“I’m fine, Prez.”
His steely eyes focus on me. “The fact you took so long to reply tells me you’re not. Don’t want to lose you, Mouse. You got anything on your mind, you talk to me, okay?”
“It’s nothing that will affect the club,” I reply.
Another sharp look. “Better not be. Got too much going on with the Chaos Riders and Rock going rogue.”
“Rock’s really betrayed us?” For an answer, he just nods. I stare at him, unable to process that Rock stole from the club and is now out bad. Seems a lot’s happened while I’ve been away. “Well, let me know where I can help. Already started looking at the Chaos Riders.” I inhale again, then blow smoke out.
It seems to be the signal for Drummer to leave.
The next morning, I try to get through to Drew to check on how he’s doing, but the call never connects. It was optimistic anyway, the signal’s not good there on the Rez. Still, he’s got a good head on his shoulders, he’ll get in touch if he needs me. I hear nothing from Carissa, but whether that’s good or bad I have fuck all way of knowing.
My brothers greet me when they see that I’m back. If I’m slightly short when they ask how I’ve been doing, I turn away before I can see their expressions. I’m trying to give my all to them, but a big part of my mind is someplace else.
Chapter 13
Mouse
“Mouse?” Again, it’s the prez interrupting me, making me start a bit guiltily as I was looking up immigration law and nothing to do with the club. I lower the lid of my laptop slightly, peering over the top. “Need me?”
“Got a name for you. Alexis Gardner. Got a handle, Hawk. Gone away on a three-year stint. ’Bout all the info I have.”
“I’ll get on it, Prez. Anything to do with that girl, Becca? Thought her family name was Gardner.” He’s staring at me, making me put my head to one side, and ask, “What?”
“Even when your head’s not completely here with us, nothing much passes you by, does it?”
I pick up the joint and hold it to the flame. “Listen and learn. People drop things. Puzzles fall into place.”
“And exactly what puzzle do you think you’ve solved, Mouse?”None of my own.I tap my nose. “Something’s going on, Prez. You’ve got a plan. But not my business to ask what.”
“You think?” Drummer scoffs. “Feels like I’m playin’ it by ear.”
I can understand that.As he gets up and goes, I call out, “I’m taking off for a couple of nights. Won’t be gone long, Drummer. Need to hit the Rez to sort something out.”
He narrows his eyes, opens his mouth, but just when I think this is the time he’s going to ask me to explain myself, he shrugs. “Keep your secrets if you want, Mouse. But I ain’t stupid. There’s something going on. I’ll leave you to figure out whenyou need your brothers at your back. Thing about brotherhood, Mouse, is you’ve got backup when you want it.”
He closes the door behind him, leaving me to think over my problems. Can’t see where he or anyone else could help.
I do a bit of digging on the name Drummer gave to me, set searches off to proceed while I’m gone, then set off to drive to the Rez. I’ll spend the night there, and in the morning I’ll be taking Drew to see Mariana. Fuck knows how much it will upset him to see her in orange again. He didn’t cope well with it last time.
Drew’s sporting a black eye, but he grins when he sees me. “The other asshole looks worse.” He’s so proud as he tells me, I suspect that he does.
I put my arm around his shoulders and lead him off to one side, indicating a fallen tree trunk which doubles as a seat. “Wanna tell me about it?”
“White boy, Navajo school,” he replies succinctly.
Yeah, I can well remember that. “You doing okay?”
“They’ve moved me up a grade.” He grins. Again, I’m not surprised. Navajo aren’t stupid, far from it. Just don’t think book learning will help them through life. He is probably more advanced than others his age. Now Drew’s lips curve right up. “Got some good-looking chicks there, though.”
Now I mock slap him around his head. “You’re only fifteen.”
His raised eyebrow makes me laugh. Yeah, he’s got me there. Fifteen’s when I lost my virginity. “Mom treating you okay?”
“Your mom and gramma are great. Make me eat everything though.”
I suspect they do.Not a bad habit to get into. Night’s falling, a rustle in the bushes behind me makes me shiver. Time for the skin-walkers to come out. Then I inwardly laugh. Dark doesn’t bother me in Tucson, it’s just here, on the Rez, where I can feel phantom eyes burning into my back. “Best get inside.”
