Chapter 31
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Lily
Jack ignores me and walks out. Unbelievable. Come to think of it, my life is unbelievable. Outside of the ladies I work with, Kayla’s really the only friend I’ve made here. I toss my hands up and pace across Jack’s living room while Kayla has some weird argument with Rodeo. When she slams the door shut, I whirl around on her.
“Did you know about this?”
“I guess I knew before you did, but not until after the decision was made. There’s coffee. I’ll make us a cup.”
I follow her to the kitchen. I don’t tell her that Rodeo made the coffee. “He can’t do this.”
She looks back, tilts her head, and smiles. “Actually, he can.”
“What? That’s insane. He can’t go around telling people where they can live.”
“Well, yes and no.”
“That makes no sense.” It doesn’t explain anything. I don’t tell her that, either.
“He can’t go to town and tell the citizens of Willow Creek what to do unless they’re a club member. That changes things. Granddad was one of the founding members of the Viking Warriors MC, and he was the first club President. Mack, Jack’s dad, is the president now. Jack is expected to be the next one. If their last name is McLeod, they have a lot of say about everything that goes on in the club. The President’s word and decisions are final. Oh, and all patched members have a say in what happens in their families.”
Okay. She explained things a little better there. I understand the structure of it. I’m just having a hard time believing people actually live like this.
“What does that have to do with me? I was fine at the guest house.” I’ve grown quite attached to that little house.
She sits across from me at the table and pushes a cup of coffee to me. “Because you’re Jack’s ole’ lady.”
I stop with the mug halfway to my lips. “What? That’s not true.”
She sighs and lifts her eyes toward the ceiling. “Come on, Lily. You’re in love with him. You have to sense he loves you, too. Jack may not have officially claimed you yet and given you a property cut, but you’re his.”
I prop my elbow on the table and lay my forehead in my hand. This is too much for one day. One minute, I’m being kidnapped by my abusive ex-boyfriend. Now, I may end up claimed as a biker’s ole’ lady. I already learned that ole’ ladies were patched members’ wives or serious girlfriends. No one mentioned the men claimed them. And just what does ‘ property of’ actually mean? Kayla can explain that on another day. My brain can’t handle any more today.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I was looking forward to helping out in the clubhouse kitchen tonight. I’m not sure I have a job anymore since I didn’t go back after lunch. Emily’s cool and understands this club, so I probably do. I highly doubt I’ll ever visit the library again. Oh, and we can’t forget that another club is pulling one if not both, pranks around town. I hate the Midnight Mavericks, especially the one helping Joel today. Oh my gosh!”
I sit up straight and rapidly pat my hand on the table. “Kayla, can we get into that meeting?”
“Church?” She shakes her head. “No, women aren’t allowed. Prospects can’t even go. Just patched members.”
“But Pops said women did go if they were part of the problem,” I remind her.
She thinks about it for a minute and nods. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“ I’m part of the problem this time.”
“I know you’re scared, but we can’t rush in there.”
“No. That’s not it.” I reach across the table and grab her wrist. “Joel wasn’t alone today. He had help. I forgot to tell Jack.”
“Oh. That is important.” She quickly punches a few keys on her phone. “Let me try to call first.”
My legs bounce while we wait. Jack’s name lights up on the screen. He doesn’t answer. She tries Worley Bird next. He doesn’t answer. She groans loudly and drops her head.
“What?”
Kayla points and gives me a stern look. “I love you, or I wouldn’t do this.”
“Okay.” But what’s she doing?
She scrolls through her contacts. Her finger hovers over the phone for a long moment. Finally, she taps the contact. My eyes widen when Coty’s name and an older photo of him on a horse pop up on the screen. She lays the phone on the table.
Coty answers on the fourth ring. “Kayla? You and Lily, alright?”
She puts the phone on speaker. “Yeah. Lily needs to talk to Jack. She just remembered something important.”
He relays the message.
“Put it on speaker,” Jack’s dad yells.
“Angel? I’m here.” Jack’s voice sounds broken and strained. “Are you okay?”
“If I have to answer that right now, I won’t be.” I could lie if I had to answer, but telling the truth would rip me open again.
“Then don’t answer it, love. What did you remember?"
