Chapter 20
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Jack
While Jay closed the shop, I picked Lily up. Emily had no problem letting her leave early. All it took was a quick call saying there was trouble and Church. Emily doesn’t have a family member in the club. She’s not dating one of my brothers, either. She’s ours, though.
Emily grew up in Willow Creek and went to school with Maci. Unlike her parents, she’s been a loyal friend to us and knows how the club operates. I trust her with my life. Of all the jobs Mom could have gotten for Lily around town, the bakery was the best choice.
The Viking Den’s already packed by the time we arrive. Brothers are making their way toward Church. Ole’ ladies and a few kids are scattered around the commons room. Prospects are playing pool in the corner. Jenny steps away from one when I walk in. I groan. Of course, club bunnies would come running when they noticed a lot of activity at the Den. I ignore the bunny and guide Lily toward the bar and kitchen area.
“What’s going on? Why’s there a party on a Monday?” Lily scans the room several times.
“Not a party, angel. It’s Church.”
She looks up at me over her shoulder with her eyebrows pulled together. “You go to church? Most people have that on Sundays, by the way.”
I laugh. “Not that kind of church, angel. It’s a club meeting. We have them once a week and for important matters.”
Her steps slow. “Is this a weekly meeting or an important matter?”
“Um.” I swallow hard.
“That wasn’t firecrackers earlier,” she says softly.
I place my hands on her shoulders, bringing us to a stop in the middle of the room. I stay behind her and lean forward so she can see my eyes. “It was really firecrackers. There was just a little something attached to them.” Her body stiffens. “Relax, angel. It had nothing to do with you. Club business. Promise.”
She nods, and we start walking through the crowd again. I intend to take her to the kitchen. Mom and Nana are here. We don’t make it that far, though.
“Lily!” Kayla calls out and waves from behind the bar.
Lily hurries over and climbs up on one of the stools. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I’m glad she’s made a friend in the club and one that I trust.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“Just water, please.” Lily folds her hands together on the bar. She turns her head toward the old timer on her right.
He grins. “Hello, princess.”
I step behind her until her back touches my chest. Not the best idea I’ve had today. Now, I want to wrap my arms around her.
“Lily, this is Pops.” I glare at him, warning him to act right.
She gasps. “Your grandfather.”
Pops looks mortified. Kayla and I burst out laughing.
“No, angel.” I point to the old timer at the end of the bar. “That’s Granddad.”
Granddad smiles and waves. He gives me a nod of approval and a thumbs up.
“Pops is Worley Bird’s father.” Kayla sets a bottle of water in front of Lily. “He was our first club treasurer.”
“Yeah, thought my son would follow in my footsteps. He traded up for VP,” Pops grumbles. He’s not really upset. He’s proud of his son.
“Vikings!” Worley Bird shouts from outside the double wooden doors. “Church! Now!”
I lean down, allowing my cheek to touch her hair. The sweet scent of coconut hits me. It’s her shampoo. I saw the bottle in her bathroom when I searched the guest house.
“Stay here, angel. If the crowd gets too much, go to the kitchen. Mom and Nana are in there.”
She blinks up at me and slightly nods. Kayla dips her chin once, assuring me she’ll watch over Lily.
“Pops, you behave yourself.” I slap him on the back and walk away.
“Can’t. Got a pretty girl next to me.” The old man props his elbow on the bar and grins at Lily.
I turn around to scold the old-timer.
“Jack! Let’s go!” Worley Bird shouts, saving his old man.
Pops is harmless, so I leave him be and go to Church. Worley Bird closes the double doors behind us. He takes his place next to Dad at the officers’ table down front. Jay and Cloudy stand against the wall on the right side of the room. My cousin motions for me to join them.
“Vikings! Settle down!” Dad stands and slams the gavel down. Church has officially begun.
The room goes quiet, and everyone finds a seat. The only ones left standing are the three of us and Dad.
Dad tosses the brick on the table and points at it. “This was stupid. It shouldn’t have happened. It also can’t be ignored.” He turns to the three of us. “Cloudy Daze isn’t an official patched member, but he’s one of us. Cloudy was there, and you need to hear what he saw. Boys, tell ‘em what happened.”
