Chapter Eight
Lilly
Isit through dinner quietly while the guys chat about different things going on.
I don’t pay much attention to what’s being said, though, until Snapper says something about junkies.
He has my full and undivided attention now, but I make sure to control my face and not react.
I want to hear whatever it is he’s going to say.
Since he’s sitting a few chairs away, I assume he thinks I’m out of earshot, or that I’m not paying attention because he begins discussing their plans, informing Leo and Shorty of their part in the war.
“We’ve got guys coming in to help shut these fuckers up for good. Leo, they have a member that lives two streets over from you. You’re going to make sure that he has a…malfunction when he leaves his house in the morning.”
I can’t see Leo’s reaction since I’m being nonchalant about eavesdropping and he doesn’t speak a word.
“Shorty, you’re going to take care of their junkie prospects. They have three of them and we’re gaining intel on their whereabouts right now. When we know more, you’re on it.”
“Why are you being so quiet tonight?” Cass’s question cuts through anything else that was being said in the conversation I was listening in on.
I glance up to meet his eyes. “I didn’t realize I was. I’m over here in my own world, eating good pizza, enjoying good company.” I shrug nonchalantly, hoping like hell that I’m convincing.
“It’s just odd for you. Have you heard from Mindy today?” Cass asks.
Shit. No. Damnit I’m such a shitty friend. I’m too caught up in my new house and the club to check on her.
“Fuck. No, I haven’t. Thanks for reminding me, baby. I’m going to give her a call when we get home.”
Cass must’ve seen the distress in my eyes because he lifts a hand to my chin until my eyes meet his. “Hey, I’m sure she understands. She knows that we have a lot going on with the club bullshit. I bet Linc and her are having fun being together, just the two of them.”
“Thank you,” I sigh, looking at him with sad eyes.
“For what?”
“For making me feel better. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
The rest of dinner is uneventful and I miss any other information that Snapper may have offered up during my conversation with Cass.
I know the war is starting, but I failed to realize that it was about to be a full-on fucking battlefield.
Especially with guys coming from all around and the Highway Sinners on their way into town.
Shit is getting serious, and it makes my nerves bad already.
I don’t know how I make it through dinner and keep my pizza down from how sick to my stomach I feel about the whole thing.
Riding home, I take that time to think of the possible outcomes and where we would end up.
After the thought of losing Cass unwelcomingly plasters itself across the big screen in my brain, I think better to push all thoughts of the war out of my head for the time being and enjoy the sun that beats down on us as we make our way home.
Everyone else on bikes has parted ways, leaving only us and the truck with Scott, Leo, and Shorty behind us.
We arrive at home and I go inside without saying a word.
I need to know more about what’s going on and I don’t think Cass will be forthcoming with any intel since the last time something major happened he kept the details from me.
I head directly for the open master bedroom and plop on the bed, phone in hand.
From this angle, I can see if anyone walks up from outside or from the door inside.
I immediately shoot Raven a text.
Lilly: Backup for what?
Raven: Those damn Moccasins. Micah said they were making threats on members and ol’ ladies.
Lilly: What the fuck? I haven’t heard about any of this.
Raven: Yeah, I know. Cass told Micah that he hasn’t said anything to you because he doesn’t want you to worry because they have it under control.
Lilly: If it’s so under control, then why the fuck are all these other people showing up?
Raven: I don’t know. I’m just the messenger.
Lilly: Did Micah say why y’all are coming? Did he say what y’all are coming here to do?
Raven: Nope. All I know is I’m getting dropped off with you and the other ol’ ladies. I’m sure they’ll have a prospect or two on us so we won’t be able to leave.
Lilly: Of course. Why are you coming too?
Raven: Because Micah won’t leave me alone. Y’all aren’t the only ones who have beef with another club.
Lilly: Sounds like they’re cut from the same damn cloth. See you soon.
I roll my eyes and toss my phone on the bed. The sound of raised voices has me on high alert. I tiptoe toward the door of my bedroom, turning the lights off. I listen closely. The raised voice is Cass’s, putting me a little at ease.
“We have to fucking find them, now! I have a few grenades at the clubhouse that will take care of some of their fucking houses. Molotov cocktails never hurt anyone, either. I’m tired of this dumb shit.
