Dayanara
I kept a pleasant expression on my face as we settled in church with the officers, Brae, and Jocelyn.
The other ladies had prepared us for what might be said and done.
Both of them were relaxed. As hard as it was, I let them take the lead.
Breezy was seated next to me with Brae on her other side and Jocelyn on mine.
I held my sister’s hand under the table.
The cops were sitting on the opposite side of the table.
“Why are you two ladies here? You’re not from Hunters Creek. You live in Cookeville,” Talbot fired off.
“Don’t answer that,” Brae said.
“It’s a simple question,” Talbot stated.
“Simple or not, if you won’t explain why you’re here, and you already said they’re not under arrest, then we’ll have to ask you to leave,” Brae stated.
Talbot got into a staring contest with her. I knew who I’d bet on. It was Zev who answered when he noticed his partner, or whatever he was, was playing games.
“Jessup Crane came to the station. He filed a report stating that his two sisters were being held at the Archangel’s Warriors compound against their will.
He further stated that he came to get them last night and was kicked off the grounds.
He wants his sisters to be brought back home where they belong. ”
Both Breezy and I rolled our eyes. “I can’t believe he did that,” I muttered.
“Did what? Want to free his sisters?” Talbot asked.
After I glanced at Jocelyn, who nodded, I answered him. My muttering had been intentional.
“There is no reason to free us, Officers. We’re not being held against our wills,” I informed them.
“I understand these two women are here as your legal counsel, but do you even want them? I think it’s a conflict of interest for them to be representing you when their husbands are part of this club.
The club that is accused of holding you here against your wills.
Her husband is the president,” Talbot snarked, pointing to Jocelyn.
“We welcome Jocelyn and Braelyn as our lawyers. They’re very savvy women.
And I don’t see why that’s a conflict when we’re not here against our wills.
It’s a ridiculous notion. Our brother needs to stop with this silliness.
Do you think if we were here as kidnap victims or hostages that our cousin would allow that? ” I asked.
“Cousin? What cousin?” Officer Oberlin asked.
“It seems that Jessup didn’t tell you everything or anything truthful. The Warrior known as Stryder, who’s out in that room, is their first cousin. If his cousins are here against their wills, why would he permit it?” Jocelyn asked.
A flash of doubt came and went on Talbot’s face. Oberlin remained neutral. My men had told me that Officer Oberlin, Zev, if he came, was their friend.
“Please, ask if their cousin can join us,” Oberlin stated politely.
“I’m already sending the message,” Brae stated, as she tapped on her phone.
“While we wait, do you mind telling us why you’re here if it’s not involuntarily?” Oberlin asked.
Before we could answer, there was a double rap on the door, then it opened, and in strolled Stryder. He dipped his head toward the cops and smiled at us before he took a seat. It was on the same side of the table as us.
“You rang,” he said with a smile.
“State your legal name and relationship to these two women,” Talbot said, pointing to me, then Breezy.
“My name is Hollis Crane, and I’m Brighton and Dayanara’s cousin. First cousin, if that makes a difference.”
“That makes him Jessup Crane’s first cousin as well,” Oberlin directed to Talbot, who frowned.
“Yes, I am. You said Jess is concerned about them.” Stryder stated.
“Jess told them we were being held against our wishes,” I informed him before the cops could.
Stryder snorted, then shook his head. “I can’t believe that idiot. I swear, he’s taking this too far. Just because he doesn’t like it, he thinks he can do shit like this.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Crane. Jessup Crane doesn’t like what?” Oberlin asked.
“He doesn’t like the fact that Daya is an old lady.
He’s having a hard time accepting that. She’s staying here because of that, and Breezy, I mean Brighton, is staying here with her friends, Sage and Aspen.
You know how young women like to shop and hang out.
Jess was here last night, and he got upset that they wouldn’t go home with him.
This must be his way of forcing the matter.
He forgets they’re adults and can make their own decisions,” Stryder added dryly.
“You’re an old lady? To which guy, may I ask?” Oberlin asked. His tone remained nice. Talbot was scowling worse.
“You may. I’m with Predator and Stalker,” I stated matter-of-factly.
There was a tiny flicker of surprise out of Oberlin that he covered immediately. I saw no distaste. Talbot, on the other hand, curled his upper lip and burst out with a remark.
“You’re with two men!?”
“Yes, I am. Not that it makes any difference to why we’re here. There’s absolutely no issue. I’m here by choice. I’m staying with my old men.”
“And I’m here visiting my friends, cousin, and sister. I’m staying with Daya, Stalker, and Predator. I’ve never had a family this big before. It’s great,” Breezy tells them with a huge smile.
