Significance, Satan's Attitude MC (3 page)

The bar had music blasting and three stages set up with hot dancers on them. Men tossed bills at the sexy girls and the place was packed. Waitresses served food and the cash registers were cha-chinging over and over. The mood in the bar was happy.

Gringo wore a grin. “You like my place? My ol’ lady operates the kitchen. Best Mexican food in South Jersey.” Gringo was married to a hot little Mexican girl and happy as a pig in shit. Her family had been horrified she was marrying outside of her race and had called him a
gringo
, and the name stuck. Four brats later, and her family loved him.

They clasped arms and Whiskey pulled him in for a hug. “Place looks great. You making bank on this?”

Gringo smiled. “More than bank. Most of Rosa’s family work here, my girls are in Catholic school, and I own it free and clear. I got it in Rosa’s mother’s name. You know how that goes. Sorry to hear about Margo, but congrats on your new daughter and Deidra getting married. I hope you like the son-in-law-to-be.”

“Mad Jack seems okay in Nefarious. So, you know Rebel is happy to link the clubs. Deidra seems happy and, if she is, that’s all I can hope for. No son yet for you, either?”

“Rosa is working on it. I got her knocked up again. She swears this time it’s a boy. Heartburn that she never had with the girls. Mama Nina says she had heartburn with all six of her sons but never with her girls—so we’re hoping. Are you hungry, bro?” Gringo was a contented man and Whiskey envied him but was also happy for him.

“Nah, Violet cooked a big breakfast for us.” He watched as Gringo flinched. Violet had never been very nice to Rosa and that had caused some problems.

“Bullshit, that wicked witch can’t cook like Rosa and Mama Nina, come on back and say hello to them.”

Gringo tugged him toward the kitchen as Whiskey noticed Zero talking up some hot dancer. Truth be told, Whiskey was happy to go see what the kitchen looked like. Everyone loved Rosa except for Violet, but that was normal. Violet was a jealous bitch and Rosa was very beautiful in her own way. They were total opposites in every way and Rosa always had a kind word for everyone. She had also been friends with Shannon and still had Catholic masses said for her. Rosa was religious and Whiskey had often wondered how Gringo had gotten the shy woman to get on his bike, let alone marry him. Things had a way of working out though, and they had a great life together.

Rosa flew at Whiskey, her belly bumping into him as she hugged him.  “Whiskey, it is so very good to see you! Mama, look who is here: one of your favorite men.” Rosa was beaming at him. She made him feel really welcome as she sat him down at a small table.

Mama Nina came over to kiss his cheek and Rosa brought him a plate and coffee. The feeling of love this family had was something Whiskey craved. He was happy for Gringo, yet jealous he didn’t have this for himself. He dug into the food and silently agreed with his brother: Violet couldn’t cook like this.

A
fter Whiskey ate, Gringo motioned him to follow. He led him down a hallway until they reached his office. Gringo opened the door with a key and flipped the lights on. He motioned Whiskey to sit as he sat behind his desk.

“So you didn’t just stop by to eat and drink. What does Rebel wanna know?” Gringo was a man of few words when it came to their club.

Whiskey leaned back in the chair, studying his brother. “Anything you got on Bound for Hell and the Filthy Fiends.”

“Tramp is weak, in my opinion. We heard his son is missing. Sounds like the Filthy Fiends offed his mother. Nobody is sure what is going on, but the kid’s aunt disappeared too. I think she’s on the run with the kid. One of my girls danced up there and the aunt came in and got a loan.”

“Tramp wasn’t with the mother, though. I get that he wants his kid, but I don’t see him going weak over a chick. Maybe his kid. Fiends coming down here?” Whiskey was mulling all of this over in his mind.

“If someone took one of your daughters, would you be running at full strength? We got the Fiends down here trying to stir up shit. We’re able to deal with them so far. Blew two away and grabbed the bikes. Cut those fuckers up for bait, sent them out as chum on Snapper’s boat. Least we got two decent bikes outta it.”

Whiskey barely heard that. He was too busy thinking of his daughters being snatched. It was making his stomach churn.

“Bro, I said we got two good bikes.” Gringo smacked the desk with his large hand. “You hearing me?”

“Yeah, two bikes, I got it. You selling them or keeping them for anyone getting outta jail? Two Filthy Fiends as bait. Rebel will be happy as hell. Fuckers keep hitting our smaller chapters.”

