The manager opened a pack of baby wipes and we worked in tandem to get Nova to a place where she wasn’t totally soaked in urine, throwing her wet things in the plastic bag the manager had grabbed earlier. I took my hoodie and wrapped it around Nova who had stopped crying, but she was staring off into space like she’d seen a ghost. I lifted her, holding her close and she wrapped her arms around me, shoving her face into my neck.
“You must have kids,” I observed as the manager wiped down the shopping cart with a disinfectant wipe.
“Three.” She smiled. “The number of times I’ve been somewhere inconvenient could fill a book.”
I rubbed Nova’s back. “I bet.”
“It gets easier, hon. I promise.”
“Thank you.” My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out.
“Where are you?” Silas growled.
“In the diaper aisle.”
The call dropped and within seconds, Silas was stalking our way, my brother following.
“Shutter’s here, baby,” I whispered, and Nova sat up, pitching toward him.
He caught her and held her close. “We got ’im.”
I’m sure my surprise was evident, but he shook his head, and I knew he’d fill me in when Nova wasn’t able to hear.
“I’ll take these out,” Nolan offered. “You guys take Nova home.”
“Thanks, NoNo.”
“You okay, baby girl?” Silas asked Nova.
“Bad man.”
“Yeah, sweetness, I’m gonna deal with him. You’ll never see him again.”
Nova laid her hand on his cheek. “He hurt my mama.”
“I know, baby girl. I’m gonna take care of that.”
She nodded and cuddled back against him.
“You ready to go home?” Silas asked, and Nova nodded into his neck. He reached out to me, pulling me close and kissing my temple. “You done good, baby.”
I leaned heavily against him. “Thanks, honey.”
“Okay, time to get home.”
He kept Nova in his arms as we walked out of the store and loaded her into the car. My brother arrived with my groceries not long after we’d secured Nova into her car seat, placing everything in my trunk so we could take off.
There was so much to unpack. Groceries and emotions alike, so I knew tonight was going to be a long one.
* * *
Shutter
I carried Nova up to our room and set her on the bed, squatting in front of her. “I need to go meet with Uncle Shadow. You okay with hangin’ with Cat?”
She nodded, throwing her arms around my neck. “Is the bad man gonna come here?”
“No way in hell,” I lied.
She didn’t need to know he was currently shackled in our basement waiting for me to ‘interview’ him.
“Language, honey,” Cat warned.
I set Nova away from me and met her eyes. “You know you’re safe here, right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, so, are you good with hanging here with Cat now?”
She bit her lip, but gave me a nod, so I stood and kissed the top of her head before facing Catalina. “I won’t be long.” Cat nodded, and I kissed her quickly, giving her ass a gentle squeeze. “We’ll talk later about how to use your necklace in the future.”
“Honey, I was in a crowded grocery store with full access to my phone, I wasn’t in any danger. I kinda want to save that for a true emergency.” She tugged on my cut and I leaned down to kiss her again. “Do not leave the compound.”
“I won’t.”
I nodded and walked out the door, heading downstairs, closing the basement outer door before pushing through to the silent room. I paused when I saw Doc and frowned. “You here as prez or doctor?”
“Both,” he said.
“I need to do this my way.”
He nodded. “I’m just here to make sure you stay within the legal limits. Our legal limits.”
“I got this, brother.”
“And I got you,” he countered just as Shadow walked out of the ‘interview’ room.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey.” I replied. “How’d the ‘Good Cop’ approach go?”
“How do you think?” Shadow smiled slowly. “Moron.”
“Indeed,” I said, sliding on my leather gloves.
“You should let me tape your hands up,” Doc said.
“No time. I’m good.”
“I sent a copy of his driver’s license to Rabbit for digging,” he said, handing me the ID card.
“Thanks,” I said, sliding it into my pocket before stepping into the room.
I felt the adrenaline rush as I closed the door behind me. I hadn’t given a good beatdown to someone in a while. I needed this.
