Chapter 17
IT WAS TIME
J.D. Stevens
Things were getting ready to get dicey. Now that I knew the FBI was in fact watching me and Rebel’s godfather had called her in for a little chat I had to prepare for the worse. My mother always said be prepared for the worse but hope for the best. And that was something I always lived by.
Rebel being connected to the FBI wasn’t something I expected. To be honest, I was fucking shocked. She hadn’t said anything especially with the work she was doing for me, and Caesar hadn’t said shit either. But it wouldn’t stop me from finding out who killed Dani and Luca. And it wouldn’t stop me from exploring things with Rebel. I wanted her, and that was the reason I was here today.
It had been a while since I’d been here, and the guilt hit me as soon as I pulled my bike through the open wrought-iron gate.
The winding road that cut through the center seemed to stretch endlessly as I drove, but my attention was captured by the sight of a black hearse followed by a line of cars. I tried to push down the mounting anxiety, but it was useless. Today was a big step. A step, Demon encouraged me to take before he left to return home. It was a hard to do, but I had to do it. It was time.
I drove towards the back of the cemetery and stopped not too far from where they were buried. I dreaded coming here. I didn’t think anyone like anything associated with death, but for me, it was especially difficult to accept that my wife and child were buried here, while their killer roamed free, living a life they didn’t deserve.
Everything about this place I despised. I hated the mingling scents of freshly cut grass, fragrant flowers and earthy soil, accompanied by sorrowful wails drifting along the wind. The sounds of deep sorrow and fresh smells of nature only served as a reminder of what me and my daughter had lost.
I killed the engine, got off my bike, then made the trek towards their grave, dodging pristine and cracked headstones, and stone figurines of religious figures looming over the dead like watchmen or bodyguards.
Making this walk was always a sobering experience. With the life I lived I always thought I would be here before any of my loved ones but that wasn’t how Fate worked.
When I moved across the country to get away from the motorcycle life since my family was entrenched in it, I still ended up in it. It seemed almost like my destiny. But I never thought I’d meet Dani and have a family. That was never in my plans and when it was snatched away from me it became my obsession to find the people who took them away from me.
When I finally reached the spot where Dani and Luca were laid to rest, a heavy sigh escaped my lips as I noticed the overgrown weeds encircling their headstone. Carefully, I gathered the weeds, dead leaves and twigs and tossed them aside, the scent of the damp earth filling the air.
Once I was finished, I settled onto the small bench I had placed in front of their headstone, resting my forearms on my thighs. I wanted somewhere for me and Siobhan to sit when we came to visit so we could stay as long as we both needed.
I fixated on the vibrant hues of the pinwheel that Siobhan had brought for Luca, mesmerized by its spinning motion, while contemplating how to bring up the topic. Most people would laugh if they knew I was having a hard time talking to my dead wife.
“I’m sorry, my girl.” I blew out a breath. “I’m sorry it’s been a while since I’ve been here, but you know how hard this is for me to see y’all this way. Anyway, so much has happened. Every day, Siobhan is becoming more and more like you.”
I chuckled, grateful for the way my little girl always brightened my mood. With her sassy attitude and love for all things pink, she had a fiery spirit that reminded me so much of Dani which was the complete opposite of what she used to be when she was younger.
“She asks about you and Luca every day. I’ll bring her by real soon. She’s got another pinwheel for Luca she wanted to bring him.” I inhaled a deep breath then released it. “It took a lot of time to get the nerve to come here but I’ve got one more thing I need to tell you. I’ve met someone. She’s been helping me find out who did this to you. It’s not serious, yet but I really like her. Even your brother’s met her and thinks she’s cool. Anyway, I just wanted you to know.”
I stood from the bench, then placed my hand against the tombstone. I could feel the smooth, cool surface beneath my fingertips as I pressed my lips against it. “I love you both. I’ll see you next time.”
As I walked away from their grave, some of the weight I carried lifted off my shoulders. Someone might think it was insane, but it brought me some peace letting her know that I’d met Rebel. Even though I knew nothing would happen between us yet. Not until we got some more information on what the hell happened. But I was happy knowing things were finally moving forward in my life.
