Chapter Two
Tinker
It had been over three months since he’d come home from his last assignment, and Tinker was going stir crazy. And his cousins weren’t helping.
“You need to get laid,” Joker called across the shop. “Maybe that would get you out of whatever funk you’re in. Hell, I know it works for me.”
Tinker ignored him.
Joker was a man-whore. If it was breathing and willing – he would gladly leap into that shit. But Tinker wasn’t like that. Women were a complication he didn’t want or need. He’d already been burned once and that was enough for him.
“He doesn’t need to get laid,” his sister Kailyn replied. “What he needs is to get his head out of El Paso and back in the club.”
“My head is in the club,” Tinker argued.
“Is it?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Funny.” She tapped her chin. “I don’t remember seeing you at the last three weekly dinners.”
“I had shit to do,” Tinker defended.
Even though he knew that was a lie. Every Saturday, The Devil’s Henchmen MC got together for family dinner. The entire club showed up and it was just a big party. Food, drinks, and laughter were always on the menu, but for some reason, Tinker just didn’t feel like joining in the fun.
Maybe Kailyn was right. Hell, he didn’t know.
Over the past few months, he’d watched as one person after another went to trial. Tinker had followed the cases closely. They were personal to him. So many innocent people had died either from the drugs that crossed the border or by the hand of someone involved. Granted, not all of them were innocent, but still. Those people deserved their day in court, too.
“Well, make sure your calendar is clear for this Saturday,” Kailyn warned, interrupting his thoughts. “Because if not, Mom is going to hunt you down and drag your ass there. I can promise you that.”
Tinker sighed. He did not doubt that his mother would do just that. Amber Parks-Evans was not a patient person, contrary to popular belief.
“Anyone know when Ink and Sparo will be back?” Joker asked, changing the subject.
And Tinker was grateful.
It wasn’t unusual for him to get wrapped up in his cases, but this level of immersion was something new. It seemed to consume him. And he didn’t know why… except, something was still bothering him about the entire thing, but no matter how deep he dug through his notes, he couldn’t figure out what exactly it was.
“No,” he heard Kailyn answer.
Trying to push everything out of his head, Tinker concentrated on his bike. He’d already changed the oil and plugs, given it a tune-up, and washed and polished it. The chrome gleamed beautifully, and Tinker took great pride in her. Maybe he just needed to take her for a spin. Feel the wind blow across his face and the freedom of being on the open road. It had been a long time since he cast away all his worries and just rode.
Standing, he popped the bike into neutral and pushed it out of the garage.
“Where are you going?” Joker hollered.
“For a ride,” he called as he straddled the black and chrome beast.
“Hell yeah.” Joker jumped up from where he’d been sitting on a stack of tires. “Wait for me,” he called.
“Y’all aren’t going without me!” Kailyn chimed in.
Tinker smiled.
They all looked for any and every excuse to ride.
He waited a moment while the others pushed their bikes out and climbed on the backs. Together, they each fired them up, strapped on their helmets, and popped their bikes into gear. Pulling out of the lot, with Kailyn in the lead, Tinker finally cracked a smile.
He heaved a huge sigh as Kailyn dropped the throttle and shot off like a rocket. They sped down the county road. Following the turns, they each leaned into them one way and then the other. The leaves tumbled behind them as they flew down the road. The sun flickered between the trees. The feel of his bike rumbling between his legs and the cool breeze blowing over his skin seemed to calm Tinker’s soul.
He’d been right. A bike ride had been exactly what he needed. As they rode toward town, Tinker seemed to find a level of peace he hadn’t known since his return. It was comforting. And for the first time in months, he felt like himself, again.
Or, at least that was the case…
It all happened so fast.
As Tinker leaned into the next curve, taking it on the high side, a shiny silver car came around the curve toward him. Surprised, they both swerved to miss each other. Tinker overcorrected and felt his stomach fall to his feet as he lost control of his bike. Laying it over, he and the bike slid across the asphalt road. He slammed into the bank of the roadside ditch and felt a pain shoot through his ribs, and the ripping of the flesh from his arm. He groaned out in agony and tried to sit up, but his entire body protested. His stomach rolled and he thought he was going to be sick. The last thing he remembered before everything went black, was hearing his sister scream his name.
“What the hell do you mean, we can’t see him?” Tinker could hear his mother’s voice from down the hall.
He blinked several times, looking around the room. For a moment, he couldn’t figure out why he was in the hospital. However, as he tried to move his arm, he felt a sharp pain, and it all came back to him.
Tinker groaned. “Fuckin’ hell…,” he grumbled.
“If you don’t get out of my way…” Tinker heard his mom say. He could tell by her tone that she was about to flip her lid.
Feeling around him, he located the nurse call button with his good hand and pressed it. The sooner they knew he was awake, the sooner his mother would calm down – and the less likely it would be that she’d murder someone and end up in prison.
“Mr. Parks,” the nurse said as she walked in. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah.” Tinker coughed. His throat felt so dry.
“Let me call the doctor and let him know.” She smiled.
