Iceman
I went to work today because Meadow threatened to break a chair over my head if I didn’t. I stayed home from work on Monday and Tuesday to be sure she was alright. Last night when I said I would be off again today, she told me to get my ass to work or else. I was driving her crazy with my hovering.
We’d argued while the dogs and her sisters watched. I’d insisted on staying at the apartment since we brought her home from Knoxville. We slept next to each other for three nights. We hadn’t had sex, but I wasn’t expecting it. She was still recovering. As long as I was close to her, then I was okay. After going back and forth for almost an hour, it wasn’t until she set up hourly check-ins with me that I agreed. The twins would be gone most of the day with their classes. She’d be alone.
I ended up working at the office. We had a vast property where we could store equipment and other things. It was where AW Construction had its office. One of the advantages of having so much space was that I could construct entire frames for walls and roofs here, and then they could be transported to the worksite and put up all at once. It made the work go faster, and you weren’t in the way of others trying to do their jobs. All I needed were the dimensions and the plan drawing, and I was good to go. I was working on one of those today. I was happily hammering and listening to music.
I was so into the rhythm that it didn’t register at first that my name was being called. When it did, I shut off the music and turned. There stood Tank.
“What’s up, VP?”
“There’s a man in the office who says he has to speak to you. I told him you were working, but he insisted.”
My first thought was that Scott Harrison had grown the balls to confront me. Tank’s next words blew that thought to pieces. “He claims to be your dad, Iceman.”
My first response was denial. “Tank, that’s not possible. My dad is in prison. You know that. If he were out, I’d know. I haven’t heard anything about him coming up for a parole hearing yet. If he had, I would’ve gone to testify he should never be let out. He’s a monster. Killing my mom wasn’t his only crime.”
“I know, but he swears he is. I need you to see him, find out who he is and what he wants, then get his ass out of here. He’s not budging unless I call the law. I really don’t want the hassle of them even though we might get lucky, and it’s Zev.”
Zev was Officer Oberlin. He worked with Joker’s old lady, Raina, a dispatcher. It was through her that we met Zev, and he became a friend of the club. Not all cops hated us. Zev and Chief Scarelli were prime examples of ones who didn’t.
“Alright, I’ll come run this impostor off. I wonder what he thinks he’ll get from coming here and pretending to be my ole man?”
“Hell, if I know.”
We walked to the office in silence. I was mildly curious and moderately irritated that whoever was in there was wasting my time. Why try to con me or whatever he was hoping to do? Indeed, he would be smart enough to know this wasn’t a con he’d pull off.
Walking into our lobby area, I saw Beth, our receptionist, sitting behind the main desk. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man standing up from one of the chairs. Without waiting for Tank to say anything, I swung to face the man with my words on my tongue. I scanned the man, preparing to tell him off.
I might not have seen my dad in fifteen years, but I would know him anywhere. He lived in my nightmares. I’d never forget his hateful face and those evil eyes of his. Thank God, I took after my mom’s side when it came to looks and most of my temperament. My words froze on my tongue. Unless I was crazy and seeing things, standing before me was Nelson Newman, my dad. Yeah, he was gray and had a ton of lines on his face that he didn’t have before, but it was him. The same soulless vibe hit me. I had to fight not to shiver and let him know he affected me. I wasn’t the scared boy he knew. I was a Warrior.
I didn’t care who heard me. “What the fuck are you doing here, Nelson?” I spat out. His name was like poison on my tongue. I refused to call him Dad to his face.
“Where are your manners, boy? Is that any way to greet your dad?” was his comeback.
“You’re the last person to school me on manners. I asked you a question. Why are you here? Better yet, when and why did they let your ass out of the penitentiary?”
“I’m here to see my son and talk to him. I had my parole hearing a month ago and was released two weeks later. I would’ve been here sooner, but I’ve been setting myself up. I needed a place to live and a job so they don’t revoke my parole. But I’ve got those in place now, so it’s time to reconnect with my only living relative. I want us to start over.”
“Get out. That’s never happening. How could you think I’d ever want anything to do with you? You beat Mom and me, and then you killed her. If I hadn’t defended myself, you would’ve killed me. Why the fuck would they let an animal like you out of prison? You got twenty-five years!”
“I did, but I got out early due to good behavior. I’m not the same man I was, son. I’ve changed for the better. I know there’s a lot I have to make up for, but I’m committed to doing it. Anything to have a relationship with you.”
“Stop calling me son. There’s nothing you can do that’ll ever make me want to have anything to do with you. And I believe you’ve changed as much as I believe there are little green men on the moon. Either get out, or I’ll call the police to remove you. I bet your parole officer would love that. Leave and never come back. Stay away from me, my club, and everyone in my life.”
He held up his hands. He wore a disappointed-mixed-with-a-sad look on his face, but I knew it was fake. You had to have emotions to feel shit. My dad was a sociopath. He was incapable of feeling genuine emotions. Whatever he was doing here had nothing to do with reconnecting with me.
