Chapter 27
Twenty-Seven
Carver's days grew longer and longer.
He hated going to his bedroom alone at night. He would only ever retire after he knew Gideon was asleep in the next room. It was then he could be in his space because he wanted to be close to his boy. He wanted to know that he would be prepared should anything arise.
Even if the two of them didn't spend time together during the day, at night, he kept silent watch. He wouldn't let anything happen to his sweet boy.
Unfortunately, that meant Carver was often restless during the day. He didn't get much sleep, and he was emotionally wrung out.
He missed Gideon desperately.
At the same time, he wanted to create a safe environment. And being safe for someone sometimes meant not being involved in their life. It meant giving them space.
In an effort to keep himself accountable, he kept one of his trusted men with him to aid his focus on work. On this particular day, Slash was in the office with him going over the bank statements for the last month.
“Something isn't adding up, boss,” he said, waving the paper in his hand. “There are small amounts missing, but it's enough that even I'm catching it. I think we need to get Trix involved.”
Carver blinked as if waking up from a trance. “There's money missing?”
“Yeah. It's what I was just telling you. Small stuff. Nothing that would go noticed, but it's happening damn near every month.”
“How small are we talking?” Carver replied.
“A couple hundred at most. I think whoever is taking it is hopeful that we wouldn't notice given how much we bring in.”
Carver hummed, leaning back to stroke his jaw. It was true. The Angels brought in more than enough funds each month between the businesses and the investments they'd made. A couple of hundred dollars would not be something that would normally ring the alarm.
But with Carver having nothing else to focus on, and Slash trying to keep him distracted, it meant they were able to pick up on it.
“How far back does it go? Carver asked.
Slash shrugged. “I’m not sure. We've only looked at last quarter. I could get Trix to run the information through his system. It'd be quicker than me digging through our paper files.”
Carver nodded. “Yes, have him do that. I want an update as soon as possible. We also need to figure out who signed off on all these. Not everyone handles money. So this has to be someone who's been in the club for a while.”
Slash winced. “Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. It's gonna fucking suck if we have to do an internal investigation.”
Carver wanted to laugh at the terminology. It all felt so clean-cut. Like a fucking police force or some shit.
Having grown up in the Angels, he experienced their ruthlessness firsthand. He knew they used to be as far away from the right side of the law as possible. Now that they've shifted to mostly legitimate stuff, it was humorous to be reminded of their origins.
They had blood on their hands. Lots of it. And they'd have more too.
Carver would never pass up the chance to take out his frustration on someone. Part of him hoped that there would be a development soon. His need to fight was so strong, he couldn’t even risk going against Silver for fear of hurting him too bad.
It had been ten weeks since Gideon had slept in his bed.
Ten long weeks of missing his boy and watching him from afar.
Ten weeks of filling his time with anything and everything he could.
Ten weeks of longing.
He didn't want to rush Gideon. That wouldn't be fair to either of them.
Carver also recognized that he would give anything to speed up the process if it wouldn't affect them. But knowing that his boy wanted to get help and wanted to find a way to possibly be with Carver was all the motivation he needed to stick to the plan.
Slash stood to leave the office but was stopped when Slayer rushed through the door. His phone was in hand, and he slammed the door shut behind him.
“I’ve got him now. I want you to repeat what the fuck you just said to me.”
There was a high-pitched whine before a familiar voice echoed through his phone speaker. "You've got to calm down, Slay. I told you everything is under control. The only reason I called was because I knew if you found out later, you'd be pissed at me."
Slash moved around the desk and stepped into his twin's space. “Sapphire, is that you?”
The twins' sister snorted. "Who else would it be? Of course he went and got you. I'm not retelling the story. If I have to, I'll get pissy, and we know that that's not fun for anyone."
Carver leaned back in his chair and smiled for the first time in ages. Sapphire, Slash and Slayer's younger sister, was a handful of a woman. She rarely ever came around the club, but Carver had met her more than a few times when he'd gone with the guys to check up on her in person.
She liked to have her space, which meant she had her own apartment in downtown New Roughoak.
And while the guys paid for it, she refused to let them dictate her life.
She made more than enough money to pay for it herself.
The twins would never allow it. They believed in taking care of family, both blood and not.
It's why the pair made such good Angels.
"Tell me what's going on," Slash demanded, his gaze on the phone instead of at his brother, who was supposed to be telling him whatever had happened.
Carver steepled his fingers as he watched and waited. He knew this was going to be something big.
Slayer's face was hard, the anger rolling off of him in waves.
His words were biting when he said, "Our sister has a stalker."
Slash drew back, eyes wide. "Explain," he growled.
Slash continued. “She called to tell me that someone had been leaving notes for her. Then she got a bouquet of flowers and candy. All of it addressed to her, both at her work and at home.”
"What did the letter say?" Slash asked.
Sapphire jumped back into the conversation. “It doesn't matter what it said. All that matters is it's being handled. I've filed a police report, and all is going to be fine."
Slash shouted, “That's bullshit.”
