Chapter 24
Onyx
By the time we make it back downstairs for the party, Brennan’s arrest is being broadcast everywhere. We slide into seats at the bar and watch it on the big screen, along with the rest of the brothers.
Detective Morgan doesn’t wait for Brennan to be arraigned. He stands in front of a gaggle of reporters in a windbreaker that says Cedar Falls PD. He’s got uniformed officers standing on each side of him, looking official in their crisp blue uniforms. The update he gives is shocking.
“A man has been arrested in relation to the two bodies discovered in the Silverwood area,” he says.
“The first has been identified as twenty-five-year-old Lena Harwell, reported missing eleven weeks ago. The second has been identified as twenty-seven-year-old Marissa Dent, a former acquaintance of the suspect.”
I glance over at Jasper, who’s still staring at the screen.
“Who’s Marissa Dent?” I ask.
“Some girl Brennan went to college with,” Jasper murmurs, not taking his eyes off the screen. “Morgan said he wouldn’t shut up about her during his interrogation. He kept asking a bunch of questions about her death.”
I comment, “Isn’t that a bit fucking weird? You’d think he’d know all about her death, since he’s the one who killed her and buried her in that shallow grave next to his girlfriend.”
Someone shushes us so we can hear what Detective Morgan is saying on the television.
“Both victims appear to have been buried in the same general location. The cause of death is pending autopsy.”
Reporters start throwing words like serial killer around. Morgan doesn’t correct them.
They show a shot of Brennan being walked into the precinct in handcuffs. He looks pretty beat up. I slowly turn and stare at Emily because I admitted to her that I punched Brennan. I say, “I just gave him an uppercut. He must have been an asshole to the cops as well.”
The reporters continue with their usual speculation about motives and intentions. Morgan evades their questions. I tune out, I’ve got other things on my mind.
I wave away another drink. I’m just now getting sober from what I drank earlier, and I’ve got important business to take care of this evening.
Jasper finally pushes up from the table. “Fuck all this second guessing ourselves. We caught the fucker and turned him over to law enforcement. It’s up to them to figure out how he killed and build a case that sticks.”
Slate comes to his feet. “I agree. It’s time to enjoy the celebration the old ladies worked so hard to prepare for us today.”
I pull Emily close, noticing how she looks like a woman who has been well loved. She’s smiling and has a healthy glow about her. In fact, it seems like something is different about her in general, but I can’t seem to put my finger on it.
***
Time blurs as the night wears on. The music gets louder.
And so do the voices that have to be heard over the noise.
It does my fuckin’ heart good to see my club brothers relaxed, laughing, and happy.
These are men who have had rough lives, finally found a place where they belong, and deserve all the fuckin’ good things life has to offer them.
With Emily at my side, I’m just starting to sink into the revelry when I notice Striker hasn’t moved.
Everyone else is joining in the party, but he’s still hunched over his laptop, with his fingers flying over the keyboard.
Emily notices at the same time I do.
“Do you think he’s okay?” she asks.
I slide off my stool, grab a cold beer from behind the bar, and we cross the room together. When we’re right beside his table, he doesn’t even look up.
“Hey,” I say. “I brought you a cold beer, brother.”
His fingers don’t stop. If anything, they move faster.
“Something’s off,” he mutters.
Emily frowns. “Off how?”
He finally glances up. His eyes are already getting bloodshot from looking at that damn screen too long. He tells us, “Brennan’s bank account was drained just now. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Sure, it does,” I tell him gently. “He probably drained it to pay for an attorney.”
“Maybe,” Striker acknowledges. “But that’s not the only thing missing.”
I uncap the cold beer and place it on the table beside his laptop. “The guy’s a mess. Who knows what he’s been doing with his money. Maybe he was trying to hide it so he could fuck off to parts unknown.”
Emily glances up at me before speaking. “You just helped put a murderer behind bars. That’s huge. You deserve to take the rest of the night off.”
Striker’s mouth twitches, but there’s no humor in it. “Yeah. I know. I’m as happy as anybody that we put that fucker behind bars where he belongs. I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing something.”
He closes the laptop and for a second, I think he might actually give it up for the night. Then tucks it under his arm, grabs the beer I brought for him, and takes a long swallow. There is an awkward silence and then he turns to leave. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“You sure?” I ask, genuinely worried about him.
