CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO #2
It’s dark outside, and morning’s first light is still two hours away. Sonny’s doesn’t close for another hour.
At the end of the street, Mrs. Harding splits off to the left.
Eight minutes later, I turn into the brightly lit gas station and see Cody leaning against his bike. He stands when he sees me pull in.
The car is barely at a stop when he’s at my door. Putting it in park, I pop the lock, and he jerks the car door open.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“Can we get to the clubhouse first?”
He squats and cups my face. “Are you okay?”
I nod, tears in my eyes, the relief I feel from just being with him rolls over me. I’m safe as long as he’s here.
“Hey, come here.” He unbuckles my seatbelt and pulls me into his arms. He doesn’t ask any more questions, though I know a million must be running through his head.
After he holds me for a long moment, he pulls back and searches my eyes, then glances at the backseat.
“Okay. Let’s get you both to the clubhouse.
It’s just down the road. Follow me, okay? ”
I nod and buckle back up.
We pull out together, and I keep right on his tail through a dark industrial park to the very back. There are three other bikes parked at the front door.
I park next to Cody, and once I gather Tucker in my arms, Cody grabs my bag and holds the door for me.
The place is like an old manufacturing building. Not at all what I expected. A slow-moving freight train runs along a set of railroad tracks at the back of the parking lot, its wheels clacking along.
Once we’re inside, the lights are dim, but I see a bar on one side and tables and chairs on the other. There’s a staircase to another level and a doorway that looks like it leads down a hall. A couple of guys are asleep on some couches.
“They’re prospects,” Cody states. That accounts for two of the three bikes parked out front.
“Who’s the other motorcycle out there?” I ask.
“Billy. Why he’s crashing here tonight when he’s got a beautiful ol’ lady at home, I haven’t a clue. Come on.”
He leads me up the stairs and down the hall, stopping at a door about halfway. Inside is a big bed, nightstands, a tall dresser, and a desk and chair. A colorful rug is in the center of the room, and there’s a door that leads to a bathroom.
“Is this yours?” I ask.
“My father’s, but it’s okay. He never uses it anymore.”
“Are you sure this is okay?”
“Yeah. Guys don’t stay at the clubhouse much anymore. It’s fine.”
I lay Tucker on the bed and tuck him under the covers. Multipaned frosted windows high up in the brick wall cast a soft glow from a nearby utility light.
Cody turns on a small lamp across the room at the desk.
He pulls out the chair for me. “Here. Sit.”
I rub my upper arms but make no move to sit. My face crumbles, and he wraps me in his arms, pulling my head to his chest.
“Tell me what happened.”
“There was this guy. Back in Alabama. He’s the reason I ran. I told you that.”
“Yeah?”
“He showed up at Sonny’s tonight.”
“You think he followed you out here?”
“He had to have, but I don’t know how he figured out where I went.”
“Your abusive boyfriend tracked you here. Son of a bitch.”
“I saw him a couple of times, then realized it was a mistake, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He acts like I belong to him. I don’t. I don’t belong to anyone. No one owns me.”
“Shh, it’ll be okay.”
“I’ve been afraid this would happen.”
“You should have told me.”
I nod. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I thought I’d put it all behind me.”
“We’ll deal with it. I’ll deal with him. Don’t worry.”
“Cody, he’s violent.”
“Let me make a call. See if he’s still up at Sonny’s. I’ll wake up Billy, and we’ll go handle this right now.” He paces and calls up there.
The last thing I want is for him to leave me or to confront Snake. The man’s dangerous.
I can’t hear everything Cody says, but he shakes his head at me and covers the phone. “He’s gone.” Then he speaks into the phone. “Did you see what he was driving?” Pull the security tapes and look at them. See if you can get a tag. Thanks, Ronnie.”
When he disconnects, he sits me down on the bed. “Tiny said he left in a black Chevy pickup. They’re gonna pull the security tapes and see if they can get a plate.”
I nod. “I just can’t figure how he found me. I was being so careful.”
“He could be tracking you. Your car. Your phone.”
“No. I checked my phone. He was tracking me on it, but I turned that off and a friend found the tracker he put on my car.”
“Christ, babe. You never told me this guy was seriously stalking you.”
“I thought I took care of it.”
“Have you used your bank card?”
“Yes, why?”
“Does he have your bank password? Maybe he’s been getting in and looking at your transactions.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Maybe he knows someone at the bank. Got ‘em to tell him where you’ve been using your card. He could be paying someone off or using blackmail.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s what the MC would do. We’ve got all kinds of connections if we need them.”
“Oh, God. I’m such an idiot. I thought I was being so careful.”
“Okay, look. I don’t want you worrying about this. I’m gonna take care of him. Hell, the club’s involved now.”
“Why is the club involved?”
“Because he walked into Sonny’s and started this shit with our headliner.
You don’t think Cole makes sure that doesn’t happen?
He’ll be dealt with, I promise you. Until then, you’re moving in here for a few days.
It’s the safest place for you and Tucker right now.
I’d say you could stay with me, but that’s just another unsecured place. Here is best for now.”
He starts to remove his cut.
“What are you doing?”
“Don’t worry, I’m not makin’ a move on you. Just lying down with you. I’m making sure you’re safe. You got something to sleep in inside that bag?”
“I don’t know. Mrs. Harding packed it for me.” I stand and dig through the bag, finding a pair of yoga pants and a tank top.
“There’s a bathroom in there.” Cody lifts his chin to it.
When I come back out, he’s in a pair of low-hanging sweats and bare-chested. Damn, he looks fine. We slide into the bed with Tucker between us.
Cody goes up on an elbow, his head resting in his palm, and studies us both.
“I can’t believe how soundly this kid sleeps,” he whispers.
“Right now, I’m grateful for it.”
“You look beautiful. I think I like you better without all the glitzy makeup.”
“Thanks. I think.” I grin, then frown, looking toward the door.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“My car is parked out front.”
“Babe, you think this guy is gonna find us?”
“He could find out who owns Sonny’s. I think any waitress could have told him. Then all he has to do is find this place.”
“That’s not gonna happen.”
“I said the same thing about him following me to San Jose.”
“You want me to move your car?” He starts to get up. “I’ll roll it in the loading dock.”
“I’m being silly, aren’t I?”
He stands and leans in to kiss me. “I don’t want you worried, so I’ll move the car.”
“Keys are on top of my bag.”
He snags them and heads out of the room.
Ten minutes later he’s back.
“The sun is starting to rise,” he says, dropping the keys on the tall dresser.
I twist and look out the high windows.
“I locked the front door and dropped the bar across it. The prospects have orders not to open it for anyone who doesn’t have a patch.”
“Thank you.”
He lays a gun in the drawer of the nightstand next to him.
“Get some sleep, sweetheart. You’re safe.”
“What if Tucker finds that?”
“He makes a move toward that nightstand, I’ll be awake so fast your head will spin.”
I’m a light sleeper, unlike my son, and I know the minute he wakes up, I’ll wake up as well.
“Goodnight, Cody.”
“Goodnight, Heather.”
I’ve held back the information that Snake is a Death Head. I was afraid Cody or his MC wouldn’t want that kind of trouble. Now it feels so dishonest. I need to come clean about it. I don’t want to keep anymore secrets from him.
Cody’s eyes are shut, and his breathing has changed. He’s already drifted off.
I suppose it can wait until morning. I’ll tell him then. With that thought, I drift off too, knowing Tucker and I are in the safest place we could be tonight.