33. Griffin
Chapter 33
Griffin
New Beginnings
“ T hat was an epic waste of time,” Kain growled as we walked out of the Sheriff’s office.
I knew it would be. There was little proof to go on for them, but at least we had a paperwork trail.
Baron had refused to go to the cops with us. I could tell he was itching to get gone again.
Lennon was silent beside me. Her far too busy brain was spinning. I didn’t know if it was because of the partnership with Beckett, or because of what was going on with Irene.
Hell, there was far too much to deal with. But I didn’t want to be at the mercy of Irene any longer.
Kain threw a leg over his Indian motorcycle. “I’ll meet you at the Lodge. I want to meet this Baron guy.”
He took off before I could open my mouth.
“You’re quiet.”
She blinked, focusing on me. “Sorry. I was thinking about the taproom.”
“I figured it was either that or Irene.”
She growled. “Definitely not her. It’s a good thing she hasn’t gotten near me for real or I’d kick her ass.”
“Easy does it.” I opened the passenger side of my truck. “Crazy is unpredictable.”
“Don’t underestimate me.”
“I never have, darlin’. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I know.” She climbed up into the truck and sat facing me. “But we can’t just wait for her to do something stupid or dangerous.”
“I know. Which is why I want to talk to Baron.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What’s he going to do?”
“We’re going to find out.” I shut the door and rounded the front of my truck. Once inside, I started the engine, and I could feel her staring me. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what? As if you’re hatching something that is going to piss me off, perhaps?”
“Would I do that?”
“Yes.”
I laughed. “Only works if Baron is in.”
“Give me a hint?”
“Nope.” I pulled onto Sterling Street, the main road in Turnbull. “Think Laverne will feed us?”
“She always feeds you, Mr. Special Delivery.”
I grinned. “I can’t help it if she adopted me.”
“Oh, brother.”
The drive to the orchard was quick, especially since the Lodge was at the front of the orchard. I parked, texting Baron to meet us downstairs as we crossed to the large building. It had previously been a smaller bed and breakfast that had been expanded upon, like most of the things at the orchard.
Cara waved at us when we passed the check-in desk. She had a half-dozen people checking in.
The lobby branched out to a few conference rooms and banquet rooms for weddings. For the regular guests, which I had been once upon a time, there was an eatery. Baron was already seated there at a table by the windows. He was staring out at the orchard with a mug in his hand and a carafe beside it.
“Well, hello, Griffin.”
I turned at Laverne’s voice. “Hello, love of my life.”
She pinked up and tucked her white hair around her ear. “Charmer. Lennon, we haven’t seen you over here in an age.”
“Taproom keeps me busy.”
“We’re here to visit my friend over there.”
“Oh, Mr. Sad Eyes. Yes, he’s been lovely, but is always staring out that window or wandering the grove.”
“I’m sure you’re taking good care of him.” I bent to kiss her cheek.
“We always do. Go on in.” She craned her neck toward the lobby and waved. “I’ll send Mel over to take your order. Specials are on the chalkboard. We have a small wedding here tonight, so it’ll be a little crazy.”
“Don’t worry about us,” I said and ushered Lennon toward the table.
There were a handful of people eating, but it was in-between lunch and dinner, which I was thankful for. I could walk around unknown for the most part but putting me and Baron together was asking for trouble.
Handily, I didn’t think these patrons were fans of an alt-rock band. “Hey, man.”
Baron swiveled his head to look up at me. The sadness buttoned up and he plastered an easy smile on his face. One I’d seen for too many years. How had I missed so much?
Because it had been easier to ignore it. Blame all the problems in our band on the fraught threesome-slash-love triangle, depending on the day.
I pulled out a chair for Lennon, then I sat beside her, across from Baron. Before I could say anything, the server came over. She was painfully young and earnest.
“Hi, I’m Mel. What can I get you?”
I glanced up over at the chalkboard over a self-serve area that they set up for mornings. “I’ll have the BLT club, add turkey?”
She nodded. “You, Miss?”
“I’ll have the chili and a half-grilled cheese and a water.”
Mel focused on Baron. “Can I get you anything beyond the coffee?”
“Oh, uh. I probably should. The chili sounds good.” He gave her a vague smile.
“Water for me too,” I said and smiled at Mel. “Thanks.”Once she was gone, I folded my hands on the table. “Cops were less than helpful.”
“Color me shocked.”
“Had to do something.”
“I get it, but it’s no use.”
“So, you’re just going to roll over for her again?”
Baron’s dark gaze snapped to meet mine. “You don’t know what she’s like. Not truly.”
“Yeah, well, she tried to hurt not only me, but mine.”
“Watch it, ace,” Lennon said quietly.
I turned to her. “You are mine, Lennon. Just the same as I’m yours. And she’s tried to hurt you twice now.”
She covered my hand. “I know.”
I stroked the side of her hand with my thumb, then I faced Baron again. “I have an idea.”
Baron simply arched a brow at me and took a sip from his coffee.
“It’ll only work if you are willing to help me.”
“Go on,” he said tersely.
“Memorial Day is usually our first show, but?—”
Baron pushed his chair back and started to get up. “No way.”
“Just wait.”
He gritted his teeth, but he sat back down and pulled in his chair. “I’m through with the stage, man.”