“Will you tell my mother that I’m fine, please,” he told her. “Before she brings the hospital walls down.”
“Yes, sir.” She laughed as she walked out of the door.
Moments later, an older man in a white coat walked in, smiling brightly. “Mr. Parks. I’m Doctor Swartz. Do you remember what happened?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I laid my bike over.”
A commotion outside of his room drew his attention. Tinker watched as his mother shouted obscenities at a fearful nurse, and then pushed her out of the way, barging into the room.
He smiled.
“Ma’am…” The doctor said.
“Do not ma’am me!” his mother hissed. “That is my son. And I promise you, if you try to make me leave this room, he will not be the only person in here needing medical help. Do you understand me?”
“Mom,” Tinker croaked. “I’m fine.”
She turned her laser eyes toward him. “Don’t give me that. If you were fine, you wouldn’t be in here!” she shouted.
“Actually,” the doctor chimed in. “Other than a few scrapes and some broken ribs, he is in good health – considering.”
Tinker smiled at his mom.
Her eyes narrowed at him.
“Mr. Parks?” The doctor turned back to him. “Do you remember what happened?”
Tinker nodded. “It was my fault. I rode too close to the center line. Overcorrected and laid my bike over.”
His mother slapped his arm. Pain shot through his side and Tinker sucked in a breath.
“Jameson Zander Parks-Evans!” his mother scolded. “What the hell?”
“Mom!” he said. “That hurt.”
“Good!” Amber crossed her arms. “You know the rules. You know safe riding. What were you thinking?”
“Ma’am,” the doctor interrupted. “Please.”
Again, his mother’s eyes narrowed.
The doctor looked back at Tinker and all he could do was shrug. His mother was an overprotective hen and she li
ved by her own rules.
The doctor sighed. “Anything else?” he asked, again.
Tinker thought for a moment. “Shit!” His chest ached. He vaguely remembered seeing her smash into a tree. Tinker thought he was going to be sick. That bike was his baby.
“What’s wrong?” His mother leaned over him.
“She’s totaled, isn’t she?” he asked.
“The bike?” Amber’s eyes rounded. “You’re lying in a hospital bed and you’re worried about your damn bike?”
“He’s a biker, Amber,” his father said dryly from the door.
His mother whipped around and even though Tinker couldn’t see her face, it must have been one hell of a look because his father just shrugged and kept quiet.
“Okay,” the doctor interrupted. “We are going to keep you for a bit longer.” He raised a hand to stop his mother from talking. “Just for a little more observation,” he finished. “If all is well, you’ll go home this evening. Or, tomorrow morning, at the latest.”
Tinker nodded.
As the doctor moved to leave the room, another thought came to him. “Wait. Doc?”
“Yes?”
“The other person?” Tinker asked. “Are they alright?”
“They are fine,” he replied. “Both mother and child were unharmed.”
Mother and child? Fuck! Tinker thought. His stupidity could have killed a mother and child… the thought continued to circulate through his mind long after Dr. Swartz left the room.
“Can someone check on them?” Tinker asked.
“The doctor said they’re fine,” his mother answered.
“Mom,” Tinker sighed. “Please.”
“Zander, send Kailyn,” her mother said, turning to look at his dad.
His dad nodded his head once then turned to Tinker and winked before walking out of the room. Love you, too, dad.
Reaper was a quiet man. Private. And sometimes a bit paranoid when it came to his family. Protective, but not overly so. His father had always done his best to separate business and his home life. So much so, that until Tinker and Kailyn were adults, they didn’t even have his last name because he was afraid his past would come back to haunt him. But he was a good man and father. And for as much as he sometimes pissed Tinker off, he knew that in many ways, he was just like his ol’ man. In part, it’s what made Tinker so good at his job.
Too bad he hadn’t inherited the paranoia part… If he had, maybe he’d have been more careful today.
After everyone left the room, Tinker’s mother pulled a chair up to the side of the bed. Reaching for his hand, she placed it against her cheek, and that was when Tinker finally felt the dampness.
“Mom?”
She shook her head.
“Mom?” he said, again.
She sniffled, which only reinforced what he already knew – his mother was crying.
“Mom?” Tinker pulled his hand away and used it to lift her face. “Why are you crying?” His eyes were round with shock.
“I could have lost you,” she choked out.
Shittt! Tinker felt like hell. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
She shook her head. Finally looking at him, Tinker could see the worry in her eyes. “What happened, Tink?” she asked. “Ever since you came back, something has been different.”
“I’m just tired, Mom.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t give me that. A mother knows, Tinker.”
Tinker didn’t know what to say. It was an unspoken rule that they never discussed work with any of the women, and his mother knew that already. As much as he wished he could answer her questions straight, he couldn’t. He hated lying to her, though. Hell, he hated lying to anyone. It just went against everything he was. So, he decided to tell her as much as he could.
“The last case just kind of hit me wrong,” he said.
“Why?”
“Mom…” Tinker sighed.
“Sorry,” she replied. “I just want to help you.”
“I know.” Tinker nodded. “I’ll get over it. Okay? Don’t worry.” He tried to give her a reassuring smile.
