Lynx seeped in air through the corners of his lips as he pondered. “Technically, yes.” I opened my mouth, but he stopped me. “Hear me out. First of all, you know as well as I do that Pretty Girl needs professional help. We’re lucky she’s getting it where she is.” My shoulders caved as I thought of her writhing in the corner. “Two, in order to use the marriage certificate in your favor, it’s very likely you would have to face the judge that gave temporary custody to the doc.”
I sat up straight. Even if Lace needed to stay at Serenity, at least now I could visit her without whispering the whole time. Maybe Doc could help her remember me. “Point the way.”
Vice and Dagger chuckled at my willingness, but Lynx asked me, “How do you explain why you didn’t come to retrieve your wife sooner?”
“Uh, I had to get stitched up at a vet’s office, then recover here with you guys.”
The surround sound of hisses informed me I was already giving wrong answers. Then Dagger and Vice gave Lynx ‘looks’ as if to say, You really need to have a chat with your boy.
Maybe that’s why Lynx took another approach, pretending to be the judge. “Is that so, Mr. Young? Could you please tell me why you needed stitches?”
“Uh,” clueless of what to say, I reverted to the truth, “my brothers tried to kill me?”
“What?” Lynx pretended to be appalled. “Have your brothers been arrested?”
“Uhhhhh…”
When I was lost to the proper response, Dagger pretended to be me. “No, your honor.” He faked nibling on his fingers. “I never told the police.”
I snarled, “I don’t bite my fingers—”
Lynx ignored me and kept on. “Why on earth not, Mr. Young?”
Dagger shrugged. “I’m afraid they will try again?”
Lynx set down his coffee and pretended to pick up a pen, ready to write. “What are their names?”
Dagger delivered an exaggerated bobblehead. “I don’t think I know their true names.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure I could answer better than that—”
Lynx continued the role-play. “You don’t know your brother’s names?” The pretend judge shook his head in dismay. “Mr. Young, do you know how your wife received injuries?”
My chest took a ghost hit of how she was gravely hurt.
Dagger nodded. “Yes, sir. Her brothers and mine.”
The pretend judge blinked. “Hold on. Are you saying two sets of brothers tried to kill you both?”
My head fell forward as Dagger answered the judge. “Yes, sir.”
“I take it no report has been filed against them, either?”
“Correct. Well, we don’t know who their parents are.”
“Mr. Young, please do explain your meaning here.”
As I listened to them banter, my stomach turned and twisted.
Dagger added, “Well, technically, my brothers don’t exist.”
“Mr. Young, are you trying to convey that your siblings are not legal citizens of this country?”
“Yes, sir,” Dagger whispered. “Your Honor, can you please keep this on the down-low because we suspect there are some dangerous people who I prefer to not know I’m alive due to them killing my uncle.”
The asshole pretend-judge gasped. “Where are your brothers now?”
I could almost hear Dagger proudly lift his chin as he continued being me. “In my house.”
“Mr. Young, are you telling me your alleged murderers are living in your house?”
Not daring to peer up, I raised a hand in mercy, waving an imaginary white flag. “Okay. Okay. Your point has been made. Please stop. My life is shit. I get it.”
Lynx sounded remorseful. “Shit. Sorry, kid—”
“Noooo,” warned Dagger as he grabbed a bowl from a cabinet. “There ain’t nothin’ wrong with some tough love.” After placing the bowl on the counter, he filled it with some oat and grain cereal Elle wanted me to have. Then I could hear the organic ‘unprocessed’ milk pouring into the bowl.
That sound had my mind wandering to when that milk had been delivered, by a biker, in a jar, because it came from a special holistic farm. Lynx had bitched, of course, but when he told the biker to keep bringing it, my chest filled with warmth—
“Kid, chin up.” I did as Dagger asked. “It’s all good, just need you to remember the rules of the club.” He tossed a spoon in the bowl and pushed it to me.
Lynx nodded. “He’s right, Pup. Living on the other side of the law means you can’t use the law at a whim. You appearing now would be okay because no one, except guilty parties, knows you’ve even been missing. But, Pretty Girl, on the other hand, she’s now in the system.”
