Chapter 11 – Presley #3
“She left the hospital right before I got off work,” I told him.
“Thanks. I was planning on going back to the hospital,” he said, stopping at the entryway to the living room. “Jake, you ready to head out?”
Jake walked into the kitchen and extended his hand to me. “Hello, Ms. Calloway. I’m Jake Marks.”
“Hi Jake,” I said, shaking his hand. “Thank you for watching over things this afternoon.”
“No problem. I was happy to help,” he said with a smile. Ariel wasn’t kidding. He was a nice-looking young man, and he had manners to boot.
Ink remained seated at my kitchen table as Dice and Jake left. I walked over to the fridge and helped myself to a slice of cold pizza. “So,” I said and pointed the end of my pizza at him. “Can you tell me what happened?”
He didn’t evade the question or pretend like he didn’t know what I was referring to. Instead, he gave me what I knew was an honest answer, which I appreciated. “He managed to get away from us, so nothing happened. If we had caught up with him, then no, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.”
“Would you lie to me?”
“No,” he said seriously. “I would tell you I couldn’t tell you.”
I nodded, satisfied with his answer, and took another bite of pizza.
“How’s Macy?” he asked.
I grinned. “I can’t tell you.”
He rolled his eyes and laughed. “That’s okay. I’ll find out from Dice.”
“Dice said Macy’s attack might have had something to do with his sister.
I accidentally overheard him telling Badger and Macy that you and another guy went after the person responsible.
I told him he didn’t need to explain because it was none of my business, and he said it might be. What did he mean by that?”
“Did you ask him what he meant?”
“Yes, and before you ask, he said he wasn’t implying anything, and that if I saw something suspicious, I should assume it was suspicious.”
“And you think there’s more to it?” Ink asked knowingly.
“Yep,” I said and went back to the fridge for another slice of pizza while I waited for his answer.
Ink sighed. “I can’t say for sure what he meant without talking to him, but I’m going to assume he was referring to the incident at the diner last year.
We were there having lunch with Daphne, and a guy came over to us and pointed a gun at Dice.
He was looking for Dice’s sister because she owed him money.
After we got Daphne out of harm’s way, we disarmed him and held him until the police got there.
He was arrested and ended up spending some time in jail. He’s been out for around four weeks.”
“Is that who attacked Macy?”
“I don’t know, but if I had to put money on it, I’d say yes.”
“What does that have to do with me?” I wondered.
“Tawny owes him money, and he’s pissed. I don’t know if he’s after money or revenge, but he seems to think her family members are responsible for her debt. He was able to get to Macy, which means he might try to get to you or Daphne,” he explained.
“Me? Why me?” I blurted. Macy and Daphne made sense. They were Old Ladies. I was a random woman with a new biker friend.
“Because you’ve been around enough for him to associate you with the club if he’s been watching us. And we’re assuming he has.”
“Great. So now I get to add a scorned drug dealer to the list of shit I’m dealing with,” I said dryly.
“Just add him to your list of things to be aware of. It may not be an issue, but it could be.”
“I’m going to have to start carrying my gun again,” I mumbled.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea. Does Ariel have pepper spray?”
“Yes, she does, and she has a large hunting knife under the passenger seat in her car, but it’s mine if anybody asks.”
He chuckled. “You just skipped all the small stuff and went straight for the big knife, huh?”
“It was my dad’s idea. He gave it to her. He’s also the one who told her to say it was mine if she ever got pulled over and it was found.”
“Well, hopefully, none of this will be an issue for either of you, but it’s better to be aware and prepared.”
“I completely agree.”
“On that note, I’m going to head out before it gets much later. Four o’clock tomorrow, right?” he asked as he got to his feet.
“Yes, if it’s not too much trouble.”
He grinned and my eyes went straight to his lips. “No trouble at all.”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his mouth. Had his lips always been so alluring?
He reached up and ran his hand over his mouth and chin. “Do I have something on my face?”
I jolted when I realized he caught me staring. “Oh, no. Sorry, I’m really tired, and I guess I zoned out for a second.”
“Well, I’ll get out of your hair so you can get some rest,” he said and headed for the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Ariel.”
“See ya, Ink,” she said from her spot on the couch.
I followed along behind him, watching him walk through my house. He really was an attractive man. I mean, I’d noticed that right away, but I hadn’t given it much thought until Ariel said she thought he was interested in me. I wasn’t sure about that, but I was definitely more aware of him.
He stopped abruptly, and I almost ran into the back of him. “Hey, Ariel. Your mom said you have a knife in your car. If you ever have to use it, go for the stomach with the sharp part facing the sky. The body will naturally move forward or slump. Let gravity do some of the work for you,” he said.
“Papa said the same thing, but he told me to swing it up under their balls and let them fall on the blade.”
Ink grimaced—like most men did when a significant testicular injury was mentioned—causing Ariel and me to laugh. “Yeah, I suppose that would work, too,” he said.
At the front door, Ink stepped onto the porch and turned back to face me. “I know I’ve said this before, but call me if you need anything. I don’t care what time it is.”
“I will.”
“And if you ever feel uncomfortable here, you’re welcome to stay at my place or at one of the vacant houses on the farm. We have a couple that are furnished and stocked for reasons just like this.”
“Thanks, Ink,” I said sincerely.
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead before he turned and walked to his bike.
When I closed the door and turned around, Ariel was staring at me with her mouth hanging open. Then, she jumped up and squealed. “He kissed you! On the freaking forehead!”
“I know!” I squealed back as we both proceeded to jump around and scream like the teenage girl only one of us was.