Chapter 35 The Prospect
The Prospect
Konan
News of the shooting is everywhere but nothing about the Mayor’s daughter being missing. Nothing on the news or the front pages of the daily newspapers on the grocery stands. Nothing about the Mayor makes sense.
I pay for the cookout haul and load it all into the van. Before joining the club, I didn’t have a clue about doing the grocery shopping, now I know how to buy enough for a small army and be on the lookout for offers and promotions.
Now three hundred dollars lighter in Luca’s wallet, I sit behind the wheel and call my mom.
She answers on the second ring, and I hope I’m not disturbing anything with the old man.
“Good morning, baby. You’re calling early.”
“We’re having a cookout at the club this afternoon, you’re invited.”
“Family day?”
Frowning, I tell her, “I have no idea.”
“What’s going on?”
“Luca wants to talk to you. Plus, there will be someone there I want you to meet.”
“What does he want to talk to me about?”
“The old man I’m guessing.”
“Can’t I just deal with you? I don’t want to be around anyone with the last name Jackson. What does he have to say that you can’t tell me?”
“I don’t know, Mom, but it’ll be fine. I’ll be there. He’s not a big talker so it won’t take long.”
“Fine, I’ll stop by but I’m not staying. Who’s this someone you want me to meet?”
“Her name is Pippa.”
“Okay then, I look forward to it.”
I hang up and start the van. The sun is out and it’s warming up nicely. I lower the window and head to Pippa’s.
Knocking on her door, I hear Oliver laughing and it makes a nice change from hearing him cry.
“Who is it?” Pippa calls out.
“It’s Konan.”
“Come in!”
I let myself in and she’s lying on the floor holding Oliver above her, whizzing him around like an aeroplane.
“I take it you both got some sleep last night?”
“Yep.” She grins. “That makes it four nights in a row that we’ve both slept.”
She lowers the kid and sits up, settling him on his play mat. Giving him a soft toy, she stands and walks over to sit on the arm of the couch.
“How come you’re over so early?”
“I want to take you to the club today. We’re having a cookout.”
“Oh I don’t know about that. We were going to go to children’s book group.”
“The kid is a few months old, I don’t think he’s following story time.”
She argues, “It’s good stimulation for him. The books said that…”
“Feed him, bathe him, don’t abuse him. The kid has loads around him to keep him stimulated, especially for one day.”
I don’t expect her to laugh. “I forget you’re the expert.”
I shrug. “Nah, it’s simple math. It’s what my mom used to say.”
“Does your mom have any tips on how to get him to sleep through the night?”
I shrug. “I could ask her.”
“Anything will help at this point.”
“So, how about it? Will you come to the club today?”
I wait for her answer, realising how much I want her to be there with me.
“What about the baby? I can’t get a sitter.”
“Bring him. Victoria has River, so he won’t be the only baby.”
She seems to relax and smiles as she nods. I relax on the couch while she gets herself and Oliver ready to leave. I don’t know what it is about her, but I want to be around her as much as I can. I keep my phone to hand in case the club call.
In the car, she’s quiet but I’m content with her peace. I’m happy enough to glance at her and soak in her beauty. Oliver sleeps in the back and only wakes when Pippa gets him out at the club.
Though she has been here once before, she looks around like it’s her first time here. Her eyes widen and I follow her line of sight. She’s seen Victoria and her busted up face. Fear flashes in her eyes when Luca approaches Victoria.
“That’s her husband.”
“Did he do that to her?” Her eyes dart to mine. “I should not have said that!”
I hide my amusement. “Don’t worry about it, or her. She was mugged a few nights ago. And just so you know, Luca would never lay his hands on her, he’s obsessed with her.”
“Oh.”
Whatever judgements or assumptions she further has, she keeps them to herself. King declared himself the official cook when I returned with the food and I was glad I wasn’t put forward for the job.
We find a table out back and after seeing Victoria’s plants and flowers, her greenhouse, Pippa begins to relax.
“It’s different here with other people around,” she comments getting the baby settled on her lap.
“They’re all good guys, there’s nothing you have to worry about being around them. You have my word.”
Staring at me, she says, “I trust you. I don’t know why but I do.”
Everyone’s conversations around us fades. It’s just her and me and I can’t look away from her.
“I don’t know what it is about you, but I think I like you.”
“You think?”
“I do, but I have a kid. A kid that isn’t even mine.”
Frowning, I ask, “You think that bothers me?”
“It could, and you’re part of a biker club.”
“Instead of thinking of what you believe is negative, follow the positives. I’m a good guy. I like you, I like the kid, I want to get to know you.”
