Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
ZERO
My attention was split and I wasn’t sure which thread to follow.
I didn’t have all the information. Simone talking to Officer Hernandez?
No clue why. Jasper’s meltdown earlier? I wasn’t sure what set him off.
He was freaked out, but not about to fall apart when I asked him to go to the waiting room.
Was it something I did? Or was there more I didn’t know?
Hell, I wasn’t even sure what to do about Isla.
The doctor said she’d be fine, but she’d be on antibiotics for a week, and then what?
I didn’t know how to keep this kind of thing from happening again.
Standing just outside the door to the trauma room Isla was in, I couldn’t make myself move to go inside. I didn’t want to go in there until I got my head on straight. And I didn’t know how to do that when I only had half the information.
“You can’t arrest me! I’m injured!”
The angry voice made me frown and I turned my head in time to watch one of Battle’s guys being escorted out of another trauma room, his hands cuffed and his arms bandaged like he’d recently gotten into some sort of accident.
I narrowed my eyes, tracking them as he dragged his feet and argued with the two officers who were pulling him away.
“We didn’t do shit! It’s not our fault that bitch got spooked! We were just driving by!”
His words made me stiffen and I moved, stepping in front of them before the officers could drag him away. “What bitch?”
“Sir, step out of the way,” one of the officers demanded. I ignored him, glaring at the guy who suddenly looked really damn smug. His face twisted and he jerked his chin at me, giving the officer a scowl.
“You should be arresting him. It’s his crew who’s always causing trouble. Mine haven’t done shit. We were just passing through.”
“I drove a car to the hospital, dumbass,” I countered. “My crew doesn’t ride this late. It’s dangerous.”
His lip lifted into a sneer like I knew it would. “Pussies. Too scared to drive after dark? You’re all so damn pathetic. You’re lucky our prez hasn’t given any orders yet. We could take you out easy.”
He really was an idiot. He said that shit in front of two officers, both of which had their cameras on if the little red lights were anything to go by. Didn't mean they’d use that information to help up, but still. It didn’t look good for him.
“That’s enough,” the officer who spoke before barked. “Get out of the way or you’ll be under arrest for obstruction.”
Stepping to the side, I glowered at the asshole as they dragged him away, freezing when he shouted over his shoulder at me. “Better watch your back! We’ve seen a lot of kids near that clubhouse. It’d be a shame if something happened while you were playing daddy!”
I stepped forward, wanting to go after the guy threatening my crew, but another officer stepped in front of me, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder.
“Stop. He’s baiting you.”
“Yeah, well, it’s working,” I snapped back, still glaring at the back of the guy’s head as they frog-marched him out the door.
The officer didn’t move, but he didn’t immediately try to cuff me either.
He stood like a solid presence between me and the door, and didn't even reach for his radio once. It was odd for one of the local officers, odd enough for me to step back and really look at him. The only cop around here who treated us fairly was Officer Hernandez. I didn’t recognize this new guy.
“Who are you?”
Releasing my shoulder, he offered his hand to shake. “Officer Derrick Gillespie. You?”
“Elias Fletcher. Guys call me Zero. You new?”
He nodded, waving his hand in the direction Simone had gone with Officer Hernandez.
“Transferred from New York two weeks ago. I’m Hernandez’s partner.
She told me about your crew. A lot of the guys think the recent crimes are your doing.
She doesn’t. Says your crew isn’t like that.
She’s the most levelheaded of the bunch I’ve met so far, so I’m inclined to believe her. Mind if I ask you some questions?”
A part of me wanted to agree. If we could get more officers on our side, they might be less likely to cause trouble for us. But I could practically hear Prez’s voice in my head. We weren’t allowed to talk to the cops without him being present, even if it was laid out as ‘casual’.
“I’d say yes, but I need to get back to the kids,” I hedged. “You willing to talk to my Prez instead?”
His eyebrows jumped up in surprise. “You think he’d be willing to talk to me?”
I shrugged. “He’s willing to talk to anyone if there’s mutual respect. Our club doesn’t hate cops just because of your job. We just don’t like being hassled for no reason.”
Pursing his lips, he nodded slowly. “Alright. I get that. And I don’t make premature judgments.
I’d like to meet him if he’s willing, maybe talk about what’s been going on lately.
Seems like a lot of fingers are being pointed at you guys for the precinct’s issues, and I’m having trouble connecting the two.
Think you could give him my number, ask him to speak with me?
Off the record, I promise. I’m just trying to understand. ”
He seemed more open to communication than another of the other officers I’d met, aside from Hernandez.
And if he thought he’d get one over on Prez, he had another thing coming.
I wasn’t going to tell him in advance that he was meeting the best lawyer in the state.
I exchanged numbers with him and let him know Prez would call him as soon as he was able.
“No rush. It’s the middle of the night, and you’re busy.” He gestured toward the trauma bay, where Jasper was sticking his head out, a deep frown on his face. “That your boy?”
I snorted, shaking my head. “He’s my cousin. I’m his legal guardian. Call me his dad and you’re asking for trouble.”
Gillespie’s mouth twisted to hide his smirk. “Lemme guess. Teenager?”
I nodded. “Got any yourself?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Nope. No kids yet. But my parents had my sister late. She’s fifteen and knows how to cut a man down to size if I piss her off. Good luck, man. And thanks for talking to me. Have a nice night.”
“You too,” I murmured, frowning at his back. It was the calmest conversation with a cop I’d ever had. Shit was fucking weird.
When I headed back to Isla’s room, Jasper raised an eyebrow at me. “What’d the police want with you?”
