by Quinn, Vera
“Krill, I will not be a part in trying to deceive the court in any fashion,” Mr. Lawler states.
“Mr. Lawler, I wouldn’t take that chance. Being in my son’s life is the most important thing to me. I was talking about a real marriage. I’m not really sure what Dra meant by it. He had some issues after his daughter was born and he was going to go to court. He did a lot of research or had it done by an attorney. He mentioned the subject this morning,” I tell my attorney honestly. Mr. Lawler is doing something on his phone while I’m talking to him. He looks up.
“Krill, your brother could be right, if Bethany is willing to marry you. Instead of starting over with an entirely new case, if the two of you were married then the custody papers could just be amended to add your name since Bethany has been caring for Cage all these years. That goes a long way in the eyes of the court. I am not advising the marriage as your attorney, but I am saying there is a chance for it to work. That way is easier and takes less time. That isn’t to say that Jennifer would not fight you every step of the way. You will need to make your mind up about that one without my counsel. I will say this though, if you are entertaining the idea, sooner is better than later.” This may be the answer to more than one of the problems I was contemplating. The more I think about it, the better it sounds to me.
“Is there anything else that we need to discuss? I’m going to be late for my next appointment if I don’t get a move on.” Mr. Lawler has answered all my questions but now I need to know what to do with the information.
“Scout will be accompanying Dra and Doc to the rehab facility and I’ll have Doc call you as soon as Dra is taken in so you can report it to the court. Thank you for getting the judge to let us escort Dra to rehab. He doesn’t want me going along with them, so Scout will be in charge.” Mr. Lawler stands up and puts his hand out, I take it and we shake hands.
“With Bethany on your side it will be easier, but it’s going to set us back in time. Be patient and don’t give up on the right way of handling this issue. In the end, you need this done the right way through the courts so it’s legal, and no one can contest it.” I know this but it’s hard. I have already missed nine years of my son’s life. I also know that Rico isn’t going to use the legal way to handle this if he doesn’t think he’ll win. “Keep me updated on your end.” I follow Mr. Lawler out of my office. He walks toward the front door and I walk toward Dra’s room. Gus is sitting in front of the door. He gets up and opens the door for me and I see Doc is talking to Dra. Doc is holding some papers in his hands.
“Everything good to go?” I ask. I see that Dra has showered and changed into clean clothes. I see the prospect has brought a bag of clothes over for Dra.
“I’m ready to go. I want to get through the next sixty days so I can come back and help you with this shit that I should have been keeping in line while you were gone,” Dra says with determination.
“You just concentrate on you. We will take care of everything else. You’ll do your part when you get home. Are you sure you don’t want me going with you? If not me, it’s going to be Scout with you,” I tell Dra.
“It’s a short trip and Dra is going willingly. We don’t need an escort. Once inside those walls, it’s safer than Fort Knox. They have six security guards during the day, and eight at night. No one gets in without a pass from a doctor,” Doc speaks up.
“You’ll get the escort anyway. We’re taking extra precautions with everyone. If there is anything you need, Dra, just get word to Doc and we’ll get it to you. We won’t be able to have any communication with you for the first two weeks. Don’t freak out when they search your bags. It’s their job to make sure you’re not coming in with drugs on you. If you have any problems with the personnel there, let Doc know but that doesn’t mean you can go in there and run over the people trying to help you.” Dra looks at me.
“Yes, Dad. Damn, Krill, I’m the older brother and I know I screwed up, but I can do this, trust me. I know this is my last chance with the club and I’m not going to screw this up. I’ve screwed enough of my life up.” Dra sounds strong and I know he will kick this.
“Are you sure that Dra needs rehab? He sounds strong and in charge.” Dra looks at me.
“Dra needs to go through the detox period and then the doctors will reassess the need to keep him for the full sixty days and report it to the court. I would highly suggest it, as I already told you. When foreign chemicals are put into our bodies, even if we are unaware of it, the addiction can start. This is the way our loved ones can fall through the cracks. Just because they didn’t start the addiction doesn’t mean that they won’t feed it. The program will teach Dra how to deal with the cravings if they start and to be on the lookout for the triggers,” Doc explains to us.
