Chapter 6
The Next Day
I walked out of the clubhouse, and Boss was leaning on his bike. I wanted to turn around and go back inside.
Whatever he wanted, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with. Boss waiting for me instead of simply calling or texting meant that club business needed handling. Like the simp Charlie made me, I planned to show her around Rushin Mills today.
However, my brother’s appearance let me know that I would be doing none of what I had planned.
“Aw, why the long face?”
I flipped him off and made my way to my bike.
“Less talking and more riding. I ain’t trying to be gone that long.”
Boss tossed his head back and laughed.
“Scared your lady gon’ run away?”
Instead of responding, I climbed onto my bike and started it.
Boss laughed and did the same. He revved his engine and flew past me. I followed my brother through the streets and out of our compound of Rushin Mills. It didn’t take us long to arrive at our destination, and I grinned when we climbed off our bikes.
Billings must have gotten beside himself because Boss pulled up without warning.
“This a quick visit, or we gettin’ dirty?”
“Depends on him. He pushin’ this shit with Buck like he is confused about who we are, so I plan to remind him. I had to spend all night talking Buck off the cliff over that husband. At this point, I’m ready to pop dude so I can get my sleep back.”
I chuckled and said, “That would be the easy way, but with him in Billings’ back pocket, that’ll cause more issues than he’s worth.”
Once a problem became a nuisance, we handled it one way, but this time, said problem had gone to the police.
There was no getting Buck’s issue handled our way, so our best bet was to go through Billings. Going to him would be difficult because he had this personal vendetta against the Rebels. No one knew the true reason, but he liked to pretend it was because we ignored the law and created our own town. That may have been part of his truth, but it wasn’t all of it. Boss and I climbed steps two at a time, and when we reached the door, Billings pulled it open.
He was in a robe two sizes too small and had more holes than Swiss cheese.
“Is there a reason you’re trespassing?” he asked, pulling his tattered robe tighter.
Boss stepped into Billings’s personal space, and he moved back to create space.
“Nah, but you can tell me why you’re harassing Wayne Nelson. The moment that man came into your office spitting lies, you should have moved onto another case. What is your problem? Do I need to go to Chief Morton about your behavior?”
Billings glared at Boss, then me. I prayed this little field trip didn’t turn physical, because Billings was a drama queen. He was going to do whatever he wanted, but a visit from Boss usually slowed him down a bit.
“How do I know that Mr. Nelson didn’t make her say that? I think there is a case here, because he cannot just go around messing up marriages and hurting people. Mr. McCullough has evidence that Buck forced his wife to be with him, so your visit was made in vain. Have a great day, fellas.”
Billings waited for us to move, but we weren’t going anywhere.
Buck was a wild character and could be a damn fool on his best day, but he didn’t deserve what that woman’s husband and Billings were trying to do to him. It was childish and simply a way for Billings to have a gotcha moment on the Rebels. The husband, I could understand.
He needed his version to be the truth because any other way would mean his wife really stepped out on him.
“We are having a great day for sure, but yours is about to get worse.”
“Wha-what?”
The sound of revving engines, glass breaking, and NWA’s “Fuck the Police” caught our attention. I tried my best to keep a smile off my face because he was going to blame the Rebels, but since we were in the house, there was no proof. Billings tried to step around Boss, but my brother moved with him, so they were essentially in the same spot.
“Where you going? We can talk right here. Drop the charges against Wayne and go on about your life. This is a courtesy. The next time, no words will be exchanged.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Instead of verbally responding, Boss patted Billings’s shoulder, then turned on his heels.
The boys were long gone, so we could leave. Billings was hot on our trail as we casually exited his home. When we got outside, he fell to his knees, and a sound I’d never heard from a man left his mouth. By the time we reached our bikes, Billings was back on his feet and rushing toward Boss.
In a split second I was in front of Boss, causing Billings to run into my chest and bounce off me.
“Slow up, my guy. This ain’t the problem you want. You hide behind the badge thinking that bitch gon’ protect you, but I’m here to let you know that one wrong move will have your mother shopping for a black dress?—”
“Arrow.”
I sneered at Billings, wishing he’d say something so I could pop him in the mouth. Boss knew that was what I was waiting for, so he touched my elbow and stepped next to me. When I felt disrespected, it didn’t take much for me to go from zero to six billion.
“You seem to be upset, but I’m not sure why. We came here to talk like men, and all of a sudden, you’re ready to attack me. Maybe I should have that conversation with Chief Morton because your harassment is becoming troublesome.”
As Boss patronized Billings, he was losing his cool.
However, he never made another move. I waited until Boss was on his bike and ready to go, then stepped away from Billings to do the same. We made eye contact, and I prayed he didn’t take my warning serious so I could handle him the way I wanted to. The drive back, I finally gave myself room to think about Charlie and decided that I was tired of waiting for the whole truth. I didn’t plan to confront her about what I would find out, but I needed to know what I was dealing with.
Last night with her having the nightmare reinforced that this shit needed to end sooner rather than dragging it out.
“Hey, Siri, call Tech on mobile.”
