Renegade (Southern Rebels MC Book 4)

by Kristin Coley

  “No, sweetie, he wouldn’t,” I agreed, hugging her close. “He was just a bad man.”

  “You’re my daddy,” Kara said, breaking my heart as she sniffled. “You take care of me and Mommy.”

  “I haven’t done a very good job of that,” I mumbled, cradling her head. “But I’ll make up for it.” More sirens had me shifting lower in the seat as state troopers entered the lot. “Shit,” I hissed, counting a dozen law enforcement vehicles.

  “That’s a bad word,” Kara said. “We’re not supposed to say bad words.”

  “We’re going to make an exception today, okay?” I suggested, sliding her off my lap and onto the seat. “Can you sit here with Mr. Rabbit for a minute?”

  “Clutch,” I looked at her and she held up the stuffed bunny. “His name is Clutch.”

  “Sorry. Sit here with Clutch the bunny,” I corrected and she nodded, wiping snot from her nose. I dug around, finding a stack of fast food napkins in the compartment between the seats. “Who keeps - ?” I started to ask myself then stopped as Kara took a bunch from me to blow her nose.

  “I’m going to step outside the car for a minute. I’ll be right outside.”

  Kara’s expression became terrified and she threw herself at me. “NO. You can’t go.”

  “I have to,” I answered firmly. “A friend was helping me look for you and she’s still inside. I need to check. I will be right next to the car. You’ll be able to see me.”

  Kara shook her head but didn’t fight as I pried her off my arm. “Right here, okay?” I said again, pointing at the door. “You’re an incredibly brave little girl, Kara.”

  She nodded, sniffling, her eyes locked on me as I eased the car door open and slipped out. She scrambled to the spot where I was sitting, not letting me out of her sight. “Come on, Doc. Where are you?” My gaze swept the parking lot, automatically going to the spot where Rob’s stolen car was parked.

  It was gone.

  “What? Fuck. Doc.” I scanned the area, thinking I had the wrong spot, but the car was gone. My heart thundered in my chest, terrified he’d taken Doc, but I couldn’t do anything. Kara was in Doc’s car, her nose pressed to the glass, and Rob’s fucking car was gone. “Doc,” I swallowed the lump in my throat, wondering if I’d just exchanged one hell for another, my knuckles white around the door handle. “Please be okay.”

  A commotion at the entrance of the store drew my attention and I glanced over as several officers came out, escorting someone. It was hard to see, but the flash of a bright red shirt made me look closer.

  Doc had on a bright red shirt.

  The person looked over, straight at me, sending a shockwave through me. “Doc.” She looked away as a cop tugged on her arm and I realized she was handcuffed. “Shit, Doc. What have you done?”

  Some of the officers started to spread out, looking like they were questioning people or searching for someone, and I opened the driver side door, sliding in quickly. My knees hit the dash and I hurriedly pushed the seat back. “We are going, Kara.”

  “What about your friend?”

  “We are going to come back and get her later,” I answered, praying it was true. “Seatbelt.” I grabbed the buckle, wincing as I negotiated my shoulder into it and heard Kara’s snap in to place. “We’re going to go see someone who is going to help us.”

  “The wizard?” Kara asked, confusing me. “Like Dorothy? She went to see the wizard so she could find her way home.”

  “Yes. Exactly like that,” I replied, putting the car in gear and slowly backing out. I didn’t want to draw attention to us, but I needed to get out before they locked the place down. “We’re going to go see the wizard.”

  ***

  It was dark when we made it to the address Doc had scribbled down, the address barely legible on the receipt paper. I parked the car in the driveway, letting out a low whistle. “I think litigation pays.”

  “That’s definitely a wizard’s house,” Kara whispered in awe, bending her neck to take in the place. “Is he going to help us?”

  “I hope so,” I murmured, trusting Doc not to send us into more danger. Part of me had thought about taking Kara straight back to Friendly, knowing the club would keep her safe, but that meant abandoning Doc.

  And I had already done that once today.

  “Come on,” I muttered, opening the car door and letting Kara out. “Let’s go see what this wizard can do.”

