Chapter 23
Delaney
I’ve finally managed to pull myself together when nine o’clock rolls around and two dudes enter before sliding into a booth.
Maddox’s words were sweet if useless. He doesn’t know what I deserve beyond a guy who doesn’t ghost me after sex.
However, I know that we can’t be anything but what we currently are, especially after the interaction with Peter.
I may not agree with Peter, and I’m hurt by his assumptions but he’s still my family.
If I even had the option to choose Maddox, I would only be pushing the people I love further away.
All that to say, I’m not in the mood for more customers and with a groan, I approach the guy nearest me.
When he glances up, my eyes drop to his vest and the Smokin’ fucking Aces patch on his chest.
Great. I’m already battling the mother of all heartburn and now this. Was I a serial killer in another life or something?
Covering my unease behind a smile, I say, “What can I get you to drink?”
The second man shifts, and I glance his way, stifling a gasp when I meet Kidd’s stare.
Why is he here?
His mouth curls into a smile but I lose my train of thought altogether when the third man clears his throat, and I meet the gaze of a man who could be a dead ringer for Joey.
Shit, even the road map of age lining his eyes and the broken blood vessels around his nose remind me of Joey.
The only difference between the two is that this man hasn’t gone soft and pudgy. Nope, he looks like he could go six rounds with a bear and still come out on top.
Dropping my gaze, I say to the table, “Drinks?”
I don’t know what’s going on, but I know to my bones that it isn’t good.
Although a foolish hope, I pretend this is an ordinary customer and that they’ll go the fuck away after eating.
“We’re not here for drinks, sugar,” the blue-eyed man says.
“What are you here for?” I ask.
When Kidd shifts, I meet his gaze, noting his matching pale blue eyes.
Are they related? Does it matter?
I get the feeling they’re not here for the homemade milkshakes although it’s the only thing worth eating here.
“Where is he?”
“Who?” I whisper and Kidd’s eyes widen when the older man slams his fist against the table and says, “Don’t fuck with me, you little bitch. Where’s Snake?”
“S-Snake?” I ask and the younger dude sitting beside my dad’s apparent twin leans forward saying quickly, “Joey.”
“Joey is Snake?” I ask dumbly.
It’s not meant to be funny but the older guy guffaws before saying to Kidd, “You heard that son? She don’t know who Snake is.”
Kidd slowly nods, eyeing me with what I suspect is a flicker of pity before saying, “Just tell us where he is.”
There’s no love lost between the old man and me but that doesn’t mean I’m eager to sign his death warrant and I have a feeling that’s what they’re here for.
What the hell has he gotten into anyway? First Maddox and his people and now this?
I can lie but I suspect that’s going to go down like a hot poker to the ass. But if I give in…?
Maybe if I just tell them that he’s not my dad they will go the fuck away.
“I can see the wheels turning. Don’t bother. We do this the easy way or the hard way,” Kidd says and it’s his blasé tone that sends a shiver down my spine.
“What’s the hard way?” I mumble, hoping to break the tension.
Stupid move on my part, I know.
When Kidd raises a brow, I step back but he stands before I can go any further and grabs my arm, saying, “You don’t want to know.”
The old man emerges from his side of the booth and barks, “You’re sassy just like your mama. Maybe we should ask her about that piece of shit.”
“You knew my mom?” I fumble.
How is this happening? What is happening?
“Course I do, the bitch had the best pussy. Although that’s when she was fresh, if you know what I mean.”
My stomach rolls at his words and I whisper, “Wait. What do you mean?”
Is my whole fucking life a lie?
“You didn’t know your mama’s a whore?” he sneers as Kidd grabs my arm and pulls me toward the door.
The older man and the third dude follow as I say, “No, I–”
“Shut it,” the old man says, and I clamp my lips closed.
I guess now I have an inkling why Joey insisted that I stay away from Maddox but too little too late.
He should’ve told me the goddamn truth from the beginning.
