Chapter 2
CHAPTER
TWO
Slayer
I sat in my hotel room for hours last night in the dark with a tumbler of whiskey in hand as I contemplated Jersey’s suggestion on where Boston and Carolina should stay.
Nothing is ideal, but I’m leaning toward letting them live with her based on the fact that she has the training to handle two adults with disabilities.
When it comes to my brother, I’m cautious about the way I speak or think about him.
To me, he’s special, unique, and has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen in a person.
Contrary to others’ beliefs, he’s not dumb, he just processes things differently and more slowly than the average person.
I don’t know Carolina personally, but she’s going to be the mother of my niece or nephew so I need to rectify that, because if she’s captured Boston’s attention and protection, she must be one helluva woman.
Stepping out of the shower, I quickly dry off, wrap a towel around my waist and stare at my reflection.
I look rough this morning, I haven’t shaved since leaving the clubhouse and my whiskers are dark, making me look more threatening and that has to change since I’m meeting the kids, Mrs. Jackman, and Grady for a pow wow.
Yesterday afternoon, the kids went to their therapist appointment, and this morning, we’ll be hearing what she thinks about this situation.
Her recommendation is going to be what sways the judge when we go and see him.
Either way, Boston’s not going back into a special needs facility.
Obviously, they weren’t doing their job accurately, and now, I don’t trust anybody with his wellbeing but me.
It doesn’t take me long to shave and toss on my clothes.
With being out of town, I’m not flying my colors.
I took a big chance leaving without an escort, but nothing is more important than family, and Boston needed me more than the club did.
I’m sure I’ll catch hell from Riptide when I return, but at the time, the only thing ruminating through my head was getting to my brother and making sure he was okay.
Up until last night, I was wishy-washy on bringing them back to Canton with me.
The dangers lurking around the corner have had me questioning if any of the kids should be in the proximity of us since things are so dangerous.
The dragon fuckers don’t give a shit about the sanctity of their lives, nor those of the old ladies, they’re vile and vicious.
There’s no honor in their gang. Nobody is safe as long as they’re alive and breathing.
While we’d all burn the town down if something happened to one of the women or kids, Icer and Shade would definitely go on a thermonuclear rampage that might lay waste to all of Texas, so it’s something to worry about when it comes to getting rid of the dragon assholes.
Those fucknuts only care about one thing—themselves and their hierarchy on the food chain.
How they still think they’re on top of the tier is a mystery to me because all they’ve managed to achieve is the status of being bullies and terrorists.
I shake off those thoughts since I don’t want my mood to affect the others I’ll be meeting shortly.
I grab my keys, wallet, and helmet before stepping outside and locking the door behind me.
As I straddle my bike, I let all of the troubles at home disappear as I rev my engine, kick it into drive, and pull out of the lot.
When I arrive at the diner, Mrs. Jackman and Carolina are already there waiting for the rest of us to arrive.
Grady is grabbing Boston for me since I didn’t bring a cage with me or a spare helmet.
As I walk up to the table, I notice Carolina fidgeting as she tears her napkin into tiny pieces and puts them inside of an empty coffee mug.
Not wanting to intimidate her with my size, I hunch my shoulders and plaster a smile on my face.
“Mrs. Jackman, Carolina, it’s nice to see you this morning,” I say as I sit in the seat across from them. Carolina gives me a shy smile but never stops shredding the napkin. A nervous twitch I’m presuming, one that’s cute and not too unlike my brother. She shreds and he builds things.
“Mr. Slayer, it’s nice to see you again. Isn’t it nice to see Boston’s brother, Carolina?” she asks her granddaughter.
Carolina bobs her head with a tilted smile and says, “Nice to see Boston’s brother.”
“It’s nice to see you too, Carolina,” I counter, pulling another napkin out of the tin holder and handing it to her.
“Thank you,” she timidly replies, politely plucking the napkin from my fingers with hers and adding to her growing pile.
Looking up at Mrs. Jackman who has tears in her eyes, I state, “Boston builds things.”
She clears her throat and looks me dead in the eyes, saying, “This is her tic according to the doctors. I figure as long as she’s not hurting anyone, there’s no harm in letting her do whatever makes her feel comfortable.”
“I agree,” I tell her, giving her a sympathetic look. “Mrs. Jackman, no matter what happens here today, I’m taking Boston back home with me. I know your situation, and I know you can’t care for Carolina, but I may have a solution if you’re willing to listen to what I’ve come up with.”
“At this point, I’m willing to listen to anything that’ll benefit my granddaughter, Mr. Slayer.”
“How much do you know about me and my lifestyle, Mrs. Jackman?” I ask, knowing that this may be the biggest hurdle I’ll face in getting her to agree with my plan.
“I know, Mr. Slayer. Most people would be scared of the life you lead, but I’m not.
Clubs get a bad reputation and that’s hogwash,” she says, waving her hand through the air.
“There may be some out there that are bad, but at the end of the day, all I care about are the people, not what they do. You have a good heart, I can see it in your eyes.”
