A Very Nefarious Christmas by Needa Warrant

decorating and cleaning up out there. Oreo is right: we’re running out of time. I was thinking we could use Willie and Dee’s shop. We get Jelly and Maggie out there as Santa and Mrs. Claus. It will bring in the families. I ain’t liking asking any of those Bound for Hell chicks for their horses. Willie can use Picasso if she wants to charge for rides. I know Elena would give us whatever we asked for, but this is our thing, not theirs. Anyone got anything to add?” He lit up a smoke and looked around at the bikers, just as Jelly Belly hurried into the room. “Jelly you’re always late. We’ve got a change of plans. You and Maggie will be at W and D, Art by the Sea. No time to decorate the Lodge with this snow, and we’re supposed to get some more. Maggie working on your Santy suit?” Black Dog’s eyes twinkled at the miserable look on Jelly’s face.
    “She made it fit … and she made herself a dress. Next year, I’m shaving off this white beard. Never again am I being Santy Claus. You’re still having elves, right?” Jelly was looking at the prospects with an evil look.
    Tread stood up to stretch his legs. “It will bring more money in, having the bake sale there. It’s also safer from the Filthy Fiends. I’ll let the cops I know in Beach View and Ocean View know what we’re doing. If we give them a heads-up, they’ll have traffic control and officers around. We want this to go right, so we need to use the law to our advantage. JJ, do you talk to John Regan still?”
    “I can talk to John,” JJ answered. “I’ve got no problem with any of the Regan’s. Why?”
    “Doesn’t he own that shopping strip? If he says we’re good, we won’t get shit from the other store owners. There is an empty lot across the street for parking. Dog gets it plowed out, we can charge for parking. Jelly, I think you and Maggie will be the center of attention. You two will make the newspaper. Think how good that will be for you, if you ever get in trouble? It’s great publicity for the club too. Quit your bitchin’, bro.” Tread was usually the voice of reason. “Let’s go see what Maggie’s made your suit look like. I got some blonde hash we can try out. You coming, Toker?” Jelly looked happier and the three bikers left in great spirits.
    JJ yawned. “I need to get going. I’ll make the call to John. I don’t see any problems, but Amy has dinner waiting for me.” He got up to leave, but found the door blocked by Moose.
    “I thought you were seeing that bitch Katri? Who the hell is this Amy and why doesn’t she help too?” Moose was the nosy brother.
    To that, JJ grinned. “I got the hell away from her. The chick that helps Elena out is one sweet thang. I was planning to bring her to the party, actually. Hey, she has a horse, we could ask her to help with the horse rides. I’ll ask her tonight. I’m bouncing. Later.” He wanted to leave before Moose could ask more questions.
    Moose slapped him on the back as he left, a proud grin on his face. “About time JJ wised up and got away from that bitch. I was thinking we might lose him if he got too involved with her.” He faced the rest of the room. “Now we’re all set, right? Our kid’s party is next Saturday, late afternoon. Gives us enough time to get those cookies baked. I got my mom baking. Kelly can’t even make instant pudding. I’m good with helping on this turkey caper. Thorn, how’s it going with Nico and his ol’ lady at your place?”
    Thorn too had risen and was getting ready to leave. “Kitchen is a friggin’ mess,” he griped. “They’re searching all over for this canned spotted dick shit, making mincemeat pies and Christmas puddings. Of course, we can’t have any of it. We eat takeout surrounded by cookies in tins piled all over the house. Tears is picking up CeCe’s English accent too. Kinda hot in bed when she talks dirty to me.” He gave a chuckle at that. “I like Nico a lot. Hyway and him are pretty tight. I really