Deacon James.
He gave me a cocky salute, then walked off down the street. My hands were trembling.
Realizing what she’d said, I turned to her. “What guy?” I shouted, then turned to look in the direction he’d walked off.
“He came to the party and brought the drugs. I didn’t want to take them, but everyone was giving me a hard time, so I grabbed a handful and took them. It was stupid and I know that now, but at the time I didn’t like being told I looked like a goody-goody. He laughed and said he expected better from a biker’s daughter. Then he pressured me to… um….”
“To what, Mattie?” I demanded, starting to feel sick to my stomach.
“I snorted cocaine,” she mumbled, and nervously chewed on her bottom lip. The car behind us honked, and I flipped them off and pulled forward.
“Mattie,” I started to tell her that I already knew.
“I can get out here and walk the rest of the way,” she rapidly offered.
“No. You sit right there. I’m stuck in this line anyway. Who is he?” My voice wavered. Surely I was wrong.
“I don’t know. At first, I thought maybe he was one of their relatives. But then someone said they met him at the bowling alley. He offered to bring the party to make things real.” She looked worried and was fiddling with her backpack strap.
“Why didn’t you say something about that?” I asked, exasperated. Smoke should’ve known that some adult was there feeding drugs to the kids. Especially if it was Deacon James. I needed to call him as soon as Mattie was out of the car.
“I was scared, and I forgot until I saw him. That night is pretty hazy.” She twisted her lips to the side and shrugged.
“Jesus. Okay. I don’t want you leaving the school for anything today. You only come out when you see my car, your dad, or someone he sends. I’ll have him text you who will be here if I can’t be. You’re not in trouble, sweetheart. I’m just worried.” I sighed deeply.
“I know, but I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Honest. We’ll get everything figured out.”
She nodded and we finally made it up to the front of the school. Fuck, I should’ve had Anthony follow us up to the school after all. Maybe he would’ve gotten a better look at the guy. I had to be wrong.
“Thank you again for the ride, Nova,” Mattie said as she climbed out of the car. She leaned down and looked into the car. “See you after school.”
“Love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too, Nova,” she said with a soft smile.
As soon as the door was shut, I was calling Smoke.
“Hey, gorgeous, Mattie get to school okay?” he asked me, and I could tell he was smiling. Things had been so good with us, and now I was going to rain on it all.
“Uh, yeah. But I have some bad news. Maybe really bad news.”
His tone instantly went serious. “What the hell happened?”
“Can you find out if Deacon James was released from prison?” I was fighting tears.
“Sure.” I heard him typing. “Who the hell is he?”
“He was my fiancé and a member of the Bloody Scorpions. I think he may have been the one who supplied the drugs at that party Mattie went to and I think we just saw him outside of Mattie’s school,” I said as tears filled my eyes.
“What the fuck?” he shouted through the phone so loud, it echoed in my car. I cringed and scrunched up my nose. I’d known he would react that way.
“What the fuck else haven’t you told me?” He sounded like he was barely holding on to his cool.
“What do you mean, what else?” I was confused.
“I had a visit from Torque yesterday. I wasn’t going to say anything until I knew more, but he told me that you dated. Why wouldn’t you tell me that?”
“Jesus, Grayson, that was years ago. He’s a client now. That’s it.” I wanted to string Toby up by his balls for not letting me be the one to tell Grayson. That little voice in the back of my head chanted that I should’ve done it right away.
“You still should’ve told me. Instead, I got blindsided by it from your ex-boyfriend. Now you tell me you dated a member of the most violent MC in the nation? What the fuck were you thinking?”
I sighed as I pulled out of the school and watched as Anthony followed. “I didn’t know at first. I thought he was just a guy who rode a bike. It was a rebellious phase. I’ve had a few of those, I guess,” I said, feeling defeated. What sucked was that they always seemed to involve bad boys.
“Fucking A, Nova. We should’ve known this.”
