Tinker's Dilemma: Devil's Henchmen MC Next Generation, Book One

by Samantha McCoy

  “Nothing,” Sledge answered. “And at this point, I don’t know if I’d take what he had or not. Something isn’t right about this. How did they find her? Who was tracking her? And why? Is this really Dean or is this someone else?”

  “There’s too many ‘what ifs’,” Reaper said. “Think we need to get in touch with Williams. See about getting a case file. If this is Dean, then they’ll have one. They’d have to have something. Tinker, get in contact with a few sources you have in the FBI. See what they might know, if anything.”

  “Will do,” Tinker replied.

  “Good thinking,” Sledge said to Reaper. “Gunny, I want you and Joker on these guys. Don’t let them out of your sight. Look but do not engage unless it’s necessary.”

  “Got it,” Joker and Gunny replied.

  “Tuck, will you run up to the house and make sure it’s all good?” Sledge asked. “This girl has had it rough. She could use a bit of ease.”

  “You got it, boss,” Tuck said.

  “I think that’s it.” Sledge shrugged. “We need to figure out who these guys are. Then we can dig deeper to find out who they work for. Get me names, boys.” Sledge slammed down the gavel and adjourned the meeting. Everyone stood and began to file out of the room, each with their own assignment.

  “Tinker?” Sledge asked, causing him to stop. “I assume you’ll be sleeping down at the shop?”

  Yeah. Tinker shrugged. “Haven’t thought about it,” he said out loud instead.

  “Well, let me help you,” Sledge replied, not believing Tinker’s answer. “Sleep at the shop. Keep an eye on the girl.”

  “Yes, sir.” Tinker nodded. That was his plan anyway.

  Sledge clapped him on the back and headed down the hall to his office, Reaper and Diesel following him.

  Before Tinker headed back outside to his bike, he quickly stopped to see his mother and give her a tight hug. He hadn’t got to see much of her since he’d gotten back from his last assignment and knew she would be upset if she found out that he had been there and not come to find her.

  After promising to take her out for dinner as soon as things settled down, Tinker walked outside. He slid his sunglasses on, to block out the rays of the setting sun as he walked toward his bike. The gravel crunched under his boots. The black and chrome Harley shone in the sunlight. It wasn’t his first favorite bike to ride but until he had time to get his fixed, his second favorite would have to do.

  As Tinker tossed his leg over the seat and lifted the bike, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Putting it back on the kickstand, he stood to pull his phone from his pocket.

  Glancing down at the caller ID, he didn’t recognize the number. But that was nothing new. People called him all the time for repair work.

  “Hello, Evan’s Automotive. This is Tinker, can I help you?”

  “Um… May I speak to Jameson, please,” the soft voice said on the other end of the line. “This is Keily Hopper. I… Umm.”

  “Hey, Keily. It’s Jameson.” Tinker went into full alert mood. “Everything okay?”

  “Oh. Yes, it’s fine. It’s just… A- Actually,” she stammered. “I need some help.”

  “What is it?” Tinker asked.

  He tried to pick up any noise he could from the background, but it was completely silent which told him that she was inside somewhere. Had those guys found her?

  No, he told himself. If they had, she would be a nervous wreck right about now. Not calm.

  “I found a place to move,” she replied. “And I don’t know anyone with a truck… So, I was hoping. I mean. If it’s not too much of a bother…”

  Relief flooded through him. She was okay. She wasn’t in danger.

  Taking a few deep breathes he questioned, “You need help moving?”

  “Please,” she said, sighing. “I mean, I understand if you can’t.”

  “No,” Tinker said quickly. “I’m free. What time?”

  “Around ten tomorrow morning?” Keily asked. “I don’t have a lot. It just won’t all fit in my car.”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Thank you so much!”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “Okay!”

  They both disconnected the call.

  And as he started his bike, Tinker smiled. For some reason, he was looking forward to helping her tomorrow, and maybe in the process, Tinker could even get to know Keily Hopper a bit more – after all, they were about to be neighbors.