Shaking my head, I led him back inside where Isla was finally asleep, still hooked up to monitors but looking better.
She wasn’t sweating anymore and her breathing was deep and even.
She wasn’t going to be happy when I moved her to bring her home, but I’d take the tantrum knowing she was feeling better.
“Nothing. Just wanted to introduce himself. Apparently he’s new. How’d you get her to sleep?”
“Lullaby,” Jasper muttered, dropping into the chair next to the crib. “Mama used to sing to Isla all the time.”
Sitting down next to him, I sighed. “Pretty sure if I tried that, I’d make things worse. I can’t hold a tune to save my life.”
He snorted, sinking lower in his seat. He looked beat, and I felt bad for him.
Shit was rough enough on him right now without dealing with all of this.
Without thinking about it, I threw my arm around his shoulders, giving him a friendly squeeze.
“We’ll head home soon and you can get some rest. Sounds good? ”
He stiffened, and for a minute, I thought I fucked up, but he relaxed after a minute, nodding lightly. “Sounds good. Where’d Ms. Brooks go?”
“To talk to the cops. Not sure why. She didn’t say. She say anything to you?”
He shook his head, and we both sat quietly for a moment, watching Isla sleep. The conversation with Gillespie sidetracked me earlier. I almost forgot what Simone had left to do. She’d been gone a while. Did I need to be worried?
Before I could get too worked up and go looking for her, Simone slipped back into the room.
I’d been too frantic before, then messed up hearing Jasper cry, so I hadn’t taken in her appearance before now.
I felt my lips twitch as I took in her outfit, twisting my mouth when she raised an eyebrow at me.
“You look cute.”
Her brows snapped together in confusion before she realized what I was referring to. She pointed a finger at me with a mock scowl. “No judgment from either of you. I didn’t stop to get ready after getting your message. You’re lucky I’m wearing shoes.”
Huffing a laugh, I barely stopped myself from getting up to hold her.
I wanted to, but not with an audience. I wasn’t lying though.
The silky bonnet and glasses were definitely not what I expected when she showed up here, but it proved just how much she cared that she didn’t wait to get moving.
I appreciated her a little more seeing her like that.
Besides, she looked cozy. Kinda made me want to crawl in bed for a cuddle.
I could use one after a night like tonight.
I cast a glance at Jasper, trying to see what he thought about his teacher looking so rumpled. He just shrugged. “Mom wore bonnets too. She tried to get Isla to wear one, but she pulls it off. It’s good for curls or whatever.”
The conversation stayed easy for the rest of the time we were at the ER.
I wanted to ask what happened with the cops, but I didn’t want to bring it up in front of Jasper.
The more I sat on it, the more I was starting to think I wouldn’t like whatever reason she had for speaking with them.
It took her a little longer than I expected to get to the hospital. I was almost afraid to ask why.
We were discharged with a bunch of new meds and a stern dressing down from Mel about having a thermometer at the house.
I promised I’d pick one up in the morning and tried offering her a ride home, but Wraith was already waiting for her when we headed outside.
Mel promised to check in on Isla once everyone had gotten some sleep and waved goodbye before climbing onto the back of Wraith’s bike and heading home for the night.
Simone followed us back to the house, helping get Isla back to sleep. I was trying to figure out a way to convince her to stay the night when she headed for the doorway.
“You should stay. It’s late. I’ll sleep on the couch,” I offered.
She was shaking her head when Jasper spoke up. I hadn’t noticed him follow us downstairs and he stood at the landing, a dark look on his face. “It’s dangerous to drive this late. The only people driving right now are drunks and tired people. You should stay.”
Simone hesitated, we both heard the emotion in his voice, and the worry in his eyes seemed to be enough to sway her. She nodded once. “Okay. I’ll stay. Thank you, Jasper, for worrying about me.”
I expected him to brush it off, maybe say something snarky. Instead, his eyes drifted toward the door and he murmured, “They might not have gotten hurt if they hadn’t been out so late.”
He didn’t stick around to explain, and I didn’t ask him to. I knew what he was talking about. I followed him back up the stairs, leading Simone into my room and picking the blankets up off the floor.
“Are you doing okay?” she asked, leaning against the door jam and studying me.
Sighing, I scrubbed the back of my neck. “I’m alright. Tired. Seems like shit keeps hitting the fan and I can’t catch a break lately,” I admitted.
She nodded in understanding, pushing off the wall to stand in front of me. “You’re still settling in. I’d honestly be surprised if you were handed a whole new lifestyle and two needy kids and you weren’t overwhelmed. Can I help in any way?”
Glancing toward the door, which was still cracked open, I lowered my voice, putting my arms around her waist and drawing her closer. “You help plenty. Pretty sure I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.”
She looked like she wanted to argue with that, but I silenced her with a kiss, soaking in her warmth like a balm to my soul.
She rested her hands on my chest, leaning into me, but neither of us pushed for more.
We were exhausted and I got the feeling Isla would be up at her normal time despite the chaos of the night. We needed rest.
“Get some sleep,” I encouraged, resting my forehead against hers. “And thank you, for coming tonight. It meant a lot.”
Her smile was soft and she gifted me with another sweet kiss before pulling away. “Glad I could help. You sure you’ll be comfortable on the couch?”
I shrugged. “It’s a good couch. Sleep well.”
I was betting I could’ve pushed to join her, but I didn’t trust myself to wake up early enough to escape before Jasper noticed. Besides, lying in a bed next to her without being able to touch her would be torture. I’d take the couch.