by L. Wilder
He brought his cigarette up to his mouth and took a long drag before he said, “Nah, I don’t mind ya asking. Kevin’s doing alright. He was pretty sick there for a while, but he’s doing better now.”
“Sounds like a tough kid.” I smiled. “How old is he?”
“He’s six. Gonna be seven in a couple of weeks. The kid’s growing so fast I can hardly keep up with him, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I bet he keeps you on your toes,” I laughed.
“No doubt about that. He’s always getting into something or another. Lately, his new kick is to get me to quit smoking. Always hiding my cigarettes and giving me hell every time he catches me with a cigarette in my hand. He’s persistent, I’ll give him that.”
“Might be easier to just stop smoking.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. Should’ve never started in the first place,” he said as he tossed his cigarette to the ground. He nodded his head towards our hotel room and asked, “How are the kids taking all this?”
“They’re scared, but this time it’s different. This time they have Clutch.”
“He’s a good guy. He’ll do right by them and by you. Just hang in there. He’ll see you through all of this.”
“God, I hope so. I can’t go through all of this again.”
“You won’t have to. Clutch and the club will make sure of it,” he assured me. “Now go get another hour of sleep. We need to get back on the road soon.”
“Okay,” I told him as I turned and started walking towards our room. I’d only taken a few steps when I turned to him and said, “Thanks for keeping an eye on us, Blaze. It means a lot to me.”
He smiled and said, “Glad to do it.”
As soon as I got to the room, I crawled back into bed and, after a few minutes of tossing and turning, I finally managed to fall back asleep. It felt like I’d just closed my eyes when I heard a banging on the door followed by T-Bone yelling, “Rise and shine, sleepyheads. We’re rolling out in ten!”
Charlie groaned as he rolled over to face me. He rubbed his eyes. “Crap … What time is it?”
I looked at my watch. “It’s almost eight.” I tossed back the covers. “Come on, guys. Get up. We need to get moving. I don’t want to make them wait.”
They both groaned as they pulled themselves out of bed. Once they were dressed, we met Blaze and T-Bone out in the parking lot. With a grumpy look on her face, Hadley walked over to T-Bone and said, “I’m hungry.”
Laughing, he told her, “I feel ya, kid. Let’s go grab some breakfast before we head out. How about some pancakes?”
“Anything is fine,” I answered for her.
Blaze got in the SUV and said, “It’ll be a while before we stop again. Might as well get something decent to eat before we go.”
We followed T-Bone over to a small diner across the street, and once we were inside and sitting at a table, we each ordered a big breakfast and coffee. The kids were talking back and forth amongst themselves and seemed to be doing okay considering everything that was going on. I wish I could say the same for myself. I was tired, but wound up with nerves at the same time. Blaze must have noticed that I was tense, because he asked, “You doing alright?”
“I’ve been better, but I’ll be okay. Just a little overwhelmed.”
T-Bone leaned towards me and said, “My ma’ used to tell me that sometimes you gotta go through hell before you get to the good stuff. You and those kids have good stuff coming, Olivia. You just gotta see this thing through.”
“I’m trying. It’s just a lot.”
Blaze laid his hand on mine and gave it a light squeeze. “I’m right there with you. Seems like there will never be an end to all the bullshit, but the end is there. We’ll get to the good. Knowing that is the only thing that keeps me going.”
I smiled and said, “You’re right. We’ll get there.”
The waitress placed our food on the table, and just before Hadley took her first bite, she looked over to T-Bone. “Are you really bald or do you shave your head?”
“Hadley!” I scolded.
T-Bone chuckled. “Because I want to.”
I shook my head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, T-Bone. Hadley’s filter hasn’t kicked in yet.”
“I was just asking. I didn’t mean anything by it,” Hadley said defensively. She looked back over to T-Bone and continued, “So you shave it? Like every day?”
“Nah, just when I need to,” he answered as he took a big bite of eggs. “Every couple of days I have to mow it down.”
I looked over to Hadley and gave her a warning look, letting her know that it was time to end her line of questioning, but she didn’t take the hint. Instead she asked, “Do you have an ol’ lady?”
“Hadley!” I fussed.
“Nope.” He shrugged. “Haven’t found the one.”
“What about you, Blaze?” she continued.
I was ready to pop a knot on her head when Blaze said, “Had one. Kevin’s mother … she passed away a few years ago. Doubt I’ll ever find anyone that could get to me like she did.”
The table fell silent, and I was thankful that Hadley stopped talking and finished her breakfast. Once everyone was done eating, we got back on the road and headed for Casper. The closer we got, the more nervous I became. Meeting Clutch’s brothers for the first time had me feeling anxious. From the stories he’d told, I already felt like I knew them. I knew they were good guys and I wish we were meeting under different circumstances. I couldn’t imagine that they were happy about driving so far to rescue some chick and two kids who were running from some psycho killer. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a choice. I’d have to suck it up and try to make the best of it.