She smiles. “I definitely believe you’re crazy.”
“Only in a rational way, though.” I laugh.
“Konan?”
Mom. She nervously looks around and clutches the strap of her purse tightly. To distract her, I stand and say, “Mom, this is Pippa. Pippa, this is my mom, Danni.”
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Pippa says.
“Like wise. I’m sorry if I seem out of sorts, I don’t like being here. It’s not you, I assure you.”
“Mom, it’ll be fine.”
She looks around and Pippa leans in closer. “You didn’t tell me your mom would be here,” she whispers.
Whispering back, I tell her, “She won’t stay long.”
That much I know. Reaching out for her hand, I tug on it until she sits. Luca will come find her when he wants to talk. Oliver starts to whimper, and it gets Mom’s attention. She cuts her eyes to me, and I just know what she’s silently asking me. Am I sure he’s not mine.
I shake my head and proceed to listen to the conversation Pippa strikes up with my mom. They seem to be hitting it off and I hope they continue to get on, because I intend on keeping Pippa around.
“Have you heard from Adriana lately?” Mom asks.
Pippa casts me a strange look and as I answer, “No.” I turn to Pippa and tell her, “Adriana was my brother’s girlfriend.”
I haven’t spoken about my brother and now isn’t the time to jump into that conversation, but I have all the time in the world to clear up who Adriana is.
“Hi, are you going to introduce us?”
Glancing up, Victoria and Luca are stood there and I’m grateful for the interruption. I make the introductions and find I’m strangely nervous.
Victoria sits and adjusts River from her hip to her lap. Luca jerks his chin toward the clubhouse and walks off.
“I won’t be long,” I tell Pippa and tip my chin for my mom to join me as I stand.
Mom looks like she would rather be anywhere but here, but she walks beside me wordlessly.
Luca waits in the bar, quiet with everyone outside. I try to see Luca through my mom’s eyes, and I get that he is intimidating.
“What do you want to talk about? I tell Konan everything, I’m sure he relays every single detail.”
“It’s not about that,” Luca begins. “I want to know what your end game is?”
Frowning, she says, “I’m cosying up to the old guy so Konan can get the warehouse for your club. See, like I said, it’s what he already would have told you.”
“Konan said the guy wants you to move in, you’re playing coy needing a ring first. What are the chances of him proposing?”
“Pretty good, I reckon. He’s smitten and he hasn’t got long left, he keeps telling me he doesn’t want to be alone anymore. He’s clingy and needy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s out looking for rings now.”
Luca nods thoughtfully. “So he proposes, you say yes, you’ll make it a quick union on account that he’s old as shit. What happens when he croaks it?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
I watch between them and while I’ve got to know Luca pretty well, I know he’s playing with her to get what he wants, and I know my mom is keeping shit close to her chest. She was never one to show her cards if she didn’t have to, or even if she had to.
“You’ll be set to inherit everything. I know you’re the type of woman who would’ve thought of that. So, what will your plans be once the will has been read and you sign all the dotted lines?”
“If it goes to plan, then I’ll be set for the rest of my life, and I look out for my family.
He could have another few years in him, Heaven forbid, so in that case, I’m already planning to ask he sign over the warehouse to my son as a wedding gift, I’ve already been telling him Konan has a new business idea and that he’s working really hard to get it off the ground. ”
It shocks me sometimes that my mom never made something of herself. She would have been a force to be reckoned with in the business world. But she was always content to get by with me and Kelly.
Luca smirks but it soon disappears. “I want you to find out what else he has, specifically where our chapters are based.”
“I thought you only wanted the warehouse?” I ask.
“I’m not going to leave your mother destitute. But if he has properties where it could be useful to us, then it’s more beneficial for us than your mom.”
Mom steps forward. “Again, if it all goes to plan. I’m happy with the money and his house. We can discuss what else he has when we know more.”
“What will you want for it?” Luca asks her.
“Nothing, I’m doing it for my son. He wants to be part of your club, so I’m going to do what I can to ease it for him.”
Luca stares at her. “So you’re a good mother, doing all she can for her son, no matter what she has to do?”
“When you put it like that, yes.”
Luca shrugs. “Fair enough. If this goes to plan, I’ll owe you a favor. Don’t use it flippantly.”
“With the money and his house, I doubt I’ll need any favors from you.”
“Then we’ll all be happy.”
“Luc!”
My shoulders tense. Cas is here. With the shit going on in Willow’s Peak, I didn’t expect him to show up today. Mom freezes and slowly turns to see him walking into the bar.