Cloudy steps forward first. One by one, each of us shares what happened. Jay tells them about the races in The Valley back in the summer. I include the run-in with Trace at the bakery three weeks ago. Someone in the rows near me growls at the mention of Emily Powell. Everybody’s mad, so I don’t know who it was. Several members are on their feet complaining. The entire club likes Emily. I’m not sure what that growl was about, though. Does someone not like Emily?
“Settle down, brothers.” Worley Bird’s voice booms above the noise. Once again, the room goes quiet. “Of course, we’ll protect Emily and the bakery. We’ll set up a security detail for her until we know what’s going on. Rodeo will put a sign-up sheet for volunteers at the bar. If there’s not enough volunteers, we’ll recruit you.”
From the amount of heads nodding, we’ll have enough volunteers to watch the bakery. It eases my mind a little, knowing eyes will be on Lily, too, while she’s working.
“Alright, brothers. I agree with my son. There’s more to this than losing some cash. Have any of you had a run-in with a Maverick that we don’t know about?”
Everyone looks around. A few whisper. Several shake their heads, but no one stands. I study as many faces as I can. Without looking at him, I know Jay’s doing it, too. There’s no odd behavior that I can pinpoint. A guilty man always shows something to give himself away. You just have to catch it. But I see nothing that alarms me.
“Does anybody have any theories?” Dad asks.
Hendrix stands. “Pres, I don’t know what sparked it, but whatever caused it is personal. Tracy Coombs isn’t coming across the mountain to give a warning and possibly declare war on another club unless it involves his family somehow. Yeah, his method is beyond ridiculous, but I think it’s personal to him.”
“He’s got a point,” Bankz adds. “The Midnight Mavericks’ President wouldn’t be doing a job he normally sends others to do unless it was personal.”
“Alright.” Dad nods. “That’s possible. Can anyone confirm it? If you crossed the Coombs somehow, we need to know. Tell us now so we can prepare, and there won’t be any repercussions for you.”
Once again, no one speaks up. Dad looks at his officers before turning to me. I see the question in his eyes.
“The day at the bakery was the first time I’ve seen Trace in probably four years.”
“Alright, brothers. Keep your eyes open. If you see these guys hanging around, report back. Worley Bird and Rodeo will have the volunteer protection sheet at the bar tonight. If you’re interested, sign it before you leave.” Dad slams the gavel down again.
After most of the guys leave, Dad makes his way over to me. He’s upset and worried. At least he looks rested now.
“Son, I don’t think this is because of what happened at the bakery.” He looks away. “About the other day.”
“Dad, I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“Yeah.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t really listening and thinking straight. I…”
“You were worried about Harley. We all are. We don’t want her to end up in a position like Ariel did.”
He takes a deep breath. “I…”
“Hey.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “I understand, and I have a lot to learn about leading this club. But if you’re good, I’m good. We’re good. I promise.”
“We’re good,” he repeats. This is the closest he and I get to an actual apology. It’s fine. We both understand what it means. He tosses an arm over my shoulders as we walk toward the door. “Any progress with Lily?”
“Not really. Did Nick find anything?” I’m not trying to start an argument with them.
“Yeah, but I haven’t read the file yet. He’s still looking, too.” We stop at the door, and he meets my eyes. “Jack, if you really like this woman, make it happen. She’ll have better protection as family. If it’s not what you were hoping, we need to move her to her new life.”
“Okay, Dad. I understand.”
I do understand. I just need to figure out how to move forward with Lily and be gentle at the same time. I’m not sure I can do both.
My heart rate speeds up the moment I step into the Den. Lily’s bar stool is empty. Kayla points toward the kitchen. Her eyes glare at something across the commons room. I follow her gaze. Jenny has her arms around Skip’s neck. He’s a skinny kid and our newest prospect. Jenny notices me and grins slyly. I look back at Kayla. She nods. I drop my head back and groan. I may have to kill a bunny tonight. First, I have an angel to see.