Chapter 18
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Coty
Well, that didn’t go well. What was I expecting, though? For her to wake up happy and realize we belong together? Yeah, in the back of my mind, that’s what I hoped would happen. Was I a jerk last night? Did I cross a line? Yep, both are true.
Kayla woke up more than once last night, a little handsy. She had way too much to drink. I should have gone to the couch after she’d fallen asleep the first time. The disaster now is my fault. I’ll take full responsibility for whatever the fallout may be.
All the training I’ve had on how to handle an angel didn’t help me last night. It all went right out the window. Soft, gentle, and kind disappeared. Well, not completely. I remember every moment. She doesn’t remember any of it.
The first few times, I told her no and was able to coax her back to sleep. Then she got me in that half-awake, half-asleep state where I thought I was dreaming. I tried to coax her back to sleep when I realized it was real. She insisted she wasn’t drunk anymore and repeatedly asked me to make love to her. Hormones and emotions won, and I made love to her. Only, she doesn’t remember it. It’s still my fault. I was the sober one.
The drive to the clubhouse was on autopilot. It’s natural for this to be the first place my mind takes me. The gate doesn’t open when I pull up. It’s rare for me to have to speak to whoever is in the guardhouse.
Ross steps out and walks up to my window. He’s watching the road behind me. “What’d you do?”
“Huh?” I glance up at the rearview mirror. Great. The Sheriff is sitting behind me. “Don’t know.” I didn’t even know he was there.
It’s possible I was driving recklessly or even speeding. I don’t remember how I got here. I remember last night, though. A second Sheriff’s car pulls in, and then a third. None of them has their blue lights on. I must have really messed up.
“Ah, man.” I rub my hands up and down my face. What did I do?
“This ain’t good, Rodeo.” Ross glares at the cops.
Yeah, no kidding . I don’t say that out loud. This ole’ timer will reach in the truck and punch me out cold.
“If they arrest me, have one of the guys to get my truck inside.”
Ross nods once. He keeps his eyes on the cops. He has his phone out with an open call to Worley. By now, Nick is monitoring the situation. Sheriff Bowers gets out and walks up to my window.
“Morning, gentlemen.” Nathan looks between Ross and me.
“Morning, Sheriff. What did I do?” I ask.
“You been drinking, Rodeo?” His eyes settle on me. “Awful early in the morning for that.”
“No, Sheriff. I’m not drunk. If I’m being arrested, just tell me.”
“I’ve been behind you for about two miles. You swerved a little, but never crossed the lines. I didn’t see the need to pull you over for it.”
“So, this is just a friendly little escort to make sure Rodeo got home safely?” Ross cannot stand cops.
Nathan’s eyes flick to Ross. “It’s not. I’m here to see the McLeods.”
“Is this business?” Ross leans his head to the side to look past the Sheriff at the other two cars. “Or, a friendly visit?” Ross straightens up and locks eyes with the Sheriff. This fool is going to get arrested if he doesn’t drop his attitude. “I’m guessing it’s not the latter.”
“You would be correct. I have a warrant, Ross.” Nathan crosses his arms. “You can let us in, or I’ll be back with a few more warrants. One to search the entire property and every vehicle on it.”
“Let him in, Ross!” Worley yells through the phone.
“Fine,” Ross grumbles as he walks back to the guardhouse and opens the gate.
“We’ll follow you in, Rodeo.” Nathan taps my open window twice. “Pay attention while driving from now on.”
“Yeah, sure thing,” I whisper and pull forward. I pull into a space in front of the clubhouse. I’m not about to lead them to the side entrance where the offices are.
Jack opens the front door before the three Sheriff cars are parked. He narrows his eyes at me while I put on my boots. I shake my head. I don’t know why the cops are here. I sure don’t have time to explain why I drove here with no shoes on. Not that my friend can see I’m what I’m doing.
Sheriff Bowers reaches the door as I do. “Jack, I need to see your family.
“Morning, Sheriff. Right this way.” Jack leads the way to the bar and stands next to his dad.
Being Monday morning, there aren’t a lot of members here. Nick sits at the bar with Granddad and Pops. His laptop is open in front of him, as always. Jay’s behind the bar, pouring everyone a cup of coffee. After all, as the Sheriff pointed out, it’s a little early to be drinking. You wouldn’t think bikers could make good coffee. Jack and Jay could open a coffee shop if they wanted to. Biker Baristas. I snicker at the thought. Jack cuts his eyes at me. If anyone else noticed, they don’t react.
Naturally, Worley’s here. He rarely leaves Mack’s side. Big Papa is here, too. His wife is in the kitchen. The prospects are lounging around on the couches by the pool tables. Nobody’s playing. The club bunnies are at their house, about five miles from here. Jack’s grandmother refuses to let them live on club property. Two prospects guard their house at all times.
“Sheriff.” Mack doesn’t extend his hand. “Heard you wanted to see us and have a warrant.”
“I do,” Nathan admits. Four deputies flank his sides and scan the room. “Where’s the rest of your family, Mack?”
That’s an odd question. All the men are here. A chill runs up my spine.
“Well, Maci is at college in Knoxville. Harley’s been visiting friends since New Year’s,” Mack replies.
“Friends?” Nathan lifts an eyebrow.