They’ve come after our family, our women, and our fucking books.
It’s time to give them the real war they’ve been asking for and show them just who it is they’re fucking with.
They will be made an example out of, and they’ll learn quick that Lucifer’s Hounds are not to be fucked with. ”
“Leo. Shorty. Take the moving truck and get to the clubhouse.”
Cass’s voice lowers after Leo and Shorty walk out of the house. He and Scott are talking about something that I can’t make out. Taking a chance on it, I walk out of the hallway and into the kitchen where Scott and Cass stand. They both look at me upon my arrival and stop talking mid-conversation.
“What’s going on?” I ask, hoping he would assume I heard yelling and was curious.
“Shit’s about to get messy, baby.” His voice is grim, but his face says otherwise. He was serious in that way that only he got when things were, as he put it, about to get messy.
“What’s my place in all of this?”
“You’re going to stay with the other women of the club. I’ll have prospects with y’all and a few new patches to make sure nothing happens.”
“Where?”
“Here. It’s new and they don’t know about it, so it’s the safest place.”
I sigh. Scott is still standing next to Cass, quiet as a church mouse.
He appears to be contemplating something.
Is he worried about the outcome of the war?
Because if he’s worried, then I’m definitely worried.
If he’s having second thoughts about it then…
I shake my head in attempt to clear the negative thoughts that cloud my mind.
No, everything is going to be fine. That’s why backup is on the way.
Reassuring myself, I take a slow, deep breath in and release it.
“Speaking of…” Scott says as the sound of pipes wracking in the front caught their attention.
We all three look outside to find the Highway Sinners pulling in, ten deep.
We walk outside to greet them as they step off their bikes.
Micah and Raven are first, with a few others behind them.
I realize then that it isn’t just Highway Sinners, but Tattered Saints also.
I recognize almost all of these faces from the benefit.
Cass shakes hands with each one of them, thanking them for coming as does Scott while I pull Raven into a hug. I’m happy to see her and if shit goes awry, I’m glad Raven is on my side. She has more than proven herself to me when she drove me home the other day when Mindy got into her wreck.
“Where’s your car?” Raven whispers, looking around the driveway.
“I don’t have it. Probably by design, too.” I huff and roll my eyes, wondering how we will get out of here if we need to.
“Damn.”
“Since we don’t have anything better to do for the time being, want to come see the new house?” I ask, excited to show it off to someone.
“Yes! It’s so pretty from out here, I can only imagine what it looks like inside!” Raven’s excitement makes me laugh and it feels good to have a distraction from the terror going on.
I take Raven on a tour of the house while the guys stand outside and talk.
They’re probably discussing who’s going to do what when shit comes down to the wire.
It still makes me uneasy to think about them going after the Moccasins.
I wonder why Asher would let these things continue to go on, knowing the outcome when he didn’t seem to be the type of person to hurt people to get what he wanted.
“I love this bed!” Raven’s exclamation and her running and jumping across the bed steals me out of my head and makes me laugh at her.
“I know. It’s perfect and so comfy. Not to mention from there you can see outside into the pool and you can see if anyone is coming into the room.”
“I didn’t even notice the pool!”
Raven walks to the glass doors and peers outside. The sun has just set and the sky is still a beautiful array of pinks and oranges, the colors reflecting off the water. I’m still amazed that this place is mine to call home.
A vibrating sound pulls my attention toward the bed. My phone is ringing. I snatch it and pick it up. Mindy’s calling.
“Hey love!”
“Hey!” Mindy’s cheerful voice makes me smile.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call to check on you today. It’s been a day, for sure. We moved our things into the house and the Highway Sinners and Tattered Saints just showed up.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I know how things go. Linc talked the hospital into releasing me, so it looks like I get to see your place sooner rather than later!”
“That’s great news!” I shout, jumping up and down with excitement. Raven looks at me with a tilted head.
“Mindy’s getting released from the hospital,” I whisper, holding the phone away from my mouth.
“I know! I can’t wait to get out of here and eat some damn real food!”
“When are you getting out?”
“As soon as they bring me the papers to sign! I’ll see you in a few hours, I just wanted to call and let you know I was coming to see you and getting out of this hell hole.”
“Alright. I love you. See you soon.”
“Love you!”