by Debra Kayn
"Wait a fucking minute." Mel's gaze snapped to Battery. "That's Raelyn's business and home."
"She can go on the roster with everyone else." Battery's gaze intensified. "It's not only Raelyn but Gia, Heather, Bethanee, too. We can absorb them at other locations in town. Besides, she belongs to you now. Your salary out of Ronacks pot will cover her."
Mel shook his head. Unlike a vote toward club members, passing any changes in how Ronacks handled business only took the majority of the members voting. None of them knew Raelyn was going to come downstairs and get out of staying married to him when the meeting was over. There was no way she could afford the setback. The club had promised to take care of her after Duke was killed. She was going to be devastated.
"We've had more bad years than good years running Pine Bar & Grill. It's time to pull our resources closer and have one location. The clubhouse works out well for us." Battery paused. "Who votes to close the bar?"
Ayes went around the table and hands came up. Mel looked each member in the eye, refusing to vote with his club. The bar made it possible for Raelyn to live on her own, raise her son, and have a job she enjoyed doing.
"It's settled then," said Battery. "Mel, go ahead and text Raelyn and have her come down and I'll give her the news of the changes. She'll be taken care of in Duke's honor, and now as Mel's woman. You both can remain living at the bar until we have a definite date on when the place needs to be vacated, and then we'll help find a house to rent for both of you and Dukie. At this point, the club has no responsibilities toward her family members that are currently staying at the bar. As for Carl, if his hands are dirty, we'll make sure he's punished and kept far away from Raelyn and Dukie."
Mel rubbed his jaw in frustration. They'd need to find two places to live. He'd sleep in the fucking yard if he had to, but Raelyn and Dukie needed a safe place to live. He pulled out his phone and texted Raelyn.
He'd lost her, and now because the bar was closing, she'd lose everything.
Chapter Twenty Seven
The text came from Mel inviting her downstairs. Raelyn looked to Bree for support. The last time Battery ordered her to the clubhouse and had to tell her something, she'd found Duke dead on the pool table. Numb, overwhelmed, and unable to see past her pain, she couldn't remember what they'd told her or how she'd acted.
"It'll be okay." Bree hugged her. "Dukie is happy looking at Battery's motorcycle magazines upstairs. You go in there and concentrate on you."
She peered into Bree's knowledgeable eyes, taking comfort from her. "I've survived worse, right?"
Bree smiled sadly and opened the downstairs door. "Go to Mel. He'll support you through whatever decisions the club makes."
She nodded and walked out into the room. One look at the men standing around the pool table, their serious faces aimed at her, and their soft gazes silently comforting her, her anxiety quadrupled.
Mel walked toward her, meeting her halfway, and took her hand. She squeezed onto him and held her head high. Whatever she learned, whatever they told her, whatever club decision changed her life, she'd be okay.
Battery turned over the pile of papers in front of him, hiding what the club discussed. "Glad you came, Raelyn."
As if she had a choice. When Battery spoke, everyone listened. There was no use burying her head in the blankets and ignoring a request from the club. She stopped herself from reaching up and playing with her necklace.
"As you know, we've had a history of problems at Pine Bar & Grill that even pre-dates when Ronacks purchased the building," said Battery.
She nodded. For her best friend, Bree, the bar reminded her of how her life began. The location also made the bar an easy target for anyone coming after the club or one of the members. That's why Battery always made sure Mel or one of the members was there during business hours to run security, much like how they protected the clubhouse.
"We've taken a vote and have agreed the best option for Ronacks Motorcycle Club after the latest incident in town would be to sell the land the bar sits on." Battery held up his hand when Raelyn opened her mouth. "It'll take time to get everything done. In the meantime, you're free to stay upstairs with Mel and your family, and when the club knows more about the dates of the demolition, we'll find a rental for Mel, you, and Dukie."
