Chapter 30
Eagle
After Lacy thanked Dad again about ten times and promised to bring me back soon for dinner, we finally headed to the clubhouse. I followed her and had texted Keys to be expecting the extra car so nobody tried to stop her.
My face hurt from the grin I couldn’t wipe off. It was probably going to be a short visit, but at least she agreed to head to the clubhouse, even if it was to show Daisy her car. Didn’t mean I wouldn’t ask her to stay, but I knew she probably wouldn’t.
Lacy drove like a teen who just got her license and while it was adorable, it was keeping me from touching her. But she was happy. I watched her smiling in the rear view nearly the whole ride and sometimes she even did a little wiggle.
When she made the turn into the driveway to the clubhouse, my stomach flipped. Like a fucking little girl. But knowing she’d be here in my space, even if for a short time, gave me hope. I needed her with me like I needed water and air. She should be at my side and that wouldn’t happen as long as she lived apart from me. I had to remember that this was just another step and she wasn’t coming back quite yet. Thoughts of tying her up and locking her away safely in my room did cross my mind as we parked, though.
Keys must have alerted the officers because Lacy wasn’t even out of her car before Daisy was screaming at the door. “Oh my fucking God!”
Lacy shut the door and met her halfway, grabbing her hands and they jumped and squealed. There were words being exchanged but if anyone could make sense of them, I’d pay them to translate, because it sounded like a foreign language.
Falcon and Hawk headed out, so I walked to them to let Lacy enjoy the moment with her friend. We all stood, watching as Lacy dragged Daisy to the car and they both climbed inside. Falcon took a step forward when she started the car but I threw my hand to his chest. “Down boy. She’s just showing her the car.”
He grunted and crossed his arms.
Hawk patted my shoulder. “She seems to be in a good mood. That the car we gave your pops from the shop?”
Nodding, I answered, “Yep. He hasn’t driven it, anyway. Not sure why he hasn’t sold it.” The car was abandoned by someone. After a while, they filed for a salvage title, showing proof of how many times they tried to contact the person who brought it in and the bill that wasn’t paid. There was some issue with the transmission that wasn’t under warranty since the car was three years old. It was low mileage and in good shape, but at the end of the day, you don’t pay, you don’t get it back.
They never turned up and a sheriff had even gone to confirm they weren’t at the residence before the title was transferred. It wasn’t unheard of for shady folks to do business at the shop. Raven gave it to Dad since he did all the work to it, tried to contact the owner, then filed the paperwork. The shop signed the title to him as soon as it came in. That was a while back and it’s been in the garage ever since.
“She staying?” Falcon asked, still standing like he was ready to chase the car if it moved.
“Not yet. Not for good anyway.”
More commotion erupted as Mama Hen, followed by some of the bunnies, hustled out to the car to greet Lacy and check out the new, shiny toy. Mama Hen gave me a wink as she passed, then beelined it to the driver’s side for a hug.
Hawk patted my shoulder again. “Alright. I’ll give you a few, but Church in half an hour,” he said as he walked back into the clubhouse.
I looked over my shoulder, then back at Falcon. “You know anything about that?”
He shook his head. “Nope. But Jackal’s here. Went to Hawk as soon as he walked in. I’d wager he’s got something.”
Looking back at the car, I gritted my teeth. Church could take a few minutes or an hour. And if Jackal found something, I’d probably be going to follow up on the lead tonight. I hoped to sway her into at least sleeping over, but until Church, I had no way to know if it would be worth it for her. I wanted her in my room–in my bed–but if she was there alone, it wouldn’t help my argument.
Falcon and I stood quietly, waiting for them to get tired of playing with the car and come inside. Slowly, the bunnies started filing back in, then Daisy, Mama Hen, and Lacy finally followed suit.
Falcon grabbed Daisy, planting a kiss on her temple. “Got Church in a few. Why don’t you ladies go grab some drinks and catch up?”
Daisy put her hand out for Lacy, but I grabbed her first, planting a kiss on her lips. Wolf whistles sounded and there were some giggles. I didn’t care. I wanted everyone to see. “I’m sorry. I’ll try not to be long.”