  We walked up to the enormous double doors, the place reminding me of a castle, there was even a fucking turret, and when I pushed the door bell, it sounded like church bells ringing through the house. Kara tugged on my arm, wanting me to pick her up, and with a grunt I managed to lift her using my good arm. She tucked her head in next to mine, Clutch the bunny wedged between us. “What if he isn’t home?” She whispered, bringing up something I hadn’t considered.

  “Then we wait,” I answered, really hoping that wouldn’t be the case. At some point, my shoulder had stopped bleeding, but I needed to change shirts because it looked like I’d been shot again. “There’s lights on at least,” I muttered, shifting Kara’s weight.

  The sound of a lock turning had me twisting slightly, my body shielding Kara, as the door started to creak open. A white haired gentleman stood on the other side, his expression giving no indication that a bloody man holding a little girl on the doorstep was unusual.

  “Are you the wizard?” Kara asked, leaning around me to look at him.

  “No, I am the butler,” he answered. “Won’t you come in?” He stepped aside and I walked past him as Kara stared in awe. “Are you here to see Mrs. Richard or Mr. Richard?” He didn’t pronounce it like Richard, but Ree-shard, making me do a double take.

  “Mister,” I answered, cursing as I realized I had no idea of Doc’s brother’s name. “Doc, uh, Diane sent me to see him.”

  “Of course. And how is Dr. Richard doing?” He said it funny again, Dr. Ree-shard, and I shook my head.

  “Not that great,” I answered, smiling tightly. “Kind of why I need to see her brother.”

  “I’ll go get him,” the butler answered sharply. “Wait here.”

  “Why does he say that name funny? Ree-shard.” Kara asked, staring after him.

  “Maybe that’s the way you say it,” I replied, slowly spinning around as I took in the large room that seemed to have no purpose. “I think Doc might have left out a few things about her family,” I murmured, as the sound of shoes clicking reached us. A man in a suit hurried toward us, taking in our appearance with a quick glance.

  “Diane?”

  I shook my head. “She’s not with us. She sent me to you.” I cleared my throat. “She’s in Singer. The last I saw of her, she was being arrested.”

  The man’s eyebrows lifted and he let out a sigh. “Of course she was.”

  “I’m –” I started to introduce myself but he gave a tight shake of his head.

  “I know who you are.” He came closer, his dark hair slicked back, the only resemblance to his sister was their eyes. “Chance Michael Hutchinson, aka Clutch Hayes, former convict, pardoned by my mother, and now wanted in questioning for murder. Do I have it all?”

  “He’s a Rebel,” Kara piped up, drawing his attention. “You forgot to say he’s a Rebel.”

  “I thought that came without saying,” the man replied, his smile resembling a grimace and I chuckled.

  “She means my club affiliation. I’m in the Southern Rebels motorcycle club.” I shrugged. “It means something where I’m from,” I stated, and looking around, added, “Maybe not to the country club folk.” His expression hardened and I sighed, scratching my nose as Kara grew heavier. “Look, I know I showed up unannounced, not exactly bringing great news, but Doc sent me.” I reached in my pocket, remembering she told me to give him a dollar. I pulled out a twenty and offered it to him. “She said to tell you, Twinkie sent me and give you a dollar.” I held it out and he stared at it like it was foreign to him.

  “Son of a bitch,” he fin
ally sighed, plucking the folded bill from my fingers.

  “Yes, you are. Quite literally some would say.” A woman’s voice accompanied the clicking of heels on marble and Doc’s brother wiped any hint of emotion from his face.

  “Mom,” he said, turning as he smoothly slipped the twenty in his pocket.

  “Michael, introduce us.”

  I filed the name away, as I started to wonder if Doc had sent me to the lion’s den.

  “Mom, this is Chance Hutchinson,” he introduced and I corrected him.

  “Clutch.”

  “Clutch,” he repeated dryly. “This wonderful paragon of motherly virtue is Christine Richard or as I like to call her, Mother.” He said Ree-shard too, a fact I noted as I nodded to Doc’s mom.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I said politely and as Kara wiggled in my arms, I introduced her, “This is Kara. I have Do-Diane to thank for getting her back.”

  “And where is my daughter?”

  “In a jail cell in Singer,” Michael replied before I could say anything. “And Clutch here is my new client.”