“Jake, I’m sorry you feel that way. I—”
I cut him off. “My name is Iceman. You don’t get to call me Jake.”
“Fine, Iceman. I’ll leave, but I want you to think about what I said. After you calm down, you can find me here. My address and phone number are on it. Please call so we can talk. There are things you don’t know about me, your mom, and the life we led. It wasn’t always terrible.” He handed me a piece of paper. When I refused to take it, he dropped it on the chair he stood up from.
“I’ll be waiting for your call. You’ve got to talk to me sometime, J-I mean, Iceman. I’m here to stay in Hunters Creek. It’s a small place. We’ll run into each other. I don’t want it to be hostile. I’m starting over.”
“Why should you get to when Mom doesn’t?” I snarled.
Without another word, he walked to the door and then out. I shook with rage. Tank grabbed the back of my neck and steered me past Beth, who I saw was staring at us with her mouth open. He didn’t let go until I was seated in his office with the door shut. He went to his file cabinet and opened the bottom drawer. I knew what he was doing. Out came two glasses and a bottle of top-shelf whiskey. He brought it to his desk and poured healthy shots for us both. I shot mine down without a word. He was a bit slower with his. I watched him drop into his chair. Tank shook his head.
“I can’t believe that’s really him or that he got out and no one told you. And suddenly, he’s here expecting you to have anything to do with him. He’s nuts,” Tank muttered.
“Nelson Newman isn’t nuts. Not the way you mean. He’s cunning, up to no good, and a sociopath, but he’s no fool. He knew I wouldn’t talk to him or accept him into my life. He came for another reason. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll find out. In the meantime, keep your eyes open. I don’t trust him. I need to let Bull and the rest of the club know. There’s a predator on the loose in Hunters Creek.”
“I’ll call Bull and tell him we need to have church tonight. You and I will tell him together. Once we do that, we’ll ask Outlaw to find out how the hell he got out and why no one called you. Christ, it’s like Bosch escaping, and no one told Saylor for a month. What the hell is wrong with our prison system? They should’ve notified you of his parole hearing. You were a victim.”
I detested being called a victim, but Tank was right. I was one, and I’d do everything in my power to ensure I never was again, and my dad wouldn’t make anyone else one. “I appreciate it. Can we do it now? I’d like to do some more work before it’s time to head home. Also, I need to check in on Meadow.”
“We can. Let me text to see if Bull can talk. You check and see how she’s doing.” While he messaged our president, I texted my woman.
Me: How are you doing, baby?
Her answer came back swiftly.
Meadow: I’m doing good. Jocelyn is here right now. She brought over dinner for us. Isn’t she sweet?
Me: She is. Thank her for me. I hope you’re resting.
Meadow: I am. I’m bored with all this sitting or lying around. Stop worrying about me. I’ll see you when you get here.
Me: You will, but it might be later than planned. I have to go to church tonight at some point.
Meadow: Oh, well, you don’t have to stop by. I’ll have the twins here.
Me: Like hell, I won’t. I’ll see you first, then go to church and come back when it’s over.
Meadow: What if I came with you to the compound? I could visit with the ladies while you guys are in church.
I thought it over, then answered.
Me: Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you as soon as I can.
Meadow: See you soon. Ride safe.
I glanced up to find Tank watching me. He was smirking. I put my phone away. “She’s okay by the look of the smile on your face,” Tank said.
“She is. She asked if she could come to the compound to visit while we’re in church. I told her yes. What did Bull say?”
“He’s ready for our call when we are.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Moments later, Bull was on the speaker phone. “What’s going on? Tank said you need everyone in church tonight. Why?”
Tank and I explained what happened. Bull was swearing before we were half done. By the time we were, I heard what sounded like him slamming his meaty fist on his desk. “Son of a bitch! How is that possible? Damn it. Okay, we’ll have church. I’ll send the message as soon as we’re off this call. Will six-thirty work, or do you want it later?”
“Can we do seven-thirty? It gives the men time to get home, eat, shower, or whatever,” Tank suggested.
“Will you be able to contain yourself that long, Iceman?” Bull asked.
“I can. I’ll be bringing Meadow. She wants to see the ladies.”
“Hell yeah, bring her and her sisters if they want. They’re always welcome.”
“Thanks, I’ll ask.”
“I won’t hold you up. I’ll send the message, and I’ll let Outlaw know we’ll need to know how that slippery bastard got out without you knowing,” Bull growled.
We exchanged goodbyes, and then we hung up. Tank and I stood. He came around his desk and slapped me on the shoulder.
“Let’s go outside and pound wood. It’ll make us both feel a tad better, especially if we imagine it’s your ole man’s face we’re pounding,” he said with a grin.
That lifted my mood enough for me to follow him outside. It was a very productive couple of hours until quitting time. We wished Beth a good evening and a safe drive before heading home. He went to the compound, and I went to Meadow’s place.