and then got on the motorcycle.

I put the key in the ignition, turned it, and then checked to see if the green light lit up. When it did, I flipped the switch on the handlebars. Then, I pushed the start button.