“I thought he was in prison. I was told he wouldn’t get out for another two years, minimum. They were supposed to tell me when he got released.” Which had me worried about why I wasn’t notified like the court ordered.
“Okay, let me call Snow. I’ll also text Mattie and tell her to not to come out until we get there after school. They have good security at the school, so I know she’s safe inside. You go straight to work and don’t get out of your car until the prospect is right there by your door. You understand?” He was being bossy, and it got my hackles up.
“I’m not one of your brothers, Smoke. You don’t get to talk to me like I am. I’m not five. I know how to stay safe.” I was getting snide, and even though I felt bad about it, I couldn’t help it.
“Well, you’re not acting like it.” He hung up, and my mouth fell open in shock. That motherfucker.
I fumed the entire way to my office. I barely waited for Anthony to get to my car before I stormed in.
“Good morning, Ms. Stewart,” said Brenda with a smile. I just grumbled and stomped to my office. “Okay then,” I heard her mutter. It made me feel bad that I’d been such an asshole to her. She had nothing to do with any of it.
My phone rang as I dropped my purse in my drawer.
“Yeah, Brenda?”
“I just wanted to let you know you have a nine thirty and a ten thirty today, and they’ve both confirmed. Also that sexy biker has an appointment after your ten thirty. Lordy, how are you getting all these hot men coming to see you? I want you to know I’m living vicariously through you.” I shook my head and couldn’t help but smile at her fawning over Grayson, Toby, and Anthony. She was happily married, and it was harmless, so I was amused by her antics.
“Perfect. Thanks, Brenda,” I said in a kinder tone.
“Sure thing. Oh, and is it okay if I bring some coffee out to the cute little biker sitting out front?”
I laughed. “Sure. I bet he’d appreciate it.”
She squealed and ended the call.
Starting my day, I opened my laptop and started replying to emails. Before I knew it, Brenda was informing me my first appointment had arrived.
It was a woman whose husband was a prominent businessman in the area. He’d threatened to take their children if she tried to get alimony. I hated men like that. Children weren’t pawns or bargaining chips.
“Mrs. Jones. Come in and have a seat,” I said to her as I stood when Brenda brought her into my office.
It took every bit of the hour for the notes I had. It was draining. What an emotional shitstorm that case was going to be. Her husband was a complete tool, and it would be my pleasure to get her everything she deserved.
My ten-thirty ran a little late, and Toby was waiting as I saw the man out.
“Toby. I’m so sorry, I went over with my last appointment. Come on back.” As we passed Brenda’s desk, she grinned at me. Again, I rolled my eyes and smirked at her. She was too much.
Once we were inside the room, he set his phone on the edge of the desk, sat down, and handed me a file. “Here’s all the information you asked for last time. Is there anything else you think we need?”
“No, not right now. I’ve petitioned for the guardian ad litem, and the judge has approved it. Her attorney was not happy. They will be in contact with you directly, as that is set up through them, not me.”
“I really appreciate everything you’ve done. You’ve done more in
three meetings than my last attorney did in over a month.” He appeared very earnest in his thanks.
“You’re welcome, but I’m only doing my job, Toby.”
“Well, you’re obviously good at your job then. Thank you.”
“Thank you again.” I paused before I straightened a few papers on my desk and lined up my pens. “Toby?”
“Yes?” He drew it out. My tone must’ve made him leery, because he leaned back and tilted his head inquisitively.
“Why did you tell Gr—Smoke that we had dated?”
“Because he asked what you were to me and why I was worried about your safety. I wasn’t going to lie to him. I may be a lot of things, Nova, but a liar isn’t one of them. I still care about you, and I don’t want to see you hurt.” He rubbed his hand across the back of his neck.
“Why are you worried about my safety?” The fact that he knew anything made me nervous. I couldn’t imagine Grayson telling him about what had happened. They were in different clubs and they certainly hadn’t been friends. Which meant he’d heard it somewhere else.
