“I take it you don’t meet many of those types of people in your line of work?” Luca glanced down at the tear on her cuff.
“No.” Grace offered weakly, rolling her sleeve back up. Seeing what could easily be mistaken as genuine concern on his face, the words started pouring out of her. “It wasn’t a big deal. After several complaints from the school about one of their students—a little boy— being absent for almost a week without notice I went to child’s house to see what was going on. I won’t go into the details, but the father and child’s only caregiver was clearly unfit to take care of his son. It was a dangerous situation for the boy. I called the police to remove the boy, but before they arrived his father assaulted me.”
“And you pepper sprayed him,” Luca remarked, then watched Grace reluctantly nod. He recalled Grace’s weird scent and puffy red eyes when she came in. She must’ve caught some of the spray’s blow back. Luca found himself tensing at the thought of some scumbag going after a woman like that. He’d certainly met his fair share of them in prison. “This was today?”
“It was why I was so late coming here.”
“Does this happen a lot?” Luca’s face tightened and his lips pursed together.
“It’s a tough job checking up on tough men,” Grace shrugged, obviously wanting this conversation to be dropped. It’d been a hard day; she didn’t need to relive every detail of it. “Usually, I have backup in a dangerous situation. I didn’t think I needed it today but I guess I was wrong. I’ll know better next time.”
“Hey, when are you coming back next to check on Bella?” Luca changed the subject.
“I’ll be dropping in every day for the first week,” Grace’s tone maintained a professional evenness, then surprisingly, she cracked a slight smile. “Then we can discuss lengthening your leash.”
“It’s a date then.” Luca, shocked at her sudden sense of humor smiled with wide eyes. “I can think of a lot of things to do with a leash.”
“It’s most definitely not a date.” Grace fought to keep her smirk from betraying her. At six and a half feet tall and with hair and eyes the same shade of coffee-maple brown the fantasy of letting him take her to bed went down easier than the smoothest whiskey in the planet.
“Ok fine. It’s not a date.” Luca playfully looked away, before snapping his gorgeous dark eyes back at her. “But you’ll probably want to see how I do with Bella out in public right?” Before Grace could skeptically reply, he added. “So join us tomorrow for dinner.”
Grace frowned, but reluctantly agreed. “Where?”
“I was thinking Mama Loca.”
“The strip club!” Grace scoffed.
“Joking.” Luca’s white teeth beamed from behind his sly smile. “How bout Chucky Cheese?”
“Sure.”
“It’s a date then.”
Grace scowled. “It’s not a date.”
Luca smiled. “Whatever you say sweetheart, whatever you say.” Then he winked at her.
Chapter Six
Luca dropped Bella off with Sunshine early in the day. He needed to make an effort to finding a job. After finding out what his brother had done the day before he no longer trusted him to watch Bella. He felt bad about not trusting him but Bella was too important to him to be ignored.
Luca wasn’t exactly broke. He had hidden a to-go bag in his house just in case he had to leave town in a hurry. Thank god, it was still there. Aiden hadn’t found that money or Luca was sure he would have been dead by overdose by this time.
He went from job to job leaving an application everywhere he could think of. He wasn’t afraid to work but with Peterson putting up barriers, he didn’t have much of a chance to find a decent job. A job that would be enough to support both him and Bella.
While Peterson thought he had an advantage, Luca wasn’t Red Thomas’s son for nothing. He could be every bit as stubborn as his dad ever was. Luca wasn’t going to give up or give into Peterson’s bullying. He paid for a crime that wasn’t even his and there was nothing Peterson could do that would send him back to prison.
He made four stops in White Rock but each place, he stopped at they told him they didn’t need help. The last stop was at a garage that had a help wanted sign in the window. When he stopped to inquire about it the owner stared him in the face and told him the position was filled. Luca stared right back at him and almost called him a liar. He’d seen the police vehicle leaving the parking lot as he drove in.