  Chapter Twelve

  Keily

  Staring down at her phone, she smiled.

  She did need the help moving, but a part of her was excited to see Jameson again, even if she’d sworn off men and relationships.

  It didn’t hurt to have a friend, right? she told herself.

  While most stuff would fit in her car, even if she did have to make several trips, some things wouldn’t. Like her bed, TV, and Emily’s changing table, crib, and rocker. The baby stuff could technically be taken apart, but Keily didn’t want to do that if she could help it. The more something like that was taken apart, the weaker it would become and Keily wanted to make sure her daughter's furniture lasted for a long while. So, moving it while it was still put together was the best option.

  Putting her phone down, Keily got back to work. She had a bit more packing to do before she could relax for the evening. And with her father gone, now was the perfect time. Grabbing tape and another box that she’d picked up from the local Dollar Store, Keily continued to work, carefully packing what she wanted to take with her, including some of her mother’s precious trinkets.

  If Keily was going to make this new place her permanent home, then she wanted it to feel like that. She wanted items that would bring her peace and comfort. So, after taping the bottom of the box, she grabbed a piece of newspaper and wrapped one of her mother’s ceramic angels. It was Keily’s favorite of the collection. A powder pink one with baby-blue tipped wings. Small little jewels decorated it in every color of the rainbow. But what made it amazing, and so special to her, was when the sun hit it, the tiny gems would sparkle and cause a rainbow of colors to splash across the room. There were a lot of memories of her mother surrounding that knick-knack, and Keily hoped to one day share those memories and even create new ones with Emily. Gently setting it in the box, Keily surrounded it with more paper. It was truly an irreplaceable treasure.

  Setting her mug on the side table, Keily flopped down onto the couch, exhausted. Her back hurt and she had a headache brewing. She surveyed the boxes that were stacked up neatly by the front door, and for a moment, a sense of sadness filled her. Looking around, she recalled all the memories she’d had inside the surrounding four walls. While she never pictured herself living back at home, it saddened her to leave it, again. Keily thought back to all the times she had sat on the floor, in front of the coffee table, while her mother taught her the day’s lessons. She remembered the times of her father coming home from work when she’d run into his arms and he would lift her into the air, twirling her around. The family dinners at the scarred-up dining table. Movie nights spent eating popcorn with gooey cheese sauce. All the hours spent coloring while her parents oohed and ahhed over how beautifully she colored between the lines.

  Keily smiled at all the memories that seemed to live on, long after her family had fallen apart. She brushed away the tear that slid from her eye. Both happiness and sadness rolled through her.

  What she wouldn’t give to at least have her father back, she thought to herself.

  She mourned his loss just as much as she mourned her mother’s. Maybe more. Because he was still there. Yet gone, at the same time. Her heart hurt for Emily. Her little girl would never know her grandparents. She’d never get to experience that level of love that only came from them.

  The only person she had was Keily.

  And that bit of reality was what had always pushed her to make her daughter’s life the best it could be. She didn’t want Emily to ever lack for anything. She hoped she coul
d fill her daughter’s world with enough love, that she’d never feel as if she were missing anything. She hoped, that at the end of each day, Emily would never doubt her drive or determination to see to her needs, wants, and happiness.

  But most of all, Keily prayed she was enough.

  Enough mom. Enough friend. Enough protector. Enough provider. Enough of everything. Keily’s greatest fear was failing her daughter. So, she’d made it her personal mission, every single day, to always do better than the day before.

  Sipping her hot tea, Keily pulled her legs underneath her and just tried to relax. No more thinking about tomorrow. No more stressing over what could be. She tried to just… be. Something she hadn’t done in a long time. Tomorrow would be a new day filled with new beginnings.

  Taking another small sip, Keily sighed as Emily’s soft cry reached her ears.