Dagger squinted his one eye. “Technically, she isn’t. They don’t know who they have, right?”
Lynx agreed, “True, but all her injuries are recorded. Memory loss, too. A mess we can’t explain without getting knee-deep in the messiest pile of shit, ever.”
I took a heaping bite of my cereal. “Doc named her Vera.”
All men leaned back, cringing. Vice complained, “Vera? For that young girl?”
Shoveling in more breakfast, I shrugged. “I refuse to call her by it. She’s my Pretty Girl.”
After cringing at the milk dripping down my chin, Lynx tossed me a napkin. “So, do we agree on never revealing her true identity? You’re her husband. That’s huge. You’re the only man in the room who can say that.”
Not using the napkin, I crunched on cereal. “W-What? You’re not married to Elle?”
“Nope. I stay to my side of the law. No piece of paper is gonna tell me who my woman is.”
Maybe, because I had yet to taste the freedom Lynx nobly owned, I wanted paper, balloons, neon lights screaming Lacey was mine.
Lynx explained, “So, your call, since Lacey is in no condition to make it herself, but we,” he gestured to his fellow bikers, “can’t be a part of the Po-Po. I told you from the beginning, that’s not my scene. That’s not their scene.”
“Lynx,” I sighed, pushing away my empty bowl, “all I want is my girl. I don’t give two shits how it’s done.”
Dagger stared at my bowl in shock. “That is actually fucking impressive.”
I showed Lynx my unoccupied arms and hands. “I just need her here. In these. Feel me?”
As Dagger refilled my bowl, Lynx dipped his chin, seeming pleased I was willing to stay on the wrong side of the law. “I feel ya, kid, but let me ask you this. Even if new identities are needed?”
My jaw fell… “You mean… Lace not being Lace?”
“Correct. What if I had to make her, uh, er… a Jamie.”
Vice casually nodded. “Oh, that’s a perfect name for that little wee thing.”
Dagger pushed the bowl back to me. “That is a good name for her.”
How they could be so relaxed about changing something as monumental as the identity you were born with blew my mind. Blink. Blink. “But—” I emptied my spoon into my mouth.
Lynx dared, “Does her name really matter if she’s back in them empty arms and safe? From any and all threats?”
Past the cereal in my mouth, I could taste that damn dream again, the one only Lynx could offer me. I admitted, “No. It wouldn’t matter. And I can convince her the same.” Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
“Then alright,” said Lynx. “Now we know where we stand if any of this is needed.”
Setting down my spoon, I put out my hand. “Agreed.”
Lynx smirked but shook my hand. “Done.”
I filled my spoon with cereal. Almost to my mouth, a burner phone vibrated on the kitchen counter. Motionless, we all stared at it, knowing every time Justice called, she brought more bad news. Would this time be any different?
Leaving the cell on the counter, Lynx tapped the screen. “Talk ta’ me.”
Justice sounded as if yawning. “Sorry. Been up all night.” She heavily exhaled. “Alrighty, boys and girls,” The bikers jokingly peered about looking for any females, �
�have you tightened your seatbelts again?”
Staring at the last bite of my cereal, sitting in the suspended spoon, I felt my stomach twist once more. Slowly, I set the full spoon back into the bowl and pushed it toward Dagger. “Thank you. That was very good.”
As if having pity for me, he nodded and placed it in the sink.
My eyes found the phone, and I sat there, wishing I could run and hide—or run to my Lacey. Anywhere but here, where more bad news was to be told…
“Lacey’s brothers do not exist either.”
“Jesus. H. Christ!” Lynx began to pace next to the kitchen. “How are all these babies being born with no records?”
Sounding as dumbfounded, she answered, “I don’t have those answers yet, but I do have some good news.” My chest filled with hopeful air. “Lacey’s parents existed. Both on record of having Lacey on her actual birthdate.”
My head fell forward and hung there. There was definitely a relief in knowing an iota of detail in our lives was true—made sense—or at least were what we believed them to be.
