Chapter Sixteen
Lark
The ride back to the clubhouse was quiet.
Ever sat behind Jude with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, and I held on to Oliver just as tightly.
Not because I was scared. Okay... maybe a little because I was scared. Mostly because after almost getting yanked into the back of a creepy black van, hanging onto the hot biker in front of me suddenly seemed like a fantastic life choice.
By the time we pulled into the clubhouse, every bike that had been at the Social Club was already lined up outside.
Guess Wrecker hadn’t wasted any time getting everyone back.
Oliver killed the engine, and before I could even swing my leg over the bike, he was there offering me his hand. I took it without thinking.
His fingers wrapped around mine for only a second before he let go, but somehow that tiny gesture settled something inside me.
The common room buzzed with voices as everyone gathered.
People asked if we were okay.
Someone shoved a bottle of water into my hand.
Another person asked if I needed ice.
I answered the same question about twenty times before Wrecker’s voice finally carried through the room. “Church.”
The conversations stopped, and everyone headed toward the room.
I hesitated.
Ever looked at me. “You coming?”
“I... are we supposed to be in there?”
She shrugged. “I have absolutely no idea.”
We followed everyone else inside anyway.
The room was already filling by the time we found a couple of chairs near the middle.
I sat beside Ever. Alice dropped into the chair on my other side like this was just another Tuesday afternoon instead of the day someone had tried to kidnap me.
Honestly... that was kind of comforting.
Traumatic? Sure.
But I was very much a live-in-the-moment kind of person.
The last moment hadn’t gotten me kidnapped. So now I was onto this moment.
Ever leaned forward toward Alice.
“Are we supposed to be in here?” she whispered.
Alice laughed. “Yeah, doll.”
“But why?”
“Because shit has hit-ith the fan.”
I snorted.
Star looked over from farther down the table. “Cameras.”
I frowned. “...Cameras?”
“Mom still has them running in the common areas.”
I looked at her. Then at Alice. Then back at Star. “...Huh?”
Alice reached over and patted my knee. “Oh, honey.” She smiled sympathetically. “You are so far behind on things.”
Apparently.
“Have Oliver give you the cliff notes later.”
I looked over at Ever.
She laughed. “Yeah... that might be for the best.” She pointed at herself. “I’m still figuring things out.”
Well, that made two of us.
The door opened again, and Wrecker and Pipe walked inside before shutting it firmly behind them.
The room quieted almost instantly.
Wrecker walked to the head of the table while Pipe and Nickel took their spots beside him.
I shifted slightly in my chair just enough to glance over my shoulder. Oliver had taken his place behind me.
Good. I needed to know he was there.
“We need to talk later,” I whispered to Oliver. Apparently, I wasn’t nearly as quiet as I’d intended.
“Ooooooh,” Arlo chided.
Mason joined in. “So he’s in trouble?”
Oliver looked down at me and nodded once. A tiny smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
I smiled back before turning around, only to find Wrecker glaring directly at me.
Oops.
I pressed my lips together and slowly raised both hands. “Sorry.”
Nobody said anything.
I cleared my throat. “Don’t I get a pass since I was almost kidnapped?”
A couple guys snorted.
Wrecker grunted. Instead of answering me, he looked at Alice.
Alice smiled so wide I thought her cheeks might hurt.
I looked between them.
“...What?”
“Yes, Wrecker,” Nikki announced from the other side of the table. “We all see it.”
“...See what?” Nobody answered me.
Again.
Confusion really was becoming my entire personality.
Wrecker finally looked around the room. “Enough.” Just one word.
The room immediately settled. “We all know what happened this morning.” His eyes landed briefly on Ever and me before sweeping around the rest of the club.
“They made their move.” Nobody smiled now.
“They tried taking Lark and Ever in broad daylight.” The room felt even quieter somehow.
“We’ve also got nothing new from the motel.
” He looked toward Basil and Kingston. “There haven’t been any more calls to Jester’s room. ”
Basil sighed dramatically. “I’ve been living next door to Archie for days.”
Kingston grinned. “It’s been entertaining.”
“It has not.”
“It absolutely has.”
Basil rolled his eyes. “I’d rather be punched.”
“The plan doesn’t change,” Wrecker continued. “You two stay put. Whoever was calling may decide to show up looking for Jester.”
Both men nodded.
Wrecker looked toward Pipe. “The van?”
Pipe rubbed his beard. “I’m looking into it.” He shrugged. “But I’m betting we already know how that’s gonna end.”
“Stolen,” Nickel muttered.
Pipe nodded. “My guess too.”
Wrecker looked back at Ever and me. “You two okay?”
Ever nodded. “I’m good.” She smiled weakly. “I just wouldn’t mind things not being so crazy for a while.”
“I second that,” I said.
Everyone looked at me.
“I’m just supposed to be scooping ice cream.” I held up a finger. “I did not have almost getting kidnapped on my bingo card.”
A few laughs bounced around the room.
Wrecker looked at Alice again.
Alice immediately lifted both hands. “I know!”
He just kept looking.
She shrugged. “Maybe we’re distantly related.” She pointed at me. “I don’t know.”
I blinked. “...Related to who?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Oliver said quietly behind me.
Ever patted my leg. “It’ll make sense later.”
I threw both hands into the air. “I have been in a constant state of confusion since coming here.” More laughter at what felt like was my expense. “I swear everyone knows things except me.”
“Pretty much,” Arlo answered.
“Helpful,” I muttered.
Wrecker waited until everyone settled again. “Keep your heads on a swivel.” His tone turned serious. “Nobody goes anywhere alone.” His eyes landed on the guys. “You know the drill.” Everyone nodded. “They made one move.” He rested both hands on the table. “They’ll make another, so be ready.”
With that, the meeting was over.
Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone stood.
Alice clapped her hands together. “Enough doom and gloom.” She looked toward the door. “I’m making Meg tacos tonight.”
A chorus of cheers answered her.
“The meat’s been marinating for two days,” she continued.
Now everyone looked even happier.
I raised one finger into the air. “Adding Meg tacos to the list of things that confuse me.”
Ever bumped my shoulder. “I don’t know that one either.”
Jude leaned down and kissed Ever’s cheek. “Meg’s from the Devil’s Knights.” He smiled. “She’s one hell of a cook and gave Alice the recipe to her killer tacos.” He looked at me. “You two are in for a treat tonight.”
Ever nodded, completely satisfied. “Oh. See? That makes sense.”
I wasn’t nearly as convinced.
As everyone filtered out of the room, I mentally started making a list.
Cameras. Why did everyone think Alice and I were somehow alike? Meg tacos. The Devil’s Knights. Whatever else I’d undoubtedly forgotten in the last hour.
I glanced back at Oliver. Yeah, he had a lot of explaining to do.
And if I had anything to say about it, neither one of us was going to bed tonight until every single one of my questions had been answered.