"But, the bar brings in a profit." Raelyn let go of Mel's hand and stepped closer to the pool table. "Gia, Heather, Bethanee, Peggy, and I rely on the money we make to support our families. The money that comes from the bar touches each one of you because profits go into the pot that the club hands out to each member every month. I can keep managing the business."
Mel said, "Babe, the vote has been taken."
She looked over her shoulder at him and shook her head. "I've put all my energy into making the bar a success. Sport's night alone brings in enough money to float the week."
"You'll have no problem finding another job through the club," said Mel.
"I don't want another job. I want to manage the bar." Mel's expression never changed, and she turned back around to plead her case to Battery, and the pride keeping her on her feet left her at the slight shake of Battery's head.
"It's final," said Battery softly.
Mel's arms came around her, catching her weight as the news sank in. Anger shut down her emotions. Not once since her life had fallen apart when she was twenty-six years old, pregnant with Dukie, and finding herself a widow, had such a change tried to cripple her.
"Is there anything else that needs to be brought to the table," said Battery.
Mel put his lips to her ear and whispered, "This is where you can remove my claim to you."
She turned in his arms. "Not now."
"What do you mean, not now?"
"Exactly what I said." Her body shook with pent up aggression. "Can I leave?"
He nodded and let her go. She marched to the door without acknowledging any of the members she'd left behind at the table and pushed the door open with enough force, the handle hit the house, before swinging shut with a bang. Her head pounded, and she was halfway to the car before she realized she'd left Dukie upstairs with Bree. Her failure to remember her son only increased her rage. Unable to be around Dukie until she calmed down, she ran across the lawn and never stopped until she got to the end of the dock on the pond east of the clubhouse.
She planted her hands on her hips and stared out at the water. Where could she go from here? Without a job and a home, and if she allowed Ronacks to set her up in a rental house working a job around town at one of the businesses they ran security for, she'd be taking a step backward.
Maybe she could put the money she was saving to buy a house down on the bar, get a loan through the bank—not the club, and continue running the bar on her own. The option gave her strength, and she sat down on the edge of the dock and took her sneakers off. Sinking her bare toes into the cold water, she stared at the ripples over the surface of the water. Owning a business required more time away from Dukie, and there would be no way she could ever buy a house with a yard for him if she shouldered all the expenses herself. The thought of Dukie growing up in a bar in his teens made her uncomfortable. That wasn't what she wanted for Dukie or her.
Mel deserved a better home, too. He'd given her years of his life already looking out for her, standing on the sidelines while she self-indulged, making herself stronger.
She drew her toe through the water in the shape of a heart. The club expected Mel to take care of her. None of them were privy to what they'd been going through in their relationship. The pressure in her chest tightened, and she inhaled a deep breath. She'd let Mel believe she was cutting all ties with him and that was the last thing she wanted to do. The timing hadn't been right to talk with him and explain her change of heart about staying with him.
Not that she ever changed her mind about loving him.
Her love remained steady, growing every day until her whole life revolved around him. She hugged her middle. Life simply would be black and white w
ithout him. The color would be taken out of everything they typically shared together.
The dock rocked. She stayed sitting, knowing it was Mel who came to find her. It was always Mel.
He squatted down beside her and braced his elbows on his knees. She tucked her hands under her thighs and slapped her feet against the surface of the water, sending ripples wider and wider, until the pond absorbed the ring of water.
"Are you okay," asked Mel.
She nodded. "I will be."
"Right." Mel hooked her hair with his finger and pulled the strands behind her shoulder. "You have to know the club will help you in any way they can."
She glanced at him. "They believe we're together."
"Yeah." He exhaled loudly. "About that..."
"I can't do it," she said, turning her gaze back out to the water. "I've been trying to tell you for a while now, and something always comes up. Now, with the news Battery just gave me, you'll have a different opinion of me if I share my thoughts with you."
"Then, you don't know me well enough," he said.
