Page 20 of Fury

“This is your fault, Molly.” I turn to leave the office.

Molly smirks as she replies, “Zip your lip, Fury. You started it.”

I can’t get out of there fast enough.

Chapter 11

*~* Fury *~*

Icouldn’t get out of the clubhouse fast enough and escape all their jokes. Taking the SUV that has practically become mine now, I head out of the compound, giving the prospect a chin lift as I go past. Mateo is on duty today. I don’t have a preference over any of the prospects, but if I needed one of them to have my back, I think it would be Mateo. He is a classic example of the old saying, two ears and one mouth. He pays attention to everything and everyone, but when he speaks it’s always relevant. I’ve also noticed how much muscle he has put on since being here. I should talk to Breaker and Griller and see how his training is coming along. Maybe just Breaker. I can’t take any more lip from Griller.

Placing a call to Breaker through the SUV's Bluetooth, he picks up after only a couple of rings.

“What’s up, Fury? You’ve only just left the compound, man.”

“I was just wondering how Mateo was coming along with his training?” I reply.

“Well, his hand-to-hand is flying. He soaks up the instructions like a sponge, and he’s as natural as can be when it comes to the practical side. He would have been a natural for MMA if he would put his mind to it. Why the interest?” Breaker asks, sounding a little suspicious.

“I saw him on the gate as I left, and he looks like he’s bulking out nicely. I just wondered if he was all show and no substance, that’s all.”

“Hell, no. He works hard at everything, no matter how simplistic the task is. I know he runs and goes to the gym three, maybe four times a week. He is always the first on any list for extra duties or to help someone out. He was penciled in to learn duties for the bar when it came onboard, but that now, of course, has stalled. In fact, I think at times he could do with getting himself a life of his own. He seems to be all about helping others or just filling in his time.”

That’s quite a mouthful for Breaker. “No comments from you about a bromance, but I’m feeling kinda out of it lately. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll take him under my wing and he could hang out with me while I’m running around trying to occupy my time.”

Breaker states not nastily, mind you, “I think that would be good for both of you, only don’t just drop him when you and Jamie get your shit together again. That wouldn’t be fair to Mateo.”

I can tell by his voice that his concern is genuine, but I’m not the sort to forge a friendship and then dump them when someone or something else comes along.

“That’s not my style, Breaker. Hell, I still suffer your sorry ass.” The call ends, and I guess I’m dismissed.

Now I can focus on the road, and I don’t even have a destination in mind. I escaped the clubhouse, but I don’t know where I’m heading. I could see how the pet crematorium is coming along, maybe help out for an hour or so? Arriving at the crematorium, I see several bikes and a work truck parked in the lot. They’re not going to need my help I’m guessing, but as I’m here, I’ll still show my face.

Walking into reception, the smell of fresh paint hits me. I don’t know what it looked like before, but the pastel shades it is decorated with now certainly make it inviting. As inviting as a crematorium could get, anyway.

Hearing laughter from somewhere behind a closed set of double doors, I swing one open, and everyone stops what they are doing and looks my way. They are all standing around a coffin and look like they got caught with their pants down. Don’t tell me they have a body to dispose of already.

Seeing how they are trying to shield the coffin, I walk over to see what’s going on. Pushing between Winger and Prophet, I look inside the coffin.

“It’s not what it looks like, Fury. It was just some fun that got out of hand, is all.” Guardrail shakes his head as if this is just something that happens every day.

Noah, the prospect for construction has been laid out, arms crossed on his chest. “Holy fuck! I don’t want to be the one to explain this to Whack.”

As I turn to look at them all, Noah sits up, eyes popping open, and he grabs me. It’s a good job my morning routine includes emptying my bowels, or I’d have done it right here and now.

“You stupid, dumb motherfuckers!” Turning I walk out before I start throwing punches that will undoubtedly lead to a free-for-all, and me having more facial injuries to try to explain away.

Pulling out of the lot, I turn towards town and just drive. I still don’t have a destination or a purpose for today, and that is starting to get under my skin. I’m beginning to realize more and more just how much of my life was taken up with Doctor Jamie Grant. Sitting at a set of lights, as if my thoughts had magically made her appear, Jamie drives by in the Ford. I watch her go by and out of habit I scan the surrounding vehicles. I do a double take at the driver of an old junker that is three cars behind, but I can’t place the guy with a beard driving it.

Deciding to follow, I slip into her lane when the lights change and I’m four back from the junker. Two junctions ahead and Jamie carries straight on. The junker turns off, and my spider-sense stops tingling. I’d rather be wrong than have something happen, if I’m truthful.

Not wanting to get caught tailing Jamie, either by her or Pres, I realize I’m in the vicinity of Razor Cuts, the club's barber shop, so head there for a quick freshen up. That should at least pass an hour, and I could do with a spruce-up.

Walking to the barber shop, I see what might have been the same old junker go by. As Jamie would be miles away by now on the other side of town, I don’t give it much thought. There are enough junkers running around that it may not even be the same one. I understand people in hard times can’t always afford the best, but you’d think if you’re going to be driving around in what is effectively a one ton plus weapon they’d keep themselves and others safe by having it looked after.

Walking into the barber shop, I see an empty chair, so slip into it. Thorn appears behind me and wraps me in one of those God-awful capes.

“What’ll it be, Fury? The works, or just a trim?”