“Calling Tech mobile.”
The phone rang twice before he answered, telling me to hold on so he could turn down his music.
“My bad. You good?”
I looked to my left to make sure the lane was clear, then got over.
Tech’s question caused me to chuckle. My bike had a distinctive roar, so he knew I was on the road. I rarely rode unless I was doing odd jobs out of town, so his question was valid.
My brother from another mother was ready to ride like I would be if I felt he was in danger.
“Yeah. Had an errand. I’m giving you the green light on Charlie.”
Tech burst out into laughter. “Impatient ass. I got you. Give me like forty-five minutes, and you’ll have what you need.”
“Aight. I should be back to the clubhouse by then, so you can bring it there.” Tech scoffed because he fully intended to email it to me. “You’ll be aight.”
I disconnected the call and continued behind Boss.
The closer we got to Rushin Mills, the faster my heart beat. I didn’t know what this woman was doing to me, but I knew that I was fully invested. Charlie wasn’t even her real name, and I knew that without a doubt she could get whatever from me. Sharing a bed and spending time with her and her son had quickly become my favorite thing.
Last night when I told her she didn’t have anything to worry about, I meant that with everything in me.
“I noticed Izzy hadn’t come in to cook, so I made breakfast. I hope that’s okay,” Charlie said the moment I stepped into the kitchen.
“She must still be in her feelings about Boss calling her pops. You good, but don’t get in the habit of making food for them. If they hungry, they can make their own food.” I mugged Charlie, and she laughed.
“Sir, if I’m in the kitchen cooking for me, there is no way I’m gonna let them starve while I’m eating good.”
I shrugged because I said what I said.
If she was cooking, she could cook for me and her, but the guys weren’t about to use her the way they used Izzy. She continued to laugh and make a plate. I was surprised when she handed it to me and pointed to the dining room. My eyes traveled to the food on the plate like I’d never seen bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, and fruit before. Without a word, I turned on my heels and walked out of the kitchen into the dining room.
In the center of the table, there was a pitcher I’d never seen before filled with orange juice.
“Your girl did her thing. Izzy is a beast in the kitchen, but this was made with love, so it tastes different.” Ro admired the plate full of food.
“Don’t get used to it. She’s been put on notice that this was the first and last time. You want something to eat, wait for Izzy or make it yourself.”
“Damn. Never thought my biggest hater would be you, brother.”
Ro laughed, and I snorted.
I scooped some of the potatoes into my mouth and couldn’t help but close my eyes and rotate my head from side to side. Baby girl definitely cooked with love. This tasted like some goodness I wanted to get used to.
Charlie found her way to the dining room with her own plate.
“You didn’t eat?” I asked as I tore into a piece of the crispiest bacon I’d ever had.
She shrugged. “I nibbled as I cooked to make sure everything tasted good, but I was waiting for you.”
I looked at the side of her face because she refused to give me her eyes.
“You don’t have to wait, especially if you’re hungry. Don’t little man eat what you do?” Charlie smirked and nodded. “Aight, don’t wait, because he need all his strength.”
She didn’t reply, and I hadn’t expected her to.
I was learning that Charlie didn’t do a lot of back and forth. Well, that was with everything but her leaving. I looked around, and a thought came to me, but I shook my head because I was once again being selfish when it came to her and Hendrix. However, I honestly didn’t care.
What I wanted, I always got, so this would be no different.
“As long as I have milk, he will be fine. I do want to look for the post office so I can have some things shipped there. I need a pump, more clothes, bottles, and so much more. When I left, I took enough for us to get our new lives started, but since we’ve been held captive here, I’m quickly realizing we wouldn’t have gotten far.”
“Captive, huh?”
“That’s what this is, but I won’t complain. Even if this all blows up in my face, I’ve gotten peace for a few days. I know it’ll be worth it.”
Charlie’s eyes met mine, and I nodded.
After her first day in Rushin Mills, she had been more relaxed, but I hated hearing that she waited for the other shoe to drop. There would be no other shoe. However, I understood I would have to prove that to her. I didn’t know how long she had been with her husband, but I was sure there was some type of fear he instilled in her. The fact that he hadn’t reported his son missing told me everything I needed to know. Ol’ boy was trying to cover whatever she did and her escape.
Once he caught up with Charlie, he would be in for a rude awakening, and I couldn’t wait for the day.
“Good, because the situation isn’t changing.” I gave her my best smile. “Also, you and Hendrix are moving out of here. The clubhouse is used for booty calls, and the guys have been trying to be respectful to y’all, but they want their space back.” I leaned to the left and reached into my back pocket and pulled out my wallet. “You can use my card to order whatever y’all want from my account and have it delivered to my house. It’ll come in my name in case yours is being tracked.”
“Your house? You think I’m about to up and move into your place?”
I pulled my black card from the wallet and set it in front of her.
“Wasn’t really looking to have your approval.”
She glared at me, slid back from the table, and marched to the back of the clubhouse. What I said would go because she didn’t have another choice. She could have stayed at the clubhouse, but I didn’t like how exposed it had her, and I missed my bed.