A minute later, two men came out.
Frank was in his mid-fifties, with short-cropped gray hair and a slight belly that hung over his belt.He wore a flannel and jeans that didn’t quite fit right.Nick was wiry, maybe early forties, with narrow eyes and a receding hairline slicked back with too much gel.
They looked about as tough as a pair of wet noodles.
“You must be Frank and Nick,” I said, standing tall and casual.“Twister.This is Swift, Hodge, and Magnum.We run the Saint’s Outlaws MC here in Madison.”
Frank cleared his throat.“Can we help you fellas?”
“Just thought we’d drop by and say hey,” I said smoothly.“We’re setting up shop down the block.Figured it’s good to meet the neighbors.”
They didn’t say anything.
Nick shifted his weight.“You...uh, you guys run the motorcycle club?”
I nodded.“That’s right.”
Frank frowned.“We’ve heard some...things.”
I tilted my head.“Oh yeah?Like what?”
Frank folded his arms.“Just...people are concerned.About changes.This area’s been stable for a long time.”
I raised an eyebrow.“Stable?”
“This part of town, State Street, it’s got a rhythm.Businesses know each other.We look out for one another.”
Swift leaned in.“And you think we’re not about that?”
Nick stammered.“We don’t know what you’re about.That’s the point.”
Frank’s eyes flicked to mine.“We’re just making sure the neighborhood doesn’t become something it’s not.”
I smiled, but it wasn’t warm.“We’re just a motorcycle club, Frank.We drink some whiskey, ride some bikes, and we’re opening a rage room to let people smash the shit out of stuff for fun.Doesn’t sound too threatening to me.”
Frank looked like he’d swallowed a lemon.“Just… don’t bring trouble.”
“Funny thing,” I said, and stepped forward just a hair.“We don’t bring trouble.But we don’t shy away from it either.”
Magnum chuckled low.“Especially when people go around trying to stir it.”
“We’re just being careful,” Nick muttered.
I grunted.“You picked the wrong bartender to start that shit with.”I held up a hand and tried to keep my tone easy.“Look, we’re not here to start something.But next time you have questions about me or my crew, ask me.Don’t go sniffing around someone who doesn’t deserve the heat.”
Frank didn’t answer.Neither did Nick.
We stood there in silence for a beat too long.
“Anyway,” I said and stepped back.“Nice to meet you boys.”
We turned and walked out, boots thudding on the polished floor.
Back out on the sidewalk, Swift let out a low whistle.“I didn’t like those fuckers.”
“Me either,” I muttered.
Magnum shook his head.“That shop’s too clean.Too polished.And those two?Slimy.”