"You're my friend." She shook her head. "You would think I'm only changing my mind because of the meeting today. I would, too, if I were you. The timing sucks, which if I were in a better mood, I'd probably find the whole situation hilarious because if anything, timing has never been on our side."
"What can I do?"
She closed her eyes and took a big breath. He always wanted to fix everything. Unfortunately, what she had to say was on her. She needed to make things right.
"I'm really not trying to make you wait or suffer or whatever you're feeling toward me right now. What I have to tell you is important, and I have one chance, only one chance, and I can't screw it up, so you can hear and understand what I have to tell you." She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Will you wait until tonight? Let me take my son home, deal with my family, and when everyone is settled in for the night, can you come over?"
He nodded and held out his hand. "Come on. Let's go get Dukie and go back to the bar."
She let him pull her to her feet and steady her while she wiggled her feet into her sneakers. Hand in hand, they walked toward land and then cut across the grass to the front door of the clubhouse. She took a cleansing breath, needing to put a comforting front on for Dukie's sake.
Inside the room, she leaned into Mel. "I'll go get him, and we'll meet you outside."
Mel let her go. She hurried across the room, down the hallway, and knocked on the door that always remained locked and led to Battery and Bree's private home on the second story.
Several minutes later, the door opened, and Bree studied Raelyn, frowning. Raelyn gave her a tight smile. "Thanks for watching him."
"Yeah, no problem." Bree pulled her into the hall. "Are you okay?"
"Sure." She flicked her gaze toward Dukie, and then directed her attention to her son. "Hey, little man, go tell the guys hello and find Uncle Mel. It's time to go. I'll catch up after I talk to Aunt Bree."
Dukie ran off, happy to spend time with the men. Raelyn turned back to Bree. "You know, don't you?"
Bree nodded. "Battery told me this morning. I'm so sorry."
There were rules within the club. Women who belonged to a member were told more about club business than girlfriends or women who came to the parties. But, even when others believed she belonged to Mel, the news was kept from her. She fought down her irritation. Bree was her best friend. A big part of her understood Bree's hesitation to talk with her before the meeting because the bar was a sore subject for her. It was where Bree's life had changed, and as of today, the bar had taken another victim. Her.
"I'll survive once I wrap my head around everything I was told." She moistened her lips, determined to go through the changes without any scars. "Maybe I can get a job at the coffee shop in town. Allison, my babysitter...she could put a good word into her parents about me. They own the place. At least I can get my coffee fix because there's no way I can afford my habit now with Dukie starting school soon and he needs new clothes. He's growing so fast, and..."
Bree framed Raelyn's face with her hands. "We take care of our own," she said softly.
Like Bree had done many times before, through the years, her calmness and experience helped Raelyn's rising panic. Raelyn nodded. "I better get going."
"Promise to call if you need me?" Bree let her go. "Promise?"
"I will." Raelyn waved and walked back into the main room. Aware of everyone's attention aimed at her, she stood on the outside of the group and called Dukie's name. Club members held their hands open down low, and Dukie slapped his high fives all the way to her side.
"Time to go." She headed to the door and was joined by Mel, who escorted her outside.
Suddenly, even her weight seemed too heavy for her legs to carry her. She slowed down and let Dukie climb into the backseat. Without a word, Mel buckled her son in the car for her. She slipped onto the driver's seat, thankful for somewhere to sit.
Mel rapped on the car. She turned the key and pushed the lever, lowering the window.
"I'll follow you back, and then I need to ride out." He glanced in the backseat. "Don't worry about doing anything today about what you learned, okay?"
"Okay," she said.
He cleared his throat. "Actually, I need to ask you not to mention anything about the club's plan to your family yet."
"Why not?" She looked up into his eyes. "They'll need to know. I'm not the only one who needs to make plans."
"I know that, babe." He swallowed, and his Adam's apple bobbed. "It'll only be a couple of days, and then, you can talk to your family about the circumstances."
Mel stepped back, turned, and got on his motorcycle. She rolled her window up and started her car. Looking in her rear-view mirror, she backed out of the parking spot.