Whiskey sometimes wished he smoked but never got into the habit.

“We need to step up our game here. Another thing I heard was, there’s gonna be a few jumpers. Not all are happy in Bound for Hell. I’ll keep the bikes. I got guys getting out soon. Theirs were sold for lawyer’s bills, so they’ll need them. Got ‘em stripped down, repainted, and good as new.”

“You mean, move a chapter up by Bound for Hell and Nefarious? Rebel wants to be the top dog. He’ll like that idea. How do you know about jumpers?” Whiskey was amazed at all Gringo was able to find out.

Gringo smiled. “Hyway came down here. He was asking about Angie, but we got into a long talk about old shit. He’s pissed at how the girls were treated, and I asked him if he was interested in a move. Let’s just say he is considering his options. He’s a good fighter and he got a raw deal. Would be a good man to have in the club. I don’t blame him for looking elsewhere.”

Whiskey looked pensive. “That would be up to Rebel. He’s got little love for Bound for Hell, but if Hyway wants to talk to the boss, I’ll set it up. You got good information as usual. Your girl still working up there?”

Gringo shook his head no. “I wasn’t leaving her up there unprotected. Wasn’t like I could send anyone up to make sure she got home safely. Long drive back here. I sent up Rosa’s sister Maria. Good chick. Looking to settle down?”

“Hell no. I just buried one bitch. I’m letting my niece move up by Deidra with Shanna. Violet is trying to talk me into letting her raise her.” Whiskey already knew the answer, but figured he’d ask anyway. “You were invited to the wedding, Gringo. You coming?”

Gringo’s eyes hardened. “And put my Rosa near Violet? I love my wife and Violet is nasty to her. I’d like to go, bro, but I see no point.” He opened a desk drawer and handed Whiskey a large white envelope. “Nice present for Deidra and her man in there. Tell her to come down and visit us sometime.”

Whiskey stood, took the envelope, and shook Gringo’s hand. “Thanks, bro. I’ll tell them to come down and see you. Deidra loves Rosa. But she’ll understand why you didn’t come. Rebel needs to tame Vi, but I ain’t holding my breath. Have you seen any sign of Penny? I’m sure you heard what she did.”

Gringo laughed until he was choking. “Penny didn’t come here. Hell, I’d have hid her. I heard about it alright and I laughed my ass off.”

Tiny feet came running down the hall and stopped in front of the door. The smile on Gringo’s face was priceless. He held a finger to his lips and the two men stood listening to three little girls arguing.

“Papi’s door is closed. Better not bother him. Might have company.”

“You don’t know that. Papi is always happy to see us.”

“Papi is busy or he would have been waiting for us. You both know the rules.”

Gringo opened the door suddenly and three adorable, dark-haired little girls almost fell into the room. “What did I tell you girls about hanging out by my office door? You’ve got a playroom to be in.” His voice was stern, but he smiled at the little girls. “Go on, get in there. I hear your grandma coming. Play nice with your baby sister.”

The girls took off down the hall. Whiskey shook his head. “Bro, if you get a fourth girl, your hair is gonna be snow white when they’re teenagers. You better pray you have a son.” He sighed. “I better go out and make sure Zero isn’t talking to Maria.”

“Oh shit. She’s working today and I don’t want him as a brother-in-law. I’d hate to have to hold a shotgun to his head.”

Both men hurried into the go-go bar. Luckily for Zero, he was talking to a redhead. As they stood there, Sinister, Billy, Voodoo, and their ol’ ladies came through the door. Greetings were exchanged and Rosa came out to talk with the ol’ ladies. Food and drinks were being brought to the tables and Whiskey wanted to leave and get to the motel before it became a drink fest.

He motioned to Zero. “Let’s hit the road. We gotta get checked into the motel and go over to Dirty Deeds. They’ve got dancers there, too.”

He saw the disappointment in Zero’s eyes and watched them change as soon as he mentioned more dancers. They made their goodbyes and headed for the car.

“Bro, pop the trunk. I got a wedding card for Deidra to put in my bag.”

Whiskey waited as Zero unlocked the trunk and he laid the card under some of his clothing.

Back on the road Whiskey filled Zero in on what Gringo had told him.

Zero thought about it. “A perfect time for Rebel to move up, isn’t it? He’s been waiting for a chance and I think he’d take Hyway. He’ll need numbers. Who would he put up as president?”