The entire town is speculating about where Harley McLeod is. The rumors are outrageous. She hasn’t run off with a biker to another club. A few get it right, but not the details. She’s in rehab, but not in Tennessee. I’m sworn to secrecy about her location. Jack hasn’t told Lily where his sister is yet. I’m not sure if Mack has told his wife.
“She’s out of town. Is this about Harley?” Jack asks.
“No. And the rest of the family?” Nathan looks around the Den. Nobody’s moved from their spots.
“Logan and Everly are at school. My wife and mother are in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. What’s this about, Sheriff?” Mack’s getting impatient.
“Do you mind asking the ladies to step out here, please?” Nathan asks.
The cold feeling runs up my spine again. Nothing about this little visit is normal.
“Why?” Jack demands. I move closer to his side.
Mack glares at Sheriff Bowers for a long moment. Finally, he dips his chin to Jay. Without a word, Jay slips through the door behind the bar to the kitchen. He escorts his grandmother and aunt to the Den. Lil Mama follows, drying a coffee mug with a dish towel.
“What’s going on?” Nanny wraps her arms around Mack’s waist and leans against him.
Sheriff Bowers pulls a long, folded piece of paper from the inside pocket of his coat. “I wanted you all here so we can get the arguments out of the way upfront, and I don’t have each of you descending on the Sheriff’s Office all day.”
Okay. I see his point, but the Sheriff has underestimated the situation. It’s obvious a member of the McLeod family is about to be arrested. The McLeods have family issues like most families do. Still, they’re a close-knit family when it comes down to it. They fully support and defend each other. However, if the McLeod, I think, is getting arrested, there’s not enough of us here to hold back the rest of the family. The Sheriff doesn’t have enough deputies to stop them either.
“Oh, for crying out loud. What did we do?” Nana tosses her hand up. Granddad pulls his wife over to one of the bar stools.
Sheriff Bowers offers the warrant to Mack. “I don’t want to do this.” The four deputies move closer to the McLeod family. Nathan’s eyes move to Jack’s mother. “Everlyn McLeod, we have a warrant for your arrest.”
And just as I expected, the room explodes.
Jack steps in front of his parents and jabs his finger at the Sheriff. “That’s not happening.”
“What did she do?” Jay demands.
“You’re not taking my wife.” Mack moves Nanny behind him.
The prospects move closer. The deputies pull their weapons. This is getting out of hand fast.
“Look!” Sheriff Bowers takes a step forward and raises his voice. “I have a warrant for her arrest. I have to take her. If I don’t, the DA will call the FBI in. They’ll bring SWAT teams here with warrants to search the entire two hundred acres, and they’ll arrest the rest of you.”
“You’re not taking my wife,” Mack yells again.
Nanny slips past her husband and son. “They have to. I hit the preacher’s wife with that candle holder.”
Two deputies grab Nanny’s arms. The entire McLeod family moves.
“Don’t,” Sheriff Bowers orders.
“Stop them!” Nanny screams.
On her request, Worley grabs Mack and holds him back. I grab Jack. It takes all my strength to hold on to him. Three prospects grab Jay. They need help as much as I do.
“No!” Lil Mama runs forward and throws the cup she was drying. It shatters at the Sheriff’s feet. “You’re not taking my friend. Arrest that good-for-nothing preacher’s wife! She asked for it! It should have been something harder than a metal candleholder. Weak pansy if that hurt her. Might need to wrap her up in bubble wrap.”
“No, Dar. Don’t.” Nanny’s plea comes too late.
“Take her, too,” Sheriff Bowers orders the other two deputies.
They quickly handcuff Lil Mama.
Granddad has to hold Big Papa back. Nana goes to Jay and wraps her arms around his waist. One look into his grandmother’s tear-filled eyes settles Jay down.
“Darlene Banks, you’re under arrest, too.” Sheriff Bowers turns to Mack. “We’ll work this out at the station.”
“You’re a sorry excuse for a sheriff.” Mack pulls Worley forward at least two feet, trying to get to his wife.
“Please, Mack,” Nanny cries. “Don’t fight them. Just get our lawyer and follow us.”
Mack loses most of his fight. “Okay, love. We’re right behind you.”
Nanny looks over at Lil Mama. “You shouldn’t have.”
“I go where you go,” Lil Mama says proudly. She glares up at the two deputies leading her out. “But I won’t go quietly.”
And she doesn’t. She yells and tells the deputies just how awful they are, and I’m not repeating the things she says about the Rhodes family. Oh, I agree with her on all of it. From the looks on a couple of these deputies’ faces, they agree with her, too.
Jack heaves with anger. It’s a good thing Lily’s working at the bakery today and not here to see him like this. He doesn’t relax even the slightest. Mack’s on the phone to the club’s lawyers. He hops in the truck with Worley. They follow the car carrying Nanny.
“Come on, Jack. Let’s get to the station.” We rush out to my truck. Jay jumps in the back seat.
Nick sends out an emergency alert. Before we reach town, every Viking within driving distance will be on their way to the Den. Granddad and Pops will fill them in. This is bad. I’m not sure how much more the McLeods can take. Hopefully, the lawyers will have Nanny and Lil Mama out in a few hours. If not, every Viking and our friends will be camping at the Sheriff’s office, even if we have to sleep in our cars.