“I need to go, Krill. I wanted to pour booze in my coffee this morning and my skin still burns and itches. I got this. I’m strong now because I have my family to support me, but I will have my doubts and the weakness will seep in. Just let me do this the right way,” Dra says and I’m proud of him for knowing he needs to get the help.
“Then let’s get you gone, Brother, so you can get back home. You have a nephew that wants to meet you when you get back and he said something about fishing.” That brings a smile to Dra.
“Maybe we’ll be able to take all the children fishing. A whole family day.” Dra looks sad after he says it. Damn.
“Let’s go then,” Doc speaks up. I step up and hug Dra. It’s been a while and I hate this for him. He hugs me back, tight. He has the weight of what he has done on his shoulders. I know he will come out on the other side but I’m not sure he will ever be the same again. Dra steps back from me.
“Later, Brother. Watch over my family for me while I’m gone,” Dra tells me.
“Always, Brother,” I reassure him.
“Will you get Scout to meet us around the side? I don’t want to walk out in front of everyone.” Dra stops. “Scratch that. I am going out the front way. I won’t take the coward’s way out.” That’s my brother. I step back and open the door and Gus stands up. I walk beside my brother into the main room with the bar a few feet from us. Brass and Scout stand up from their bar stools. Doc is behind us. Maudi comes out of the kitchen and Bethany and Cage are right behind her. Maudi comes over and Dra walks the rest of the way to her and gives her a hug. “Keep the brothers in line while I’m gone and keep a close eye on Krill. He’s going all sentimental on me.” Maudi slaps Dra’s belly.
“You take care of yourself and come home to us,” Maudi tells Dra. Cage comes running up to me with Bethany right behind him.
“You’re my uncle Dra, aren’t you? Dad said that we can go fishing when you get back. Will you go with us? Aunt Bethany takes me fishing but she doesn’t like the bait. The three of us could stay all day.” Cage talks to Dra like they have known each other all their lives. Dra steps toward us and stoops down to talk to Cage eye to eye.
“I would like that Cage. Your dad and I used to fish a lot growing up and it sounds like a good time. I can’t wait. I’m sorry I can’t stick around and get better acquainted, but I am glad that you and your dad have found each other. I look forward to our family times in the future. I just need to go and take care of a few things first, but I will be back before you know it.” Cage rushes to Dra and almost knocks him over as he hugs Dra.
“Get to feeling better, Uncle Dra, because you’re nice, and I want to be in your family.” Cage is serious and we all chuckle at the way he says it. Dra hugs my boy back.
“I like that idea,” Dra says and then he looks at Bethany. “You’re all grown up, Bethany. Thank you for bringing Cage home. We owe you.” Bethany doesn’t say anything, but she smiles at Dra. Brass walks up next and sticks his hand out and Dra takes it and they shake hands.
“Get better, Brother. We’ll miss you around here,” Brass says.
“I’ll be back to being a pain in your ass before you know it,” Dra tells him.
“We don’t have all day so let’s
get on the road. We have places to be and people to see,” Scout says in his gruffy way.
“I’m ready, old man,” Dra tells Scout. Doc walks around me, and Dra and Scout follow him out the front door as Whistler is walking in. Whistler does that half hug thing with Dra and then walks on into the club as the other three leave. We all look at each other. Whistler breaks the silence.
“I didn’t need to set up the meet with Cassius. He reached out to us. The meet is tonight. He’s bringing three men with him and you can take three. He’s asking for Kim and Banger to be handed over to him.” That answers the question about Kim.
“We just had lunch, so we’re going back to the family room for some more games,” Maudi says and looks toward Cage.
