by Rachel Cade
From the looks of his face, he’d gotten on Whisper’s bad side and lost before he was tied up.
“I followed the car last night when the police led them to the edge of town.” Whisper sat down at the bar, pointing to their guest. “A couple towns over, they made a stop. About nine of their crew are holding up at a motel.”
“That’s interesting.” Noa said. “This isn’t your territory. Why would so many of you be here for a quick drop?”
“I had the same question. So I was able to spy on them in their room. Some of the crew were cutting the heroin before delivering it to Mexico.”
Noa’s brow raised. “Do the Aztecs know you were doing that?”
Whisper rested his elbows behind him on the bar. “I know for a fact they do not. I didn’t stay long enough, but I am sure some of them went back to L.A. with the rest of the product.”
“Fuck all of you.” For some reason, he was struggling with the ties that held his hands behind his back.
Noa knew he didn’t really want to get them loose.
He started to curse in Spanish. Noa understood all of it.
Tin stepped forward. “What do you think Eduardo will do if he finds this out? If you got family, they’re dead. And if you don’t, you never will.”
Noa crossed his arms as he peered down at the piece of shit. “We could let you go. But you need to start talkin’. And you can start by telling us about the Aztecs’ deal with the sheriff.”
*
“Max.” Lyndie held her baby in the garage. “Look, isn’t it pretty?”
She knew he only wanted milk as he started patting down her chest instead of paying attention.
Her heart was speeding, wondering how they managed to pull this off.
“Mrs. Callas.”
Lyndie felt her stomach tingle at the sound of Noa’s voice on the other end of the phone. After getting the baby settled, she had to call him.
She smiled before she spoke. “How did you get this car in my garage?”
“Trade secret.”
She stared at it from the door that lead to the kitchen.
No one had ever given her anything close to this. It almost had her speechless.
On a low breath, she spoke, “I remember this car.”
“Yeah, it was a nice ride.”
Lyndie’s face heated at the memory.
“It was,” she admitted. “I really don’t know what to say besides thank you. Max likes it too, I think.”
“I hope so. Did he see his gift in the back seat?”
Not sure what he meant, Lyndie walked back over to the car and checked herself. In the back seat was a brand-new car seat full of stuffed animals and his toys from her hatchback.
Lyndie covered her mouth a little bit, swallowing that feeling that was trying to come over her again.
“Not yet,” she answered as she silently cleared her throat. “He got a little distracted and now he’s taking a nap, but I’ll show him when he wakes up.”
She turned and headed back to the kitchen. “Did that man show up out there? Whisper?”
“What?” He sounded surprised.
Lyndie licked her mouth. “I saw him on my way home with Chaos.”
There was a mini pause before he answered. “Yeah.”
She wanted to know more, but doubted he would tell her. “I know it’s club business.”
A noise in the background caught her ear. It sounded like a man groaning.
“Were you only calling me about the car, or do you have your new terms?”
Lyndie wasn’t expecting that. She closed the door behind her after entering the kitchen.
“The car’s a pretty big deal.”
“Not as big as the terms,” he quickly countered.
She heard it again, and a loud thud followed.
“Noa, is everything okay where you are?”
“Yes.”
Lyndie walked with the phone into her bedroom. “I only asked because I worry about you.”
“I appreciate that.” His voice was soft, likely due to being around other people.
“Is my car still at the diner?” She sat on the edge of her bed. On her dresser, she saw his rose, but it wasn’t in the place she usually had it.
“No, we took care of it. All your stuff should be in the back of the new car you’re going to drive.”
Her brows raised as she stood up and went to her dresser.
“You think I wouldn’t accept it?”
Nothing else on her dresser was out of place, but she opened the closet door to check everything just in case. Her money was in the jar, her wedding dress was fine, and nothing else seemed out of place. Maybe she knocked into her dresser getting ready for work and didn’t notice it, so she tried to brush off the worry that hit her.
“I figured it was a possibility.”
Lyndie still couldn’t believe he’d put a brand-new Mustang in her driveway. She’d probably scream if it wouldn’t wake up Max.
She picked up the rose and turned it in her hand. “I’m learning to accept the good things that come into my life.”
“Hm. I’m doing the same thing.”
*
“It’s gotta fuckin’ suck to be you right about now.” Bleed stared down at the heap of writhing man in the middle of the clubhouse.