“But,” added Justice until I shook my head, begging for no more fucking ‘buts’. She asked, “You with me, kid?”
I couldn’t answer as the orange juice and cereal in my gut violently rolled.
“Hey,” growled the voice I needed to hear.
I dared to glance up at Lynx.
“You’re mine. You belong somewhere. With me.” He hit his chest.
Sad, tired, and fearful, I nodded, glad to have him. “Thank you.”
Justice was a woman, and she was kind, but she lacked the softness that Elle effortlessly exuded. Justice had empathy, but she was very straightforward, quickly continuing, as if time wasted was time lost. Neither was acceptable in her world. “According to my findings, Lacey’s father passed when she was six.”
Sensing what was coming, I looked back to the phone. I could feel an expression of horror splash across my face. “No.”
“I’m sorry, Tate.” In Justice style, she took a hold of that band-aid and ripped it off. “Her mama ‘reared’ off the road and hit a telephone pole. According to the police report, and suspicious tire tracks, she was murdered. A week ago.”
Vertigo? Forgetting how to breathe? I don’t know which one had my body screaming for release, but I was suddenly running to my bathroom. I vomited up the orange juice I treasured, and the cereal Elle sent me.
Had I been wrong? Had Lacey’s mom actually cared? Had she been punished for trying to find her daughter? Who killed her? After everything we had learned, I knew Justice was right. There was no doubt in my mind it wasn’t an accident.
Whoever we were up against, they clearly had no issues with taking lives. Lacey…
After rinsing out my mouth and wetting my clammy face, I stared in the mirror. “Breathe. She’s hidden away, being watched by killers in leather.”
Heading back into the living room, I heard Lynx ask Justice, “That was smart, girl. Who owned the home before Lacey’s mom?”
“Edward Scoal.”
“Who?” I asked, never having heard the name before.
Hearing me, Justice reluctantly answered, “Well, I would say he was a made-up name, but that is not the case.”
Lynx regarded me. “You don’t recognize that name at all?”
“Not one bit.” I plopped back onto a barstool, dumbfounded.
Lynx placed his palms on the counter and leaned his weight forward. “Justice, did you find out anything on this mystery man?”
“Yeah, hence this next part. I need my Prez’s permission to use a connection into the Kansas Penitentiary.”
Lynx’s nostrils flared as he grumbled, “Why?”
“Because that’s where this man has been for the last eighteen years. United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth.”
Dagger crossed his arms. “That’s a Federal Prison.”
“Yes, sir,” replied his Road Captain. “It appears this man was in prison for being in possession of firearms that are on a big no-no list. But here’s the kicker. No, and I mean no previous record. He’s an unemployed nerdy scientist. That’s all I have on him. That’s a big first-time offense. Need inside info to learn more about him.”
Lynx crossed his arms, agreeing, “Who he’s rolling with in there. I got cha.”
Dagger contemplated, “Maybe it could lead to who is truly behind all this.”
Arms still somewhat crossed, Lynx tapped his lip. “But once we start asking questions, you know what that does.”
Vice agreed. “Has others askin’ why we askin’.”
Lynx paced some more, then stopped to stare out the sliding glass door. “Justice, can you and my boys make a trip up here?”
“We could get away for a couple of days, but then head back home. The shop is booked tight. And that shipment end of next week.”
Justice not mentioning what the shipment involved told me it wasn’t any of my business.
“Lynx,” said Dagger. “Ain’t needed.”
Lynx turned to him. “They haven’t even met him.”
Dagger dipped his chin. “They trust you. They don’t have to meet the pup.”
At the time, I wasn’t sure of Lynx’s concerns, but that man sure put his club, and those he was responsible for, first. In thought, he faced the window again. “Justice, where’s my Sergeant at Arms?”
“Standby,” I heard her say. “Hey, can you come to the Stalls? Thanks.”
Within a couple of minutes, I heard a door open, then… “You good, Cap?”
Justice answered, “Always. Just got Prez on the line for ya.”