He mumbles, “Yeah. Just need to check something real quick.” Before disappearing down the hallway towards his office.
Emily watches him go. She has an uneasy look in her eyes. “Is it me or is your friend having a hard time unplugging from this case?”
“It sure looks that way,” I agree. “But Striker is tough. Let’s let him track down all the details that are bothering him. I bet it won’t take long and then he’ll be back to his old self again.”
“If that’s what you think is best,” she murmurs, moving back towards the front of the bar with me reluctantly.
I can’t help taking one final glance down the hallway. Sometimes worry and concern don’t shut off just because the danger’s over. I know Striker well enough to understand how he operates. He needs to work this out on his own.
By the time we make it outside, the side yard is already packed. Bikes are lined up in a row near the building. There is nothing but Harleys as far as the eye can see. It’s a beautiful sight.
Something is up with my Emily tonight. She is refusing to drink anything alcoholic. It’s not like she’s a heavy drinker, but I’ve never known her to be a teetotaler either. Maybe she needs food in her belly to be comfortable drinking.
“Are you ready to eat yet?” I ask.
She nods. “Absolutely. Those burgers smell good.”
I guide her towards the table and load our plates, grab some drinks, and find a spot near the edge of the crowd where we can see everything without feeling boxed in.
Everything about this night is perfect in my eyes. After we get finished eating, Emily leans into my side, her shoulder tucked under my arm. “Are parties always this loud at the clubhouse?” she asks.
I grin. “Of course. Who wants a fucking party that is as quiet as a funeral procession?”
She laughs. “You’re right. What was I thinking?”
My hand tightens around her waist. “If you want to go ahead and turn in for the night, we can. It’s been a long day.”
She shakes her head almost before I get the words out. “No. I haven’t been to a real party in years. I want to stay a little longer.”
Her choice to stay among my family and club brothers hits me right in the feels. We’re a boisterous bunch and she clearly accepts us just the way we are. I decide to broach another subject with her.
“You know, now that the danger is over, you don’t need my protection anymore.
If you had a mind to, you could get back to your regular life.
If you want, I could help you rebuild your cabin.
We could make it look just like the one your grandfather built.
My old man helped him, and I hear we still have the building plans around here somewhere. ”
She shoots me a rueful grin. “Not a chance, handsome. You put me in your cut, moved me into your suite, and gave me mind-blowing orgasms and made all my dreams come true. Now, you’re stuck with me.”
“You’re really gonna stay with me for good?” I ask hopefully.
She smiles and kisses me on the cheek. “If you’ll have me. I love you, your family, and your clubhouse. You’ve built a nice life for yourself here. And I feel like I have something to contribute.”
I reach into my pocket and pull out the special delivery from earlier today. Opening the jewelry box, I hold it up so she can see the ring I picked up for her.
She stares down at it for the longest time. When her eyes lift to mine, I explain, “I saw this online and thought it would be the perfect ring for you. It’s got a cat curled around the diamond. I know how much you love cats, so I ordered it for you.”
When she doesn’t respond, I add, “Remember, I promised you an engagement ring?”
She perks up. “Oh, I remember alright. And this is the perfect one for me. It’s beautiful. I love it.”
I relax back in the seat. “I’m glad you like my gift.”
Emily slides her hand into the inside pocket of her cut and pulls something out, keeping it hidden between her palm and her body.
“What do you have there?” I ask curiously.
“I happen to have a gift for you today as well,” she replies. “I hope you like it too.”
I glance up at her. For some reason she’s looking worried and I wonder what’s up.
She opens her hand just enough for me to see that she’s holding one of those plastic pregnancy test sticks. For a second, my soul leaves my body as I struggle to get my head around the fact that this is actually fuckin’ happening to me. I’m having a baby with the woman of my dreams.
“Em,” I say, my voice rough. “We’re having a baby?”
She nods once. “Yeah, unless you don’t want to. I’m having this baby either way because if there is one thing the world needs, it’s another little Onyx running around.”
My hands come up to cup her face because she’s tearing up and rambling about having my baby whether I want it or not.
“Fuck,” I whisper. “Slow down, woman. I already told you I love you. So, of course I want to have a baby with you.”