Luca growled and left the place. He was hot, tired, and frustrated. But he wasn’t giving up. He swung by the clubhouse. He just needed Bowie to know that not only was Peterson working here in Santa Fe and living in White Rock, he had a strong hold over both cities. It was beginning to piss Luca off.
He sat down at the bar and the prospect handed him a beer. Luca took a sip and Bowie sat down beside him. When the prospect handed Bowie a beer Luca finally turned and glared at his President. “That fucker is beginning to piss me off.”
“Ha,” Bowie grunted. “And this surprises you how? You know he’s got a hard on for anyone related to the Steel Veins.” He growled, “Especially you. He thinks you took his son away.”
“Cody was a fuckin liar and a cheat. He takes right after his daddy, the only difference was Cody got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Daddy just hasn’t got caught yet.” Luca growled.
Bowie snorted. “Well that’s true enough. Adam Peterson is as dirty as mud but he knows how to protect himself. He’s been in law enforcement long enough to know the ins and outs of the law and to know just what he needs to do to protect his image. Cuz that’s all he’s got left. The people here and in White Rock know the type of man he really is.”
“Yeah but they also know they can’t call him on it. They don’t want to deal with the consequences of pissing him off. He’s already ruined enough people in both towns they don’t want to mess with him. The man is nothing but a bully.”
“True enough but that same bully is talking about running for Governor. I hear he’s filed the paperwork with the state to put his name in the pool.”
Luca slowly turned to stare at the other man. “Are you shitting me? That fucker is going into politics? It’s bad enough he’s a fucking cop.”
“As corrupt as he is as Sheriff can you imagine him as a Governor?” Bowie snorted.
“He’d run the whole fuckin state into the ground.” Luca growled. “I think it would behoove us to dig into Mr. Peterson’s background. We can’t allow that bastard to become our Governor. But until we find something we can use against him this needs to be on the QT.”
Bowie nodded. “I agree. For some time now, I’ve thought Peterson was hiding something. I think we need to find out what that something might be.”
Luca thought back for a moment then asked, “I wonder what the real reason he had his son, Cody infiltrate the club? It wasn’t just to find enough to blow us out of the water. Back then, we had no secrets. We made our living running drugs and guns, hell everyone knew it. There just wasn’t shit they could do to stop us.”
“You think the kid was here for something else?” Bowie asked, thinking about the rat that his son Doc killed. Cody’s death was what originally set his father Peterson on the warpath.
“I had six years to think about this and the more I thought about it the more it made sense to me. I just can’t think about what he was really here for.” Luca admitted.
“What the hell was he looking for then?” Bowie asked.
“That’s something we have to find out,” Luca admitted. “Do you remember what was going on at that time?”
Bowie shrugged. “We were fighting for our territory with the Los Lobos. They were wanting to expand and kick us out of the area so they could have this whole area of the state. It was only after you went to prison that we started pulling back our drug runs and getting out of the gun trade.”
“Huh, I heard bits and pieces about the take down of the Los Lobos. That must have been a bloodbath.”
Bow
ie nodded. “It was. For those of us who were there, it wasn’t pretty but it had to be done. Los Lobos had gone so far, they lost their way. We weren’t far away from losing our way either but Poet wouldn’t let that happen.” Shaking his head he added, “After the smoke cleared and we stripped the old, corrupt national President, Deadeye of his colors, I think everyone was stunned. Nothing like that had ever happened before. I think it was a hell of a wakeup call for the rest of us.” Shrugging he said, “It was a tough readjustment for the whole bunch of us. Poet made it number one priority that everyone who’d been a member for less than two years be busted down to a Prospect. Shit some of the men simply left rather than start all over, but those who stayed, stayed with the hope that the clubs could turn themselves around.”
“And this group turned itself around?” Luca had heard some of this when he got out of prison, but Bella had showed up so shortly after that, he never got the time to ask any of the questions that’d been haunting him.