When we finally made it to Casper, it was just after five, and we were all long past needing a break. With T-Bone following close behind, Blaze pulled into a busy truck stop parking lot. We’d barely had a chance to stretch our legs when two bikers pulled up next to us. As soon as they took off their helmets, I knew they were Maverick and Smokey. They were both exactly as Clutch had described them. Maverick was a pretty big guy with an athletic build, and he had short dark hair and these amazing green eyes. Smokey was a little taller and not as thick as Maverick, and his hair was tousled around his face, making it difficult to see his blue eyes. Like Maverick, he was attractive, but when he smiled, I could see why the ladies were so crazy about him.
Smokey walked over to me and said, “So you’re the one that Clutch has been going on and on about.”
“Yeah, I guess that’d be me, and you must be Smokey,” I answered.
“The one and only. Nice to finally meet ya.”
“You, too. Thanks for coming to get us like this. I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it, doll. That’s what we’re here for.” He looked over to Maverick and said, “I’m gonna take them inside and get them something to eat.”
Maverick said, “Go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.”
I tapped on the truck to get the kids’ attention and motioned them to follow me and Smokey into the diner. The place was packed with truckers, but we still managed to find a table in the back. It wasn’t long before Maverick walked in and joined us.
As soon as he sat down, he said, “So, you’re Clutch’s ol’ lady, huh?”
“I guess you could say that.” I smiled.
With a smirk, he replied, “Figured a girl like you would be smarter than that.”
I shrugged and said, “I don’t know about that. I figure he’s the one who’s not so smart, getting tangled up with me. I’ve got baggage for days.”
Smokey looked at me and, with a seriousness in his voice, said, “We’ve all got baggage, doll. It’s what you do with it that counts. From what Clutch has said, you’ve been doing just fine with yours.”
“Yeah … up until about thirty-six hours ago, I was doing alright. But I’ve been told that sometimes you have to go through hell before you can get to the good. I’m hoping the good wil
l hurry up and get here.”
“It will come. Don’t you worry about that,” Maverick told me. “But we need to get you home before Clutch has a complete come-apart. If you’re up for it, we’ll drive a couple more hours, and then find a place to stop for the night.”
I nodded. “I’m good with that.”
Hadley looked up from her menu and asked, “How far is it to Washington?”
“It’s a pretty long haul, but we should be there sometime tomorrow,” he answered.
“Are we really going to stay at your clubhouse?” she asked.
Maverick smiled and answered, “That’s the plan. We’re gonna keep an eye on you until Clutch gets things sorted in Memphis.”
I’d been so worried about leaving Clutch, thinking something might happen to him that I hadn’t taken the time to think about the other side of the coin. I had no idea what he and his brothers planned on doing to the man that Sam found in the alley or what they’d do to the men who had killed my parents. I didn’t know much about the club. In fact, I didn’t know anything about the club, except they all wore the same patch on their leather jackets. I didn’t know their rules or how things really worked in or out of the clubhouse. I sure as hell didn’t know how they handled psycho killers, but honestly, I didn’t care; I knew in my heart that they’d do whatever it took to keep me and the kids safe, and that was the only thing that mattered.
“You got yourself a real stunner, brother,” Smoke taunted.
Ignoring him, I asked, “Where are you?”
“We’re at a hotel just outside of Billings. Just got Olivia and the kids settled in their room.”
“Is she doing okay?”
He paused for a minute and then answered, “It’s a lot, man. She and those kids have been through the ringer, but she’s a tough one. She’ll be alright. Don’t worry. We’ve got it covered. What about you? What’s going on there?”
“Rick made the call. He should be coming into Memphis by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Any idea who this guy is?”
“That’s the kicker. We’ve still got no fucking idea. Crow’s been working on it, but this guy is playing it smart. He’s using a burner phone, and he used an offshore bank account to wire the money into Rick’s account. There’s no way to trace this guy, but by this time tomorrow, it won’t matter who the fuck he is. He’s dead either way.”
“I don’t know, man. You need to be careful. Sounds like this guy knows what he’s doing,” Smoke warned.
“Been thinking the same thing. Hard to believe that Perry’s son would know how to pull all this shit off.”
“Maybe it was Hanson, or at least someone Hanson paid to handle it. He’s got the means to do it,” Smokey told me.
“Yeah, I know he’s got the means, but why would he go to all this trouble over some fucking real estate? It doesn’t add up.”
“Got no idea, but you and I both know people do some crazy shit for money,” Smoke replied. “I better get going. Need to catch some Z’s, man. Got a long one tomorrow. I’ll touch base when we make a stop.”
“Sounds good. Watch after my girl,” I ordered.
“You know I will,” he snickered before he hung up the phone.
I was just about to leave the clubhouse when I checked the time. It was after ten, so I assumed that Olivia and the kids had already gone to bed. I still wanted her to know I was thinking about her, so I sent her a text.
