Chapter 21
Beau
“Did you find anything?” I question Skull as he gets back from checking out my car.
“Nothing in it. I think the main target here was BB,” he says. This doesn’t make me feel better at all. That means someone is out to hurt Hunter.
“So, what’s the next step?”
“Beau—”
“We need to find out who is behind this, Skull.”
“King called and said BB was on his way over here. He seems to think it’s Robin.”
“Robin?” I repeat, shocked. The scene outside my house was ugly, but Skull and Torch told me what they had found in Hunter’s bike and truck. That seems more evolved than just a jealous ex.
“Yeah,” Skull says watching me closely. I can feel Torch doing the same.
“You don’t think it is?” Torch finally asks.
“I mean, I don’t know her. If you tell me that it’s possible, then I kind of have to take your word for it. Still, it doesn’t feel right to me.”
“Who else could it be?” Skull asks.
“I don’t know, and I know next to nothing about coke, but remember that drug bust they had that was statewide back in July?
Now, there were other drugs but the main one mentioned was cocaine that was cut with Fentanyl.
They valued the drugs well over six hundred thousand dollars.
That doesn’t seem like something Robin could come up with to hurt Hunter,” I explain.
All three of us turn as a bike comes up my drive.
I take a deep breath, feeling relieved to see Hunter.
He shuts his bike off and comes straight to me.
My heart skips a beat when I see the intensity on his face.
He wraps one arm around me, his hand resting against the side of my neck as he pulls me into a kiss.
I forget his father and Skull are standing with us.
I forget everything, but Hunter’s hold on me, and his tongue dueling with mine.
I get completely lost in the kiss. I thought I was in love with this man the first night we were together.
That didn’t end well for me. Yet, every single day that I’m with Hunter I know I’m falling deeper and deeper.
It seems inevitable. No one can save me from Hunter. Hell, I can’t even save myself.
“Are you okay, baby?” he asks, the urgency in his voice is written all over his face.
It’s a mixture of worry, frustration and anger.
I know he must feel like the world is coming after him and yet, he’s consumed with fear for me.
He wants to make sure I’m okay. The sweetness of that hits me head-on.
“I’m fine. I don’t think I’m the one targeted in this, Hunter. How are you?”
“We’re going to figure this out. I won’t allow this to touch you or Ty,” Hunter pledges as he kisses my forehead, holding me close.
I pull back to look up at him. “That doesn’t answer my question,” I prod gently.
“I’ll be okay once we figure this out,” he promises before turning his attention to his dad. “What do we know?”
“Not a damn thing,” his dad grumbles.
“Although, Beau did come up with an interesting take,” Skull adds.
Hunter spares me a smile. “That’s because she’s amazing, but someone explain.”
His praise makes me feel warm all over. I clear my throat after looking up at Skull and Torch.
They nod, encouraging me to speak up. “Well, I just don’t think Robin has the resources to set you up this way,” I point out.
To me it seems logical, so I don’t really think what I’m saying is that earth shattering. I mostly think they’re placating me.
Hunter exhales, his tension so palpable it permeates the room.
“Yeah, King pointed that out, too. That’s a damn smart son-in-law I got saddled with.
If you tell Dragon that, however, I’ll deny every fucking word of it,” Skull responds, making me fight a giggle—despite the weight of this conversation.
“The bastard’s head is already too big now. ”
I hear Hunter snort, and I bite my lip to keep from joining in. Sadly, all joy leaves with his next question. “So, what’s our next step? How do I make sure Beau and Ty are safe while this shitstorm is brewing?”
“And you, Hunter. I want you to be safe, too—you big dummy.”
He grins, his beautiful eyes shining down at me. “You’re such a sweet talker, Beau.”
“It’s a gift. Tell me that you’re going to be safe. I’ve got a bad feeling,” I tell him, my stomach churning.
“I’ve been dealing with Robin’s bullshit for a long time. She’ll show her hand quickly and then we’ll have her.”
“This isn’t just Robin. I’m not doubting that she’s involved. I think it’s likely she is. There’s a huge bankroll backing her and that’s the scary part.”
A grim look moves over Hunter’s features before his cell rings. He frowns but takes it out of the clip that’s on his side.
“Yo, Adam,” Hunter says, putting it on speakerphone and holding it down for all of us to hear.