Bowie nodded. “Yeah we did. It was rough, we had to make some hard decisions, but we did it. And for the most part, we’re doing alright now, but the first year or so it was lean times. Every once in a while we catch one of the brothers breaking the new rules but for the most part we’re doing ok now.”
“So what does the club do now?”
“We’re buying businesses. So far we own a couple of bars and a strip club, an ink shop and we’re in negotiations for a diner and a garage.”
Luca snorted, “Well then if I can’t get any other job I can get one in a business the club owns right?”
“You just say the word.” Bowie chuckled. “We’d be more than happy to have you join us again. You’re a brother already.”
“Not just yet.” Luca shook his head. “I have to prove to Social Services I can make it without the club. I have two years to go on my sentence yet and according to the state I can’t be seen around criminals.”
“We are NOT criminals,” Bowie growled. “Well not anymore.”
“I know that.” Luca told him steadily. “But all the fuckin state sees is the letters MC behind our name. They don’t see us as men but rather as a gang. And that’s not who we are.”
Bowie didn’t say anything for a moment then he asked, “And how are you going to prove that in order for the social worker not to take your daughter away from you?”
Luca exhaled loudly. “I’m gonna get a fuckin job, and keep my nose clean for the next fuckin two years. I’m gonna fuckin follow her rules and bit my tongue until I’m off probation, then they can go to hell as far as I’m concerned.” He took a swig of his beer. “I’m taking her and Bella out to eat tonight. I have to show the damn woman I can behave in public I guess.”
Bowie chuckled. “That should be fun.”
Luca shrugged. “I’m taking them to Chucky Cheese. Should be a fun time for everyone.” He scoffed.
“Could be worse, brother.” Bowie smiled.
“How so?” Luca wanted to know.
“Grace could be a dragon instead of a fine looking bitch.” Bowie laughed.
Luca grinned. “She is fine looking ain’t she? Wouldn’t mind getting a little of that.” He glanced over at the clock on the wall and grimaced. “Time to hit the bricks again. Damn I’m tired of this shit already.”
“You used to be a good mechanic back in the day,” Bowie reminded him. “We can always set you up at the garage once all the paperwork is done and it’s ours free and clear.”
Luca nodded. “If I can’t find anything before then, I might just take you up on that. She may not like it but it’ll be a job.”
Luca slipped off the stool and walked toward the door, then he paused and turned back to his brother. “While you’re looking into Peterson’s past see if your guys can find a line on Frannie. Something happened to Bella while she was with her mother and I’d like to find out what that is. She isn’t talking for a reason.”
Bowie nodded and watched as Luca turned and left the clubhouse. He turned around and finished his beer, then got to his feet and walked out to the garage to talk to Recon and Tracker. He had a feeling once he put his men on digging into Peterson’s background they would leave no stone unturned.
Later that evening, Luca opened the door to allow Bella and Grace to enter the restaurant. The noise level was almost deafening as they found a table. Children rushing around, giggling and laughing almost made Luca cringe but he didn’t. Instead, he smiled and bit his tongue. Bella looked around the room with bright eyes and interest.
Grace looked around and took note of the activities but seemed tired tonight. Luca watched her rather than what was going on around them. That’s how he missed the snake sliding up to his table.
“Miss Ricco,” Adam Peterson showed his displeasure in just saying her name. He wasn’t a tall man only around five foot eleven inches but he carried himself well enough to make people notice him. Shoulders back and spine straight he knew he had an intimidating attitude and he often used it to his advantage. His hair was combed back away from his face and even at his age, there wasn’t one grey hair. There was a bet going around town that Adam Peterson dyed his hair but Luca could care less what the man did, he just wanted Peterson to leave him the hell alone.
The most intimidating feature Adam Peterson had were his eyes, they were dark and just as cold as ice. People say the eyes are the mirror to your soul and if that was the case Peterson had no soul. His eyes were empty emotionless pools. There were no signs of life that could be seen in his orbs.
