Chapter 8 #2
Because she’d had a video. I remembered it from the basement. The details from that night were hazy, probably because I refused to relive them, but she’d had a video of the Warriors and had tried to blackmail them. For what, I wasn’t sure. Maybe her safety.
I assumed the history Emmett had mentioned was the same that Leo had told me about last night, but I couldn’t be sure. I struggled to see how one end of the string connected to the other, but with this many new faces aimed my way, I stayed quiet.
I’d let them explain, then I’d formulate my questions. Whether they liked it or not, I was going to ask questions. It was in my nature. Making decisions based on CliffsNotes was not my style.
“The Warriors fucked up and opened the door for the FBI to walk inside their clubhouse,” Dash said.
“By kidnapping us?”
He nodded. “Partially. And killing a federal agent. That was the catalyst for the raid. But any rage that Tucker Talbot has toward us will be aimed at those of us who used to wear a patch. Too much happened in the past. Too much blood was spilled. It’s not on you, Scarlett.
Or you, Cass. The reason we’re talking about this is to make sure we all stay safe. ”
“What exactly does staying safe entail?” Clearly the rest of them had discussed it and I was being pulled into the loop.
“Try not to go anywhere alone,” Dash said. “We’re all here for you. If Leo’s busy, call one of us. Watch for anyone suspicious. If someone makes you uncomfortable, tell Leo.”
“When you’re home alone, keep the alarm on,” Leo said. “Doors locked.”
I nodded. “And my parents?”
“Should be fine,” Luke said. “We’re right across the street.”
“No offense, but I was taken on that street.”
“Fair point,” he said. “But I doubt they’re in any danger. I doubt you are either. This is simply a precaution.”
Then why didn’t I feel better? “It’s been months. Has anything happened?”
“No,” Dash said. “There hasn’t been any sign of the Warriors in town. Chances are, it’s over. For good. But we’re not about taking chances these days.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “What about the FBI? Can they help?”
My contact with the FBI had been infrequent at best. Every month or so, Agent Brown would call to check in on me. I’d dodged the last two calls and ignored her voicemails.
Maybe I should have taken those calls after all.
“I keep in touch with her,” Luke said. “And the reason she didn’t warn you is because I doubt she realizes that you’re still connected to us.”
That’s right. This wasn’t really about the kidnapping. It was about the baby. Leo’s baby. I looked up and found his eyes waiting.
“You’re part of the King circle now,” he said. “Like it or not.”
The jury was still out.
But hours later, after adjourning the business discussion, after dinner and a conversation considerably lighter, I decided that maybe the Tin King circle wasn’t necessarily a bad place to be.
“Call me, soon.” Scarlett hugged me as we stood in the entryway. “Let’s go to lunch or something.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’m glad you’re back. I hope we didn’t freak you out too much earlier. We just want you to be safe. Both of you.”
“Thanks.”
With another hug, she let Luke escort her outside while Leo and I said goodbye to the others. It was dark and cold outside, but Dash and Isaiah didn’t seem to mind climbing on their bikes to drive home.
Bryce wrangled her boys, who’d been wild but entertaining, into their SUV as Genevieve loaded in a sleeping Amelia and waved goodbye.
Emmett was the last to leave. He slapped Leo on the shoulder. “I’m going to grab a beer.”
“’Kay.”
Emmett jerked up his chin. “Night, Cass.”
“Good night.” I waved.
Leo waited until Emmett was on his bike, then he closed the door, leaving the two of us alone for that awkward moment I’d avoided earlier.
“I, um . . . I think I might crash.” I pointed toward my end of the house.
Leo ran a hand over his jaw. “Call me if you need anything.”
I nodded and, before it could get awkward, disappeared to my bedroom. Pulling off my hat, I found an elastic tie and twisted up my hair into a top knot. Then I sank down to the edge of the bed and kicked off my shoes.
Tonight had been fun. And interesting.
A potential threat from the Warriors made me nervous, but what had really piqued my curiosity tonight was the way Leo had acted around me.
He’d stayed close, always in the same room. While the guys had discussed projects at the garage and the latest football game, he’d been in and out of their conversation depending on where I was. If I was in the kitchen, talking to the women, then he was in the kitchen.
Bryce and Dash’s sons had challenged all of the guys to an arm-wrestling contest and when we’d gone into the living room to watch the event—Xander and Zeke had tied as undefeated winners—Leo had stood by my side except to participate.
And he’d laughed.
We’d all laughed. Somehow, in a single night, his friends had filled a void I hadn’t realized was so deep. I missed my own friends. I missed Olive, my roommates and my classmates. But tonight, the loss had been a little less, thanks to a group of bikers and their beautiful wives.
“Hey.” Leo knocked on my open door.
“Hey.” I stood from the bed. “What’s up?”
“Wanted to give you these.” He held out a key and a sticky note with a code to the alarm on it. “The garage is full of my shit right now but I’ll get it cleaned out so you can park in there.”
“The driveway is fine,” I said. “I have remote start for the days when it’s cold. I don’t mind.”
“You good?” he asked as I set the key and note on the dresser. “With everything we talked about?”
“I don’t know. Ask me tomorrow.”
He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “We can hit the grocery store tomorrow if you want.”
“Sure.”
“My Sundays are pretty chill. Whenever you want is good with me.”
“All right. Thanks again, for letting me stay.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I didn’t earn it.” He backed away for the door, but I stopped him.
“Leo? Was the danger from the Warriors the reason you were so mean to me? Because you wanted me to leave town?” This would all be easier if he’d done it for my protection. He’d told me that he didn’t want to be a father but maybe that had been a lie.
He sighed. “I wish I could say yes.”
Damn. But at least he was being honest. “Good night.”
“Night, Cassandra.”
Cassandra. My name sounded like a dream in that gravelly tone.
As he disappeared down the hallway, I replayed the day.
It hadn’t gone horribly. That was something, right?
We’d managed a day together without argument.
Though his friends had instigated the baby questions, he now knew my due date, that heartburn was making my nights miserable and that just the mention of bananas would send my stomach into a nasty roll.
Living together could work. This could be our chance to break down the walls and get to know each other. Domestic trips to the grocery store. Evenings spent eating together and watching TV.
I closed the door, changed into my thick pajamas and was about to head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face when a loud rumble echoed outside. Crossing the room, I reached the window just as a single headlight reversed away from the garage.
Leo was on his bike. And before I could make sense of it, he roared down the street.
Emmett. He’d told Leo he was going for a beer. Probably to The Betsy. Then Leo had told me to call him if I needed anything. I’d assumed that call would be through the house, not that I’d have to literally call him on the phone.
He’d told me to call because he wouldn’t be here.
“I’m such a fool.” As the sound of his bike drifted away, I closed my eyes. My first night here and he’d left me alone.
Saturday nights weren’t for staying home with the mother of his child.
Saturday nights were for The Betsy.
I really hated that bar.