She smiled up at me, cupping my cheek. “Eagle, it’s okay. I’ll be inside waiting.” She’ll wait for me. After a sweet peck on my lips, she grabbed Daisy’s hand and went inside, mentioning something about finding Mama Hen who had already gone back in.
We had a few minutes but I texted the other officers to head in, hoping if we could get started I could get back to my woman. Butch and Red both said they were still at work so I let Hawk know, but Rooster, Falcon, and I joined Jackal in sitting at the table.
Hawk paced, running his hand down his face. His normally styled dark hair fell across his forehead. Finally, he stopped and grabbed the back of his chair. “Jackal’s been keeping tabs on this Trans Am, but nothing interesting. Until he saw Scotty at Peaches N Cream.”
Hawk tipped his head to Jackal and he leaned up, folding his hands on the table. “I’ve been scouting all the clubs in the area, talking to the ladies and the bouncers. Was over at Peaches and saw Scotty.v When I saw him, I figured he’d run off, but waved me over. Said he needed to talk,” Jackal said in his gravelly voice.
I sat up. “He hasn’t reached out to me. What did he say?”
Jackal continued, “Said he was just talking to one of the girls in the private room and she was dancing for him but they were chatting. He’d been asking around about the car and that man. She said the night before on her way out, she saw one of the girls getting into the car.”
“Have they heard from her?” Falcon asked.
“Naw. And the owner didn’t seem to give a fuck, but did let me take a look at his videos. Sure enough, same car.” Jackal unclasped his hands. “He gave me her info so I rode by today and she wasn’t home. Went back to the club and she didn’t show for work again.”
“And nobody gives a shit since she’s a dancer,” I said as Lacy ran through my mind. Mama Hen would never treat her girls that way. If one didn’t show, Keys was notified immediately. As long as they were safe, she didn’t mess with them, but she’d never let them just disappear. “Didn’t Keys start tracking this guy’s phone, though?”
Hawk finally took a seat, blowing out a heavy sigh. “He did, but this guy either has a burner or a way to block the tracker.”
Jackal said, “Tracker stays at his house when the car is out sometimes. But I’ve seen him at the same time it’s tracking him in the car, too. He must be leaving it when he does business.”
“He knows he’s being followed,” Falcon said.
Hawk nodded. “I’ve already beefed up security at our club. Keys has it under constant surveillance. But something about all this doesn’t sit right.” He scratched at his short scruff. “I don’t want women being picked off, but I still think this is somehow connected to Pops. If we can crack this, I think we can find who offed him.”
We didn’t know if they were done with Raven, or if this was some sort of play at the club as a whole. If it was, any one of us could be next.
“What do you need from us, Prez?” I asked. As much as I wanted to be with Lacy, I knew I’d been slacking. Jackal was out doing what I should have been while I was wooing my girl.
Hawk said, “We need to tail him until we catch him in the act. If we just pluck him off the street, we won’t have any leverage for him to not report us for kidnapping and assault, and that’s the last thing we need. Plus, if we catch him, maybe we can find the main mother fucker. If he’s a nobody, he may not be able to give much info.”
Jackal nodded. “I can do it.”
“Me too,” I said.
“I’m in,” Falcon said.
Rooster grunted with a nod.
“We can do shifts of two but report back as soon as a woman climbs in the car,” Hawk said. “We can have Keys track your phones and ping us with the location. We don’t know what kind of shit we’ll be walking into.”
“Prez,” I said. “I think you need to stay put. Red and Butch can tap in and we got Jackal.”
Hawk gave a humorless grin. “We go way back, Eagle, but I know you’re not telling me what the fuck to do?”
I rolled my eyes. “They already took out Raven, man. That’s all I’m saying. If we lose another president right now, the whole club will be fucked. You’re the glue, man. And you’re the connection to Petrov.”
Hawk waved me off. “Don’t remind me. But while I appreciate it, I’m not going to miss finding out who killed my Pops.”
“We can bring them to you, Prez,” Falcon said. “He’s right. We don’t know if this is a vendetta against you or the club, but we need to watch your ass right now.”