“If anyone sees our call and asks, I called to clear up something on Beau’s report,” Adam says immediately, making the vibe in the room dip into arctic territory.
“Well, that’s not starting off great,” Hunter complains.
“I got the name of the man who posted bail for Robin and paid her fees.”
“Who’s the poor schmuck?”
“Allen Ray.”
Hunter’s forehead creases and he looks around at everyone in the room. They all shake their heads. Hunter sighs and curls me closer into his body. “None of us have heard of him,” he responds, kissing the top of my head. “Can you get me a picture of the dude?”
“Unfortunately, all we have is his hair color and build. He kept his head down around every camera we have,” Adam admits.
“Did you double check with the ATMs and outdoor cameras?”
“We should have the ATM footage from across the street and the small one inside the building this evening. The outdoor cameras were pretty much a bust. He wore a trucker hat and kept the bill pulled low, all while making sure he looked down the entire time. Let me check the footage really quick. Hang on.”
No one talks while Adam does whatever he’s doing.
I find I’m a nervous wreck. I feel like I’m sitting on the edge of my seat, just needing to know who our enemy is.
I’m anxious in ways that I can’t remember being before.
I just know that I need to protect Hunter.
He’s broken down my barriers and now I find that I want him in my life all the time.
I don’t know where we’re going ultimately—mostly because I still don’t trust it.
However, I’m far enough gone to admit that it would destroy me if I lost him now.
Hunter’s phone dings. “What’s this?” he asks.
“I sent you a portion of the feed in text. Check it right quick,” Adam says.
I curl even deeper into Hunter, trying to get a good look at the phone screen.
I frown as a man comes into view. You really can’t see his face.
His hair seems neatly trimmed—although, I think that’s because you can’t really see it because of the hat.
There is just a little bit sticking out in the back to show that the color is kind of a deep black.
It’s so black that you’d think it had blue highlights in it.
I don’t recognize anything about him. I didn’t truly expect to. Still, it’s disappointing.
I hear Hunter curse under his breath. It’s clear he doesn’t know this guy either.
“What’s our next move?” he asks.
“We pray that the ATM camera is a help. I’m going to go talk to Sam at the bar where Robin hangs out.
Maybe they have an image of the dude with her.
It’s a long shot because Robin goes through a lot of men, but still if this asshole is stupid enough to bankroll her, maybe she’s spending more time with him than she does the others,” Adam responds.
“I’ll head down to the bar with you. Sam is more likely to talk to me than you, Adam,” Skull murmurs, looking as if he is in deep thought.
“Sounds good. I’ll meet you there.”
“I’ll go, too,” Torch replies.
“I don’t need a fucking babysitter,” Skull growls, as the atmosphere in the room darkens. “I can go to a damn bar without ordering a drink.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t, asshole,” Torch mutters. “I just want to be there, too. Beau is going to be my daughter-in-law. I want to follow every clue.
“I don’t think—” I start, wanting to deny the whole daughter-in-law thing.
“Thanks, Dad,” Hunter interrupts.
Skull sighs. “You sure you won’t trade BB in and have a go at Spider, Twinkle Toes?”
I blush at the silly nickname. I feel Hunter’s muscles tighten against me.
He might know Skull is just kidding, but he doesn’t like it.
“I’m good,” I murmur. I’m embarrassed, partly over the nickname, but also because of how possessive Hunter is.
Don’t get me wrong, I like it … a lot. Yet, it’s unnerving in front of so many.
“Damn straight she is,” Hunter growls, somehow getting me closer to him when I would’ve thought that was impossible. Then, as if to put the exclamation point on it, he roughly kisses the top of my head.
“Stop kissing my head. I’m not a dog,” I grumble, as everyone laughs.
“No, you’re mine,” he growls shooting Skull a mean look.
“Sometimes a woman needs to hear she’s appreciated, hijo,” Skull explains.
“Harper knows. I show her every night. Most nights a lot more than once,” he brags. Well, I’m not sure he’s really bragging. It’s never just once a night. I have a feeling when we finally break the seal, we may kill one another. It’s that explosive between us.
“Hunter!” I hiss, chastising him when it hits me that I’m in a room full of men, two of which I kind of think of as a second father.
“You can’t deny it, Harper.”
“I can kill you,” I rebut.
“You’d miss me too much,” he says with a lazy grin, making me roll my eyes.
