Chapter 21
DAISY
The next day, it takes Joker, Sheena and myself to pack up all the gifts, stuffed animals, and flowers for baby Dakota. Yes, after much back and forth on my part, and frustration from Joker, we decided on Dakota for our baby girl.
I even caught the woman filling out my release forms rolling her eyes.
Anyway, we finally got everything, along with baby Dakota, packed into the SUV.
Sheena motions around the car. “You’re gonna need a new house just to fit all this stuff.”
For the first month, Dakota will sleep in her bassinet in our room, but we’ve already talked about buying a bigger home in Henderson now that our family has grown.
“We’ve got our eyes on a few places not too far from where we are now, right, babe?” I turn to Joker behind the wheel, but his gaze is fixed on the road.
“Joker?”
“Yeah, what?”
“I was just telling Sheena how we’ve been looking at some houses around the area. ”
“Houses?”
I cock my head. My husband is always in the moment and on point. “The bigger houses we looked at on Maple and Jefferson Avenues.”
“Right.”
“That’s great,” Sheena says. “I’ll bet you could sell your condo for a good price with all the work Joker’s done on the place.”
Sheena continues with the conversation, but I can’t help noticing Joker’s obvious distraction. Even last night, although he was attentive to me and the baby, something else was pulling at him.
After we got home, I fed Dakota and got her settled in her bassinet, then I gathered the clothes in the hamper to be washed.
“What the hell do you think you’re doin’?” Joker barges into the bedroom.
“Laundry.”
“Give that to me.” He grabs the hamper out of my hands. “There’s no way you’re carrying that basket downstairs.”
“The doctor said I could resume all my normal activities.” I nod to the hamper. “And, sadly, doing laundry is a normal activity for me.”
Last year, when I had the flu, Joker and Derek took over the laundry. It cost me an expensive top that should’ve been dry-cleaned, and my favorite white t-shirt is now tie-dyed.
Joker throws back his shoulders. “I’m capable of doing the wash.”
“No, you’re really not, or have you forgotten that shirt of mine you put in the dryer that’s now too small for Deana?”
“All right, wise-ass, you can do the wash, but I’m carrying the hamper. ”
“Fine.” I roll my eyes behind his back.
After my shadow joins me in the laundry room, he comes back up and paces the living room floor while I feed Dakota again.
“Joker, I’m begging you.”
“What?”
“Please either sit down, or go do something.”
“I’m fine.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t fine.” Even though he’s acting like he’s gonna jump out of his skin. “I’m just saying you’re driving me batshit crazy.”
He takes the chair opposite me and begins to tap his foot on the hardwood floor.
“Why aren’t you at the garage or The Gold Mine?”
“‘Cause I’m here taking care of you and the baby.”
I go back to feeding Dakota because, once my husband gets something in his head, there is no changing him. I love him with all my heart, but he can be stubborn as shit.
A few minutes later, he pops out of the chair and begins pacing again. Yup, this is going to be a long-ass week.
JOKER
There is no hiding shit from my very perceptive wife, and, yeah, I’m way over the edge, but until we get this bullshit straightened out with the Nomads, I couldn’t rest.
Knowing they were behind the mysterious packages and pictures is one thing, but what about my time-travel experience and the vision in the back lot of the club, the bad plugs on my bike, and almost being crushed by a lift in my own garage?
Cobra, Python, and even Daisy tried to explain it away, but the fact remains, weird fuckin’ shit happened, ending in near disaster for Daisy and Baby Dakota. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t forget Warrior’s warnings or the curse the dead Nomad put on me just before Mamba pulled the trigger .
Logical or not, my biggest fear is I’m losing my shit. Or maybe the suffocating guilt is playing with my brain.
Cobra is putting together a meet with Warrior, and until then, I’m not letting Daisy or our new baby out of my sight.
I even wanted Deana and Derek to stay home from school, but Daisy nixed that idea, saying there was no need to worry them needlessly.
Deana’s school has a buzz-in security system, and Derek already proved he could take care of himself.
I reluctantly went along with her, but I couldn’t settle my nerves no matter how hard I tried.
My phone buzzes, and I grab it out of my pocket then swipe at the screen. “Yeah?”
“Just connected with Warrior,” Cobra’s low rasp filters through the phone. “I told him there’s no way we’re dragging our asses out to The Cathouse again, so he’s coming to The Gold Mine tomorrow night.”
“Got it.” My heart races with adrenaline and the need to set this shit straight.