At the door, I glance back hoping Jack will make an appearance, but what can he do?
He’s just one man, older at that and I’d hate to see him get hurt because of me.
When Kidd shoves me toward his bike, I stumble on the slick ice.
Unfortunately, the tread on my shoes is long gone and I fall to my knees while my hands scrabble for purchase but I’m no match for the elements and I fall on my face.
After sitting up, I glance at the road rash on my hands and arms before touching my lips. I’m not surprised when my fingers come away bloody and with a whimper, I push to my feet.
Behind me, the blue-eyed devil chuckles, and a chill races down my spine.
If I don’t think of something, I may not live through this, thoughts of which leave me completely dumbfounded.
How is this my life?
When we reach his bike, Kidd points at the seat while I scan the lot and the street beyond, considering where I might run that these assholes can’t easily follow.
This is when a police cruiser pulls into the lot, and I suck in a breath.
While I’m relieved because hopefully this will deter these assholes, I’m terrified that it’s Peter and these jerks will hurt him.
My heart jumps into my throat when Kidd shifts and presses his hand behind his back.
Holy shit. Is he armed?
The officer steps from his vehicle, eyeing us immediately and when Kidd hesitates, the old man shakes his finger in my face, snarling, “We’ll be back. Tell your mama we’ll be chatting soon…real soon.”
With that, they get on their bikes.
Dumbly, I watch them go before nodding at the officer as he approaches and says, “You, okay?”
“Yeah.”
I don’t recognize him, which is a good sign because I’m hoping this doesn’t somehow get back to Peter.
Although, for all I know, Peter might have the whole police force keeping an eye on me.
The officer follows me into the diner, and I fill a coffee for him and watch him leave.
The entire time my mind is racing and as soon as he’s gone and the restaurant is empty, I grab my bag from the back.
“Everything okay, Delaney?” Jack asks.
“It’s fine. I’m not feeling well,” I mumble before exiting into the evening air.
It’s a shitty move, but I didn’t close out my till and now Jack has to lock up on his own.
However, at this point, I think it’s probably safer for him if I’m not there. The Aces might be waiting for another opportunity that I don’t plan for them to have.
Normally I’d take the straightest path home, but I can’t guarantee that I’m not being followed, so I walk around the block and back toward the school before backtracking through the neighborhood.
Joey doesn’t live in the greatest of areas which means I have to constantly watch my back. I shouldn’t be wandering these streets alone at night but that’s the only time Jon has shifts for me at the diner.
Between fighting with Maddox and avoiding the fucking reality that my life just got ten times more complicated, I’m exhausted.
Why did Maddox ask about Joey a few weeks ago? Did my big mouth get me in trouble with the Aces?
Did they really kill a woman?
Part of me wants to believe it’s another lie given to scare me into believing Joey and staying away from the Saints.
However, I don’t truly know Joey any more than I know the Saints. I’m caught between too many fucking characters, and I don’t know who to believe.
The long walk clears my head and I’m in a better, if slightly down place when I arrive.
It’s only once I’m inside that I realize how dark it is. With the blackout curtains nailed to the walls, the only natural light comes from the bedroom where I tore down one of the sheets to avoid living like a vampire.
“Joey?” I ask, flipping on the light.
He’s not in his usual spot on the couch and with a frown, I peek down the hall.
It’s too damn quiet. Where is he?
Pushing the door to the bathroom open, I confirm it’s empty before stopping at the bedroom.
What if he’s dead? I mean, I’ve thought about it a lot since I showed up here without notice all those months ago.
The man doesn’t even eat. How does he survive on booze alone?
I guess I should be worried about him but I’m more worried about my fate.
If he is dead, will I have to go back to Peter and Mom’s? No. No fucking way.
With a shiver, I slowly push the door open, visions of his dead bloated body dancing over my vision.
When my unmade bed comes into view with the covers at the end where I left them, I bend over and choke back a laugh.
It’s fine. Don’t be so melodramatic except…wait.
