Tinker was suddenly worried that she would change her mind about moving. So, he tried to quickly think of something to say.
“If you need anything, you’ll have a slew of people right next door to help.” He didn’t know if that was comforting or not but figured for a single mom, it should be.
“I guess…” She trailed off.
“We ready?” Joker called.
“Are we?” Tinker asked Keily.
She seemed to think for a moment, then gave a quick nod. “Yeah.”
Tinker waited for her to get into her car and close the door before he climbed into his truck and started it. Together, the three of them pulled away from old-man Sharp’s house, and once on the main road, they headed north. Driving through the winding country road, with Joker in the lead, they passed through town and out the other side.
The entire time, Tinker watched their rear and surroundings for any sight of the two men that had been following Keily. He hadn’t seen them, but that didn’t mean anything. They still didn’t know what the other men were driving. So far, they had been extremely careful. Maybe a bit too careful, for Tinker’s liking. Which only cemented his belief that they weren’t just a couple of lackeys.
It wasn’t until he finally pulled into the driveway of Keily’s new home, that he breathed a sigh of relief. A small smile tugged his lips upward at the sight that awaited them.
The entire club was standing on her front porch. The women were holding a “Welcome Home” sign and the men manned the BBQ pit. Whether Keily liked it or not, the entire club was pulling her under their wings.
He chuckled.
Sledge might be the President of the Devil’s Henchmen MC, but we all knew who really wore the pants in that relationship. Tinker had a feeling the welcome home party was all Beth’s doing. He just hoped the surprise shindig didn’t scare Keily off… Because he could tell, it wasn’t something she was used to.
Chapter Fourteen
Keily
What the hell…
She sat behind the steering wheel of her car, afraid to open the door. Maybe afraid wasn’t the exact word… But it was close enough.
At least twenty people were piled in her front yard. People she didn’t know. She looked at Tinker, and then back to the group. Beth stood center on the porch holding a sign that said, “Welcome to Your New Home!” and a gigantic smile on her face. The men, all dressed like Tinker and Joker, stared in her direction.
Maybe this was a bad idea… she thought to herself. Was her father’s house that bad? It wasn’t like he was ever home, anyway.
Nerves bubbled in her gut.
She glanced over at Tinker, still sitting in his truck, and she saw his reassuring smile. It put her at ease – well, almost. She watched as he climbed out of his truck and the men headed his way. They slapped each other on the back and moved directly to the rear of his truck. Together, they all started to grab stuff from the back and carry it inside.
She was so busy watching them that when her car door open, Keily jumped, startled.
“I’m sorry,” Joker said immediately. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
With her hand against her heart, Keily tried to relax. “Who are all these people?”
“The club,” Joker answered. “They all came to help you get situated. That way, you can relax and not have to deal with all the stress of moving everything on your own.”
“Why?” She didn’t understand.
“Why what?”
“Why are they doing this?”
Joker shrugged. “It’s what we do.”
While Keily was extremely grateful, it still didn’t make any sense to her. Why would these people treat her like… like, family? They didn’t even know her.
“Come, Little Bit.” Joker held out his hand. “Might as well get used to it.” He smiled.
Keily took his hand and climbed out of the car, but she doubted this would ever be something she would get used to. The moment she was out of the safety of her car, Beth and the other women, one of which she knew as Kailyn, Tinker’s sister, rushed over toward her.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Beth said. “But I thought you might need a bit of help.” She shrugged. “This way, you can take care of the baby and let the men do all the lifting.” She smiled.
Honestly, she didn’t know how to feel. She’d never really had anything like this happen to her. When she’d moved to El Paso, it had just been her. No family. No friends.
“Come,” Beth said. “Let’s get the baby out of the car and get y’all situated.”
Wordlessly, Keily opened the back door and released Emily’s car seat from the base. As she pulled her from the car, a series of oohs and ahhs went all around as the women surrounded her, staring down at her daughter, smiling.