Me:
Missing you.
To my surprise, seconds later she responded.
Liv:
Bet I miss you more.
Me:
Why aren’t you sleeping?
Liv:
Because you texted me lol
Me:
Wasn’t expecting you to answer.
Liv:
Then why did you text me?
Me:
Are you giving me a hard time?
Liv:
Maybe…
Me:
Get some sleep.
Liv:
I will, but not yet. I can’t sleep.
What are you doing right now?
Me:
Just leaving the clubhouse.
Heading back to the apartment to catch some Z’s.
Liv:
So you’re thinking about me, huh?
Me:
Always.
Liv:
I’ve been thinking about you too.
I really miss having you around.
Me:
Miss having you around, too.
But I’ll be there with you soon enough.
Liv:
You promise?
Me:
Nothing in this world could keep me away from you.
Liv:
I don’t know what’s going on back there.
I don’t want to know … It scares me.
Just promise me that you will be careful.
I need you here.
Me:
Promise.
Liv:
I love you.
Me:
Love you too, Sunshine.
Now get some sleep.
I’ll talk to you tomorrow, baby.
Liv:
Okay. I’ll try.
But promise me you will too!
XOXO
I shoved my phone in my back pocket and headed for my bike. I’d been at the club all day talking things over with the brothers and I was ready to call it a night. I’d only been home a few minutes when I felt the silence of the room crushing down on me. The absence of the constant hum of Olivia and the kids talking and moving around next door made me miss them even more. When I couldn’t stand it any longer, I grabbed the TV remote and spent the next hour flipping through the channels on the TV. I finally picked one of those kid shows that Hadley was always watching and lay down on the sofa.
I shoved one of the cushions under my head and tried to go to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, I saw Olivia staring back at me. Fuck. She’d only been gone a day and I was pining over her like some lovesick pup. That woman had gotten under my skin in a way that no woman ever had. It made me think about what my grandmother had told me a few months back. I really didn’t get it at the time, but I finally understood what she meant now. As always, my grandmother was right. Olivia captivated my every thought to the point that I felt like I couldn’t breathe without her. I did ache for her. I didn’t give a fuck who had to go to the dirt to protect her. A love like Olivia’s was worth fighting for, and I planned to put up one hell of a fight. I loved her, and there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her and those kids safe.
I had no idea what time I’d finally fallen asleep or how long I’d actually been asleep, but the irritating sounds of kids singing pulled me from my slumber. After turning off the TV, I checked the time. It was almost eight, so I got up. After a quick shower, I headed for the club.
Church was in a couple of hours and I needed to check in with Crow to see if he’d gone over everything that Big Mike sent. I also needed to see if he’d been able to break through the firewall on that offshore bank account so we’d have a better idea of who we were dealing with. I wanted to have all the information in Gus’s hands before we met with the brothers. He wanted everything laid out so we’d all be fully prepared for the night that lay ahead.
When I got to the club, most of the guys were gathered in the kitchen having breakfast while they waited for Gus to call church. The smell of bacon made my stomach growl with hunger, but I didn’t have time to grab breakfast. I needed to talk to Crow, and since he wasn’t in the kitchen, I headed straight to his room. The door was open, so I knocked as I stepped inside. He was already at his computer working, and when he looked up, I said, “Were you able to come up with anything?”
“Been at it all night, man. Every time I get close, I hit another wall. But I did find something,” he answered as he pushed the piles of papers to the side and started typing on his laptop.
I walked over and sat down next t
o him as he pulled something up on the screen. “Whatcha got?”
“I’m not sure if she knows it, but Olivia’s father left his share of the company to her. That’s almost seventy percent of the company, so she’s the final authority. Everything big is on hold with the rest of the development until she comes back home and signs off on the papers. From what I can tell, Turner’s assistant has been doing the best he can to keep the company running the way the old man wanted. His name is Evan Matheny, and he seems pretty loyal. Been with Turner from the beginning and has always done right by him. I’ve hacked into all his shit, but unfortunately he doesn’t know who killed his boss. He’s trying to find Olivia and doing everything he can to protect the company within the executive authorities Turned had in place for him as his right-hand man. But right now, his hands are tied.”
“Why’s that?”
“Since her father’s company still technically owns the remaining lots, they can’t be sold until Olivia gives the okay,” he explained. “They’re stuck.”
“What about Perry? What happened to his shares when he committed suicide?”
“His shares went to his son.” Crow paused for a minute, then said, “You said Olivia thought these guys were after the kids because they might have seen something the night her parents were killed, but what if that wasn’t it? What if they were after her as well?”
“That would make more sense,” I replied. “Besides, if the kids had seen something, they would’ve already told the police.”
“Exactly. She’s told you all the information she knows. So, I’m thinking Olivia has no idea that she owns the shares of the company and that these guys most likely aren’t just hunting the kids; they’re also gunnin’ for her.”