“Maudi, you go ahead and take Cage with you. I need to speak with Bethany for just a minute. She’ll be right behind you.” Cage is already turned around and headed toward the family room. Maudi is right behind him. I walk over to Bethany.
“Do you trust me?” Bethany looks at me and doesn’t hesitate.
“I do, or I would have already been gone from here,” Bethany says.
“Will you do anything to protect Cage?” I ask.
“I think I have proven I will.” Bethany looks confused.
“Then marry me today. This will solve your problems with Rico, Cassius, and Blade and it will solve my problems with Jen over Cage. If you leave Cage here with me then Jen can come and pick him up, but if we’re married and you’re living here, then neither of them can do anything. Rico can’t give you to a man if you’re already married. You said you trust me so prove it.” I look at Bethany and I know this is a shock to her. “It will be in name only and for appearances, but it solves both our problems.” Bethany is speechless. She shakes her head but then she looks at me.
“Will this protect Cage?” Bethany asks me.
“This protects you both and helps me with the court.” I don’t want to deceive Bethany in the least.
“When?” Bethany asks.
“Now.” Bethany’s eyes bug out.
“Do you have your driver’s license?” Bethany nods.
“I do,” she answers.
“Are you sure? Please, be sure,” I tell Bethany.
“I’ll do anything to protect Cage,” Bethany says again. I look at Whistler and Brass watching us.
“Get Gunny. We’re going to the courthouse.” They both look surprised. “Now.” I look at Bethany. “Let’s tell Cage we’re leaving. Maudi will watch him and this shouldn’t take long. Don’t mention the wedding until we get back. I’ll be leaving for a meeting tonight with Cassius and I will inform him that you are off the table. That doesn’t even sound right saying it. From tonight on, this will be yours and Cage’s home until we can go to my house, well our home.” Bethany looks full of questions, but she keeps them to herself. I look back at Whistler. Brass must be getting Gunny. “Be ready to ride in five minutes.” Bethany and I go to tell Cage, we’re leaving.
Chapter Twelve
Bethany
I’m a married woman now, and I’m married to the man who was my first crush. I don’t know how this turn of events even came about. Krill asked me to trust him and I became Mrs. River Draven. I trust Krill and I don’t even know how it’s possible for me to trust anyone anymore. I have been lied to by my brother and sister. Rico was only interested in using me and Cage to further himself. This could be a dream, but I guess I’m okay with that if it doesn’t turn into the nightmare my life was headed to.
It has been just Cage and me for so long, I don’t know how he’s going to take the news. It worries me, but I know that we’re both safer now, at least for the time being.
Krill said that this would be a marriage in name only and I wouldn’t entertain the idea that a man that looks like Krill would want such an inexperienced woman as myself. I know I shouldn’t be jealous at the thought of another woman with Krill, but I don’t want to be giving Cage the wrong idea of how a relationship should be. I don’t want to taint his young mind the way mine was. I don’t know if I believe in true love. I mean I dreamed about it and Jen used to make fun of me for it. She says my romance books have damaged my idea of real life and how a man treats a woman. I just know that an arranged relationship that one of the partners is not okay with is not real life or I hope it isn’t. I have very little to base my thoughts on.
My ma ran off to chase her next fix. My dad was only with the women around the clubhouse after that. Rico has never brought a woman around. Jen and Krill were my total experience with a romance, and they were young. I was a teenager and I am sure I made more of the whole thing than it is in reality. I lost my virginity to the only guy I was able to date. I classify the whole thing in what my sister would say is a ‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am.’ I was so scared that Jen would tell Dad and Rico that I couldn’t even talk to the only woman around. The boy did use a condom, thank goodness. I wasn’t that naïve. Dad died right after that and I was never allowed to date again.
I know Krill will never expect anything out of me that I’m not alright with. I never knew his family very well to know how he was raised, but I know Krill is just not that type of man.
