19. Melody
MELODY
Going from the chaos downstairs to the quiet interrogation room is a jarring experience. Rebel raises an eyebrow at Mad Dog, whose hair and clothes still look, well, like he just jumped out of a brawl.
I might be back in the same room, surrounded by the same men, but the feeling in the room isn’t as hostile as it was yesterday. Mad Dog, Rebel and Riptide at least are here supporting me, not as prison guards.
“Are you ready?” Shadow slides my phone across the table to me.
I pull it the rest of the way. It feels like passing a lit grenade. “What should I say?”
“Let him lead the conversation at first. He’s going to know something’s fucked by now and we’ll probably have to hop in, but I wanna hear what his first reaction is.”
I nod. I can do that.
Outlaw starts recording, and Rebel has a legal pad and a pen to take notes. I hope I’m not going to regret this. If I get my father killed, even if it’s because of his own actions, I don’t know if I can forgive myself.
I tap Dad’s contact and wait for him to pick up. Part of me hopes he doesn’t.
He picks up on the second ring. “Who am I talking to?” His voice is flat and hard. His work voice, I guess. Not the one I’m used to. He was always the one who let me get away with anything when he was around.
“It’s me, Dad. I know you said to wait for you to contact me, but things have gotten a little complicated.”
“No shit. You and who else?”
I look at the guys, not sure what to say.
Dad sighs. “Give me a little credit, fellas. I’m not an idiot.”
Shadow leans forward. “This is Shadow. Your daughter’s currently a guest of the Screaming Eagles. There are a few other members present, but I’m the highest ranking person in the room right now.”
“Fucking figured. Are you safe, Dee? They treating you alright?”
“I am now, yeah. Someone jumped me at the rally after we talked, but I’m okay. The guys here have been…” Part of the complication. “They’ve taken care of me. Nobody’s hurt me or anything.”
“Where are you at now?”
I swallow down my nervousness the best I can. “The Screaming Eagles clubhouse.”
“Shadow?” Dad asks. “How much does she know?”
“Enough that she isn’t safe outside the walls, and I gotta be honest, not sure she’d be safer inside yours. You got our message?”
“What the fuck do you think? Rocco’s preparing for fucking war over here. How’s your man? The one who got shot?”
“Stable for the moment. Been home lately?” Shadow asks casually.
“What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?”
Riptide speaks up. “The little gift package we dropped off wasn’t really our doing. He was waiting inside Melody’s house for her to come home. We just happened to fuck up his plans.”
Dad is quiet for a long while. “Explain.”
“Two days ago we escorted Melody to the house so she could pack a bag for herself. Two men repping the Devil’s Brigade were already there. It was a shoot first, ask questions later sort of situation,” Riptide explains. “Sorry about the flooring, by the way. It got a little messy.”
“Two? I only heard about Turk.”
“The other one’s still breathing,” Shadow answers. “What happens to him is above my pay grade for the moment. I have a question for you, Joker. How’d your daughter end up with the gun that was used to shoot our man?”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Mad Dog laughs. “We’re not idiots either, man. Are you saying we should assume it’s hers?”
Long pause, long enough for me to worry. “No, but you’re not getting more out of me, not about that. Look, you already know who I am. I didn’t get here by being fucking chatty.”
Shadow rolls his eyes. “You don’t trust me. I don’t trust you. Yada, yada, yada. Our presidents are gonna have a chat sooner rather than later. What I really want to know is if you’re reasonable enough to deal with in case we need an inside contact.”
“Turn traitor or you’ll kill my daughter?” Dad asks with the same tone he’d use to ask about the weather.
“Dad!”
Rebel puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “It’s a valid question,” he says softly.
“I wanna talk to my daughter for a second. You still there, Dee?”
I cradle the phone between my hands. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“How’d you end up at the rally, Dee?” Dad asks.
“Um… I thought you wanted me there. Red sent me a message a couple days before saying it was a family day and he was asked to bring me.”
“I’ve kept you away from all of this shit your whole fucking life. Did you really think I’d send some random member to change that? Fuck!”
I feel so stupid. Like I’m ten again and wishing my dad had come to a dance recital. I just wanted to be chosen, and this is what it got me.
“You losing control over there, Joker?” Shadow taunts.
Dad’s frustrated snarl is clearly audible in the background.
“Someone’s making a power play, and my job just got a fuckton harder.
If you can buy me a couple days I might be able to do something.
What would you want in exchange for your word that Melody’s kept safe and out of the way until this is over? ”
The room is dead silent.
Shadow smiles. “The exact make of the round that killed your man Red. Happen to know it?”
“I can get it to you,” Dad answers after a moment.
“Good. Your daughter’s under our protection.” Shadow cuts off the call.
“Charming guy. He always treat you that nice?” Mad Dog asks.
“He’s just Dad. I don’t have anything to compare him to, you know? He’s never been mean or abusive or anything. He was fun when he was around, and I learned not to expect anything.” I should’ve remembered that lesson. “Do you think he did it?” I ask Shadow, searching his face for clues.
“I think a lot of things could’ve happened. That’s one of them. But it’s not at the top of my list.” His grin is absolutely ruthless. “Trust me, Melody, I have no interest in pinning this on someone just to make the problem go away. We’re going to make the right person pay.”
Remembering Harper in Emily’s house last night, I nod. I’m not the only one worried about my family.
“Can we trust him though? He’s awfully careless with your safety,” Rebel says. He sounds angrier than I’d expect someone to feel on my behalf.
“He… I think so. He might not be the easiest man to deal with, but I don’t think he’d outright lie to you. He’d just tell you to go fuck yourself.” I shrug. It’s not pretty, but it’s the truth.
“I couldn’t care less about your relationship with your daddy so long as he upholds his end of the bargain.
He didn’t give us a lot, but I’ll take it all back to King and Eagle-eye.
” Shadow stands and pockets my phone. “I don’t think I have to remind you that you’re not a prisoner, but we can’t let you go anywhere for the time being. ”
I nod. “Don’t worry, I know. It’s not like I have anywhere else to go right now anyway.”
Riptide pushes off the wall he’s been leaning his back against. “One of us will be with her at all times.”
Shadow’s eyes don’t get any friendlier, but he nods. “Alright. For now.”
When he’s gone and it’s just the four of us, my shoulders finally relax and it feels easier to breathe. “I don’t know if I’m built for this,” I admit.
“You’re doing a pretty fucking good job anyway,” Rebel says.
“So what do I do now? I appreciate that I’m safe here, but half the club seems to blame me for what happened. I’m used to living my own life. I have a job to get back to, unless they’ve already fired me. I would know if I had my phone.”
“Not gonna happen,” Mad Dog says.
I sigh dramatically. “I figured.”
Riptide leans in. “I have a PlayStation in my quarters.”
“How about we just grab a couple beers from downstairs and hang out?” Rebel stands to his full height. “Maybe the game’s still on.”
Mad Dog coughs. “I don’t think that would be a good idea, man. Video games sound good to me.”
“What? Why?” Rebel asks, confused.
Riptide pats him on the back. “I’ll explain on the way.”