  Mrs. Richard (Ree-shard) made a humming noise. “That must be why Taylor isn’t answering his phone.” She turned, her heels rapid fire on the cold stone. “Come along.”

  Michael waved me forward. “That wasn’t a request,” he muttered, trailing after us. “And I hate golf.”

  “Good to know,” I replied in confusion and he frowned.

  “Country club,” he reminded me. “I hate golf.”

  “So you’re not a complete stuffed shirt,” I answered and he gave a tiny smile.

  “Twinkie might not agree, but no, I’m not.”

  “Where did Twinkie come from?” I questioned and he only shook his head.

  “Not important.” We went down a long hallway, finally entering a large kitchen, the first normal room I’d seen.

  “Have a seat,” Mrs. Richard commanded, pointing to a huge peninsula in the middle of the room. Her heels still clicked against the floor, but were slightly muffled against the brick. Warm wooden cabinets lined the walls, but it was the smell of freshly baked cookies that perked Kara up.

  I sat on a bar stool and this time Kara let me set her next to me.

  “Would you like a cookie?” Mrs. Richard asked, setting a plate in front of us piled high with golden brown cookies, the scent of sugar tickling our noses.

  “Yes, please,” Kara replied, reaching for one of the warm cookies. “Are you the wizard?”

  Mrs. Richard cocked her head. “Perhaps. I have been called a miracle worker and some would say I have a magical ability to do what others cannot.” The butler came into the room, a bag in his hand. “Ah, Christian, please see what you can do for Mr. Hayes.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He stopped next to me, a pair of scissors appearing in his hand.

  I stopped him. “Don’t cut the kutte.” I shrugged out of the leather vest, laying it carefully on the counter and ignoring the blood staining it. “The shirt is fine.”

  “Alright.” He proceeded to snip the shirt on the seam, revealing the bandage Doc had made and I’d messed up. “Diane’s handiwork,” he murmured, carefully peeling the blood soaked bandage from my shoulder. “She’ll be upset you tore her stitches.”

  “I’m sure that won’t be the only thing she’s upset about,” I muttered under my breath and he smiled. “Thank you for helping us,” I added, raising my voice.

  “Diane sent you,” Michael said as if that explained everything. “I’m sure she has her reasons. You wouldn’t happen to know what they are, would you?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t. Other than I think she must have considered this a safe place. I would have taken Kara back home to Friendly, but Doc, I’m sorry, Diane, told me to come here and when she was arrested, I knew I needed to come here.”

  “Do you know why she was arrested?” Michael questioned as Christian the butler cleaned my shoulder and bandaged it again.

  “I don’t. We separated to get Kara back. I didn’t see what happened.”

  “Another item off her bucket list, I’m sure,” Mrs. Richard murmured, tapping her fingers on the stone top. I sent her a questioning glance and she expounded, “Diane has always been my –”

  “Favorite,” Michael suggested with a barely repressed smile.

  “Difficult child,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “Always pushing. Doing her own thing. Prizing experiences over knowledge.”

  “Doesn’t she have a law degree and a medical degree?” I asked, my forehead wrinkling. That seemed like a lot of knowledge to me.

  “Yes,” Mrs. Richard exclaimed. “And she wastes it.”

  “I wouldn’t say waste, Mom,” Michael interjected. “She chose to be a doctor and she’s a damn good one.”

  “At a prison!” She waved at me. “And see what happens.” She rotated her hand, so her palm faced me in a peace gesture. “Not that I’m pointing fingers at the fact that you were prisoner there. My brother runs a tight ship, but Diane was almost stabbed to death.” She shook her head, her eyes glittering. “Do you know how many favors I called in to get him pardoned?” I kept my mouth shut. “Dozens and now she’s in jail.” Air gusted out of her. “And she’s probably having the time of her life.”

  “Finished,” Christian intoned, stepping back. “I’m afraid I don’t have a shirt to replace the one we removed.”

  “Not a problem. I have an extra in my bag,” I said. “Thanks.”

  “You are welcome.”

  “Christian, can you take Kara up to the children’s guest room?”

  I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that they had more than one type of guest room when Kara grabbed my hand. “I don’t want to go.”

