Chapter 28
__________
Coty
It’s just after five am, and the Den is filled with Vikings. It’s not like Friday and Saturday night parties. We let the public into those. They get ID’d at the gate, and Nick runs a quick background search on them. Anyone we don’t want on club property doesn’t get in.
“Vikings!” Mack enters the Den. “Church!”
Surprisingly, Nanny and Nana walk in behind the Prez and Granddad. Even more surprising, Maci and my sister Ember are with them. Ember rushes across the room. I hold my arm out, and she wraps an arm around my waist for a hug. Kayla’s tucked under my left arm.
“You two okay?” Ember sighs with relief just from seeing us.
“We’re good. He didn’t get near her.” I’m not relieved. Anger grows within me every time I think about this man being inside Kayla’s apartment. “Where’s Mary?”
“She’s at the main house with Everly.”
“Alone?” The girls are seventeen. I don’t want a prospect watching them unless there’s no other choice.
“No. Jay’s mother is with them.” Ember smiles at Kayla. “Does this mean you two finally worked things out?”
“It’s a start.” Kayla looks up at me and presses her lips together.
I kiss the top of her head. “It’s a great start, Sparky.” My club brothers file into church. “I gotta go.” I kiss the top of my sister’s head, too. “Will you stay with Kayla for me?”
“Absolutely.” Ember grabs Kayla’s hand. "Come on, Lala. You can help us fix breakfast for all these Vikings."
“Lala?” Kayla glances at me and back at my sister. “You remember that?”
“Yeah. Mary still calls you Lala, and we do around the house. You’re only Kayla to the rest of the world. To us, you’re Lala or Sparky.” Ember points at me as she pulls Kayla away. “One of those names goes on her cut when you claim her, not Kayla.”
“What?” Kayla’s eyes widen.
“Oh, can it, Lala. You know it’s happening. Probably dreamed about it.” Ember smiles, waves at me, and pulls Kayla into the kitchen.
Once everyone’s inside church, Worley closes the door and takes his place down front next to Mack. I join Jack in the front row. It’s weird and yet satisfying seeing Jay upfront with the officers. Our new Enforcer looks great up there.
“Okay, Vikings.” Mack taps the gavel. “We have an emergency situation. As you all know by now, Kayla Chambers’ apartment was targeted this morning. Her neighbors also spotted the guy and called the cops.”
More than half the room groans. Others shake their heads. Even though the Viking Warriors MC is a clean, legit club, cops give us a hard time. It’s crazy. There are hundreds of Christian clubs out there, and several clubs whose members are all police officers.
Worley takes over. “We’re all patched members here. You’ve heard by now that Kayla brought an angel with her from Knoxville. Kayla and her friend, Kira, experienced some abuse from Kira’s fiancé. Nick is trying to handle the legal issues with the Knoxville Police Department. We’ll sit down with Kira on Monday and talk next steps with her.”
Nick stands from his table down front on the lower level. “I’m ninety-five percent sure the incident at Kayla’s apartment is connected to what happened Thursday in Knoxville. I’m not sure if it’s Cory Coleman. He was released from the hospital late yesterday evening and had time to drive to Willow Creek by four am. Or,” Nick pauses. “It’s possible Kayla’s ex, Trent Colby, is involved. The two men are friends and may be working together.”
“Prez?” Pops raises his hand. It’s rare for him and Granddad to join us. Both are here this morning.
“Yeah?” Mack motions for Pops to continue.
“If an angel brought this to our door, should we really keep her here for two more days?”
Mack glances at Worley. Our VP nods. His dad has a good point. “Take a vote.”
“We can’t move Kira Mitchell just yet,” Nick interrupts.
“Why not?” Worley asks.
“I’m still working with the cops in Knoxville. We have to be careful with this case. They know she’s here and can more than likely prove we’ve helped her at some point. Detective Hernandez wants a statement from Kayla and Kira. I explained they were the victims and not the attackers, like Coleman claimed. I told him that bringing the ladies back to Knoxville might put them in danger. After seeing the photos Lily and Nina took of their injuries, he agreed to let Sheriff Bowers take their statements. They have an appointment with the Sheriff this afternoon. When I get Detective Hernandez’s response, then we decide the day to move Kira. I vote that we move Miss Mitchell as soon as possible.”
The club officers slightly nod to each other. Mac looks out at the rest of us. “All in favor of following Nick’s plan for Miss Mitchell?”
I don’t look to see how many member raise their hands. It feels like a lot. There’s no need to ask for those who oppose. Mack does it anyway. I stay neutral. Enough agreed with Nick’s plan already. My heart hurts for Kayla. She’ll have to say goodbye to her friend soon.
“Prez?” Bankz raises his hand. Mack nods. “Are we protecting Kayla or moving her, too?”
I jump to my feet. “She’s not leaving.”
Bankz raises an eyebrow. A few of my brothers snicker.
“Of course, we’re going to protect Kayla,” Worley says.
“That brings me to my question.” Everyone turns to Jay, our newest officer. “Are we protecting Kayla Chambers as a club friend or as Rodeo’s ole’ lady?”
“Does it matter?” I snap.
“Yeah, it does.” Mack’s the one to answer. I shouldn’t have yelled at an officer, even if he is one of my best friends. “Ole’ ladies get more protection and rights within the club.”
They do. I know it. I’ve seen it many times. We protect club friends when there’s a threat against the club that could affect them, or when their lives are in danger because of us. If they call us for help, we show up. Their protection isn’t consistent, though.
“She’s mine. I claim her.”
Jack lays a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to. You know we’ll protect her.”
“I want to.” My eyes meet his. “I should have before we left.” I’m not trying to make him feel bad.
Jack takes a deep breath and nods. He stays by my side through the vote.
“Okay, Vikings. All in favor of Kayla Chambers being Rodeo’s ole’ lady?” Mack asks.
I keep my eyes on Jay. It’s his fault we’re taking this vote. He raises his hand. So do their other officers. I don’t look at my club brothers. I don’t want to know how they vote.
“Those opposed?” Mack waits. I still don’t look.
“Congratulations, Rodeo.” Mack gives me a firm nod. She’s mine.
“You have a road name for her you want on her property cut?” Worley asks.
Ember's words echo in my head. “Lala.” Sparky is my name for her. My brothers don’t get to use that one.
“Uh, Prez? We have a problem.” Nick clicks around on his keyboard. The large TV monitor behind the officers’ table turns on with the security footage at the front gate. Two Sheriff cars wait outside. “Patches says they have some questions for us.”
“Anyone getting arrested?” Mack asks.
“If they are, Sheriff Bowers isn’t saying.” Nick’s right. Nathan wouldn’t announce that bit of information until he was inside the gate.
“Let ‘em in. Church dismissed.” Mack taps the gavel.
The sight of the Sheriff's cars pulling through the gate makes my skin crawl. I’m still on edge because of what happened this morning. Maybe they have info for us. Only, it feels like something more.