I’m just nervous of the unknown. With Rico and Jen, I knew what was expected out of me. I took care of Cage, stayed out of the way, and did what I was told. Now, I can only assume. I wish Krill and I had longer to talk before he went to his meeting with Cassius. I know it has to do with the Troubled Fathoms’ business and I know not to question it. That’s one thing I learned from my dad and from Rico—never question club business.
Cage is asleep and I am left wondering what I should be doing. The bar area was filling up and I had observed my share of barely dressed women come through the front door before I came back to my room. Every motorcycle club is the same with the cheap women. My dad’s saying ‘they serve a purpose’ comes to mind. I guess that’s true, but I don’t want to think of those purposes.
I can’t help but wonder if Krill has a woman that’s his in the club, or if he gets attention from them all. It does me no good to worry about it now. I didn’t ask Krill to marry me. Only time will tell how this situation will play out. I know I won’t let Cage get hurt by any of it. I have protected Cage every day of his life and if I need to protect him from this clubhouse, then I will.
Chapter Thirteen
Krill
I can see Cassius is already sitting at a table in the diner. Two of Cassius’s men are set up outside the diner. We have had this diner under surveillance since this afternoon and everything looks legit, but I have more of the brothers set up one block over as I am sure Cassius does his crew somewhere. I leave Raven and Brass by the bikes to keep watch on the two men outside. Whistler walks in beside me. We see that there are only two waitresses that look nervous at the front of the diner. My eyes are on Cassius and his are on me. I know, Red, the crew member that’s standing beside the table that Cassius has chosen to sit at. Red is barely eighteen.
I sit in the chair across from Cassius and Whistler remains standing. The waitress makes no attempt to come our way.
“The word on the street is that you have something that belongs to me. I would hate for there to be a misunderstanding between us. Did you bring Banger and Kim with you because I’m not seeing them?” Cassius asks in a calm voice. I never take my eyes off his.
“We have other pressing business before we discuss your two traitors.” This gets an eyebrow raise from Cassius.
“What business would that be? I don’t think our businesses have ever crossed. I would have remembered if they had,” Cassius says in a bored voice. I point to my front vest pocket and Cassius nods his head. I know better than to make any sudden moves in a meeting, that’s like a keg of dynamite waiting for the fuse to ignite, and then the keg to explode.
I place the copy of the marriage license that Bethany and I were given when the justice of the peace married us. Cassius picks the paper up and reads it, then lets it fall back to the table.
/> “I have a deal in place for Bethany with Rico. Is this a joke?” Cassius stares me in the eyes.
“That deal was never with Bethany’s agreement and this is no joke. Bethany and I were married this afternoon and we are going to raise my son without interference from Rico or Jen. If this means war between your crew and our club then that’s what it will be, or we can go back to you staying in your territory and out of Sunshine. You leave my wife alone and we can go back to existing the same way we always have. Sunshine is a small community and except for a few businesses that the Troubled Fathoms MC owns and the mom and pop businesses that are there, you will find no profits for your crew. The only thing that can come out of a war between us is a bloodbath for both sides. You will lose crew members for pocket change compared to what you make in the big cities so why go to the trouble? Every good leader knows when to cut their losses. This way neither side has to lose family members.” I don’t know what else I can say. That lays it all out there. If he wants a war, then we will give him one.
“Didn’t you just fight a war with some marijuana producers? Are the members of your club so blood thirsty that they want more deaths on their hands? I had plans for Bethany. Is this Rico trying to pawn Jen off on me again? Are you working with him? I thought Jen was the mother of your son. Shouldn’t you be playing house with that used-up whore? Is one sister not enough for you?” Cassius questions.
“Jen is the sister that hid my boy from me for nine years. Would you forgive that? Bethany isn’t a possession for me. She’s my wife and she has been raising my son for nine years. This is the paper that says I will kill any man that tries to come between me and my wife.” I tap the copy of my marriage license. Cassius picks the paper up and looks at it again.
“If I had a woman like that at home, I wouldn’t be taking no meeting with a man like me. I’d be making sure that she knows I own her ass,” Cassius says with a smile.