“Well, I think that clears that up. I’m sorry that your brother is having a hard time with it. Sometimes, brothers can be overly protective. If you ever need us, here’s my card,” Oberlin said, handing a card over the table to me and then one to my sister. We took them as we smiled.
“Thank you, Officer Oberlin. We will,” I promised.
“Wait. We need to question them more. This isn’t right. She’s here with two men,” Talbot protested as his partner stood up.
“There’s nothing illegal about her with two men or a hundred.
And you heard them. They’re here because they want to be.
He’s their cousin. It’s a case of a family member being upset and grasping at straws.
We’re sorry for wasting your time. We hope you have a good remainder of the night,” the club’s cop friend kept talking.
Talbot sputtered, muttered, and kept trying to stop his partner, but Oberlin ignored him. When we walked out of church and back into the common room, everyone acted as if it were any other time, any other night. No consideration was given to the fact that the cops were here.
Breezy stuck by Stryder while I went over to my guys. They put their arms around me. I saw the ugly sneer Talbot sent our way. I chose to ignore it.
“Thanks for letting us clear this up, Bull. We’ll be leaving you. We have a brother to speak to about filing false police reports,” Oberlin said as he shook Bull’s hand.
Talbot wasn’t offered a hand, nor did he hold his out. Before they left, Oberlin came over to us. He smiled.
“I hear congratulations are in order, guys. You’re lucky sons of a gun,” he said as he held out his hand to them. My guys shook it and grinned.
“You don’t have to tell us we’re lucky. Daya is amazing. And her sweet sister Breezy just gave the club another little sister. Try not to be too hard on Jess. He’s upset and trying not to see things as they are. He’ll come around,” Stalker explained.
“Yeah, he’s unsure of the whole relationship, but we’ve told him she’s ours. You know if we claim an old lady or old man, it’s for keeps.” Predator added.
“I do. See you later. Hey, Raina, see you at work,” he called out.
She waved at him. Joker and Oberlin gave each other chin lifts. Ivan was waiting at the door to escort them off the compound. It was the longest five minutes of my life. When the prospect returned, I sagged in relief. Then I snapped.
“I’m going to kill Jess.”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to talk to him and find out what game he’s playing. Calling the cops on us is fucking ridiculous,” Stryder muttered.
A thought made me gasp. “You don’t think he’ll tell the cops what we have planned for Marshall, do you?”
Everyone within earshot grew quiet and exchanged concerned glances. My heart sank. If he did and got my men, their club, or anyone else into trouble, or let Marshall go free, I’d never forgive him. I loved my brother, but that would be a betrayal I couldn’t forgive.
“I don’t think he’ll be that stupid, but who knows.
I promise, even if he tells them it’ll be his word against ours.
They’ll have to question whether it’s a new ploy to get you away from Stalker and Predator.
And we have ways to ensure they don’t get proof.
I’ll head to his place now. I’ll let you know how it goes,” my cousin promised.
We hugged. Then he shook hands with my guys and hugged Breezy before he left.
Everyone tried to take my mind off my brother, but I kept dwelling on it.
Even if I hadn’t known Predator, Stalker, and the other Warriors for long, they were mine.
And there was no way I’d give them up, no matter what Jess said or did.
I waited until I knew Stryder had enough time to get close to Jess’s house. Then, I typed out a message to my brother.
Me: That was beneath you, Jess. To send the cops here by filing a false report.
I thought better of you. I guess my trust and faith in you were misplaced.
I never thought you’d intentionally hurt Breezy or me, but I guess we never knew you.
If you can’t be our brother and do so without trying to destroy our happiness and more, then don’t bother us again.
I showed it to my guys. They asked Brae to read it. Though they had Outlaw the other day do something to my laptop and cell, and the same for Breezy’s, they wanted to be careful. She read it then nodded.
“It’s ambiguous enough that no one would know that it refers to more than the police report. And it would seem weird if you didn’t call or text him. Do it. But if he responds, do not engage in a texting battle. If he calls, don’t answer,” she advised me.
“I won’t.”
I let Breezy see what I wrote. She was sad, but she said to do it. She was disappointed and hurt, too. She recalled how Jess had mostly taken Marshall’s side last night. I pressed send.
It was barely a minute before my phone rang.
I knew it was him, and I was right. I ignored the call.
When I didn’t answer, Jess hung up and called again.
The second time I refused to answer, he left a message.
As texts began coming in, one right after the other, I turned off my ringer and put my phone away.
Let him wonder. Stryder would be there any minute.
I couldn’t wait to hear what he found out.