“Because I hear things. People talk when they think they’re invincible.” He shrugged but wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“Cut the shit, Toby. What did you hear?”
“Word on the street is that Smoke and his club pissed someone off. Now he’s gunning for Smoke, but he’s locked up behind bars so he has other people doing his dirty work. That’s all I can tell you. It’s more than I gave Smoke, so don’t ask for more, because that’s all I know.” He put both hands over his face and huffed a troubled breath out.
“Oh, Jesus. Deacon,” I whispered, fighting to breathe normally.
“Deacon?” he asked with a furrowed brow. “Deacon who?” Then his eyes went wide.
It was my turn to bury my face in my hands as I propped my elbows on the dark wood of my desk. “I’m sure it’s who you’re thinking of.” Most people in the MC world knew who the Bloody Scorpions were, and Deacon’s story was big news.
“Deacon James, former vice president of the Bloody Scorpions in Houston? Nova, how is he tied up in this shit?” The nervous tone of his voice had me peeking through my fingers with my face creased with worry.
“He was my fiancé,” I admitted as my shoulders slumped.
“What?” His voice shot up an octave.
“Sh! You’ll have Brenda running in here wanting to know if she needs to call the police.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you dumped me because you had a job with a fancy firm and worried about how they would perceive us, but you dated—” He held up his hand. “No, you were engaged to a prominent member of the Bloody fucking Scorpions? Because I think I may have heard you wrong.” He chuckled like I’d pulled a joke on him.
“God, you sound like Grayson. Like I told him, I didn’t know he was a member of that MC. I thought he was just a biker. He hid his club affiliation from me.”
He snorted. “Yeah, I bet. They have their fingers in so much shit it isn’t funny. The rest of the clubs in Texas have tried to run them out, but they have a firm hold on Houston for some reason. He was probably using you—working the hell out of the angle of having a lawyer in their pocket. Just promise me you won’t go anywhere without Smoke or one of his guys until he can get shit figured out.”
“Well, we’re supposed to have lunch together, so I’ll be fine. That is, if he’s still talking to me. He was pretty pissed off earlier and then he hung on me. Well, after he ordered me around. Maybe I don’t want to eat with him either.” I was huffing like a child, but I was still miffed that he’d ordered me around after getting pissed at me for something I didn’t think was an issue.
“Jesus, Nova. Don’t push the man. From what I do know about him, if he’s putting it out there that you’re his ol’ lady, he cares deeply for you. I’ve never seen him with a woman at any events. Having you next to him and his kid at Check’s funeral was a huge statement, whether you knew it or not.” He stood.
“I’m trying to keep my cool, but he really pissed me off.” My arms crossed belligerently, I stood to show him out. It was now past lunch. Brenda wasn’t at her desk, and I wished I’d had her grab me something while she was out. Maybe I’d text her.
“It never did take much to piss you off.” He smirked. My eyes rolled.
“Looks like everyone may have gone to lunch. If the front desk receptionist is gone, I’ll have to let you out,” I told him as we exited my outer office area.
We walked out to the main waiting room, and as I suspected, everyone had gone to lunch. There was no sound coming from the other attorneys’ wings, and the front desk receptionist was gone.
“Just remember what I said. I really do care about you.” He stopped by the door and placed his hand to hold it closed when I unlocked it.
“What’s wrong?”
“I just wanted to know something.” He looked serious and maybe a little wounded.
“What?” He was confusing me, and I gave him an expectant look.
“If I’d run into you before Smoke… would I have had a chance at getting you back?” He bit his lip, and where before that might have sent flutters through me, I simply found it cute. Which was my answer.
“I’m sorry, but no. What we had was wild and crazy, but it was young. We’re not those people anymore. I still think you’re very handsome, but that ship has sailed, Toby.” My brows dropped in the center as I tried to discern whether I’d hurt him too badly. I didn’t want to be a bitch to him, but I needed to be sure he understood we were in the past.
