Chapter 30
__________
Coty
We have walked on eggshells for the past week. Keeping the McLeod and Rhodes families apart hasn’t been easy. It’s hard when both families live in a town as small as ours. The newest member of our legal team, Ciara Hollis, petitioned the court and got the order limited to the six immediate family members in Pastor Rhodes’ family. Due to the rough reputation of motorcycle clubs, the judge kept the order to the entire club.
“How’s Lala?” Jack asks.
Most of the club members have started shortening her name. She thinks it’s weird. I love it. I still haven’t told her I claimed her.
“Still mad that we moved Kira, but on everything else, we’re good.” Even with all the legal matters and uncertainty going on, this has been one of the best weeks of my life.
My brothers and I met up at Angie’s for lunch today. Angie put us at a large table in the back dining room to keep us away from the Pastor’s friends. Oh, yeah. There are a few in the front dining area. They can keep glaring holes in us. We don’t feel a thing.
“Nick find any leads on who beat up Matthew?” Hendrix asks.
“Nothing concrete, but we think Sanford and Lang did it,” Jack replies.
That’s what we all believe. Willis Sanford and Adam Lang were mighty interested in Matthew at Angie’s a few weeks ago.
“I don’t doubt it.” Jay finishes off his sweet tea. “The last camera Nick could catch them on was from Mel’s Quick Stop.”
You have to pass Mel’s to get to Willow Park from town. Willis and Lang left the Roadhouse that night around two. It’s enough for us, but not for the cops.
Bankz pushes his empty plate away. “You know, with Valentine’s Day this weekend, why don’t you see if Lala wants to bartend at the Den instead of the Roadhouse?”
“You don’t want my ole’ lady working for you anymore?” I’m teasing, but I tilt my head, cracking my neck.
Bankz isn’t fazed. The fool actually grins. “Not at all. Just thought with all the parties going on Friday night, people could slip around town unnoticed for a while. I mean, the suspect ,” he makes air quotations with his fingers, “hasn’t been caught, she’d be safer at the clubhouse.”
“Good point.” She’s been as happy as I have this week. It’s good to know my brothers are looking out for her. “I’ll bring it up tonight.”
“She’s probably in a loving mood since she’s helping out at the bakery this week. Ask quick before it changes,” Jack suggests. The rest of us laugh.
Lala is helping Lily and Emily out this week due to the extra Valentine’s Day orders. This is the first year I’ve wanted to celebrate the holiday. It’s kind of pointless when you’re single.
“Did Kira get settled?” I ask Jack.
He takes a deep breath. “You know you can’t share her location or new life with Lala.”
“I know, but letting her know her friend is okay and safe would ease her mind.” She asks me every day if I’ve heard anything about Kira.
“You can tell her that much, but not the rest.” I nod. Jack continues, “Shep carried her to Arizona. From there, she was taken to Drew.” Jack shakes his head. “I don’t know where Drew housed her. Kira isn’t happy, but she’s safe.”
“What happened to her ex?” Hendrix asks.
“He was arrested for domestic abuse. Bail was set, but no one’s paid it. The judge agreed to let Kira testify via Zoom from a police station in California. Her location won’t be disclosed.” Jack leans back and glances toward the front counter.
“No, Angie. We want a party table in the back.” Sherry Rhodes comes to an abrupt halt when she sees us.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Rhodes, but you have to sit in the front dining room,” Angie says.
“No. Make them leave,” Ms. Rhodes demands.
“They were here first.” Angie motions to the large round table in the front dining room. “According to the restraining order, they stay. You can leave, or sit there.”
Ms. Rhodes huffs. “You always take their side.” She lifts her chin. “Just wait until everyone hears about this. You’ll lose half your customers.”
“If they’re all snotty and rude, I couldn’t care less. I’m following what the law says in this situation.” Angie motions to the table again. “Now, Ms. Rhodes, would you like to sit there or leave?”
“Come on, Mom.” Finley lays her hand on her mother’s arm. “This table is fine.”
“But it’s not private.” Ms. Rhodes glares at us.
Finley holds her hand out and looks at her mother with wide eyes. “Mom, that’s insane. We’re meeting a few ladies from church and talking about the Valentine’s party Friday night. We have nothing to hide. We could have used the fellowship hall if we did.”
Ms. Rhodes turns her glare on her daughter. “Fine, Finley. You just listen to your father. Those barbarians hurt your brother. Stay away from them.”
Jay sits up straight and slides to the edge of his chair. Jack clamps a hand down on his cousin’s shoulder.
“Don’t,” Jack orders, low and deep. “And put the knife away.”
The rest of us glance down at Jay’s hand. Not that we all can see it. Thankfully, Jack heard Jay open the knife.
Jay glares back at Ms. Rhodes just as hard as she glares at us. The Preacher’s wife snaps her head toward the front dining area and stomps over to the table Angie suggested.
“Not very ladylike. Is she?” Bankz mumbles.
Finley sighs and gives us a sympathetic smile. She mouths the words ‘I’m sorry.’ Each of us dips our chins to her. The Vikings Warriors will never hate Finley.
Jay turns back to our table and drops his head. “Her father and brother are the real problem.”
Jack needs to find out what Jay’s deep hatred for Matthew Rhodes is. Sooner or later, Jay’s gonna lose control, and no one will be able to save the Preacher’s son.
“Why don’t we get back to work?” Jack pats Jay on the back a couple of times. “I’ll grab Cloudy’s to-go order. Hopefully, he hasn’t set the shop on fire while we were gone.”
Each of us drops a ten-dollar bill on the table for Angie and heads toward the door. Hendrix shoves Jay forward when he pauses a few feet into the front dining area. Jack grabs Cloudy’s order and helps get his cousin to the parking lot.
“See you guys later.” I toss my hand up and jump into my truck.
While they go back to work, I’ll swing by the bakery to make sure my ole' lady is okay. My ole’ lady. I can’t help but chuckle. I might not be laughing when she finds out I claimed her. The odd text from Skip, the prospect watching the bakery, makes no sense. It’s not even words. That’s not good. I start the truck. I have to get to Kayla.