He could tell she didn’t believe him.
And honestly, Tinker didn’t know if he believed it himself.
Growing up, his parents always drove home the importance of high morals and an unwavering level of respect for the law. So, when he faced things in life that went against everything he knew – Tinker had a difficult time letting it go. He always felt as if he had to right every wrong. He knew everyone didn’t believe as he did, and that was okay. But the fact remained, that a person who had once given their oath to protect and serve, had knowingly and willingly broken the law and taken the lives of others – it just didn’t sit well with him. Not to mention, that nagging voice in the back of his mind that told him, there was more to the story. There was something else there that Tinker hadn’t found.
Joker and Sparo had once told him that he had a hero complex, and they probably were right. But as far as Tinker was concerned, everyone should. If everyone chose to do right, there would be a lot less wrong in the world.
“You have a good heart, Jameson,” his mom said. “Whatever is going on, I have faith that you’ll find your way through it. But just know, I’m always here, son.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
His mother leaned back in the chair, propped her feet on the edge of his bed, and closed her eyes. Judging by the date written on the whiteboard, Tinker knew he hadn’t been in the hospital for more than a few hours, but his mother looked exhausted. And he couldn’t blame her. Hell, he’d probably taken at least a year or two off her life today.
Deciding she had the right idea, Tinker closed his own eyes, and just as he dozed off, his sister’s high-pitched scream filled his mind but this time, unlike real life – not everyone walked away from the accident unscathed.
Chapter Three
Keily
She sat crossed-legged on the corner seat of the sofa, staring out of the window. Her stomach was still turning. Several times Keily had glanced down at her phone, debating on calling the hospital for a status update on the man who had run off the road to avoid hitting her car. But she knew with privacy laws, that they wouldn’t tell her anything. Silently, she glanced over at her daughter and sent up a prayer for his wellbeing.
She also sent up a prayer that she’d be able to find someone who would fix her car for cheap since she didn’t have the funds for the expense, even with her insurance deductible. While she knew that the accident wasn’t her fault, and by all accounts, the man on the bike should pay for her repairs, Keily wasn’t the type to hit someone when they were down. And right now, he was most certainly down.
So, as she looked out in the yard at her wrecked car, Keily sighed. She truly had no idea what to do. She tried so hard to look on the bright side of things, but she was having a difficult time finding any light. It seemed as if her life had taken one too many hits lately and she was just barely holding it together.
Parenthood was hard, especially single parenthood. The endless hours, the lack of help, the solitude – it was all beginning to weigh on her. And Keily had no idea what to do about it. This was her life. This is what she chose for herself so how could she start complaining about it?
A car pulling into the drive caught Keily’s attention. Not expecting company, but happy for the midday interruption, she stood to answer the door before the person even stopped or exited the vehicle. While the idea of a visitor was somewhat exciting in Keily’s lonely life, the last thing she needed was a knock on the door to wake her daughter.
Pushing open the screen door, Keily cringed as it squeaked on its hinges. She’d have to remember to spray them down with some WD40. She waited patiently as a blonde-haired woman in dark sunglasses exited the bright yellow sports car and slowly walked toward her. As the woman neared, Keily recognized her and her heart started to beat a bit faster. She was the woman from the accident, the other motorcyclist.
Her heart started to po
und. This can’t be good, she thought to herself, choking back tears.
“Hi, I’m sorry to bother you.” The other woman stuck out her hand.
Keily reached for it and shook it gently.
“My name is Kailyn Evans,” the woman said.
“How is he?” Keily interrupted. “I remember you. Did he…” Keily couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
“No!” Kailyn shook her head. “He’s fine. He’s the reason I’m here.”
“Oh?” Keily didn’t understand, but the sudden relief she felt had her reaching for a porch beam to keep herself upright.
“Tinker asked that I come to check on you,” Kailyn replied. “I hope you don’t mind but the sheriff gave me your address.”
“Tinker?”
“Sorry.” Kailyn shook her head. “Jameson. I forget that not everyone knows him by his nickname.” She smiled. “Anyway, he wanted to make sure that you’re alright.”
“What?” Keily was still confused. Why would he be worried about her? She’d been inside a car.
“When my brother found out that there was a baby in the car…” Kailyn shrugged. “He kind of freaked out a bit, I guess. I’m not sure. But he asked that I come by here.”
“Yeah, we’re fine,” Keily answered. “But why would he be worried about us? He’s the one who crashed his bike. At least we were surrounded by car.”
“That’s just who Jameson is,” Kailyn said. “He also wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
“Not unless you happen to know someone who can fix my car for cheap?” Keily replied, pointing toward the wrecked car.
“As a matter of fact.” Kailyn chuckled. “I do.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
“Who?” Keily said, turning to go back into the house. “Wait, let me get a pen and paper to write down their info.”
“No need,” Kailyn said, stopping her. “It’s Jameson. He should be released from the hospital either tonight or tomorrow. When he is, I’ll send him this way to look it over. He’ll fix it up for you.”
Tinker's Dilemma: Devil's Henchmen MC Next Generation, Book One Page 2