“I understand. But you can’t blame a guy for trying. You’re an amazing woman, Nova. I wish we’d been able to work things out back then, and maybe things would’ve been different.” He removed his hand from the door and reached for the handle.
“But then you wouldn’t have your child, Toby,” I reminded him as he opened the door.
He trailed his fingers along my cheek, then pressed a chaste kiss to my forehead. He grinned in an endearing way. “You make a valid point, counselor.”
I laughed. “Get out of here,” I joked as I gave him a gentle push.
He shoved his hands in his pockets, and with a cocky grin, walked down the sidewalk. Scanning the area outside the building, I didn’t see Smoke or Anthony. I looked both ways up and down the street. I didn’t see either of their bikes, but Anthony had parked in the employee lot out back, next to me.
Well, I wasn’t waiting on them. I would walk down to the diner. Nothing was going to happen to me in broad daylight in the middle of town. I hurried to my office to grab my purse, pulled open the drawer, and snatched my purse up. My phone was inside, and I saw I’d missed several calls from Grayson.
I stood in time to see someone standing inside my office.
“Jesus Christ!” Startled, I shrieked.
“How Does It Sound”—Dylan Schneider
“Motherfucker!” I shouted inside my car. I was late, but traffic was backed up for blocks, thanks to an accident up ahead. I’d have gone through the median to get off the interstate, but there were cops everywhere. If I’d taken my bike, they might have let me go down the shoulder to escape the mess. But I’d needed my oil changed so I’d driven my car. Besides, I’d planned to drive Nova to have a nice lunch. “Now I’m gonna be lucky if I even make it before her lunch is over,” I grumbled.
Nova hadn’t answered my call, and I wasn’t sure if she was still with a client or if she was still pissed at me. Dialing the prospect to let him know I was running late, I waited as the phone connected and it rang. Except, it kept ringing. Then it went to voicemail. After several more attempts with the same result, I was pissed.
I’m gonna have his ass.
I tried Nova’s office, and I got the message that everyone was out to lunch and to leave a message. Fuck that.
Finally, traffic started to move beyond a crawl. I dialed Straight.
“Smoke? Thought you were having lunch with your ol’ lady?” he asked as the sound of silverware clank
ed in the background.
“Yeah, I am, but there was an accident. Can’t get in touch with prospect because the fucker isn’t answering. So help me God if he’s fucking around, I’m beating his ass.” I was fuming.
He chuckled. “Aww, give the kid a break. Maybe he’s taking a shit.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, he can do it on his own time.”
“I’m at the diner down the street, want me to go check on her?” His offer was innocent, but I found myself hesitating. It was then that I realized maybe I’d fucked up doing what I had with him and Nova, because the thought of him going over there alone didn’t sit well with me.
“I’m moving now.” It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him not to worry about it, but the nagging sensation that something wasn’t right overrode it. “Maybe when you’re done eating you could see where that fucking prospect is though. Since you’re right there.”
“I can do that. It’s no problem,” he said without hesitation, and that doubt crept in again. That little devil whispered in my ear. What if he or Nova was hoping for a repeat?
I kicked the little bastard to the wayside, because I knew my brother and I trusted my woman.
“Thanks, brother.” I disconnected the call. Taking an earlier exit to get out of the mess on I-35, I started to follow the frontage road, then the back streets toward her office.
The entire way, that feeling got worse and worse. When I finally arrived, there wasn’t a fucking place to park. Their employee parking required a card for access, so I couldn’t park there. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her car and Anthony’s bike in the small lot.
It was short-lived when I tried calling them both again and no one answered. I circled the block and saw Straight wave as he was walking toward Nova’s office. Stopping in the middle of the road, I rolled down my window and was blasted with the late summer heat.
“There are a couple of people who got in their cars at the end of the block.” He pointed, and I nodded then moved down the road in time to see brake lights and a minivan backing out.
Straight was waiting for me, so I parked, locked up the car, and jogged to him.
Smoke and Mirrors: A Demented Sons MC Texas Novel Page 21
