CHAPTER 15
Maverick
As soon as Riker and I enter Ace’s office, he motions towards the chairs across from him for us to sit. We do. A minute later, Grayson enters.
“Sorry, I was playing with the kids and needed to wash up first. Joey threw mud at me.”
Riker laughs. “Better than a rock.”
“Yeah.” Grayson scoffs. “So, what’s up?”
Ace folds his hands, resting them on his desk. “Ty is coming back.” He glances to each one of us. “Tomorrow night.”
“Oh shit,” Grayson mutters.
Fuck. This is going to open up a huge can of worms with the girls. None of them know Gretchen’s ex is the guy Carnage has been protecting for the past year or that he’s the one who catapulted the club’s issues with Bishop into Bad Blood’s destruction.
“What doesn’t he like about Texas?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Nothing. He wants his life back. His girl too. I told him Bishop is still on the run, but he doesn’t care. He’s had enough of hiding and I can’t say I blame him. Buck says he’s become an integral part of Long Hill. He’s sorry to see him go.”
Riker stretches his legs out in front of him. “You just said in church he was fine where he is.”
Ace shrugs. “Guess he isn’t. Buck messaged me earlier, but I didn’t have a chance to get back to him until church was over. Ty left early this afternoon. He’s already on his way.”
I run my hand through my hair. “These girls are gonna flip their shit.”
Grayson nods. “That’s for sure. How are we doing this? Do we tell them first or just let him show up?”
Riker laughs. “I’m so glad this doesn’t affect my life. I’ll be glad when he’s here. Going to be crazy having him as a brother after all this shit.”
Ace throws his hands up. “Your call. You can tell them or let it happen naturally when he shows up.” He stands and faces us. “But from someone who’s been married for more almost 30 years, I wouldn’t wait. Assuming he stops to sleep, he should get here sometime tomorrow evening, so you have a day.”
We all rise and follow Ace back to the common room. I had all intentions of going to see Kaya, but knowing I’ll have to tell her about Ty has me grabbing a beer from Nick instead.
“Thanks kid.” Nick gives me a chin lift before turning around and grabbing two more beers for Riker and Gray.
We all lean on the bar talking low.
“What about Gretchen?” Riker asks, his gaze moving across the room and landing on her. “It’s not my place to tell her.”
“I’m sure when I tell Sophia she’ll be on the phone with Gretchen five seconds later filling her in.” Grayson says, before taking a large gulp from his bottle.
“Why not just tell them now? They’re both here.” I ask.
“Or maybe don’t tell them? I mean he’s not going to be here until tomorrow. Why fuck up your night?” Riker asks.
Grayson and I exchange a glance, contemplating.
“Nah, I got to tell her, but I’m going to wait until after we put the kids to bed.” Grayson turns to watch Sophia who is chatting with Gretchen and Hannah with Joey on her lap.
Our phones all go off simultaneously. I pull mine out.
Tank: 911 Shooting at the Petal. Shade and Dom are on the move trying to catch up to them. Two bikes. Cops on their way.
We jump into action. As soon as our boots hit the floor, Riker, Grayson, and I take off to the parking lot.
Leo is right behind us. We hop on our bikes and are out of the gate in seconds.
I head to the right with Leo behind me, while Grayson and Riker head left.
We speed past corn fields and a few houses before we make it to the intersection.
Seeing nothing strange, we go right toward town.
We rode up and down the streets of Dogwood Creek for a half hour and never came across any other bikes.
Ace sent Eli and Tripp to the outskirts of town and they saw nothing either.
Whoever they are, they’re either hiding out in town or they somehow managed to get away without being seen by a single one of us.
I’m not buying it. There were too many of us out within minutes of the shooting.
These motherfuckers are still in Dogwood Creek.
The only damage to the Iron Petal was one window and some dings to some outdoor signs. Tank said that a lot of the customers didn’t even realize it was a shooting at first because the music inside was so loud.
The cops made Ace shut down for the night and he complied to make everything appear on the up and up. Police tape is up around the parking lot and in front of the building. The staff went home, leaving just us and the police.
Chief Stroud and Ace are walking around together, while other cops gather shell casings and take pictures.
I check the time on my phone. It’s pushing eleven o’clock.
I told Kaya I would be over and here it is two hours after she left.
And she’s by herself. That thought alone causes me to shift on my feet.
We have no idea who these guys are or what they’re after, and my girl is alone in her shitty apartment.
I glance around and walk toward Tank and Rebel who are standing together with their arms crossed watching the cops. I face Rebel. “Let your pop know I had to leave.”
His gaze drifts to mine and settles into a stare like he’s waiting for a reason.
His eyes are all Ace on a younger face which is pretty damn uncomfortable.
Even though Rebel is the middle son, I have no doubt he will be the one who gets the gavel when the time comes.
He’s the most like his dad—strong, focused, loyal, and always looking out for the best interest of the club and the family.
The fact that I’m quite a bit taller and bigger than him doesn’t affect him in the slightest. Even though no words are spoken, the fact that he’s questioning me with his stare makes me want to punch him in the jaw.
“Kaya’s alone,” I say simply.
He nods in understanding. “I’ll let him know.”
I turn and leave without another word.
Ten minutes later I’m outside her apartment door.
The smell of flowers in this hallway is so strong I can taste it.
It’s disgusting. I knock loudly, twice. She’s probably asleep, but the fact that she hasn’t come to the door yet has my heart hammering.
I knock again. Still nothing. I try the knob which of course is locked.
I bang on the door with my fist, so hard I’m surprised the wood doesn’t splinter. Finally, the door flies open.
Kaya is in front of me with her hair mussed and eyes glaring daggers. “What the—”
I don’t give her time to finish. I grab her around the waist and pull her into me, hugging her tight, relief washing over me.
I knew she wasn’t in danger, yet I couldn’t relax until I saw her.
Any hit on the club always feels targeted, and the fact that we don’t know who it was yet means it could have been anyone.
Kaya melts into me wrapping her arms around me in return. “What’s wrong?” she whispers. “I thought you would have been here hours ago.”
I guide her inside and close the door, locking it. “Shooting at the Petal. Gretchen is still at the clubhouse with Sophia.”
Kaya takes my hand, pulling me toward her room. “Is everyone ok?”
“Everyone’s fine.”
“Good. Come on.” She plops down on the futon and pats the spot next to her. “I have to get up early.”
I quickly undress until I’m in nothing but my boxers.
I climb in next to her and wrap her in my arms, pulling her against me.
Her back is against my chest and I breathe her in, burying my face in her neck.
I kiss the soft skin behind her ear causing goose bumps to form on her arms. She nestles against me and I can’t describe the comfort and sheer satisfaction I feel from that little action.
I give her a squeeze and let my body relax, quickly falling asleep.