Whiskey knew Zero wanted to advance, but he also knew Rebel well. “Me, and probably you as my vice president. Knowing Rebel, we’d be national too, and he won’t stop at just one chapter. He’s been waiting a long time to make a presence in Northern and Central Jersey. I don’t know if I want it, though.”

Zero looked at him like he was crazy. “Whisk, you got nothing left in Maryland. A change is what you need. You’re taking jobs grunts could do for no damn good reason, putting your life in danger—and mine too. I don’t have a death wish.”

Whiskey stayed silent for a few minutes. “Yeah, Rebel says the same thing. I haven’t felt much of anything lately, and I like to remember my roots. We might have a death wish if Tramp isn’t as weak as Gringo thinks.”

“We let Nefarious think we’ll throw in with the Filthy Fiends. They won’t know we won’t do it; we call their bluff.”

Zero was usually on the money about bluffing. They’d used his gut instincts many times and he’d yet to let them down.

Whiskey looked out the window at the farms they were passing by. “Let’s get to the motel and shower. We’ll hit up Dirty Deeds and see how it goes. I’m gonna take a nap. Still feel kinda shitty.”

He pushed the seat back and shut his eyes as the radio blasted music. Zero tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and hoped like hell that they get out of Maryland and away from Violet Rose and Penny as fast as possible. New Jersey sounded like a fine place to live, he decided.

T
he motel owner was happy to see them and take the wad of cash that was handed to him. The two bikers grabbed large rooms with king-size beds. Whiskey made sure there was one held for Violet and Rebel. He informed the owner that more guests would be coming up later.

Once he got his bag into the room, he hung up his clothes and kicked off his boots. He was a neat man and he liked to know where everything was. He put his gun into the dresser drawer and slipped out of his clothes. Once in the shower, the hot water made him feel better. He let the water pound into him before toweling himself off and dressing in fresh jeans and a black tee shirt. He left his hair loose to dry and put a leather cord around his forehead to keep it out of his face. Whiskey used that cord as an extra weapon; he could slip it off fast and choke a man.

He looked at himself in the mirror. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone, but he liked to look good. He got his gun and tucked it in the small of his back, it would be hidden there and he felt safer with it. His arms were huge from working out and he knew he intimidated most men. Most of the bikers in Satan’s Attitude were big mean men.

Rebel had a mad, crazy look about him that made men shit themselves. Of the two of them, Whiskey was the more sensible one. Rebel was both crafty and ruthless, which sometimes made for a dangerous combination. Zero was pure crazy when it came to fighting, but he was usually reasonable.

Whiskey laughed out loud over his thoughts. He needed a drink instead of all of this “thinking shit”. He got his glass and flask out and had a drink while he waited for Zero to knock on the door. He had his other glass and flask in its carrying case. God knew what crap Darko might be serving. He walked around the room studying it. If anyone came in after he left, he’d know. He tugged a few hairs loose and put them in key places. He scribbled a note for Voodoo, telling him to leave the ol’ ladies at the motel and meet them at Dirty Deeds.

Zero knocked on the door and Whiskey let him in as he downed the last of his drink. He walked to the bathroom and washed the glass out and set it upside-down on a washcloth to dry. He put on his leather and made sure his colors were centered. He picked up his carrying case, locked the door, and then they headed out to the car. They still were the only ones to have arrived, so Whiskey stopped by the office. He left the note with the owner and made sure he was to give it to Victor aka Voodoo.

Zero was in a fine mood, and Whiskey tried hard to get into a better one himself. Listening to the radio and smoking a joint on the way to the bar mellowed them both out. Once they parked the car in Dirty Deeds’ parking lot, they talked for a few minutes. Whiskey wanted to make sure Zero waited for the right time to drop the Filthy Fiends bomb on the Nefarious crew. “Unless you see a good opening,” he warned him, “don’t say a thing, Zero. Let Rebel handle it when he comes up.”

“I’ve been doing this almost as long as you,” he shot back, giving Whiskey a wounded look. “I know timing is crucial, bro! You hurt my feelings.”

“Is that so? Remember, this is my daughter’s wedding and I want no trouble with Nefarious. We play it cool. Let them talk. Understand me?”

“I promise no trouble.”

They sat silently for a few minutes. Zero snickered at the sound of another car screeching into the parking lot. “Guess I better go warn the others of your rules, huh?”