“Y’all get over here,” a man called from the porch.
“Oh, hush!” Beth replied. “We’re busy over here.”
Keily saw the man shake his head and roll his eyes. He looked annoyed. Angry, even. Not wanting to upset anyone, she said, “Maybe I should go get her situated inside and help the guys unload.”
“Nonsense,” another woman said. “They can get it. By the way, I’m Amber,” she introduced.
“She’s my mom,” Kailyn chimed in.
“Oh.” So, this was Tinker’s mom…
“Okay, wait,” Kailyn interrupted everyone. “We’ve bombarded this poor girl and she doesn’t even know anyone.”
“Oh!” Beth’s eyes rounded. “Shit! I’m so sorry. Come on, I’ll introduce everyone.”
Keily didn’t know if she was ready for that either, but she still followed Beth and the others toward the front porch of her new home. She tried to paste a smile on her face, but her anxiety was making it difficult.
“Everyone freeze!” Beth shouted.
Keily jumped. Everyone froze.
“I would like to pause for a moment and introduce everyone to Keily,” Beth continued. “Keily, this is my husband and President of the Devil’s Henchmen MC, Sledge.”
“Nice to meet you,” Keily spoke softly.
“Same.” He nodded.
“Don’t mind his face,” Beth whispered. “He always looks angry. It’s just his face.”
“Hey!” Sledge replied. “I do not.”
Beth raised a brow. “Yeah. Sure. Anyway.” She continued. “This is Amber’s husband, Kailyn and Tinker’s dad, Reaper. He’s our club Enforcer.”
“Enforcer?” Keily asked, not knowing what the meant.
“I’m the muscle,” he replied, grinning. Reaper lifted his arms and flexed, causing a few of the people around them to laugh and others to groan.
“Quit before you pull a muscle,” Amber laughed, shaking her head.
Reaper narrowed his eyes playfully at his wife.
Beth continued making introductions. “This is Diesel. Our Sergeant at Arms. His wife, Rachel.”
“Nice to meet you,” they both said, shaking her hand.
“Then we have Ink and Sparo, which are mine and Sledge’s sons,” Beth said. “Then that is Gunny. You know his mom, Betty.”
“Pleasure.” Gunny nodded toward her, tipping his head.
“Let’s see, you know Tinker,” Beth went on. “That is Tuck. Then Doc. And finally, Joker, who you’ve already met.”
“Um,” a young girl said. “Hello.” She waved a hand.
“Oh.” Beth laughed. “And these girls are Stephanie and Ava, Diesel and Rachel’s daughters.”
Keily smiled at the other girls. There was no way she would remember everyone’s names. And that only increased her anxiety further. What if she messed up and called someone the wrong name? She would be so embarrassed.
As it was, she felt like she was on the edge of a breakdown. She didn’t know why this was stressing her out so badly. She should feel grateful for the help. But truthfully, she wanted to hop in her car and just drive away.
“Hey.” She blinked to see Tinker standing in front of her, carrying Emily’s rocker. “W
hy don’t you show me where you want this.” His eyes drilled into her.
Nodding, Keily turned away from everyone and walked into the house. The living room was filled with all the boxes that she’d packed last night. Maneuvering around them, she walked into Emily’s bedroom and pointed toward a corner. “Over there is fine.”
Tinker moved around her and set the rocker where she’d indicated. Then, he surprised her by walking over to her and wrapping her in a tight hug.
Keily froze.
“Breathe,” he whispered in her ear. “They are just trying to help. I know they can be a bit overwhelming. Trust me, I get it. So, just breathe. Okay?” He started to rock slightly. “If you want me to kick them out, just say the word.”
“No!” she replied, shaking her head. She didn’t need her new landlords upset with her. She didn’t want to hurt their feelings.
“Are you sure?” he asked, pulling away slightly to look her in the eye. “Because I don’t mind.” The look on his face told her that he would boot every single one of them out if she asked him to. And that just made her like him even more.