***
I unlocked the door of my house, and the sound of music and laughter reached my ears. After I left the cemetery, I went to the clubhouse and got some work done before coming home. I missed my daughter. I’d been so consumed with finding answers I hadn’t spent much time with her. Normally, when I got home from the clubhouse, she was sleep. The only time I had with her was in the mornings. I had to do better by her.
I made my way to the kitchen and stopped dead in my tracks. Rachel, Rebel and Siobhan were sitting at the bar looking at a magazine, and laughing at something my daughter was pointing at.
What was she doing here? She had called, but I was dealing with Hannibal’s shit, so I wasn’t able to answer. The first thing I’d planned on doing once I’d got Siobhan settled was call her back.
With my back against the doorframe, I folded my arms over my chest and watched their interaction unfold. Siobhan was just like her mother. She didn’t know a stranger and loved to talk. Whatever she was saying, Rebel looked captivated and gave my daughter her uninvited attention.
When Rachel looked up, her startled yelp echoed through the room. I pushed off the doorframe and walked towards them.
“Daddy!” Siobhan shouted when she saw me.
I couldn’t stop the smile crossing my face. She jumped off the stool and as I bent down, she sprinted towards me, crashing into my open arms. I kissed her on the top of her head. “Hey sweet girl.”
I stood with her in my arms. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Rebel as I looked at her, captivated by her presence. She had the most gorgeous smile.
Siobhan wiggled in my arms until I put her down. “Daddy, I want you to meet my new friend,” she said excitedly.
Rachel and Rebel chuckled as Siobhan pulled me towards Rebel.
“I’m going to get out of your hair,” Rachel said as she stood from the barstool. “I’ve got a night class.” As she walked by, she mussed Siobhan’s hair and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you guys, Monday. Nice to meet you, Rebel.”
“You too, Rachel,” Rebel said as Rachel disappeared out of the kitchen.
“I’m sorry to just show up to your home. I tried to call you, but I couldn’t get an answer.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “Let me get this little monster put to bed.”
“Aww.” A frown formed on Siobhan’s face. “I want to stay and play with Rebel, Daddy.”
“Maybe next time, angel,” Rebel said. “How about the next time I see you, I bring you something pretty and sparkly?”
“Will it be pink?” Siobhan asked.
Rebel’s face lit up with a beaming smile. “If you want.”
Siobhan nodded, then hugged Rebel before she ran out the room.
“Give me a minute.”
“Take your time.”
I winked at her then walked to Siobhan’s room. When I entered, she was already under her covers. I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my hand over the crown of her head. “You want me to read to you tonight?”
Since Dani’s death sometimes Siobhan wanted me to read to her and sometimes, she didn’t. It was something her mother always did, and I didn’t want to break her routine. I wanted her nights to be as normal as possible, but I also didn’t push her.
“No.” She grabbed her picture of her mother and her from the nightstand and pulled it to her chest. It was something she did every night and before I went to bed, I’d take it out of her arms and sit it back on the nightstand. “I’m sleepy.”
“Alright, sweet girl.” I stood and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you. Goodnight.”
“I love you, too. Goodnight. And Daddy, can you tell my new friend goodnight, too?”
I chuckled. “I sure will.”
I watched her kiss the picture of her mother, whisper goodnight, then turn on her side. It wouldn’t take her long before she passed out. I smiled and walked back to the kitchen where Rebel was sitting in the same place.
“She’s a gorgeous, little girl.”
“She is, and she told me to tell you goodnight.” She smiled, and I planted my forearms on the kitchen island and leaned forward. Only the island separated us. “I had some things to take care of today, so I couldn’t answer your call. How did the meeting with your godfather go?”
Eventually we’d have to tackle that issue.
“How do you think it went? But that’s not why I’m here. I got a lead.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“I pulled the phone records for Earl Daniels and I found video footage of him meeting with someone not too far from the police department a week before Dani’s death.”
“You got a name?”
“Unfortunately, the phone records where a bust. But I hope you know who he was meeting with on the video footage?”
My brows furrowed. “And why would I know who it is?”
“Because he’s wearing a leather vest similar to the one you wear. I was hoping you could identify it.”
Fuck! Another motorcycle club.
“Let me see it.”