“You wanna see my ass now?” Hawk said with a laugh. It was the first time I’d heard him really laugh in months.
That only lightened the mood briefly but I spoke up again. “Prez, let us do this for you. We’ll bring that fucker to you, keep you out of harms way, and away from the heat.”
Hawk’s crystal eyes were fixed straight across from him on the wall. The banner with the fallen brothers hung there. We all turned to look as well. Raven was the last to be added to it. “It all depends on how this unfolds. I won’t miss bringing Pops to justice and I won’t leave my brothers to do my dirty work.” We all looked back at him, waiting for his direction. He tapped the table and said, “Butch and Falcon first tail tonight. Red and Jackal can take day shift tomorrow. Rooster, you and Eagle tomorrow night. If we don’t get him by then, we’ll switch things up.”
“Let’s bring this fucker to his destiny,” I said and everyone knocked on the table.
Hawk stood. “Falcon, Butch can meet you once he leaves the club. He’s been pulling extra time with all the shit going on. Touch base with him and get ready. Everyone else, be prepared to leave if they catch this fucker.” With that, he knocked on the table and pulled the door open, so we all stood and made our way down the hall to the bar area.
Falcon hustled to talk to Daisy who was enthralled in conversation with Lacy and some of the other women. He pulled her away, and when Lacy saw me, she finished what she was saying then sat, smiling at the others as they carried on.
I walked over, sticking my hand out. She took it, standing from her chair so I pulled her close and gave her a peck. The women whistled and banged on the table, sending a flush to Lacy’s cheeks.
“Can we go to my room?” I asked, creating even more commotion from the women. “And y’all act like we’re bad,” I said with a chuckle.
“I’ll catch you ladies before I take off,” Lacy said as we turned to head up. So much for her staying. But honestly, if Falcon caught this piece of shit tonight, I’d have to take off anyway.
We walked upstairs and I opened the door to my room, waving her inside. She entered slowly, not stepping in much past the door, clasping her hands in front of her.
I pushed the door closed and walked in front of her. Pulling her hands apart, I held them in mine. “What’s wrong?”
She shrugged, coming closer. “It’s just weird being here,” she said, looking around the room.
“It’s where you belong, Lacy.”
“Maybe that’s why it feels weird. I’d been here. My stuff was here. Now it’s not.” Her head tilted down.
I leaned down, forcing her to look at me. “It can be here. Say the word. I’ll go get all your shit right now and put it back exactly how it was.”
She gave a humorless laugh. “Like you know where my stuff was.”
I pulled her to the bathroom, probably rougher than I should, slamming the door open. “Right there,” I said as I pointed to the left side of the counter, “was where you had your makeup bag. There is where you left your flat iron but you always remembered to unplug it. And there,” I said as I jammed my finger to the other side of the counter, “was your face cream and that good smelling lotion.”
I dragged her further inside and slid the shower curtain back. “There is the shelf you had your shampoo and conditioner. Right there was the body wash. Oh, and you left the bar soap. I never got why you had that and body wash but if you just come back you can have twenty fucking bars of soap in here, Lacy.”
Turning back, her eyes were wide and her cheeks were red. “Eddie–”
“No, don’t say it. I know. Not right now. I just…I need you Lacy. I know I fucked up, but I can’t fucking deal. And I know it’s my fault. but fuck!”
My body trembled as I struggled to calm down, but her hand went to my cheek. I looked at her, and her eyes filled with moisture.
Gripping her face, I swiped her tears with my thumbs. “I’m so tired of hurting you, Lacy. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not hurting right now. I’m fighting with myself. I wish I’d just talked to you before I left, Eddie. I’m sorry. But I still don’t know if I can come back here to stay. I…”
“What Lacy? You what? Tell me and I’ll do it.” I’d give her the world. I’d do anything if she’d just come home.
“For now, can you just kiss me?”
Having her where she was supposed to be, but knowing she wasn’t staying was eating me alive. Even if I couldn’t get my way, I’d still do anything she asked. So I kissed her like I may never see her again.