“Yeah, you do that while I go inside. Tell them no fucking drama or fighting. We’re guests here tonight and they respect that.”

He got out of the car carrying his flask and case, heading into the bar. The first person he saw was Dusty and he smiled at her. Darko spotted him and came right over. They did the customary fist bump and hug. Whiskey handed over his flask and case with orders how to serve his drinks. The rest of Satan’s Attitude came inside and they all headed into Darko’s office. Whiskey was relieved to see none of them were drunk.  He stopped and looked back at Dusty, who greeted a beautiful black-haired woman. She looked classy and seemed a bit upset. He wondered who she was before turning away.

Bikers from Satan’s Attitude and Nefarious filled the office. Darko was the president of Nefarious MC, central and southern chapters and owned Dirty Deeds go-go bar. He was a very good businessman and had made Nefarious a strong presence in the areas they claimed. Both clubs had each other’s backs but Whiskey and Zero wondered how strong their tie really was to Satan’s Attitude. If given the chance, they’d drop some hints tonight.

They shot the shit as girls came and brought drinks. Finally, Zero was ready to drop his first bomb. He lit a cigarette and looked around at the bikers around him. He nodded slowly at Whiskey who raised an eyebrow.

Zero stood up and everyone looked at him expectantly. “We got those Filthy Fiends down in Maryland and here in Jersey, and there’s a rumor that they’d like to sister-up to us.” Zero looked at the bikers from Nefarious who were muttering angrily.

Darko stayed silent and wondered what the fuck was up. He wasn’t sure he quite believed Zero until Whiskey started to talk. “We’re hearing Tramp is weak now over some chick, and it’s a matter of time before the Filthy Fiends cause some major issues. Rebel wants to know what the fuck is up before he comes here.” He looked straight at Darko, waiting for him to answer.

“That’s something you ought to ask Tramp directly, not me. That chick had his son. I knew Jules and I liked her. I feel bad she disappeared while working for me.” Darko wasn’t giving too much information out.

“Is this Jules dead?” asked Whiskey. “Straight up, Darko, what’s your gut feeling?”

Darko didn’t want to think about Jules being dead, but from what little they knew, it was fairly certain she was. “From what we know, which is little, yeah, she probably is dead. Tramp wants Honey, Jules’ sister, and his son found. Pigs have been no help with finding any of ‘em. Tramp hates the Filthy Fiends, he ain’t weak.”

Whiskey had heard enough and stood up. “Let’s get outta this room, watch the dancers, and party.”

Satan’s Attitude bikers were glad to leave and they quickly exited with the Nefarious bikers. As Whiskey walked into the bar area, he saw the black-haired woman drinking with Dusty, so he walked right up to them.       

Whiskey reached out and ruffled Dusty’s hair. “Long time no see, Dusty. Your mom and Rebel are coming up on Friday.” His voice was smooth with a slight southern accent to it.

Dusty pulled back and tried to keep her face devoid of emotion as she answered, “Didn’t expect to see them, Whiskey. How’s my mother?”

“The same old Violet Rose. Nothing changes with your mother. Now who is this?” He softly touched the mysterious woman’s black hair.

“Elena, meet Whiskey.” Dusty’s hands fluttered in the air.

Whiskey sat down next to Elena and the bartender came right over to him with an odd-shaped glass filled halfway with whiskey and a glass of water. Elena noticed the glass was personalized with the name Whiskey and SA MC etched on it.

He noticed her interest in the glass and offered it to her for closer inspection, holding it near to her face with his hand.

“I like fine whiskey drunk in a proper glass. I bring my own wherever I go.” He sounded very serious.

Elena looked into eyes that were almost the same amber color as her own. “I see. It … is a nice glass.” She really wasn’t sure what to say to this man who stared intently at her.

“Got an ol’ man, Elena?” Whiskey asked bluntly.

Elena paused, taken by surprise. “No, I don’t any longer.”

The smile that appeared on Whiskey’s face made him no longer look like a mean, hard biker. He had very white teeth and Elena noticed right away that he smelled great—not like cigarette smoke, but like a good, clean scent of wind and leather.

He touched her thigh and stroked it, her skin tingling as his fingers trailed over her denim-covered leg.

“No ol’ lady anymore, either. You a dancer here?”