  I squeezed her little fingers gently. “I know, but I need to talk to the wizard to get us home. I know you must be tired.” She had been rubbing her eyes for the last five minutes, cookie crumbles dusting her cheeks. “You go check out the room which is probably fit for a princess and I promise to come say good night.”

  “You promise. Pinkie swear promise?”

  I held out my pinkie as I promised, “I’m not leaving you again, Kara.”

  She hooked her pinkie in mine, shaking them up and down. “Okay.” She glanced at the plate. “Can I take a cookie with me?” Mrs. Richard had a slightly pained expression on her face but nodded.

  “Yes, you may, but please brush your teeth before you get in the bed.”

  Christian lifted my kutte off the counter as Kara slid off the seat. “I’ll remove the blood,” he stated then held out a hand to Kara. “Miss,” he offered and she took his hand, sending one last look at me as they exited the kitchen.

  “A charming child.”

  “I can’t take any credit,” I replied to Mrs. Richard’s comment. “Her mother, Ronnie, raised her to be a lady.”

  “And her mother is….”

  “Dead,” I said bluntly, the pain muffled under the layers of problems we currently faced. “Rob, the one who had Kara, killed her.”

  “And he is?”

  “I don’t know,” I said, frustrated by the fact. “He must have still be in the store. Doc went inside while I watched the entrance and exit. I saw Kara come out with a woman so I went after her.”

  “Clearly, you managed to get Kara, but Rob escaped?” Michael questioned, a legal pad appearing out of nowhere, a page of notes already neatly written on it.

  “I think so. The car he stole was gone. Cops showed up and then I saw them bring Doc out in cuffs. I came here.”

  “Because she told you to?”

  “Before she went inside she gave me the car keys and your address. Told me if anything happened I should come here and give you a dollar and say Twi-”

  “Yes,” Michael said loudly, cutting me off. “I have that.” He tapped the pen against the pad. “Right now, the issue is the warrant for your questioning.”

  “The Chief is dirty,” I said bitterly. “Calvin Harris has been gunning for me for twenty
years. He knew Rob had escaped and didn’t warn Ronnie. He’s the one responsible for her death.”

  “Okay, so that makes it slightly more complicated.” He dipped his head, pen scratching against the pad as Mrs. Richard poured a glass of wine, watching me with an intensity that felt physical. “We need to have you brought in on neutral turf, preferably a department that owes us a favor.”

  “Mr. Hayes,” Mrs. Richard’s voice cut through the room. “Why should we help you? Again?”

  “Mom, he’s a client. He paid me.”

  “At your sister’s bequest and I doubt it’s anywhere near your hourly rate.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Diane,” he started to say and I cut him off.

  “I love her.” The words were bold, but true. I’d seen it happen with Creed, then Cord, and finally Crew. I thought I’d had it with Ronnie, but it had never been quite right. We’d never fit together, not like I did with Doc, and our timing had always been wrong. With Doc, it was different, it felt like breathing. An unconscious decision that kept you alive, automatic and effortless. “She’s a crazy kind of amazing and I don’t deserve her.”

  “But you’re not giving her up,” Mrs. Richard replied and I shook my head.

  “Mrs. Ric-Richard,” I corrected myself, not wanting to insult her by saying her name wrong. “You don’t know me or my family, but there is one thing I can tell you with absolute certainty. We are loyal, we protect each other, and when we love someone – we never let them go.”

  “Mr. Hayes, then you should know, the Richards feel the same way. I almost lost my daughter once, then again a few weeks ago. The first time I almost lost her, I did lose my husband. This time, it appears I’ve gained a new family member.”

  “You’re okay with me and Doc?” I questioned, not believing it was possible.

  “I don’t know if you’ve realized this yet, but my daughter rivals me in stubbornness. I won’t do anything that might jeopardize my relationship with her.” She dipped her head. “Just try and stay out of jail.” She laid her hand on the counter next to mine, lowering her voice. “And if you ever hurt her, rest assured, no one will ever do a minute of jail time for your death.” I froze as her finger tapped the back of my hand. “And if you think your fearless leader, Johnny, knows the first thing about retribution, you’d be wrong.”