Chapter Nine.
Calamity
“Now what, Sheriff?” I demanded, as Cates approached.
“Sorry to bother you,” she said.
“It’s early morning, Sheriff. What’s happened?”
“Another body’s been discovered. Same condition as the first.”
“Not on Rage land it hasn’t,” I retorted.
“No. Further up the lake. Calamity, I’ve come to ask if you’ve noticed anything strange lately?” Cates asked, keeping her politeness despite my animosity.
“No. Nothing springs to mind. Where was the corpse found?”
“Big Stone Island; it washed up there. Same wounds as the first.”
“Got an ID?”
“No, unfortunately the fish had done a number on him. Still, we’re hopeful.”
“Guess you’re here to drag me in for questioning?” I hissed, and Cates shook her head.
“No. Just asking if you’d heard or seen anything.”
“Then I ain’t got nothing to say to you,” I replied, and Cates nodded.
“Thanks for your time, Calamity,” Cates said, and turned and walked to her vehicle.
What the hell had that been about?
Shaking my head, I headed back inside the clubhouse to grab breakfast.
Falcon
“Yeah?” I grunted sleepily, my voice rough as I answered the phone. It was seven in the morning. I had been planning to sleep till eight, but nope, some asshole had to ring.
“Falcon?” Myka replied hesitantly.
“What’s up?” I demanded, suddenly alert.
“The hospital has agreed I can go home today, but someone needs to collect me. They won’t let me take an Uber.”
“Can’t blame them. Do you know what time?”
“The nurse said from eleven onwards.”
“Okay, I’ll be there for then, Myka.”
“Thank you, Falcon. Bye.”
Myka cut the call, and I had an epiphany. She’d have to return to that house. That wouldn’t be safe. From what I understood, Myka had no family.
“Fuck,” I muttered, and swung my ass out of bed. Myka would have to come here. This was the safest place for her. I didn’t question why that gave my gut a little kick. Yawning, I headed for the shower. Today was going to be busy after all.
“You look like you’ve the weight of the world on your shoulders.” Calamity sat next to me.
“Need to ask a favour, Prez. Myka—she’s got nowhere to go. Can she stay here?”
“Sure. Best thing for her until we catch the asshole who did that. Have you spoken to Myka about it?”
“Nope.”
Calamity laughed at my answer. “Think she’ll argue?”
“Yup.” We both chuckled. “Myka’s gotta put Jayes first though, and she couldn’t defend against those three assholes when she was healthy. Now? No chance.”
“Tell Myka that. Anyway, Cates dropped by. Another body’s been found.”
“Fuck!” I spat. “Where?”
“Big Stone Island.”
“Is she looking at the club?”
“No. I’ve got feelers out, but our network isn’t as great as it was in Rapid City. We’re still building up relationships here. Glitch is checking for shit, and I’m sure he’s hacked into the morgue.” Calamity lowered his voice. “Got a bad feeling, Veep.”
“Me too. Why are bodies dropping now? Is someone trying to frame us?”
“Don’t know, but it won’t work. Falcon, we gotta sort out the body removal and how to handle it. Clearly the dead don’t like staying in the water around here,” Calamity muttered, shocking me.
“Yeah, we need a crematorium.”
“Yes. And there’s only one in town.”
“Gonna have to make them sell, as it’s not up for sale,” I murmured, and Calamity nodded.
“Give them a decent offer first. We’ve gotta get that crem, and while I don’t wanna put the screws on anybody, I will do so to protect the club. We both know bodies are gonna drop sooner or later, and that is the best way to dispose of them,” Calamity stated.
It was ironic that we were already considering how to dump stiffs, and we’d not even killed anyone yet. Christ, I guess we were never going to be fully clean, but who gave a shit? Rage looked after our own.
Myka
“Yo,” Falcon said, entering the room. Both the prospects at the door nodded, and one closed it behind him. I’d been surprised when they’d turned up because Falcon had kept his promise. I was unaccustomed to that. They switched during the night, introducing two new prospects.
“Hi. Sorry to have bothered—”
“No bother, Myka. Anyway, I’d have had to come,” Falcon said, with a slight smile.
“Oh?”
“Well, you can’t go home,” Falcon stated, folding his arms across his chest. I glanced at his tee, Nirvana, nice.
“No…”
“You mentioned Dawson had family. I’m guessing you mean other than those two assholes. That means you aren’t safe in that house.”
“Falcon, I know that,” I replied softly. I didn’t need this gorgeous man telling me I was a fuck-up.
“You’re coming to the clubhouse. It’s safer for Jayes,” Falcon ordered, and I froze.
Had he just attempted emotional blackmail on me? With a great deal of struggle, I held Falcon’s gaze. Dawson had beaten eye contact out of me, but my gut told me that Falcon wouldn’t do that. Soft hazel eyes stared back. They showed neither hatred nor anger. Nor was there pity.
