CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Cody—
The next morning, when I crack my eyes open, Tucker is lying between Heather and me, peering at me, wide-eyed.
Heather is still fast asleep.
“Hey, little buddy. You hungry?” I yawn and scratch my chest.
He nods vigorously.
“You want to go with me to see if the other kids are up yet? Maybe find some food in the kitchen?”
He nods again.
He’s wearing superhero pajamas, and I’m just in my sweatpants when I take his hand and walk him down the hall, both of us barefoot.
When we come into the great room, I immediately smell breakfast cooking in the kitchen and hear laughter and chatter.
He and I peer at each other. “I think they’re up, buddy.”
When I push through the kitchen’s swinging door, Angel, Shannon, Crystal, Mary, and Sara are all busy making huge portions of food. Scrambled eggs, platters of French toast, and bacon and sausage. Some of the younger ol’ ladies are busy getting stacks of plates and silverware.
My mother turns from a cupboard and spots the two of us.
She comes over, gives me a kiss, and squats to Tucker’s level.
“Good morning, Tucker. Are you hungry?”
He nods.
“How would you like a donut while we wait for everyone to wake up?”
“Yes, please,” he whispers.
She grabs a powdered-sugar donut out of a box and hands it to him.
I squeeze his hand. “What do you say, Tucker?”
He looks up at me, then at my mother. “Thank you.”
She grins and tousles his hair. “You’re welcome. How about you come with me? Some of the other kids are at the table coloring.” She gives me a wink and takes his hand. “I’ve got him.”
“You sure?” I ask.
“Yep. Go get some coffee. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
I hear her asking him if he wants some juice as I make my way to the bar. Most of the guys are there. Taking a stool next to Billy and Green, I motion over the prospect.
He hustles over with a mug and fills it with black steaming coffee.
Green quirks a brow. “You’re up early.”
“Three in a bed is a little crowded.
He grins. “Tell that to Cajun.”
“Tucker was awake and staring at me when I cracked an eye open.”
“My kids do that to me all the time,” Green says. “It freaks me out.”
I turn to Billy. “Any word from last night?”
“Nah. They’re still at the motel.”
“We can’t stay on lockdown forever,” I mutter.
“I get it, but Cole’s taking the threat they made to take one of our ol’ ladies very seriously.”
“You think these two are going to call for reinforcements?”
“I doubt it,” Green says, sipping his coffee. “They’re a major club. They don’t roll out every time some brother’s piece of ass runs off. They got bigger fish to fry.”
“Yeah, but they’re nomads. That’s what worries me,” I say. “Nobody in their club knows what the fuck they’re up to.”
“Yeah, but they’re also out on their own,” Wolf says from the other side of Green. “There’s more danger in ridin’ like that. Sometimes nomads disappear and no one ever knows what the fuck happened to ‘em. Disappearing bodies is kind of our specialty.”
“I can vouch for that,” Shine says, and Reckless seconds it.
“Here, here.”
Reckless and I lock eyes, and I remember the dead man he and I took care of up at Lake Mary.
“Well, good morning, beautiful,” Green says, twisting to look behind us.
A split second later, I feel Heather press her body against mine.
My arm goes around her waist. “Good morning, sunshine.”
“Morning.” She kisses my mouth. “Where’s Tucker?”
“My mom set him up with a donut and some juice. He’s coloring at the table in the kitchen with the other kids. You get enough sleep?”
“I did. Thanks for letting me rest.”
“Of course.”
Just then, someone bangs a wooden spoon on a pot. “Breakfast is ready. It’s out in the warehouse.”
I lead Heather by the hand, and we follow the rest of the crew down the hall to the warehouse.
The prospects have set up two rows of long folding tables end to end with enough seating for everyone. We’ve even got a kids' table.
Heather and I make a beeline for it, and she gives Tucker a hug.
“You okay, honey?”
“Yes, Mom,” he replies like he’s embarrassed to get a hug in front of the other kids.
Angel comes over with a platter. “Who wants chocolate-chip pancakes?”
Every hand at the table shoots into the air, then she brings a can of whipped cream from behind her back.
“Who wants whipped cream on them?”
Every kid shouts out, “Me!”
I pull Heather toward the adult tables, which are laden with platters of food, and we take a seat.
She looks behind us. “Cole told me about your fight nights. So, that’s the cage, huh?”
“Yep.”
“Have you fought in there?”
“Sure have. Multiple times.”
“You any good?”
“I’ve won some and lost some. We’ve got some pretty good fighters in this club. Why? You want to see me fight?” I flash a wicked grin and waggle my brows.
“Maybe. It might be kind of hot to watch you all sweaty and shirtless.”
“Hmm. I’ll remember that.”
Dishes are passed around, and we all dig in.
I look around the table, seeing my brothers and their families, and realize everyone who’s important to me is right here, laughing and enjoying a meal together. Catching Heather’s eyes, I lace my fingers with hers and bring her hand up, kissing the back of it.
She looks happy and leans toward me and gives me a quick kiss.
“Ooo, Cody kissed a girl,” one of the little boys teases.
Billy looks beyond me to find who said it.
“I knew that had to be Green’s firstborn. Finn has definitely got his father’s personality.”
Green chuckles. “Well, I redeemed myself with my second born. Mia is my angel.”