“Who?” said the man’s voice with playful sarcasm. “Is he even still alive?”
Lynx finally laughed, turning from the window. “Fucker, you love being in charge down there. Don’t fake it.”
“Hey, having me in charge makes this ship glide smoothly through the water—”
Knock! Knock! “Sorry. It’s Brat. I think the water heater is going out.”
‘Smooth’ Sailor griped, “Alright! I’ll be out in a minute,” and threw all pretense out the window. “Jesus. Lynx, when the fuck you comin’ home?”
Lynx was still smiling. “And leave my vacation behind? Fuck off.” After some surrounding laughter, he said, “I’m actually wanting my officers to come here and meet my boy before I possibly stir a hornet’s nest.”
The Sergeant at Arms said, “Hey, brother, I hear ya, and we will come. But for real, Justice has been keeping us informed, and we all totally have your back. You vouched for the kid. That’s good as gold to us. Hear me? I’m sure my VP totally agrees.”
Dagger smirked. “I just got through telling him, Torque.”
Torque yelled, “Other motherfucker! Miss you asshole!”
Vice complained, “I want some Torque love.”
“Vice, I’m on a morning potato withdrawal, dude. Get your ass home.” He chuckled. “Do me a favor and talk some sense into Prez’s thick skull. I’m neck-deep in—”
Knock! Knock! Knock! “Yo, Torquey baby! It’s Rattler. I’ve got some pissed bunnies claiming there’s no hot water. These damn bitches are making my ears bleed—”
Then he hollered to someone else, “I’m on it! I’m telling the man now. Back off, little girl…” The voice faded as Rattler left the door.
Understanding Torque had his hands full, Prez waved his hand through the air in surrender. “Alright. Stay put. Justice, proceed with caution. Let’s see what we can find out without tradin’ favors. Feel me?”
“I got an Old Lady in mind who can get in there, staying low key. Just give me time for her to set up the visit.”
“That’ll work. Torque, be sure to speak with Kansas to keep them updated.”
In case the orderly who was sleeping in the hallway decided to wake and do his job, I sat on the floor in between Lacey’s nightstand and bed. With one leg stretched out in a casual manner, I enjoyed the quiet while watching Pretty Girl. She was laying on her belly, her arm hanging over
the edge of the bed. Her delicate fingers fiddled with a loose string on the knee of my jeans as she asked, “I wonder if I have a mom worrying about me.”
She didn’t. Not anymore, so I stayed quiet.
After more silence, she asked, “Where does your mom live?”
I swallowed. “She doesn’t. She passed when I was a baby.”
Lacey and I were officially parentless by the tender age of seventeen.
“Aww.” Her cool hand touched my face. “I’m sorry.”
My face leaned into her touch. It had been a tough day that I couldn’t share with her.
“Your hair is soft.”
I inhaled her. She smelled like a perfect flower that had yet to be discovered. “Is it?” Internally, I moaned as she ran her fingers through my waves, making my eyes slide shut.
“I hope this doesn’t embarrass you, but I think you are very handsome.”
If there were any doubts that Lacey and I were only together because of our horrid past, they faded away. She knew nothing of all we had experienced together, yet was still so attracted to me.
My eyes opened to stare into hers. “I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen or will ever see.”
Her little lips parted… “Tate, someday, can I kiss you?”
“Only if you want me to fall madly in love with you.”
Sweet cheeks blushed. “Okay. Deal.”
Her smile told me someday, I would get that kiss.
Someday, I was going to get to kiss my wife again.
Every night, I visited that beautiful girl. That’s why, after a week had flown by, I had easily fallen asleep at the dining room table one late morning. Slam! I jerked up in my chair, clueless to what was happening. Vice was sitting to my right, at the end of the table. Lynx was at the other end to my left, glaring at Dagger.
Dagger was standing in front of me on the other side of the table and had smacked it to wake me. “Time you learn to drink coffee.”
“Let him sleep,” grumbled Lynx.
I rubbed my eyes. “What time is it?”
Hostile Saint (Steel Stallions MC Book 1) Page 16