Page 85 of Clint & Ivy
Clint’s words hit me hard. I hadn’t viewed Uncle Linus as a bad guy. I had seen my uncles struggle with their addictions. I knew how scared they got when their problems wore down on them. I’d always taken their side, even now when Linus was against me.
“One day,” Clint said as I rested my head on his shoulder and accepted the reality of what was happening in Reno, “I’ll be too close to something. Or I’ll have a bad day and need you to make me feel better. There’ll be times when you’re the one calling the shots. For now, let me take care of this, okay?”
I lifted my head and admired Clint. Early on, I was blinded by his good looks and the need for him to like me.
Today, as we finished breakfast, Clint became more real to me. I was starting to understand how he ticked inside. If he believed his people could handle Reno, I needed to trust his plans.
CLINT
Iwas a little worriedI couldn’t chill out for the day. My normal routine involved constant movement. I regularly hit up the Sorority House, my parents’ house, and various businesses. I would drop by the condo a lot to check on Hanzee before returning to my motorcycle and the Little Memphis roads.
However, today, I let Ivy take the lead. After breakfast, we watched several old paranormal shows. Ivy kept looking at me to make sure I wasn’t bored. Having never watched them before, I was entertained. They were goofy stuff I wouldn’t watch on my own, but I liked knowing more about Ivy’s tastes.
When the three dogs needed to use the courtyard, Ivy asked to bring along the soccer ball and practice. She’d been fascinated by my family kicking the ball around the other day. Learning how to play would help her feel included.
In the courtyard, we found Crimson Guard members, Ben and Nine. After a quick introduction, the dark-haired brothers watched Ivy and me kick the ball back and forth. At one point, the three dogs tried to stop the ball, only to get flustered and bark at it instead.
Before we went upstairs, Ivy dribbled the ball around the courtyard with the dogs chasing her. I stood with my club brothers and mentioned the upcoming meeting with the Black Rainbow.
“Tricky’s got another new guy jumping through hoops to join the Jokers,” Nine said and shook his head. “That’s the fifth guy in three months.”
Rubbing at my beard, I muttered, “If his club gets too big, I’ll politely order him to move them to Little Rock. I’m sure he’ll comply.”
As the guys grinned at my veiled threat, I told Nine, “Rowdy was supposed to go to the Black Rainbow meeting. If he isn’t back from Reno by then, I want you to take his place.”
Like Rock, Ben and Nine grew up in Rawlins. Their dad Glitch was a member of the Heretics while their mom Clove ran with the Everything Nice Crew. Assholes tended to underestimate the brothers. If the Black Rainbow club started shit, they’d never see Nine coming until he had them bleeding on the ground.
My guys and I watched Ivy kicking the ball around bushes and benches. I heard their unspoken concern about my sudden move toward domestication.Would I lose my edge when I had a woman waiting for me back home?
I didn’t dare nurse such concerns as I headed to my condo with Ivy and the dogs. Once inside, I ordered lunch delivery while Ivy changed her clothes after getting sweaty. The dogs supervised her every move. Their jingling collars signaled her return.
“Is this condo filled with more of your guys or Tricky’s?” Ivy asked and joined me on the couch, where I checked my messages.
“Mine. The first floor has a few normies who work a lot and never use the courtyard. Whenever a unit opens up, I move in one of my people. The building feels more secure that way.”
Ivy glanced at my phone. “Are you worried about Lula?”