Keily tried to breathe away her anxiety until finally, she nodded. “I’m just… I’m not used to this, is all.”
“They’re a caring bunch.” The corner of Tinker’s mouth rose. “Aunt Beth can be a bit overbearing, but it comes from the heart. She genuinely cares about folks. Like a mother hen. Or pitbull.” He shrugged comically.
Keily giggled. Then she took a deep breath and slowly blew it out.
“Better?” Tinker asked.
“Yeah,” Keily replied. “I think so.”
“Tell you what,” he said. “If at any time you start to feel suffocated, just tell me you need my help. Then, we will come right back here until you feel better. Okay?”
Keily stared at him for a moment. Tinker was essentially a stranger to her, yet he was her friend, all at the same time. How was that possible?
“Why are you always so nice to me?” she asked, needing to know.
“Why not?” Tinker replied.
Keily nodded her head. That wasn’t an answer, but she wouldn’t press. If there was one thing Patrick’s ordeal had taught her, it was to not trust so easily. To keep people at arm’s length. She would have to remember that because if she didn’t, she could easily see Tinker working his way into her heart.
The man was pure sweetness and the definition of hot, sexy, biker.
So, to protect herself, Keily threw up every barrier she had and stepped out of his arms. She saw the bit of confusion that passed across his face and had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop explaining herself.
Protect yourself, she reminded herself. You don’t owe anyone anything.
Taking a deep breath, she said, “I better get Emily situated somewhere so I can start unpacking.”
“You okay?’ he asked, concern clearly written on his face.
“I am.” Keily smiled. “Or at least, I will be.” She shrugged. “One day at a time.”
“Okay.” Tinker nodded.
He stepped out of the way to allow Keily to pass. She carried Emily back out into the living and set her car seat in the corner, out of the way of foot traffic. Walking over to the stack of boxes, she took a deep breath and got to work.
She unpacked one box after another and placed her mother’s trinkets on a built-in shelf near one of the windows. She moved things around until it felt more like her own. As the night progressed, Keily found herself laughing at comments the guys made to each other as all her anxiety had vanished. She enjoyed their company and was thankful to have them all there to help her. Even the women were a blessing. Beth and Amber helped to organize the kitchen, while Rachel and the others worked in the two bedrooms.
By the end of the night, with everyone’s help, her new home was perfect. And to make things even better, Keily seemed to make some new friends, too…
Chapter Fifteen
Tinker
He had no idea what had happened, but he found himself watching her throughout the evening. He saw the transformation in her, and it made him happy. Genuinely happy. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Tinker watched her laugh, smile, and interact with his family like she belonged there. Like she had always been a part of it. And he liked it…
No, he told himself. It’s just a case, he reminded himself. That’s it. Work the case. Then move on. He couldn’t afford to get too attached to Keily. As soon as this case was over, he’d move on. And so would she.
Right now, he had to keep her and Emily safe. That was his priority. Nothing more.
So, instead of sitting in the house with everyone else, Tinker headed out the front door. He walked around the perimeter of the house and then looked toward the road which was no more than twenty yards from the front of the house. There wasn’t any traffic, but that didn’t mean nobody was around.
“So, what’s going on?” Sledge asked as he approached.
“Just checking things out.” He shrugged. “What are you doing out here?”
“Checking on you,” Sledge replied.
Tinker nodded. “I’m good.”
“Are you sure?”
Tinker didn’t want to lie to him, so he tried to change the subject. “Hear anything from Williams?” Tinker asked, taking a long pull from his beer bottle.
Sledge looked around and quietly said, “Word from him is that Dean has a couple of friends on the guard line. They gave him access to a phone and he called in a few favors.”
“Shit,” Tinker replied. “What the fuck is the point of sending the bastard to prison if he still has his hands in the outside?”