“I think it’s the only way she’d come out again. She hates me and for whatever reason, she wants revenge on me for whatever perceived slight she’s got in that twisted brain of hers.”
“Maybe you do know her better than I thought.”
I lowered my voice. “She fucking drugged me, Baron.”
“Why do you think I got into the hard stuff?” His gaze was direct and cool. “It wasn’t my idea. She thought it would make being with me transcendent.”
“Fuck me.” I fisted my hands on the table. “Why the hell did you stay?”
“We were toxic, but it was addicting. More than any drug, she was a high I could never resist.” His voice was low and wounded. “Until she did it to you. I might have wanted to kill you at first for getting in bed with her, but you helped me break away from her.”
“Then help me get rid of her. Or at least make her show her face instead of doing this subterfuge crap.”
He blew out a breath. “What did you have in mind?”
“A benefit for the taproom.”
“Beckett is going to kick your ass.” She squeezed my hand. “But I think it’s a great idea.”
Mel came by with our food and we hashed out the specifics. Since Baron and I hadn’t been on a real stage in two years, it might bring people in.
Might .
“How bad is Marc? Do you think he’d come out?”
“I honestly don’t know. He might be pissed enough to do it, even if he had to sit for the entirety of the show.”
Lennon dunked her grilled cheese in her chili. “What if we built him a throne? Remember when the guy from the Foo Fighters broke his leg? That was pretty awesome.”
“You’re a genius. Marc couldn’t resist a throne.”
Baron laughed. “No, he sure would not.” He pulled out his phone, put it on speaker, and tossed it on the table between us. The sound of a ringing line made my stomach drop.
I hadn’t talked to Marc since he drove off that day.
“What’s up, fucker?”
“You’re on speaker, keep it civil.” Baron rolled his eyes.
“Like I care. Who’s there with you?”
“Hey, Marc,” I said, with an audible hitch in my voice.
“Well, if it isn’t the bandwrecker.”
I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Fuck off.”
Marc’s whiskey and smoke-battered laugh came through the speaker. “Ah, I did miss you, Griff, my boy.” There was some rustling, and then a muttered oath. “So, what made you finally call me?”
“Irene.”
“That cunt can die for all I care.”
“I’m sorry, Marc. I know she fucked you up royally.” I relaxed a little when Lennon put a hand on my shoulder. I glanced down at her and pressed my forehead to hers.
“She got what she wanted. Me obsessed and me near dead. It’s going to take me a year to walk without a cane, for God’s sake.”
“How about a little payback?”
The other side of the line went quiet long enough that I leaned forward to make sure he didn’t hang up on us.
“Marc, she’s been messing with G, as well. And his girl.”
More rustling. “Girl?” His voice was clearer as if he’d picked up the phone.
“Hi. She drove me off the road too. Luckily, my Jeep is a bit sturdier than your bike.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
Lennon’s eyebrows shot up and she shifted in her chair. “Is he always like this?” she asked in a whisper.
“Yes,” Marc answered.
I shrugged. “Pretty much.”
She cleared her throat. “Lennon. She was wearing a black jumpsuit with pink stripes. I hear that it might be familiar.”
“Cunt.”
I looked over my shoulder, but luckily, the other people were gone. We were alone in the dining room. “We’re kinda in a family place. Maybe keep the swearing to a minimum. At least that word.”
“Aww, did you go soft?”
“Maybe.”
“Had to since you finally hooked to someone. What do you want from me?”
“How do you feel about getting back behind the mic?”
“With you?”
My gut clenched. “Yeah. Me, you, and Baron. Think it would drive Irene out. She couldn’t deal with us without her being part of it.”
“And how are you going to pull that off?”
“When can you get to New York?”
“New York? What the hell are you doing out there?”
“I’m the program director at an orchard.”
Silence.
Lennon looked at me, then to Baron.
Then the roaring laughter on the other end had all of us leaning back.
“You’re flying me in. With an extra seat for my...nurse.”
“Nurse?” Baron asked, leaning forward. “Since when?”
“Since I’m traveling. She has a great bedside manner, by the way.”
Baron sat back in his chair with a disgusted look on his face.
I laughed. “Fine. I’ll send the details. How long do you need?”
“A week. Gotta up my PT if I’m coming out to show up you fuckers.”
I forgot just how many sentences included fuck when it came to Marc. Definitely wasn’t going to be an all-ages show. “I’ll set it up and figure out logistics.”
“Good. Time for my sponge bath. Later.”
“Well, he’s...a lot.” She pushed her plate away.
“You have no idea.” Baron did the same. “I don’t know how you’re going to pull this off, but I’m in. Whatever you need.” He stood up. “Now I need a shower and to call my ranch coverage. See if they can spot me for a few weeks.”
“Thanks, man.”
Baron nodded and strode out toward the staircase to the upstairs rooms.
“Think I need to have a meeting with Jessica.”
Lennon frowned, then said, “Ahh. Social media.”
“Yep. I need the word out. Everywhere.”
“Everywhere?”
“Not just around here. I need her to get real pissed. Us together, her left out, no control—all of it.”
“Oh.” She gripped my arm. “Are you sure you want her that pissed?”
“Only way it’ll work.”
I just hoped to keep the backlash to a minimum.