“And this time, there’s no negotiations. He either gets his house in order, or we do, but in the end, this shit stops now.”
“Agreed.”
The call disconnects, and I plan on another sleepless night of walking the floors, my mind on a loop.
As expected, I slept like shit last night. Since I was up anyway, I took the nighttime feedings so Daisy could get some rest. I never minded the night feedings ‘cause it gave me quiet time with my baby girl. Staring into her perfect face calmed me and made me believe there was good in the world.
After lunch, Daisy told me if I didn’t go out for a ride on my Harley or go anywhere away from the condo, she was going to physically throw me out. Can’t get more direct than that, but I couldn’t blame her. I couldn’t even stand myself .
After a short ride that did nothing to calm me down, I ended up at The Gold Mine.
“No wonder Daisy threw your ass out.” Rattler slides a much-needed shot of Jack in front of me. “You’re a fuckin’ pain in the ass.”
“First of all,” I down the shot, “she didn’t throw me out. She suggested I go for a ride on my bike.”
“Not what I heard.” Cobra slides onto the stool next to me. “According to Sheena, you’ve been driving her fuckin’ nuts.”
I throw him a side-eye. “You know the way women talk.”
“Not our women. They call it as they see it, no bullshit, no drama.”
The annoying prick was right, but damn, I wasn’t gonna admit it.
“Fine, believe your wife over your VP.” I sulk into my shot glass, and Rattler refills it.
“After tonight, everything goes back to normal. Then we can concentrate on getting that room downstairs up and running.”
The same slithering chill creeps up my spine as the first time I saw that cobweb-filled room in the basement. Something else I didn’t wanna think about.
Later that night, we congregate in the club room we use for church with two prospects stationed at the back door waiting for Warrior’s arrival.
When he shows, they will check him for weapons, escort him to the door of the club room, then knock and wait until Cobra gives the okay for entry.
This protocol has been set in place to intimidate—and fuck yeah, it works every damn time.
We’re ready and waiting with Cobra at the head of the polished hardwood table with a serpent etched up the middle. I’m at his right hand, with Python at his left, and the other brothers taking the remaining seats.
When the knock on the door comes, Cobra waits a full ten seconds then calls to the prospect to let Warrior enter.
The ancient Nomad enters slowly, yet the power of his presence is clear as he takes in his surroundings. He waits with the quiet strength that comes from years of living the outlaw life until Cobra points to a vacant seat to his left between Python and Boa.
Warrior settles into the chair, and Cobra knocks a cig out of the pack on the table. He plugs it between his lips, and Python takes his time lighting him up.
Warrior shifts in his seat, and I suppress a smile. Cobra has an inner patience, a calm that allows him to control the room and command attention.
Cobra drags deep then blows the smoke to the ceiling. “I think we can cut to the chase since we’re all aware of the bullshit that’s been going on between our clubs for the last two weeks.”
“Some of our members have brought disgrace to the club.” Warrior bows his head, then focuses on Cobra. “Through actions I didn’t condone or sanction.”
“But they still happened under your rule, which, by club law, makes it your responsibility.”
“Of course, and be assured they will be handled accordingly.”
Cobra’s lips split into an evil grin. “We’ve already handled some of them, but it seems like the bigger problem rests with Blade and Arrow.”
“They are a huge disappointment. I knew there was unrest with the younger members defying traditional ways, but I had no idea my two right-hand men were against me and part of the takeover.”
“Were you aware they set up a phony meeting a week ago, then, when we were an hour out of Vegas, they sent one of your members to my VP’s house to terrorize his wife?”
Warrior sucks in a deep breath. “And for that I am supremely sorry.”
Cobra barks out a harsh laugh. “Yeah, well, sorry ain’t gonna cut it.” He nods to me.
I lean into the table. “That fucker knocked my pregnant wife around, made her go into labor, and if it wasn’t for my son kicking the shit outta him, who knows what could’ve happened.” I slam my hand against the table and growl, “He came into my home where my wife and kids live.”
“I understand, and they will be dealt with.”
“I thought your traditions wouldn’t allow you to take care of your own.”
“Sometimes drastic measures are needed to drain out the bad blood.”
“Well, you got a fuckin’ cesspool that needs to be drained.
” I flash Warrior an evil smirk. “We’ll give you seventy-two hours to take care of your business.
” I look to Cobra, and he nods. “Then I want proof it’s been taken care of—and when I say proof, I don’t mean a picture, I mean something solid that holds up. ”