Darko answered for her, his voice a bit cross. “Elena doesn’t dance anymore, Whiskey. She hires my dancers and has her own agency. She recently had a baby.”

Whiskey still had his hand on her leg as he looked Elena more closely. “Is that so? I’d never have thought that. Good body.”

Elena found her voice finally. “I have a riding stable and I train horses and rescue them. We have some track horses too, my partner and I. It keeps me in shape.”

Whiskey’s dimples showed as his smile deepened. “Is that so? I’m a fan of the track myself. Some of the best thoroughbreds come from Maryland.”

Elena smiled at him. “Yes, I know. We have a horse named Moon Glow from Maryland. Maybe you’d like to see him one day.”

Whiskey wanted to see more of Elena, and if seeing a horse made it happen, he was fine with that too.

“I’d like that a lot. How about lunch tomorrow? Then you can show me your horses. I haven’t been on a horse farm in years.”

Elena bit the inside of her cheek. After she had realized Thrash was not for her, she hadn’t thought of where she was going next in her life. This amber-eyed, mahogany-haired biker made her feel sexy and alive again. Thrash letting a tattoo slut climb over him had done her a big favor.

She was ready to live again, and she heard herself agreeing to lunch.  Whiskey’s smile made her feel really good inside.

Whiskey was surprised she’d agreed to lunch so fast. He rubbed her wrist a bit more as they made small talk. Whiskey watched Elena drink the slammers and wondered if he ought to drive her home. He noticed Dusty and Darko arguing and figured it was probably over him talking to this chick. He truly didn’t give a fuck what Darko thought. In his bones, he felt Elena was special, maybe even the woman of significance that Rebel had yammered about.

“I met Dee at my farm when she came over with Willie—that’s Black Dog’s ol’ lady. They have the shop together, you know, W and D, Art by the Sea.” Elena was telling him shit he didn’t have a clue about.

“Deidra is involved with a shop now? Hmm, she didn’t tell me, but we don’t talk much lately. I hope now that I’m a widower that can change.” His hand stroked the top of her hand, trailing his rough fingers over her soft skin.

“I’m sorry to hear of your wife’s passing.” Elena wasn’t quite sure what to say to him.

Whiskey laughed a bit harshly. “I’m not. She wasn’t a nice person, not like Deidra’s mother, my first wife. I named my baby daughter after her: Shanna. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with an infant.”

“Who takes care of your baby?” Elena asked.

“My niece Lacy-Jane is taking care of her. She’ll be at the wedding. Are you invited?” He pressed his thumb on the pulse of her wrist. He noticed how she reacted to that and smiled inwardly.

“Yes. I’ve been friends with Jack for a very long time, and his family.” Elena’s voice quivered slightly as tingles ran through her body.   

Whiskey took a sip of the ice water next to his glass and Elena watched as his tongue traced the wetness across his lips.

“Are you going with anyone? If not, I’d like you to go with me.”

His eyes were mesmerizing. “I’m was going with Jersey and Joy,” she answered. “She and I jointly own the farm. Actually, I own most of it. Joy put down very little.” Suddenly, she was telling him all about herself. “I left Hunter when I sold my old farm. I was pregnant with my daughter, Rhiannon, and he was dying of cancer. It was a very bad time for me, but Hunter and I had grown apart long ago. It was easier to stay together if that makes any sense to you. Anyway, Hunter didn’t want me or the baby, and he didn’t want me taking care of him. I’ve finally come to terms with it all … and his death.” Elena looked at him a bit anxiously. “I’d rather go with you, though.”

Whiskey wasn’t one to judge, and he felt bad for Elena. He imagined she’d been judged quite a bit already. He ran his fingers over her thigh again. “Darlin’, I know I’ll enjoy this wedding more with you by my side. Thank you. Elena, you seem like a strong woman to me, and I do know about staying with someone because you feel you gotta. That was Margo. I knocked her up and married her because I knew she was having my kid. I didn’t even love her, or really like her. I hope I don’t sound like an asshole to you.”

Elena looked long and hard at him, considering her words carefully. “I think it is admirable that you felt so strongly about your child. That right there tells me a lot about the type of man you are.” She grinned. “I’m sure you’re really not a nice man at all, are you? No, don’t answer that, I don’t want to know your secrets. Anyway, I need to get going.” She stood up and put her jacket on. She reached into her purse and grabbed a small notepad. She wrote her number and directions to her house on it and handed it to Whiskey.