"It's not going to be fine. Whoever this is needs to learn not to mess with our family."
"Exactly," Slayer added.
"Send all the information that you gave the police over to Trix. He'll track down whoever this fucker is."
Sapphire squeaked. "Oh no, no, no, no, no, no. You will not get Trix involved in this. He is trouble enough. I don't need him weaseling his way into my life and taking care of all of this."
Carver decided he needed to step in. He could tell Slash and Slayer were only seconds away from hopping on their bikes to run off and check on their sister in person.
He needed the two of them there, not just for himself and the Angels, but also for Gideon.
They were two of the people that he trusted.
Not having them there could jeopardize his boy's progress.
“Sapphire,” Carver, drawled slowly.
There was a pause and then a soft sigh. "Hey, Carver," she said softly. "I didn't know you were there. Sorry to interrupt your day."
Carver grinned. "You didn't interrupt my day, sweetheart.
All is fine here, but it sounds like you got yourself a bit of trouble.
Now I know that you can handle it, but your brothers look about two seconds away from coming to tear down your doors.
I suggest we get Trix on it so we can just get this all settled, and you can go back to living your happy life.
We both know you don't want them up your ass. "
“But Carver, Trix is so annoying. And I know when he digs into stuff, he leaves a trail behind him so he can keep watch on it. I don't need cameras or microphones in my house. I want my privacy. Is that too much to ask?"
Carver replied. "In most cases, it's not.
But in this one, when you've got someone coming after you, when you've got someone coming after our family, we take that shit seriously, Sapphire.
We have to protect you. And if that means invading your privacy for a little bit, then that's what it takes.
I want to take care of you, just like your brothers do.
Let us help you. We'll do only the minimum amount. "
There was silence on the line. Slayer gripped his phone tightly, and Slash paced the small space he could in the office.
Their restlessness amused Carver to no end.
He wondered if that's what he had looked like with Gideon.
If it was obvious to everyone around him how obsessed he was with protecting his boy.
Sapphire eventually said, "I guess it's okay. But Colby is staying with me too. He wasn't happy to find out all this was going on. I've already got protection. Just find out who it is and do your Angel stuff to fix it.”
"Will do, sweetheart,” Carver told her. "You don't have to worry about whoever this is much longer. And that best friend of yours is behaving right? No funny business."
Slash had frozen, his body turned away from Carver. But he recognized his best friend's movements enough to know whatever was going on had stopped him.
Was it knowing his sister was living with her best friend? Could there be something there Carver didn't know about?
His interest was piqued even further when Slayer side-eyed his twin. The look he gave told Carver there was a lot he’d missed. He'd have to have that discussion with him later.
When no one answered, Sapphire she repeated herself. "You are just going to take care of him right? I don't want anyone showing up and bothering us. We are fine."
Slayer answered for all of them when he said, "We won't show up because we've got our own shit going on. But expect us to check in even more now. I know that Colby has your back, but a strong wind could blow his ass over."
Sapphire huffed. “He's a black belt and is trained in self-defense. Just because he's slim doesn't mean he's not capable.”
Slash's hand went to the wall as he leaned forward. His other went to his mouth and from the angle he was at, Carver could see it was taking everything in him not to speak.
Carver decided to step up in place of his best friend and second.
“While we understand that you have someone with you who is capable, we know that not all situations are the same.
Self-defense isn't always handy when you go up against a gun or a knife.
Hand-to-hand combat is helpful to know, yes, and in some cases can be useful.
We just want to make sure that we keep in touch Sapphire. We all love you."
Slayer made a noise to agree, and Sapphire softened.
"I do know this, Carver, and I appreciate all of you.
I just don't want this to be a big deal.
Colby has already been worried enough. I don't need more people breathing down my neck.
Checking in is fine. Once I hear back from the police that this is taken care of too, I'll update you. "
Slayer said, "As if they'll know before us. Did you forget how good Trix is at his job?"
"No one ever forgets Trix and his computer obsession," Sapphire responded. "I have to go because I need to get to class. I love you all. Behave yourselves, and if I see one person following me that I recognize in a club cut, I'm going to lose my shit."
She made a kissing noise, then hung up. The minute the line was dead, Slayer turned and put a hand on Slash’s shoulder. "You good?" he asked.
Slash straightened and spun around. His eyes were a bit wild and his breathing heavy.
"I don't like this one bit," he bit out.
Carver shook his head and stood, joining the pair on the other side of his office. "I understand, and we will take care of it. Sapphire is family. Whatever is going on, we'll handle it."
Slayer slipped out of the room with a quick nod, leaving Slash and Carver to talk. Carver examined his friend closely, wondering what was going on.
"What do you need to tell me? What am I missing here?"
Slash shook its head and said, "I'll explain later. We don't have time right now."
Their phones beeped at the same time. When they pulled them out, it was a message from Trix.
I have an update on Gideon's mother. Get to the tech room ASAP.
“Well isn’t this just perfect timing. Let's get moving," Carver said before they both took off to hear the news.