‘Bad Man’ was handcuffed and hanging from a meat hook in the middle of the room, high enough that he was forced to stand on tiptoe or his arms would eventually stretch out of their sockets.
Grabbing a metal chair, I dragged it along the concrete floor, more for effect than anything. It made a god-awful noise, and I was satisfied to see him flinch.
“Do you know who I am?” I asked, sitting in the chair, which was far enough away that should he try for a kick, he wouldn’t reach me.
Dickhead ignored me so I pulled out his ID. “Let’s see who we have here.” I held it up to the light and let out a whistle. “Elmer Poindexter.” I glanced at Elmer. “Jesus. Your parents did that to you? Shit, man. No wonder you turned out to be a psycho. I almost feel bad for you, not that it’s gonna gain you any sympathy points.” I leaned my elbows on my knees. “So, this is how it’s gonna go. You’re gonna tell me everything I want to know about Darlene’s murder, starting with why you did it, and who else was involved. In exchange for this information I’ll let you keep half the teeth you currently have in your mouth.” I stood, pushing the chair back, making just as much noise as before.
“I’ll tell you exactly what I told that other asshole,” Elmer said. “Nothing.”
I slid his ID back in my pocket before delivering a stiff jab to Elmer’s ribcage. He writhed in pain while struggling to catch his breath.
“Fuck you, man…I’m not saying shit,” he wheezed.
“I should warn you. I’ve got one of our tech savvy brothers doin’ a deep dive on you,” I said.
“So.”
“So, if he gives me the information I’m looking for before you do, then you become useless to me.”
“There ain’t nothin’ you can do to me …that’ll be worse than if I talk.”
“So, we do have something to talk about,” I replied before punching him square in the nose, breaking it instantly. Blood pouring down the front of him.
“Fuck you, Shutter, my life ain’t worth shit if I tell you anythin’.”
“First, kudos that you know who I am. That’ll help later on when we really get this party started. Second, and I think you know this… your life’s worth even less than shit now, so you’d better tell me what I want to know.”
Elmer shook his bloody head.
I nodded and smiled. “I’m not gonna lie. I was hoping you were gonna pick the hard way.”
* * *
Catalina
“You’re doing such a good job,” I lied as Nova tried to swirl the cake mix in the bowl. She was really making far more of a mess than mixing, but she was having fun and that’s all that mattered.
I was leaning over the bowl, holding it still, when Nova looked over my shoulder and squealed, “Kenny, I’m baking.”
I turned to see Kennedy walking into the kitchen, her arms laden with pastry boxes. She set them on the counter and made her way to us. “Wow, sweetie, that looks amazing. You keep going like that, I’m going to need to hire you.”
“Where’s Mouse?” I asked as I continued to hold the bowl for Nova.
“He’s helping Otter with the kegs. Where’s Shutter?”
“Basement,” I said, and she frowned.
“Ah, okay.” She knew what that meant
… we all did. She smiled, walking over to the counter, and tapping the top pastry box. “Want to see the… um, you know?”
I grinned. “Yeah, definitely.” I turned to Nova. “Okay, baby, let’s let Kennedy help finish this and get it in the oven.”
Nova nodded and climbed down off the step stool she’d been standing on. I helped her wash her hands and she was drying them as Alfie walked in. “Hi Nova. Mama said you were in here. Miss Cat, can Nova come play pinball with us, please?”
“You bet.” I lifted Nova’s chin. “Do you want to go play?”
“What about the cake?”
“We’ll finish up and you can help with the candles. Sound good?”
She bobbed her head and she and Alfie rushed out of the room.
“Everything okay… in the basement?” Kennedy asked once the kids were gone.
“I have no freaking idea,” I admitted. “Why do you think I’m in here trying to distract myself?”
“Baking’s a great distraction.”
I glanced in the bowl and grimaced. “What are the odds this is salvageable?”