No, oh no. He didn’t!
Kneeling beside the bed, I stare at the empty tampon box where I kept my stash of money.
It wasn’t much but it was mine and now it’s gone. Where is he? Out buying beer?
With a sigh, I sit on the couch, holding my aching head.
I’ll wait til the fucker comes home. He’s not going to get away with this. Nope, I’ll wither away here for the rest of my life if it means I get to see the bastard’s face when he falls.
Except, I sit there all night, and he never appears.
The following Monday, I go to school because I don’t know what else to do. Maybe he’ll be home later?
Maybe this is all a coincidence, and the Aces were just asking about an old friend?
That’s about as likely as my money magically returning. Did Joey run or did they find him?
While I spent the remainder of the weekend brooding over what to do, I’ve only managed to mire myself in more confusion.
As long as my mom is in treatment, she’s safe for now. I could go to Peter, but I don’t know how much he knows and I’m afraid to involve him when I’m operating in the dark.
I get a few curious stares which is no surprise. I have road rash across one cheek and a fat lip.
What they can’t see but aches like a bitch are my bruised knees. At least I hope they’re just bruised.
Between the second and third period, Micah waylays me in the hall.
Despite everything that has transpired, tears fill my eyes when he says, “Babe? What happened? Are you okay?”
I want so badly to step into his arms, but I can’t open that door now that it’s finally closed. Besides, he isn’t a safe place for me anymore, assuming he ever was.
Now, more than ever, I understand the divide between us. Micah can’t help me, anyway.
His daddy sells cars at a dealership in the next town over. Not only that, but he’s got a big mouth, and I don’t want this getting back to Peter.
I may not understand the inner workings of MC business, but I know involving the cops could be a very bad thing for my family.
At lunch, I avoid the masses by hiding in the library.
I’m staring into nothing and pretending my life didn’t just take a nosedive which shouldn’t be possible because I thought I was as low as I could get when Draven plops down across from me.
“Hey,” she says.
Blinking her into focus, I murmur, “Hey.”
It can’t be a coincidence that after her brother and dad asked about Joey, the Aces appeared.
Why? What could he possibly know that those bruisers would want? Don’t they stick together or some shit?
“What happened to your face?” she asks, cocking her head.
“I walked into a wall.”
She chuffs and looks away before saying, “I shouldn’t be telling you this but…”
“But what?” I ask, warily.
She glances around before leaning in. “I overheard my brother talking to my pops.”
“Okay.”
Is it a coincidence that she took me to see Kidd? Why does she hang out with him? Do I have her to thank for their visit on Thanksgiving?
Waving her hand she says, “The thing is Delaney, you don’t walk away from your brothers.”
“What do you mean?”
“Usually, if you think about leaving, they send in someone to take care of the mess. An enforcer.”
“What's an enforcer?”
Her brow twitches and she waves her hand. “You know…they’re the muscle.”
“Muscle?” I repeat dumbly and she sighs.
“Yes. If there’s a problem, they take care of it.”
It takes a moment of staring at her blankly before I get what she’s saying.
Still, I’m having a hard time imagining my dad as anything but the lazy slob who drinks all day, despite two MCs coming for him.
Finally, I mumble, “Oh.”
I mean, what else can I say? Gee, that’s neat—not.
“Yeah oh,” she says, staring at me so intently that a shiver rolls down my spine.
Looking away, I swallow and ask, “What will they do?”
With a sigh, she stands and pushes back from the table. I eye her fingers tapping on the wood, until she says, “Maybe ask your dad? This is deep shit.”
“I will,” I whisper, and she nods.
“Delaney?”
“Yeah?”
“If you see the Smokin’ Aces. Run.”
I can’t decide how I feel about her warning because just the other day, she was sucking face with one of them, pretty as you please…
Either way, it’s a moot point. I’ve already met the Smokin’ Aces, and Joey is long fucking gone, leaving me to deal with the mess.