Chapter 14
The next couple of days around the clubhouse were both quiet and busy, which was an odd dynamic. Brothers were coming and going, but only in groups. No one left the compound alone, and they were armed when they left.
More of the old ladies had shown up to stay at the house, some with children, started staying at the annexe. Though dad hadn’t put the club into full lock down, Rosa said that could be coming if things ramped up more and I should prepare myself.
Sightings of dad were non-existent, and I’d barely laid eyes on Warren or Hudson. I didn’t know what they were doing, but they were building up to some sort of retaliation for the explosion. I felt uneasy about the whole thing.
At the heart of these problems was the threat against me and as much as I was reassured I would be okay, I was worried.
It was horrible to witness the explosion, to know that the kid had lost his life.
The craziness that followed had been overwhelming.
Back when I had been here full-time growing up, nothing like this had happened.
There were MC rivalries and issues with other criminals, not to mention crooked cops on my dad’s payroll, but nothing had been brought to the gate in such a catastrophic way.
Not even Rosa had got anything out of Ballistic about what was going on.
I was afraid for Warren when I heard they had sped out of here to protect Hudson from what could have been an attack similar to Connor’s.
I hadn’t voiced those concerns, but I was sure Connor knew when he wrapped me up in his arms. It was times like that I could forget his injuries had changed him. He was like my old friend and confidante.
I was following through on dad’s orders and working in the kitchen.
Lily and Connor were helping because, frankly, after tasting something I’d burned, they knew I’d be in trouble if I tried to feed anyone.
That was my game plan, but Connor laughed and reminded me my dad wouldn’t give a shit about that. He would expect me to figure it out.
It was what King told me to do, and because I was doing it for Connor, I agreed to let him attempt to teach me. I might as well learn something while I’m here.
We were cooking up enough food to feed everyone for Kansas’ patching in.
There was going to be a funeral in a few days.
That involved a full ride through the town of the entire club, plus some local visiting chapters.
Connor explained Dirt would coordinate security with the local police and Ink, the Road Captain, would plan a route.
I wanted to ask if I was included in that, but I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t sure what I would have to do, but if everyone else was heading out, they couldn’t very well leave me behind. No one would want to be left out of the funeral procession to watch over me.
They couldn’t be sure the Kingsmen wouldn’t attack, but it was a risk they will take to honor Itchy, and I was relying on that to get me out of this place. Even if it were only for a little while, and for something as horrible as a funeral. That was a goddamn depressing thought.
I hadn’t met Itchy’s mom or sister, but they’d had plenty of visitors from the brothers, paying their respects.
Club life was so different from what I had been used to for the last five years. Even back when I’d lived here, it hadn’t felt like this, but I had been sheltered a lot. Plus, with Warren and Hudson not being a part of the inner circle back then, life was much more carefree.
Declan called a few times, and we had video called from my room.
There was no sex involved in any of the calls.
There wasn’t a lot I could tell him that wasn’t out and out lies, so the chats were a little stilted on my part.
He was busy getting ready for the tour and I could tell how excited he was.
My boss also called asking when I would be back, and I hadn’t been able to give him an answer. I barely convinced him to give another week’s grace, even though he had already agreed to two weeks’ leave. After that, he said he couldn’t be sure my job could be held open.
I’d suggested he let Ben temporarily fill in for me, reassuring him he was a good fit to cover. He didn’t like that idea but had agreed to it. Now I was worried I wouldn’t have a job to go back to.
Declan said once they had this tour under their belt, we could look at starting up our own place, but that wouldn’t happen overnight.
It was a lot of start-up costs which we hadn’t even looked into yet, and he’d be busy if the tour was successful.
I was feeling left out in the cold, and it was unnerving.
I’d always been a busy person. I didn’t like sitting still doing nothing, which was why I hadn’t put up much of a fight when it came to helping.
It wasn’t enough for me. In a few more days, I was going to be stir crazy, and it was going to come out in a way my dad would not like.
As the night drew in, more people started showing up and the party atmosphere intensified. It was a warm night again, so the party spilled outside. I stayed inside, keeping the food coming, but Rosa dragged me away with the lure of tequila.
