Page 108 of Road to Absolution

Tucker cried, “Why are you asking her questions?”

Vixen was on a warpath. “Why? Because you three buffoons have to run this joint when these old men kick it.”

“Hey!” The men were no longer laughing.

She rolled her eyes. “Luckily, you old bastards have a few years left to get these three in line.” Viola turned away and strutted. “Now, boys.”

Like school children, we followed Vixen inside. We outsized and far outweighed her, yet we were too afraid to piss her off anymore. To be a rebel, I threw my rag to the ground. Not that I let her see my silent protest.

Laughter echoed behind us. Assholes.

As we passed the bar in the Cave, the Old Coots cheered, “Pups!”

Tuck and I grumbled as we kept following Viola.

Fucking Old Coots cackling at us, now cheered, “Wolves in training!”

Down a hallway, V turned a corner. I’d never been to Art’s room but assumed it was his door we were standing in front of. Without a knock, she opened the door. “Invite him.”

Tuck and I walked past The Bloody Mary Queen of the Day and stood in front of Art’s bed.

He was fully dressed but in bed watching TV. After studying us, he lifted a brow. “What’s wrong with my playmates?”

After a shove on my shoulder, I asked, “Art, will you go to a fair with me?”

A sly smirk appeared as he crossed his ankles. “Now, this is a surprise. Delilah’s husband asking me out on a date.”

I stepped forward, but Vixen warned, “Mav!”

“Fine,” he agreed as I turned toward the door. “Let’s go, Dumb and Dumber—”

A shiver raked across my back.

Slowly, I turned back, seething.

Even if he wasn’t sure how he had pissed me off, Art was pleased. “Already dumping me? Too bad. Maybe you haven’t heard, but I’m a great kisser.”

The next thing I knew, I was flying through the air…

Tuck watched me soar. “Ah shit.”

Art grunted as I landed on top of him with all my weight, but recovered rapidly. He shoved at my chest, knocking me off the bed. Before I even hit the ground, I had a hold of his shirt and was dragging him to the floor with me.

Tuck tried to pull us apart, but there wasn’t enough room between the bed and wall for him to properly stand. The Pitbulls tripping him up, he came crashing down on top of us. “Goddamnit, you two!”

The lamp on Art’s nightstand fell on top of us.

Elbows, Knees, Biker boots, fists… all collided and bounced off of each other.

As we wrestled, I heard Viola on the phone, “Come out of hiding and handle your pups. They’re at it again.” Her voice faded away. “I’m taking a shower.”

Bam! His fist slammed into my jaw.

“Motherfucker!” Bam! I delivered just as good.

Tuck’s long limbs kept fighting to get between swinging arms and legs. “Knock it off!” Then he said, “Oh shit,” and was dragged off us.

Next thing I knew, Art and I were being dragged from the confined space by our feet.