  “No rest for the weary,” she said as she set her mug on the table and headed into the bedroom. Lifting Emily into her arms, she carried her over to the changing table and quickly changed her diaper. “Hello, Princess.” Keily smiled down at the most perfect human she’d ever seen. “You sleep well?”

  Once Emily was changed, Keily carried her into the living room and carefully spread out a small blanket on the floor and laid Emily face-down for some evening tummy time, which Emily hated.

  Sitting on the floor with her daughter, Keily patted her butt and spoke softly. “It’s okay, Princess,” Keily cooed. “We have to get those neck muscles big and strong. They have to hold up that head.” She smiled down at her daughter and joy filled her heart.

  This was what life was about. The small moments that would grow into something bigger. Memories that would last a lifetime.

  A sudden crash outside had Keily reaching for her daughter and holding her against her chest. She jumped to her feet and hurried over to the window. Night had fallen a while ago and with the woods surrounding the house, it made it difficult to see. She tried narrowing her eyes, but still, she couldn’t see anyone or anything out there. However, the crates that were once stacked below the window, had now fallen.

  Was probably just the wind, she told herself. Calm down.

  Taking a deep breath, Keily let the sheer curtain fall back into place and walked back to set Emily on the floor. Her eyes darted to the front door. It was still locked.

  She didn’t expect anyone to venture this far out, but truly, one never knew. It wasn’t like her father’s house was one of the prized two-story mansions that lined the lake, and could possibly hold expensive goods. On the contrary, it was just an old, wood-framed farmhouse that had seen better days. The only thing expensive in this place were the memories it held. Those were priceless. At least to her.

  Willing her heart to fall out of her throat and back into her chest, she focused her attention on Emily. Smiling, she watched her daughter kick her tiny little feet and babbled up a storm. Soon, the noise from outside was nothing but a distant memory and Keily’s mind shifted to the little girl in front of her.

  Her heart blossomed.

  Her daughter’s light filled it until it felt as if it would burst. Keily wondered for a moment if that was how all new mothers felt, or was she just an overemotional mess. Deciding it didn’t matter, either way, she flipped Emily onto her back and began to sing her some of her favorite lullabies.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Tinker

  Pulling up to Keily’s house, Tinker parked his truck near the front door, which was propped open. Glancing over, he saw that Keily already had most of the space in her car filled with clothes and boxes.

  Climbing out of his truck, he took the stairs two at a time, and then lightly tapped on the doorframe. “Anyone home?” he called.

  “In here!” Keily hollered back.

  Tinker stepped into the house and looked around. The inside was a lot nicer than the out. He saw a few boxes piled near the doorway and asked, “Do these boxes go?”

  “Yes, but I can come back and just put those in my car,” she said as she walked into the living room. “I basically need help with Emily’s baby furniture and my bed.”

  “Let me get these loaded and I’ll come check out whatever else you have,” Tinker replied, picking up a stack of boxes. “Less back and forth, the better. Don’t want Emily to start getting fussy.”

  He really didn’t know much about babies, but if he had to sit all day, his ass would start hurting, and he’d end up cranky as fuck.

  Tinker had seen some car seats; they didn’t look all that comfortable. Plus, the sooner he got her into the house, the better. Especially after Joker’s update from last night. It didn’t sit well with Tinker that one of Keily’s stalkers had been caught peeking into her window.

  “Oh, well thank you.” She smiled, and Tinker couldn’t help but return it.

  There was something about Keily Hopper that drew him in like a moth to light. He’d never gotten involved with someone he was investigating, and he wouldn’t start now, but she was sure tempting.

  Carrying the boxes outside, he set them on the steps while he walked around to the back of his truck and opened the tailgate. Walking back to the porch, he picked them up just as he heard the low rumble of a motorcycle coming down Keily’s drive. Sliding the boxes into the back, he stood there, leaning against the tailgate, waiting to see who it was.

  Tinker watched as a flat black bike came into view, and he sighed. “Fuck me…” he grumbled, under his breath. It was Joker. A part of him was happy to see his brother in arms. With Joker there, Tinker’s mind would be kept on track. However, another part of him wanted to tell his cousin to take a hike. Tinker knew how Joker was. Investigation or not, if Joker wanted to wet his dick – he would.