Kennedy laughed. “I’ve seen worse.” She grabbed an apron. “We can fix this.”
For the next half-hour, Kennedy and I had a rare stretch of time alone, and it gave us both a chance to get to know one another. She was funny, confident, and whole-heartedly irreverent. She was a lot like Jasmine, and I was coming to find, these men, these rough and tumble bikers, loved their women strong and sassy.
A few months ago, this truth would have made me feel less than, but now, I felt honored to be considered special enough to join the tribe.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Shutter
I CLOSED THE door and turned around to find Doc and Shadow still there.
“Have you two been waiting here the whole time?” I asked, struggling to peel my blood-soaked gloves from my swollen hands.
“How is he?” Doc asked, ignoring my question.
“Don’t you wanna know what I found out?” I asked.
“I want to know that you didn’t kill him,” he replied.
“Relax, prez. The slab of beef is still safely on the hook. Although he’s got some broken ribs, a broken nose, jaw, probably his left orbital socket. Oh, and I’m no doctor, but I’m fairly sure he dislocated his shoulder.”
“Pretty sure?” Doc huffed.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “He passed out before I could ask him. I was done with my questions by then, but still had a few personal issues to work out.”
“Jesus, Shutter,” Doc said, pushing past me to check on his new patient.
“Kinda pushin’ the limits of the rules a little bit there, brother?” Shadow asked.
“Come on, man. Not you too. You know full well what that piece of shit did to Darlene,” I said pointing to the door that now separated me from that animal.
“Yes I do, and I also know that Darlene was a weekend ride to you, not your old lady.”
“So, what?” I snapped. “She’s not entitled to justice just because I didn’t marry her?”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Shadow said.
“Then why don’t you make whatever point you’re trying to make before I get pissed off.”
“This is what I’m talking about. You’re spun up about something more than Darlene’s murder.”
“Why? Because I just roughed up the guy who killed her?”
“You didn’t rough him up, Shutter. You turned him into hamburger over the course of an hour.”
“Yeah, well. I’m gonna do the same to Mike when I get my hands on him,” I muttered, wincing in pain as I punched my hand. “Shit, I think I broke a knuckle.”
“You shoulda let Doc tape you up first,” Shadow said.
“Goddammit, man. Have you always been this much of an asshole?”
But Shadow wasn’t being an asshole, and in truth, he was right. I was spun up and it wasn’t just about Darlene.
“Shutter, take a beat,” Shadow said.
I palmed my eyes, trying to ward off a headache. “Every time I hit him, I thought of that innocent little girl and what he put her through. I thought about what she’ll continue to go through for the rest of her life because of what he did. And what if he’d found her hiding place? Jesus, fuck…”
“She’ll be okay, brother,” Shadow said. “She’s a tough kid and she’s got people who love her.”
“Nothing is ever gonna bring her mama back. No matter how much anyone ever loves her. No matter how much Catalina loves her. No matter how much I…I love her. I’ll never be able to fix this.”
“Beating a man to death definitely ain’t gonna fix it,” Doc said as he came through the door.
“He’s dead?” I asked.
“No,” Doc replied. “But not from the lack of effort.”
“Don’t act like we’ve never worked a guy over before,” I snapped.
“And don’t act like I’m not your fuckin’ president,” Doc snapped back. “I agreed to you getting information. That asshole looks like a stunt double for the Passion of the Christ.”
“So, in three days he’ll be fuckin’ fine,” I replied.
Shadow stifled a laugh. Doc did not.
“What did you find out?” he asked.
“Mike Hollings,” I said.
“The cop?”
“He hired Poindexter to kill Darlene and toss her place,” I replied.
“Why? What the fuck was he looking for that was worth killing a woman over?
“I suggest we find out,” I said.
“You,” Doc shoved a finger in my chest, “are gonna down shift a few fuckin’ gears.”