“BB, I’m supposed to give you the bad news,” Torch says, getting our attention.
“What bad news?”
“King is putting the club in rotation to have your back. You will keep two men on you at all times. One will be stationed here at Beau’s while one will be your shadow.”
“I think that’s overkill. It’s not like I’ve been the object of whoever is doing this. Only Hunter,” I point out—not liking the idea that someone will be following me around all day. That’s going to be annoying and weird when I meet with clients.
“Okay,” Hunter says, shocking the hell out of me.
“Okay?” I squeak. “You’re just going to quietly agree to having someone following you around all day? Who are you and what have you done with the man I thought I knew?”
Hunter smirks and gives me a wink. “I’m fine with it because I will do anything to keep you safe. I’m actually surprised that is the only thing King is demanding.”
“Well, I’m not happy,” I complain under my breath, while folding my hands at my chest.
“I can tell,” he jokes.
“Actually, there is more,” Torch says, getting our attention. I can feel Hunter tensing up.
“What?” he says, not nearly as jovial as he was just seconds before.
“You’re going to move home.”
“No fucking way.”
“It’s the only way to keep you both safe. Our house is gated and fenced. Nothing gets in and out without triggering sensors. You can keep your vehicles there and we won’t have to worry about what people are putting in them.”
“I’m not leaving my house. It’s my home. It belonged to dad. I won’t leave it unprotected,” I interject.
“Beau, honey.”
“No, I mean it,” I argue when Skull tries to talk me down.
“I actually agree with her,” Hunter says surprising me.
“You do?” I ask
“I do. This is our home. It’s the first place that Ty has been that he’s completely happy. We’re building a foundation that he needs, something for him to have faith in. I’m not going to take that away. Me and the boys can make this place safe. There’s no need for us to move.”
There’s a lot to unpack in what Hunter just said.
That fear that this is all moving at the speed of light hits me again, but I beat it down.
I need to focus. I’m getting what I want here.
The rest of it I can digest and obsess over later—when I’m alone and have instant access to a bottle of tequila.
“You okay there, Beau? You’re looking a little green,” Cal says, standing by the front door.
Hunter looks down at me. I see the questions in his eyes, but I ignore them. “Funny, Cal. Is Grifter here yet?”
“He’s just pulling up,” he explains.
I look around at everyone and then smile at Hunter.
“He’s here to inspect the vehicle I did for their club.
You guys are going to have to figure this out on your own.
I’m not moving. That’s not on the table.
I love you and Katie, but I’m way past the age where I’m going to live with parents,” I warn Torch.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Hunter—”
“I want to meet Grifter. It’d be a good contact for him and us. Dad can deal with this bullshit. I’m not leaving our house either.”
I sigh, because I know this is a fight that I’m going to lose. I stop for a minute when I think of Ty. “Ty,” I whisper.
“He doesn’t want to move either. I’m sure of it. He loves it here because my woman keeps spoiling him.”
“It’s not that. If Robin has money backing her. What if she tries to use it to get to Ty? Is he safe at school?” I ask, my panic building.
Hunter watches me for a moment. There’s something that passes in his eyes. I have no idea what it is. I’m too stressed out thinking that Ty might be vulnerable.
“The school knows I have sole custody, baby. They’re not going to hand him over to her,” he finally answers.
“The higher ups might not, but if she has money to give someone …”
“I’ll make sure we have a man on Ty,” Torch says. “I’ll go there right now, instead of going with Adam and Skull—well, unless Adam wants to visit the school, too.”
“It might help if the police give the school a call and let them know of some issues,” Hunter points out.
“I can’t do it in an official capacity, but I can’t see why I can’t go with you two and just stand in the background,” Adam replies. “I can meet you guys at the school, and we can go to the bar from there.”
“Sounds good,” Torch and Skull answer together.
“Thanks, Adam,” Hunter says, before saying goodbye and hanging up. Then, he puts his hand against the side of my neck and bends down so that his lips are almost on mine. “God, you’re perfect,” he murmurs quietly.
My heart starts running away with me. I can’t believe he said that.
I can’t believe he’s going to kiss me in front of his family.
Then, I forget to think about what I can’t believe because he’s kissing me, and I lose myself in him—just like I always seem to do.
The thing is, the more that it happens, the less scary it gets.
In fact, right now, I feel … completely safe.