  The bike and rider pulled up alongside him, and when he took off his helmet, Joker said, “The house is ready. Sledge sent me out here to help you get her moved.”

  “Thanks,” Tinker replied. “She said there’s baby furniture in there that needs to get loaded into my truck. You can help me with that.”

  “Sounds good.” Joker climbed off the back of his bike.

  They both turned toward the house and stopped. Keily was standing in the doorway, eyes wide. She looked sexy as sin, and probably didn’t even know it. In a baby blue tank top and some type of short black yoga shorts, her curves looked delectable. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and her face was void of any make-up. Come to think of it, Tinker couldn’t remember her ever wearing the stuff. Unlike his sister and cousin who never left the house without it.

  She seemed to snap out of her initial shock and stepped forward, extending her hand toward Joker. “Hi. I’m Keily,” she said. “Are you a friend of Jameson’s?”

  “Jameson, huh?” he asked, eyeing Tinker with a grin. Then turning back toward Keily he replied, “Friend? No.” Joker shook his head. “More like cousin.”

  “Oh!” She smiled bigger. “Nice to meet you. What’s your name?”

  “I’m sorry.” Joker grinned even larger. “Where are my manners? I’m Joker.”

  “Joker?”

  “It’s my club name,” he explained.

  “Club?”

  Joker and Tinker exchanged a look.

  “We ride in a motorcycle club,” Joker said. “You know, like bikers.”

  “Oh! Duh.” Keily nodded. “Do you have a club name?” she asked Tinker.

  “Tinker,” he answered.

  “Tinker?” she raised a brow.

  “I work on cars, bikes, that sort of thing.” Tinker shrugged. “So, yeah.”

  “He tinkers,” Joker said.

  “I get it.” Keily smiled. “Fitting.”

  “Yep.” Tinker shoved his hands in his front pockets, not liking the attention.

  Keily grinned even more. “So, should I just call you Tinker then?”

  “Whatever.” He shrugged.

  “It’s not whatever,” she argued. “If it makes you more comfortable for me to call you Tinker, then I will.”

  “The only person
who calls him Jameson is his momma,” Joker chimed in.

  “Well, I don’t want to remind you of your mom,” Keily laughed. “So, Tinker it is!”

  “Oh, trust me.” Joker laughed. “You definitely ain’t his momma,” Joker replied, looking Keily up and down.

  Her cheeks blushed a pretty shade of pink.

  Tinker smacked a hand against Joker’s chest. “Keep those to yourself.”

  “What?” Joker shrugged, acting like he had no idea what Tinker was talking about. Then he pushed his arm away and climbed the stairs. “Darling, why don’t you show me this heavy stuff you need us to get.”

  “Okay,” Keily replied.

  Joker led her back into the house, his hand on the small of her back. And as he passed over the threshold, he shot Tinker a big shit-eating grin and winked.

  Tinker wanted to dot his eye, but instead just shook his head and followed them inside. The sooner they got everything out of this place, the better his mood would be. Because Joker around Keily made Tinker edgy.

  There was way too much at stake for Joker to fuck this up by trying to get his whistle wet. Not only did they still need to figure out who those men were legitimately working for, but they also needed to ensure that no harm came to Keily or her daughter while doing it. So, with that, Tinker entered the house and with Joker’s help, they had everything out and loaded into the back of Tinker’s truck, in less than an hour.

  “I’m moving into a house next door to Evan’s Automotive,” Keily told them as they each got ready to leave.

  “I know.” Tinker smiled.

  Keily looked confused.

  “I own Evan’s Automotive,” Tinker explained. “And my club owns the rental house.”

  “What?” Her brows creased. “I thought…”

  “Beth is my aunt,” Tinker continued. “Her husband, Sledge, is our club president.”

  “Oh.” Keily looked a bit taken back.