Kayla mouths the words, ‘I told you.’ Her smile is going to split her face.
“Joel wasn’t alone today. I think he had help.” No, I’m positive he had help. Time just makes it all feel weird and a little distorted.
“Okay. That’s very important. Why do you think he had help?”
“A biker was hiding in the garden area. I thought it was one of you, but he talked to Joel with hand signals through the glass. He ran off when Finley pulled the fire alarm, and we heard you coming.”
“Did you see his cut?” Jack’s dad is closer to the phone now.
“No, sir, but he reminded me of one of the bikers Jack and I ran into at the bakery.”
“Which one?” Jack asks.
“I’m not a hundred percent sure it was him, but the one with long blond hair.”
“Okay, angel. That’s good. We’ll handle it from here. You and Kayla go watch a movie or something. I’ll be home as soon as I can. Kayla, if Lil Mama is with the prospects, they can sit the boxes inside the door. That’s as far as they go, though.”
“Got it, Jack.” Before Kayla ends the call, the screen goes black.
We sit quietly for so long that our coffee gets cold. Kayla warms them up in the microwave. So much happened today that I can’t process it all. I jump when someone knocks on the front door.
“That’s bound to be the prospects with your stuff. You can wait here if you want. If Lil Mama is with them, I’ll open the door. If she’s not, they can leave them on the porch.”
“Who’s Lil Mama?” I step into the living room but don’t follow her to the door.
“Bankz’s mom. She’s insane. You’ll love her. He has two sisters, but I don’t think you’ve met them yet.”
I haven’t met half of the club members and their families. I don’t know all the names of the ones I have seen. I expect that to change tomorrow during Thanksgiving dinner.
Kayla peeks through the blinds and grins over her shoulder. “Get ready.”
Get ready for what? Do I need to run and hide? Call 911? Grab a kitchen knife? My friend needs to learn how to explain things better.
Kayla opens the door, and a little tornado rushes in. No, really. She’s short, tiny, and a whirlwind of activity. She orders the four prospects around and stands guard while they put my stuff where she wants it. I’ve learned that prospects aren’t patched members but are working to be. It sounds like some strange sorority initiation to me. I don’t get it, but it’s their life.
I study the little woman closely. Is this really Bankz’s mom? He’s six feet tall. He must get it from his dad. His mom can’t be no more than five, two, or three at the most. She’s a bossy little thing, though. She’s already threatened to stab one of the prospects three times. His expression says he believes her. The others just laugh.
I slowly ease over to the couch and continue watching the little woman. She’s finally still long enough for me to see the back of her cut. The patches say property of Big Papa. Well, of course, that’s her husband’s name. Makes all the sense in the world. Well, in their world, maybe. Once all the boxes are inside, she orders the men out. Now, I have another thing to process today. I doubt anything will explain this little woman.
Lil Mama locks the door before turning to us. “You ladies good? Need anything?”
“No, Lil Mama, we’re good,” Kayla replies.
“Oh, I smell coffee. I’ll just grab a cup before I go.” She hurries to the kitchen and comes back with a to-go mug.
I stand and walk with her and Kayla to the door. She’s such a big ball of activity, I’m not sure what to say to her.
“Thank you for helping with my things.” Nice and polite is definitely the way to go with her.
“Lily, this is Bankz’s mom. Lil Mama, this is Jack’s girl.” Kayla sort of introduced us. She needs to work on that, too.
Lil Mama smiles up at me. “We’ll talk tomorrow at dinner. You rest tonight. Kayla set her nose before it heals that way.”
“Will do.” Kayla snickers and holds up tissue for my nose.
Lil Mama spins around in the door. “Oh, Kayla. Pres ordered a level one lockdown. Nana assigned you with Lily. One of the guys will take you to get what you need after Church.”
“Okay.” Kayla locks the door behind her.
“Assigned to me?” I raise an eyebrow. “It means we can’t go anywhere alone. Looks like I’m staying here with you for a few nights.”
Okay. That’s not so bad. Having her here will make things easier for me. I’m really not happy about giving up the guest house. But this is Jack’s house. Oh my. Jack and I are living together. Have I been claimed? Do I want to be? Oh, I can’t answer that tonight, either.