“Kind of how I look at it, too.” Sledge shrugged. “But, I’m not sure I believe it.”
“No?” Tinker asked.
“Nah.” Sledge sipped from his red solo cup. “Something about this entire thing isn’t sitting well with me.”
“Like?”
“If Williams has all this information…” Sledge shrugged. “Why call us? Why not protect the girl himself? Why not put her in PP?”
“I’ve wondered the same thing,” Tinker admitted.
“Really now?” Sledge asked. “And you haven’t cared to share this opinion?”
Tinker sighed.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Honestly?” Tinker asked. “I have no clue.”
“Okay.” Sledge nodded. “When you figure it out, I expect you know that answer.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Anyway,” Sledge said, letting the subject drop. “We need to figure out who these guys are working for. If this is a cartel thing, I can guarantee things are about to get messy.”
“I don’t think that’s who we’re dealing with,” Diesel said, walking up behind them.
“I don’t either,” Sledge agreed.
“I think we’re dealing with two separate teams,” Reaper interjected. “I think Dean sent someone after Keily, but I also think Williams has an agenda that he isn’t sharing with us.”
“You think?” Sledge asked.
“Yep.” Reaper nodded. “Think about it, man. Williams gives us breadcrumbs. Just enough information to keep us satisfied, but not enough to tell us anything.”
Tinker nodded in agreement.
“Dean is pissed about not being told about the baby,” Reaper continued. “I get that. But he’s in prison. It’s not like he can raise the kid himself. And he has no family. None that want anything to do with him.”
“I think this is turning into a big shit circus,” Diesel replied. “And I for one, hate the damn circus.”
“Clowns are scary, man,” Reaper added.
Diesel nodded. “They are…”
“So, from the looks of it, we’re battling two different enemies,” Sledge interrupted. “And we have to figure out who is who…” He nodded, thinking for a moment. “Shouldn’t be too hard. Right.”
“Riiiight,” Tinker agreed, sarcastically.
Diesel laughe
d.
“Listen,” Reaper said, suddenly serious. “Keily will never truly be free until Dean and whatever other threat is dealt with. That girl in there…” He pointed back toward the house. “Is broken as fuck. She deserves some peace in her life.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“So how are we going to give it to her?” Reaper finished.
“Take out each threat,” Diesel replied, the smile on his face making him look creepy as hell.
Sledge looked around again. “I’m going to put her on watch,” he said to Tinker. “She is not to be alone. I want a detail on her, at all times. I have a feeling these guys, whoever they are, aren’t going to stop until they are either put down or finish their assignment. And as soon as they find out she’s no longer living out at her dad’s place, things will escalate quickly.”
Tinker nodded, agreeing with his president.
“They were ballsy last night,” Tinker said. “Walking right up to her window.”
“Exactly.” Sledge nodded, taking a drink of his beer. “They were planning to make their move. I know it.” He tapped his chest.
It was well known that when Sledge had a bad feeling about something – it was right. So, taking his words to heart, Tinker vowed to get his head out of the clouds and into the game. He had a job to do and it didn’t involve getting attached to Keily Hopper.
As the women gathered in the house, cleaning up from their big dinner, the men stood outside, developing a plan.
“Ink. Joker,” Sledge said, “I want you two on surveillance. Find a spot and park it. Sparo and Gunny will come by in the morning to relieve you both. Joker, if she leaves, follow her. You know what to do.”
“And what about me?” Tinker asked.
“Get close to the girl.”
“What?”
Tinker didn’t want to get close to Keily. Things were already getting mixed up in his head where she was concerned. What he needed was to keep his distance, so he remained on a professional keel.
“She trusts you,” Sledge answered. “Use that to your advantage. Get close to her. Right now, that is the only way to keep her and the baby safe. At least until we can figure out exactly who we’re dealing with and how many.”
Tinker's Dilemma: Devil's Henchmen MC Next Generation, Book One Page 9