"Someday, I'm going to park my motorcycle right there," said Dukie from the backseat. "Right there. There. Do you see that spot, mom?"
"Oh, yeah?" She put the car into Drive. "Why would you park it there?"
"Because it's the last spot." Dukie kicked the back of her seat with his feet. "You know why, mom?"
"No, I don't." She pushed the accelerator needing to leave the vicinity. Every thought focused on Ronacks, and she wanted to shield her son from noticing more than motorcycles.
"Cause that spot is for the president to be the first one to ride out," said her son.
"Lord, help me," she mumbled.
Dukie laughed, kicking her seat faster. "That's funny."
She glanced in the rearview mirror at her son's big grin. He had no idea he was breaking his mother's heart. But, she would survive. She always survived.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Mel and Lip stood in the waiting area behind a darkened window meant to keep the sun from beating in and warming the small room at O'Leary's Tire Supply. Mel set his boot on the chair in front of him and leaned on his bent knee. The privacy glass provided the perfect cover to view what was going on across the street at the motel.
There were only three places to drink in Haugan, Pine Bar & Grill, the motel's lounge, and at home. Mel raised the bag of popcorn in his hand to his mouth and chewed. If Nate Gordon wasn't at home and the bar was closed, it was highly possible he'd swing by the motel if he were looking for a drink.
"What game is playing tonight?" asked Mel.
"How the hell should I know?" Lip crumbled up his empty bag and tossed it toward the garbage can, making the shot. "I've only been off the road for three days. I don't even know what fucking day it is, much less what's playing on television."
Mel swallowed the last of his popcorn, the only thing he could scrounge up for dinner without leaving the building. "The guy we're after used to come over to the bar on sport's night. He worked for the county. He's got a wife, a decent house, and a truck that's a couple of years old. I'm missing something about him."
"Dick size?" said Lip.
"Big enough for you," said Mel, giving him shit back.
Lip l
aughed. "Tit for twat, my brother."
Mel turned and looked at Ronacks MC's only nomad rider. Mel had jumped into asking twenty questions the day he watched Lip go into the office at the bar with Raelyn and failed to ask about how Lip's last few trips had gone. "How's life treating you?"
"Warm beds, friendly women, and free beer." Lip peered outside. "Besides the damn organizational motorcycle clubs getting in my way with their Saturday parade rides, the streets are quiet."
"Did you make it down to Lagsturns Motorcycle Club during your ride?" Mel put his boot on the floor and straightened.
"Still operating the same. They go through voting in a new president every couple of years, but so far they're too busy fucking themselves over to worry about causing trouble for any of the territorial MCs in California, which keeps them from spreading north." Lip pointed toward the window. "There's a guy with a baseball cap coming out of the motel."
The man strolled out of room number five. The flannel shirt, jeans, and sneakers characterized him as a local. Mel gazed ahead at the SUV the man headed toward. "That's Sam Garrison's rig. He lives out of town."
"Is that Garrison?" asked Lip.
"Nope." Mel stepped over and pushed through the door, aware of Lip following him. "Maybe he has a relative visiting who borrowed the car."
"Any connections toward the man we're after?" Lip lit a cigarette.
"No." Mel put his thumb and finger in his mouth and blew, whistling to get Rod's attention.
Rod set down the air hose in the bay area where he worked putting new tires on a Jeep and jogged over to him. "Anything?"
"No. I just wanted to make you hustle over here because Lip always enjoys watching you run." Mel raised his brows and grinned.
"Figures. He's always been an ass man," said Rod.
"You both wish." Lip pulled his skullcap out of his pocket. "You two are the reason I can't stick around longer in Haugan. I've seen the looks. You want me."
Mel chuckled and turned the conversation around to business. "We're going to ride back through town and take another look. Wherever Gordon is, he's not stopping at the motel." Mel pulled out his phone. "It's almost six o'clock now."
