Predator
I was about to suggest we end church. If Outlaw found anything new, a text or call would do. However, Outlaw’s exuberant exclamation made me freeze and stare.
“At last I found out something!” he exclaimed.
“Found what?” Demon asked.
“How you were shot at, by Webb, we assume. You asked how the shooter would know where to find you guys. It seems that he has access to Breezy’s social media. Here, let me show you guys. It’ll be easier to explain,” Outlaw stated.
In no time, his screen was on the wall. On it were pictures and posts. Outlaw enlarged it, then got to explaining.
“Breezy was so excited about the shopping trip. She posted in her group about the shopping and where you were headed. On the way to Chattanooga, she took photos out the window of the scenery. It was those pictures that did it.”
“How? It’s literally a picture of dead countryside, and it doesn’t say Daya is with her,” Ajax muttered.
“True, but there are pics of all of you together. Remember, she asked Stryder to snap one before you left. It verified that both Daya and Breezy would be outside the compound. And for the countryside ones, you have to check the metadata. You did take the same route there as you did back, right?”
“Yeah, we did,” Ace verified.
“If he’s smart with computers, he’d know it. Now, only friends have access. Clearly, Webb isn’t one unless he’s using a fake name. But…” Outlaw inhaled before he kept going. “Her family is all friends and has access.”
Stryder exploded out of his chair. He paced and ran his hand through his hair. “Jesus Christ, are we really thinking that Jess is working with Marshall? That he targeted his own sisters?”
None of us wanted that to be the case, but for Stryder, it was a double blow if it were true. And how would we tell Daya and Breezy this, if Outlaw could prove it was true?
“Fuck. Okay, Outlaw, see if you can find out if any of her other supposed friends aren’t who she thinks they are.
We keep our suspicions to ourselves for now.
We don’t want to hurt those two out there if we don’t have to.
It’s bad enough we’re doing it to our brother.
Oh, and one more thing. I presume there’s been no movement at Webb’s home or with that ankle monitor? ” Bull asked.
“Nope. It’s where he left it. And since he was smart enough to leave it plugged in, it hasn’t run down or alerted.
They usually have to be charged every twenty-four hours.
But he’s due to see his parole officer on Monday.
I suggest we have someone there, hidden, just in case he shows.
If he does, then he can be followed back to wherever he’s staying.
If he’s a no-show, then I keep working on my end. ”
With that said, there wasn’t anything more to be done.
We were in a holding pattern unless Outlaw found something or Webb returned.
Bull acknowledged it, then let us go. It was the weekend, and it was family time.
Stalker and I would head home since Daya was resting there.
However, when we entered the common room, I was surprised to find our woman sitting on one of the couches.
She was talking to some of the other women. I headed straight to her.
She saw me coming and smiled. Before I got a word out, she spoke.
“I know what you’re gonna say, Predator, Stalker, but I’m resting.
I’m on a comfy couch, just like I was at home.
My feet are even up, see. I’m not straining or lifting.
I have my medication with me, and I’m pushing the fluids.
I don’t have a fever. I was going crazy at the house.
I want to be here with everyone. And while I know you two and Breezy will stay with me, I don’t want any of you to isolate, especially her.
Breezy drove me here, so you can’t even complain about me walking too far.
Please, I want to be here with our family. ”
I groaned. “Shit, how can I say no when you go all logical and give me that sweet voice? Stalker, you make her go home,” I turned to my best friend.
“Hey, don’t expect me to be stronger than you. I can’t argue with her damn logic either. I think we’re gonna be in trouble for the rest of our lives.” He threw his hands in the air.
As feminine laughter filled the room, I smiled. Daya had her legs on a padded chair seat, with more pillows tucked around her sides and behind her back. I leaned down and kissed her. When I ended it, I whispered to her.
“That’s our hailstorm.”
Her delighted smile was covered by Stalker kissing her as soon as I made room for him. She was dazed and slightly breathless by the time he was done.
“Can I get you anything, Hailstorm?” he asked.
“Not that I can think of at the moment, but thank you. Why don’t you guys hang out with your brothers?
Maybe play pool or have a drink. If I weren’t taking painkillers, I’d have an adult beverage.
We’re talking baby names and baby shower ideas with Tarin.
They’re teaching me all the things that go into one,” she explained happily.
“Good. Make sure to take notes because when it’s our turn, we’re having a helluva one,” I promised.
“That’s right,” Stalker chimed in to add.
“Wait. You’re already trying to have a baby?” Tarin asked.
“Whoa, not yet. We know we want kids and all, but there are a few things we need to do first. However, these two seem ready tomorrow. I’ve never heard of guys being eager to have a baby,” Daya admitted.
“Honey, that’s because you haven’t been around alpha bikers. They want to mark their mates in every way possible. But it’s not ownership. It’s an all-encompassing love, and for most it includes kids,” Meadow explained. She was holding Vale, who was three months old. He was sleeping peacefully.
“Shoo, go talk, drink, play, whatever. I’m fine.” Daya instructed us.
She clearly was enjoying her talk with the ladies, and I knew we didn’t need to hover, so I gestured for Stalker to come with me. But before I walked off, I unnecessarily reminded her.
“If you need us or anything, or want to go home because you’re tired. Just call out. Love you.
“I will. I love you, too—both of you.”
“Love you, Melyster,” Stalker told her.
We dropped kisses on her mouth, but stopped ourselves from making them passionate. Together, we went to find Stryder. He was at the end of the bar. In front of him was whiskey. I couldn’t recall seeing him drink anything more than beer. He was scowling.
“You’re wondering and stressing, aren’t you?” Stalker asked. He made sure to keep his voice low.
“I sure fucking am. I swear to God, if he’s got something to do with that fucker, I won’t be able to forgive, guys.
I keep telling myself there’s no goddamn way Jess would do that.
He was furious when he was told what Marshall had done to Breezy.
And I know when Daya told what he did to her, it made Jess worse.
We talked about it. He was, he said, overwhelmed by the need to make Marshall pay.
And now, he talks like he wants to give the bastard a free pass. ”
Stryder picked up the whiskey glass and tossed back the remainder. He grimaced, but then he rapped his knuckles on the bar. Ivan was manning it. He came rushing over with the whiskey bottle to refill it.
“Just leave it. It’ll save you steps,” Stryder muttered.
I knew Stalker, and I was pissed about the Jess and Marshall thing, but we couldn’t let it get to us that way. We’d have to keep an eye on Stryder tonight and going forward. Drowning his anger and disappointment in alcohol wasn’t the answer.
“Get one more, then let’s go play darts. You don’t want to be shitfaced on whiskey. If you are, and we get word to go take care of business, you won’t be able to go,” Stalker told Stryder.
That froze his hand on the bottle. He pushed it back toward Ivan without pouring more.
“Give me a Dew instead,” Stryder said.
I noted Ivan’s relief. He might not know precisely the cause of Stryder's mood, but he recognized it wasn’t right.
It took mere minutes to get all three of our orders. We moved over to one of the dartboards. We had an odd number, so we’d take turns unless someone wanted to join us. As if by magic, Vex walked up.
“You guys wanna play on teams?”
All three of us agreed. And then the time to compete was on.
While it was all in fun, we were competitive men.
We still put our hearts into the games we played.
Slowly, I saw the tension ease in Stryder.
He began talking more and then joined in the smack talk.
It wasn’t long before we attracted others with our boisterous conversation.
We made sure to take turns checking in on Daya to make sure she was well.