Luca looked up and caught the man’s cold glare. Luca’s eyes narrowed as he wondered what a man his age was even doing in a kid’s restaurant. Peterson didn’t have any grandkids and he sure as hell couldn’t have been here for the shitty pizza.
“Mr. Peterson.” Grace nodded back at him.
“Sheriff Peterson, if you don’t mind.” Peterson glared at her. He sneered as his gaze went to Luca. “I wasn’t aware you hung with outlaws and criminals. That might not be a healthy habit.”
“I don’t hang with anyone, Sheriff.” Grace’s jaw set firmly. She didn’t know the Sheriff personally, but heard he was a bully. For Bella’s sake, she tried to keep everything as professional as possible. “I’m his daughter’s social worker and I’m on the clock.”
Luca on the other hand stiffened at the man’s comments. He growled deep in his throat then glanced over at his daughter. Then he frowned. Bella was paled and sweating. She crouched low in her seat as if she were hiding from something or someone.
Without making a big deal, he glanced back at Peterson and saw that he had noticed Bella. He saw the shock on his face but there was something else there too. Luca looked back at his daughter and saw the tears rolling down her face. He got to his feet and stood between Bella and the other man. “I think it’s time you left.” He said slowly.
Peterson slowly raised his eyes to Luca. “How the hell did you get Frannie’s kid?” he growled.
“She’s my daughter too.” Luca informed him, then wondered how he even knew who Frannie was. “Why do you know Frannie?”
Peterson snarled, ignoring the question. “She’s your daughter? How the hell is that possible?”
“Oh you know, a man meets a woman and does the nasty with her, then nine months later a baby arrives… I’m sure you know all that. You have kids of your own.”
“I know I did have a son and you killed him.” Peterson growled. “You should be sitting in a prison cell right now on death row, not sitting here in a pizza place.” Peterson moved closer almost bumping Luca’s chest attempting to dominate him. “I’m going to make it my job to send you right back there and this time you won’t be coming out again. You’ll rot behind those walls, that is if you live long enough to rot.”
Luca didn’t stand down, instead he held his ground. “Back off Sheriff. This could constitute harassment. I came here with my kid to enjoy dinner, not engage in a pissing contest with the law.”
Peterson leaned closer and growled low enough
so only Luca could hear him, “I’ll fuckin bury you, you murdering bastard. That’s a promise not just me flapping my gums. Even if it’s the last thing I do, I will bury you.”
Luca didn’t say anything instead, he just stared the other man down.
The restaurant door opened and Bowie and several Steel Veins strolled in. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks and stared each other down. For a moment the whole restaurant stopped, there was no noise, no screaming children and no riotous laughter. Then a small kid ran into Peterson and the big man’s glare was interrupted. He shoved the kid away from him and he charged toward the door.
Bowie and the other Steel Veins parted to let the man through their ranks and as the door slammed behind him, Bowie smiled. He nodded at Luca then he and the other guys moved away and took a large table at the back of the room.
For a moment, Luca didn’t know why his guys were here at all then he remembered his asking them earlier that they follow Peterson. Knowing that scumbag was around made Luca glad that he had friends watching his back. Who knows how that might’ve gone if they hadn’t shown up?
Luca turned back to the table and glanced at his daughter. She was all curled up in a ball crying silently. Luca gathered her in his arms and rocked her slowly. He whispered in her ear and that she was ok now and that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her ever again. Grace just sat there watching. She had tears of her own in her eyes as she watched Luca with Bella. She hadn’t noticed until it was too late exactly what was going on with Bella.
She looked up at Luca. He seemed to be calming the little girl down. Before long, he had rocked her into an uneasy doze. He looked over at Grace and suggested, “Maybe it’s time we got the hell out of here. I don’t think this is where Bella needs to be right now.”
Grace nodded and moved to vacate the table they were in. She gathered Bella’s things and walked out behind Luca. When they got to the car, Luca went to put Bella in her car seat but the little girl woke up and started screaming and clinging to her dad.
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