“I appreciate your confidence in me, Mrs. Jackman. But I’m not going to sit here and lie to your face, we don’t live a conventional life, and that may trickle down to Carolina and Boston.
What I can promise you, is that I will lay my life down for them before letting someone hurt a single hair on their heads.
We have enemies, but that’s because we’re trying to rid our town of the trash that’s piling up on the streets.
We have a gated compound that’s starting to shape up like a community.
We have houses on the land our clubhouse sits on and there is always someone around.
They’ll never be alone. As a matter of fact, I’ve already lined up a place for them to live with an educator who has experience with those who have special needs. ”
“They’ll be living with a school teacher?” she inquires, canting her head to the side. “Is she aware of their predicament?”
“She is,” I inform her. “We spoke about it last night and she offered to let them stay with her since she has a spare bedroom and is willing to help them navigate their impending parenthood.”
Mrs. Jackman sighs, glancing over at her granddaughter before speaking.
“Obviously, I’m too old to care for Carolina and her child.
Not to mention, I can’t afford to move and the complex I live in is only for senior citizens.
I’m conflicted, Mr. Slayer. I want what’s best for both Carolina and Boston, but driving hours to see her isn’t something I’m capable of doing and I see her at least once every week.
How can I check up on her if I can’t get there to see her? ”
“I understand the position you’re in, Mrs. Jackman.
And this solution isn’t ideal, but I refuse to let my brother go back into a facility like the one they were in.
I also know that keeping him away from his woman and unborn child isn’t going to do either one of them any good.
Do you have another idea? If you do, I’m willing to listen. ”
“I’ve got nothing, Mr. Slayer. Every time I think of something, I realize it won’t work.
I can’t afford better placement for Carolina, and I agree with you that she’s not going back to that incompetent place.
I feel like I’m throwing her to the wolves and that’s not sitting right with me.
When her parents died, I swore I’d do everything within my power to make sure she knows she’s loved.
That I haven’t abandoned her, and if I let her leave with you, that’s exactly what I’m doing. ”
As she says that, I come up with a proposition for her and voice it.
“What if I move you to another retirement home near our town, would that work for you? I’ll take care of everything.
You won’t have to lift a finger, I’ll have movers come and pack up for you.
I’ll also pay the deposit and the breaking of your lease. ”
“Being closer would ease my mind, but I couldn’t ask you to do that, Mr. Slayer.”
“You don’t have to ask, I offered and I wouldn’t do that if I couldn’t afford it, Mrs. Jackman. We’re family now and I take care of mine. Moving you won’t be a hardship and you’ll be nearer to Carolina and can see her whenever you like. Will you at least think about it?”
“I’ll consider it,” she says, appeasing me. “But I’d like to tour the place before I agree to anything.”
Before I get a chance to counter, the bell over the door chimes and Boston comes barreling inside, spreading his arms out wide as he presents himself. “Bubba! Caro! I’m here!”
I chuckle at his antics but notice how Carolina’s eyes light up and her smile widens across her face.
She dances in her chair and claps her hands in glee.
“Bo Bo! Come sit by me!” She starts scooting to the side, pushing her grandmother over as Boston gets down on his hands and knees and crawls underneath the table.
Chuckling, I say, “Guess I’m chopped liver.”
Mrs. Jackman laughs, saying, “Even if they’ve only been apart for an hour or two, this is how they greet each other.”
My brows raise into my forehead as I ask, “Every time?”
“Every single time,” she answers, nodding her head. “It’s sweet.”
“It’s love,” Grady states as he sidles up next to me.
Thank goodness we’re in a round booth so I’m not feeling entirely closed in.
He whips out a manila file folder from his briefcase and sits it on the table, opening it.
“According to the therapist, they are in a loving, committed relationship. In her opinion, separating them will do more harm than good. Her recommendation is for them to stay together as long as they have a guardian willing to watch over them. She recommends parenthood classes, ones that’ll teach them about all aspects of raising a baby.
She believes that as long as they have somebody watching over them and helping them along the way, they’ll succeed.
She also advises that they have some sort of job to learn life skills. ”
“I’ll take care of that,” I offer. “The club has a lot of things they could do and they’ll have a pretty payday too.
One of the residents is a school teacher who has experience with special needs, she’s volunteered her home and services.
As of right now, she only has one pupil and it won’t be difficult for her to navigate things. ”
Grady turns to Mrs. Jackman, and asks, “How do you feel about that?”
“I’m thinking things over, Mr. Grady,” she answers.
“Well, I managed to get us in to see a judge later today, can you think fast?” he asks her.
Mrs. Jackman grabs Carolina’s hand to gather her attention. When Carolina lifts her eyes and meets her grandmother’s, Mrs. Jackman asks her, “Baby girl, what do you want to do?”
Carolina straightens her shoulders and exclaims, “I wanna stay with Bo Bo.”
Mrs. Jackman turns back to us and says, “There’s your answer, fellas. My granddaughter hasn’t been given many choices in her life, but this is one I’m willing to let her make and stand behind her. I guess we’re all moving to Canton.”