“Because she takes after her mother,” Red Dog teases, and everyone laughs.
After breakfast, I play tag with the older kids and end up giving Green’s daughter a ride on my shoulders.
In the afternoon, with word that the bikers are still in their motel room, I get ready to take Heather to Lucky’s to start her shift, while Tucker stays with the kids at the clubhouse. My mom has taken to him as if he were her own, and it’s sweet to watch her with him.
When she turns her eyes to me, I know she’s thinking about when I’ll give her grandchildren, and maybe she’s thinking Tucker might become one if things with Heather and I stay on track.
That’s my plan, so I give her a hug and whisper in her ear. “He’s a good kid, isn’t he, Ma?”
“He is. Reminds me of when you were this age. All full of energy. He’s been having the time of his life with the other kids. I have a feeling he hasn’t had a lot of time playing with other kids.”
“I think you’re right. I’m gonna take Heather to work. She’s changing in Dad’s room.
“Okay, honey. Tell her not to worry about Tucker. He’s fine, and I won’t let him out of my sight.”
“Thank you. Really. I appreciate it.”
She kisses my cheek. “Be careful. I’m still your mother, and I still get to worry.”
Heather returns, and I take her hand, walking her out to my bike. We ride across town, and I drop her at the door.
“You good?” I ask.
“Yes. Where are you going?”
“Gonna swing by and check on Gypsy Soul, TJ’s ol’ lady’s tattoo shop. I told him I’d meet him there. Text me on your break.”
“All right. Be careful.” She gives me a peck, then trots inside.
I make sure she’s okay, then pull out.
Everything is good at Gypsy Soul, Gigi’s staff having things well in hand.
They’ve been warned to watch out for any Death Heads, but with the tags on their bikes and them under our surveillance, TJ and I aren’t worried.
If they head this way, TJ told me he plans to call and tell them to close the shop and lock up.
That night when I return at the end of Heather’s shift, I walk up to the apartment with her. She leans against me.
“I’m exhausted.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I’m sorry. Hopefully, we can wrap this up soon. Did you see anything?”
“No, but I think they’re being vigilant around me. It could take forever for me to catch them doing anything.”
“Have you felt out the crew? What do you think of the other waitresses?”
“They all seem nice. Some are more friendly than others.”
“Does Ray spend a lot of time in his office?”
She shrugs. “Nothing unusual. He seems chummy with a lot of the customers. He likes to be behind the bar more than anything else. He even lets the other bartenders leave early.”
“That’s kind of odd.”
“I thought so. Especially, when the bartenders seemed a little ticked off. That’s money out of their paycheck and fewer tips for them.”
“I’ll bet.” I stroke my jaw. “You think that’s the key? You think he’s pouring drinks, taking the money, and not ringing up the sale?”
“It could be that. I’ll watch him closer tomorrow.”
We hit the bedroom and plop down on the bed.
I rub her back and flick on the television.
Before I find a show, she’s sound asleep. Grinning, I slip off her shoes and jeans and tuck her under the covers. She rouses, but I shush her.
“Go to sleep, babe. You need rest.”
I watch a ballgame, then fall asleep with her cuddled next to me.
At 10am, my phone vibrates on the nightstand with a text, and I reach for it.
It’s my father.
JAKE: Our friends left town late last night. Headed south and kept riding.
I sit up in bed, fully alert now and type a reply.
ME: You sure?
JAKE: Yep.
ME: Where are they now?
JAKE: Ludlow. Heading east on I40. Probably for Texas. The only Death Heads around here are there or Montana. We’ll keep watch. Just wanted you to know. Cole’s lifting the lockdown.
ME: Thanks, Dad.
JAKE: No problem, son.
Heather rolls over and rubs my back, moving in against me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. They’re gone. They left last night. Looks like they’re headed to Texas.” I watch her expression and see relief move across it. Her shoulders drop.
“Oh, thank God.”
I cup her face and kiss her cheek. “You hungry?”
“Starved.”
“You work today?”
“No, thank God, again.”
I chuckle. “How ‘bout I take you out to eat?”
“Sounds good.”
Before I can stand up, I get another text.
TJ: Everyone’s meeting at Kyle’s restaurant for lunch. Your ma is bringing Tucker, so just meet us there at eleven.
I glance at Heather. “Guess we’re going to Kyle’s restaurant for lunch. Ma’s bringing Tucker and meeting us there.”
A smile breaks across her face. “Awesome. I’ve heard about it from the girls. They say the food is great.”
“You like that, maybe we can stop at Fiona’s cupcake shop afterward. I bet Tucker would like that.”
“He’d love it.” She searches my eyes. “That reminds me. He’s got a birthday coming up. I need to plan a party.”
“Honey, you came to the right place. The girls will help you plan something amazing. I bet he’d like the jump house place that just opened.”
“He’s never been to one, but I bet he would.”
“Then that’s where we should have it.”
She smiles, and her eyes glaze.
“What is it, babe?” I frown.
“Nothing. You said we. It just feels good to be part of a we.”
I cup her face. “I’m in this, Heather. You won’t ever have to do it alone. I promise. I’m here, and I’m not goin’ anywhere. Got it?”
She dashes the tears that spill down her cheek. “Got it.”
“Come on. We’ve got someplace to be soon.” I scoop her up and carry her into the bathroom.