“You used Jayes to get what you wanted, didn’t you?” I asked softly, my fingers searching for the nurse button. If Falcon attacked me for challenging him, I would press it.
“Yup.” Falcon stepped forward, and I tensed. “Jayes couldn’t swim.”
“No?” That was totally random.
“I put Jayes in our club pool yesterday and taught him to float. By the end of the first hour, Jayes was doing the front crawl. Your kid is fearless. I’d like to spend some time with him, stretch him a bit.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, and I honestly didn’t. What was Falcon trying to say?
“Myka, the way Jayes approached the water, he’s got talent. A fuckload. I want to develop that,” Falcon replied.
“Why?” I was so puzzled that I forgot to fear Falcon.
“Damn, that’s a real kick to my ego. You really don’t recognise me?”
Okay, I was definitely missing something.
“Falcon, from Rage MC.” I peered at his cut. “Vice-President?”
“Heard of Falcon Blackelk?”
I was blank. Oh, wait a moment. “I know a Nova Blackelk. Are you related?” I was sure Falcon had mentioned he’d a twin called Nova.
Falcon threw his head back and laughed loudly.
“Damn, that told me. Nova and I’ve won Olympic gold medals in swimming and Ju-Jitsu.
Twice. My first Olympics were when I was sixteen with Nova, and we walked away with several gold and silver medals.
When we took part two years ago, Nova claimed every gold, and I gained a couple and some silver. ”
I stared at Falcon. “Oh God. Sorry, I didn’t recognise you!”
The penny dropped, and finally I knew who Falcon was. I’d had a crush on him in twenty-twenty-four, and damn, didn’t that make me a dirty bitch? Quietly doing the math, I realised Falcon could only be twenty-two. I was twenty-six, four years older than him.
“You don’t look your age,” I blurted, for something to say.
“Nah, I look sixteen, fuckin’ annoying. Blame my father for that one.
He looks about twenty years younger than he is, and so does my grandpa.
Nova has the same issue, only I tease her that she could pass for twelve.
But I shave like every other man.” Falcon shoved his longer hair off his face, and I smiled. He really was gorgeous to look at.
“You’re famous,” I murmured, and Falcon shrugged. “Why are you hanging around here?”
“Because I want to help, and Jayes is growing on me. Kid called me dude last night.” Falcon smirked at the memory.
“Jayes did?” I demanded, delighted.
“Yup. So, let’s get you dressed and blow this joint,” Falcon said, and I shook my head.
“No, Falcon, it’s a really generous offer, but I have to refuse.”
“And I’m going to ignore that and insist. Purely because Jayes has a talent that needs nurturing and I can do that.
Myka, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying.
If a gold medallist tells you your son is special, you don’t say thanks and wave it off.
You ask what you can do to encourage his growth. ”
I stared at Falcon, and the sense of genuineness rolled off him. “You’re not blowing smoke up my ass.”
“No. Jayes could be like me,” Falcon insisted. “He was doing the front crawl in an hour. Myka, that’s special. Please, you’ve gotta let me have time with him.”
“I don’t have to let you do anything,” I retorted, and slapped a hand over my mouth. “Sorry! I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes, you did…” Falcon chuckled. “And I like that sass! Myka, I’m asking, let me see what Jayes is capable of.”
I wanted to say no, but Falcon looked so earnest, and if Jayes had some talent, I’d be selfish to deny him this chance. I’d be no different from Dawson. Hell no, I wouldn’t stop my son.
“Okay, but I need some clothes from the house.”
“We can sort that out later. How about we get you back to Jayes?” Falcon suggested, and I nodded. There was just one problem.
“Falcon, I’ve nothing to wear.”
“Shit, right. Here. Rosie sent these,” Falcon said. “They’re new. Rosie thought a wrap dress would be easier to handle than a slip-on.” He placed a bag on the chair next to my bed.
“Um, Falcon?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you leave?” I asked, and he laughed.
“Sorry, I’ll be outside.”
“Thanks,” I replied as a nurse bustled in.
“I don’t see the point in this!” I griped as Falcon pushed me towards the entrance in a wheelchair. The nurse pursed her lips but carried on walking beside me.
“Because you could injure yourself before you leave and sue their asses. Myka, stop complaining,” Falcon said with a teasing note.
My mouth opened and then closed. Falcon was correct. I was ungrateful. “Sorry,” I muttered.
Falcon stopped pushing me and leant down. “You don’t apologise. You’re in pain, confused, lost, and scared, and that’s all okay to be. I get it, Myka.”
Now I felt even smaller, and I nodded but kept quiet.
Falcon was right. I experienced all of those emotions, and this hadn’t been my plan.
I should be safely ensconced in a safe house run by the Parks and organising my divorce.
Instead, Dawson, as usual, had thrown a spanner in the works. His timing was impeccable.