It was more like the usual boisterous club party tonight, not the laid-back family style gathering from the other night.
The music seemed louder, the fires bigger, and there were people everywhere.
Although most of them were partying, I could see some guys dotted around who weren’t drinking, who were watching everything going on.
Groups of them kept disappearing, walking the perimeter of the grounds before coming back.
It wasn’t obvious if you weren’t looking for it, but my father was making sure the compound was protected.
I was happy to see Cassie and her brother, Ransom, here. He was busy chatting with a few of the club girls, getting a disapproving frown from his mother. I sat down with Cassie at a table further away from the main action, where it was a little quieter.
Cassie looked different, wearing a dress with ankle boots and her hair curled.
She was wearing more make-up than I’d seen on her in her business attire.
I hadn’t made as much of an effort, mostly because I hadn’t brought dresses with me.
My jeans were dark and tight, and my top cut off just below my belly button, leaving a strip of skin on show.
There was no one here to impress, so I wasn’t too worried.
Lily had loaned me heeled sandals after we spent an hour with a few of the other ladies having manicures and pedicures at the house. I’d already kicked them off. It wasn’t my brightest idea walking around bare foot given the tendency for things to be smashed at these parties, but I’d be careful.
Cassie was glancing around distractedly as we chatted about casual things, and we shared the bottle of tequila Rosa left us. I had a feeling her interest in those around us had to do with a guy. When I questioned her, she scoffed at me like I’d lost my damn mind.
“Men,” she told me matter-of-factly. “Good for one thing only.”
“What would you know about it?” Rosa appeared behind her with an arched a brow.
“I’m twenty-nine, not fifteen,” Cassie said as her mom took a seat beside me.
“Actually, you weren’t all that innocent at fifteen either,” she snickered.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, mother. I focused on getting good grades. Boys,” she waved a hand. “Waste of my precious time. Plus, if anyone was chasing, it was them. I do not chase any man.”
“Amen,” I told her, and she grinned at me. I drank the rest of the liquid in my glass and frowned. I’d barely started drinking it a few minutes ago. I ought to pace myself.
“Uh huh,” Rosa narrowed her eyes at Cassie. “What about Eli?”
Cassie glared at her mother, but I could see the blush staining her cheeks pink. She looked around again, making me think whoever this Eli was, he was someone she might run into tonight. She did not want him or anyone else to hear what her mom just said.
“Oh, who is Eli?” I asked, putting both elbows on the table and leaning forward.
“No one,” Cassie mumbled, pouring more shots and shoving one at me.
“No one, my ass,” her mom laughed. “You have hearts in your eyes whenever you look at him. And he looks at you the same way.”
“I’m not discussing this. Plus, you don’t know what you’re talking about. He doesn’t look at me. And you know I have no intention of getting involved with a biker.”
“What’s wrong with bikers? Your father is a biker, your uncles, friends,” Rosa said. Her words could have been sharp, but there was more of an amused tone to her voice.
Both Rosa’s kids were successful in their own rights and worked away from the club, but they still had ties here and it didn’t seem to bother them. I wasn’t convinced Cassie’s indignation was about bikers, so much as a particular biker.
“He’s a brother?” I asked, wracking my brains, trying to think who was named Eli. Could be a new guy? I looked at Rosa.
“Handlebar,” she said smugly, making my brows shoot up. Then I looked at Cassie with a huge smile and gave her a salacious wink.
“Mom!” Cassie shouted, giving away that her little speech seconds ago had been all talk.
“And you stop that filthy winking,” she pointed at me.
“You’re dreaming if you think I have any thoughts about Elias Adelman.
Anyway, I’m dating a guy from work,” she added imperiously, crossing her legs and throwing back her shot.
Rosa waved a hand as if that didn’t matter. “Calling up some guy at work for a booty call is not dating, young lady.”
Cassie was spluttering. She looked so unlike her usual unruffled self, it was obvious Rosa was hitting a nerve. “Booty calls?” she gave her mom an incredulous look. “We date, we go out, to functions and restaurants and…things.”
“Things?” Rosa snorted, and I laughed. “Have you ever spent the day together? Have you seen the inside of his apartment, know his favorite food, met his mother? What’s his last name?”