“What do you mean?”
“There was a time she’d be crying or shaking at Gash’s attention. She’s taken it all in her stride and is even laughing about it. What did I miss?”
Eva tapped his chest. “She’s been through a lot of crap to get where she is. Be happy that she’s gotten this far without breaking down again.”
A few years back Angel was attacked and she’d been pregnant but had lost the baby, sending Angel into a mental breakdown. Since then, Lash had been very protective of his woman, to the point of over-protective.
“It just opens up possibilities.” He reached into the cooler and grabbed himself a beer. Opening a beer for Eva, he snagged another for himself but didn’t let his woman go.
“Are we okay?” she asked.
Glancing down at her, he nodded. They were more than okay. She had a right to be pissed. If Butch died because of this job then he’d get Eva to talk with Cheryl. Alex had told him everything about what Butch had to do to get on Gonzalez’s good side. What Tiny didn’t like was wondering what was going to happen next. Gonzalez wasn’t the kind of man who just let things slide for the hell of it. The bastard had a plan and Tiny’s along with Devil’s crews were the targets.
Sipping at his beer, he watched as Gash made the rounds and shook hands with Devil. Gash had seen Devil a couple of times before he went inside. It was good to have him back.
“We’re more than okay, baby. I don’t have a problem with you in the slightest or anyone else for that matter. Alex telling you simply cleared the air.”
“You sure? You don’t look happy.”
He smiled even though he didn’t feel like it. “Just wish we could have invited Gash home with a lot more loving than telling him to stay as sober as possible for a club meeting later.”
“You’re going to bring him up to speed on his first day back?”
“There’s no point in prolonging this giving him a false sense that everything is going to be okay.” Tiny shrugged. “Like I said, wish we were all under better circumstances.”
Pulling away from his wife, Tiny went to put the meat on the barbeque. The women had gone to the fuss of preparing salads and little fancy stuff that he’d never eat. He was a meat and potatoes man all the way. Tiny refused to eat the salads. Even if it meant getting into Eva’s pants, he still wouldn’t eat that shit.
Flipping burgers, he changed his beer for water. There would be time for drinking later when all the serious crap was out of the way. The only reason he was waiting was so Gash got a chance to meet all the family.
“I can’t believe how different this place is,” Gash said, coming to lean against the wall near where Tiny was cooking.
“What do you mean?” Tiny didn’t take his gaze off the meat.
“There are a couple of guys here I’ve never seen before. One of them is f**king huge, but I’m told not to really talk to him, Whizz, the dude that’s great with a computer. The other is Killer. That bastard just looks scary. I’d have loved to see him on the inside with all those crazy f**ks. It would have made for some entertainment.” Gash stopped talking to swig down his beer.
“I’m really sorry it has been some time since I visited you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Everyone has women and family to take care of. Did you see Lash? I thought he was going to kill me.” Gash laughed. “It’s insane. I heard what happened to Nash with the drugs. I’m pleased you put him through the wringer but didn’t get rid of him. He’s been to see me a couple of times.”
Turning from the burgers Tiny looked at the man who’d been put in jail for convictions that had nothing to do with him.
“I know you’re not going to like this, but you can’t go out seeking revenge just yet.”
“You’re not the right person to be telling me what I should or shouldn’t do,” Gash said. “You’ve taken your revenge out on everyone who’s done you harm.”
“We’re going to have a meeting and bring you up to speed. I’m telling you that you can get your revenge, but you’ve got to wait for any retaliation.”
“Nash told me I could get Whizz to find out where the bitch lives. I’m going to take her out, and then I’m going to kill any man who worked toward putting me inside.”
“Whizz has an order not to help you until we deal with Gonzalez. That’s a f**king order. I know you’re f**king hurting and want to deal with this shit. The club comes first. We’ve got a full house, and Patricia’s grave has already been desecrated. I’m asking you as a friend, but I’m telling you as your president.” He pointed the fish slice at Gash, waiting for him to respond.
For several seconds, Gash didn’t say a word.
“Fine. I won’t do shit, but I swear, Tiny, when all this shit is over, I’m going to take my revenge.”
“Killing her will put you back on the inside.”
“Not if they don’t find the body, and not having a body is what I intend to do.” Gash moved away from the wall. “I’m going to talk with someone else.”
Gash was gone leaving Tiny alone to finish up the burgers.
“He pissed that he can’t go and take out the problem?” Alex asked, joining him.
“You’re approaching me now when we’re surrounded by kids and women?”
“I figured you’d attack me either way if you were pissed enough.” Alex’s hands were thrust inside his jeans pocket. The casual look didn’t suit Alex at all.
“I’m not pissed. Eva had a right to know what’s going on. I’d already told her most of it, just not all of it.” He turned to see Eva talking with Angel. The possibilities with Angel had opened up options in his mind that he didn’t think were possible. He filed the information away for later. “Do we know if he’s been asked to do more?”
“No, we don’t. He’s not been contacted yet, but I imagine it will only be a matter of time. What I’m worried about is what Butch will be asked to do. Gonzalez is going to play with him, and it’s going to get dirty.”
“Whatever happens, his family will be well cared for.” Tiny saw Cheryl standing with Matthew and Butch, who looked happy.
He saw the conflict within Butch. It wasn’t going to be easy for Butch to do what he needed to do. Tiny only hoped it didn’t involve any of the women.