“But, we—”
“Have to be very careful how we proceed,” Doc warned. “We have no idea what Darlene stumbled into, not to mention we’re talking about a cop.”
“Fuck him, cop or not. We’ve gotta take him out,” I growled.
“First of all, we have to verify Poindexter’s information,” Doc said. “Beat a guy long enough and he’ll tell you he was the third gunman on the grassy knoll.”
“I believe him,” I said.
“If it is true, and Mike’s behind Darlene’s killing, we need to play this smart. Shutter, you need to promise me that you can keep your powder dry until I tell you it’s time to blow.”
“Yes, boss,” I said.
“Good, now let’s get that guy out of here before he really does die on us.”
“Where are we taking him.”
“You let me worry about that,” Doc said before pointing to my right hand. “Then I can take care of that hand you should have let me tape up.”
* * *
Catalina
“There you are,” Silas said with a grin, walking into the kitchen with Mouse following. “You hidin’?”
I closed the distance between us and smiled up at him. “I would never.”
He leaned down to kiss me. “Where’s Nova?”
“She’s playing with Kinsey and Alfie. Willow and Dash are watching them.”
“Okay, let’s go chat for a sec.” He wrapped his arm around me and guided me down the hall, opening the door to the bunkroom and stepping back so I could precede him inside.
He closed the door and I scanned him. “Are you hiding wounds?”
He smiled. “No, baby, it’s all good.”
“Why’s your hand taped up?”
“Bruised knuckle, but Doc took care of it.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “And…?”
“I need you not to freak,” he said, crossing his arms.
“Oh my god, Silas, what did you do?”
“I lied to Nova about her bad man not being here.”
“He’s here?” I growled. “Now?”
“No. Doc’s handling removing him from the property.”
“Is he alive?”
His mouth twitched. “Baby, do you really think we’d kill someone?”
“Honestly, I don’t want to know.” I raised my hands. �
�Plausible deniability works for me.”
“Well, let me put your mind at ease, the asshole’s not dead. He also has his teeth.”
I frowned. “Again, I don’t want to know.”
“Mike Hollings is dirty.”
“Dirty, how?”
“Ordered the hit on Darlene dirty.”
I gasped. “What? Really?”
Silas nodded. “We’re gonna deal with that, but I wanted you to know so you’re on guard.”
“Why do I need to be on guard? And why did he order the hit?”
“Hopefully, you won’t need to,” he said. “I’m just putting you on notice that if you see him, you press your button.”
“And the other question?”
He shook his head. “We don’t know yet, but this is the part where you stop askin’.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”
“Come here, baby.” He held his hand out to me. I walked the three steps to get to him and he wrapped his arms around me. “How’s Nova?”
“She’s good,” I said, sliding my hands under his cut and up his back. “I gave her a bath and let her pick her clothes for tonight, so she seems settled.”
“Let’s go find her,” Silas said, kissing me gently.
“Okay… Shutter.”
“You seriously saying that right now?” he growled, his hands cupping my bottom.
“Yes, for later. But you should know I had an appointment with Jasmine yesterday.”
“No shit?”
I licked my lips. “No shit.”
“I like this, baby.” His eyes were dark as he studied me. “You’re givin’ me time to plan. Gonna get creative.”
I shivered as I gave him a squeeze. “Okay.”
He kissed me again then we headed back into the din to find our girl.
* * *
I smiled up at Silas, stroking his face. “So, you like the watch.”
“I love the watch.” He kissed me quickly. “Almost as much as I love the woman who gave it to me.”
We were in his bed, naked, having just fucked like monkeys, twice, and I’d been given four orgasms as a thank you for the watch. Nova was asleep in the next room, the door closed, but a baby monitor was sitting on the nightstand in case she woke up.
He touched his nose to mine. “And I loved the cake.” He kissed me, sliding his hand between my legs. “And now it’s time for me to get creative.”
Revealing the Biker's Destiny (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter Book 9) Page 17