“We work with Mitch, mostly out of Reno. He told us he had a hookup with some cops. They were pinching guys on the state borders, not reporting it, and selling their shit.”
Noa peered down at the man’s patch. “Cujo, like the dog.” Keeping his cool wasn’t easy, especially when he thought about how they ambushed Lyndie while she had Max. The whole crew was a bunch of scumbags.
He knelt down to him. “Just one phone call and the Aztecs can find out what a shitty support club they have.”
“They can’t stand you guys. They won’t believe you.”
Noa glanced over at Tin. “You really wanna take that chance? ‘Cause you’d be stupid if you did.”
“Fuck you,” Cujo said again.
“Classy as always.” Tin’s gruff voice drew Cujo’s eyes to him for a moment.
“We got a mission you’re gonna make possible.” Noa straightened. “We appreciate all the background info. Now you get to make sure your guys stay the hell out of Amber Falls. We know about your little side job offer from the Sheriff. You’re gonna politely refuse.”
“And if you don’t, it’s just a matter of time before the Aztecs get you or us.” Tin used his boot and pressed it into the man’s chest.
“I guess I have to return him to his brethren now?” Whisper asked.
“Yeah,” Noa answered, standing back up. “He’s got work to do.”
“No, not him.” Cujo rushed out.
Whisper just grinned a little.
“Why not him?” Tin asked.
“Regla de Ocha. No.” He shook his head hard.
Whisper kept his relaxed position in the chair, watching. A small grin formed on his mouth before he popped some gummy bears into it.
Noa stayed quiet; there was no telling what tricks Whisper had pulled on this asshole. Whatever helped their agenda.
*
Whisper made his way to the edge of Reno late the same night.
He was going to need gas soon.
He opened the side car and made quick work of dumping Cujo out of it onto the asphalt.
The rival gang member swore as his shoulder hit the concrete.
“I was insulted you didn’t want to ride back with me.”
He raised a brow at the curse-laden response.
Whisper crouched down. “Listen to me. This isn’t the time to think you’re clever. If you backstab us, you won’t have to look for the Death Skulls, just me. Every place you go as long as your breathing. I’ll be your personal Boogyman.” Whisper smiled, long and wide. “And you’ll be my sacrifice.”
*
“Hey, sweetie. There’s my man!” Max seemed to recognize Peggy’s voice and looked up from her br
easts for a minute before refocusing.
“Hey, honey. I’m sorry I had to leave on you like that.”
“Peggy, it’s okay.”
“I had to bail an old friend out of jail.”
Lyndie’s brows rose. “Old friend?”
“Yeah. I was wild in my day and some of the folks I cared about are still wild.”
On a deep breath, Lyndie stepped aside so Peggy could come in.
“Did you make out okay?”
“I was fine. Mitch wasn’t happy, but I still have a job, so-”
“Why’s Mitch gonna fire you? He knows damn well no one else is going to put up with his crap.”
“Can I get you a drink?”
“No, baby, I’m fine.”
“How’s Vic?” She brought Peggy a can of soda anyway and Peggy gave a half smile.
“She’s Vic. I haven’t heard from her in a few days. I’m sure she’s takin’ care of herself. Are you alright?”
“Max.” Lyndie was losing a battle with her baby, who was ready to eat. She grabbed a blanket off the chair and found a seat, covering herself so he could.
“I’m-” She got the bra pad loose and Max immediately latched on. “I’m married.”
Peggy coughed against the mouth of the soda can. “Excuse me? I must have misheard you over the fizz. What?”
“I’m married,” Lyndie repeated.
Peggy offered her a slack-jawed response. Time seemed to freeze her body.
“Will and you got back together.” It was a far gone conclusion in her mind.
“No.” Lyndie shook her head.
Peggy leaned forward. “You married someone that’s not Will?”
Lyndie nodded.
“I’m waiting. Spill girl!”
“His name’s Noa.”
“And?”
“He’s been very good to me and he’s been good to Max.”
“So he’s not from here, then?”
“No.”
“When did this happen? How did you meet him?”
“Peggy, I should have told you earlier.” Lyndie didn’t know what Peggy was thinking as she waited. She was the closest thing she had to a real relative around and she cared about her opinion, but she didn’t know how she’d handle her next words.
“He’s one of the bikers that came to town.”
Peggy sat back hard in the chair.
“I met him when he came to the diner, early in the morning. It’s how we got to know each other.”
“A biker. Lyndie, those men aren’t the marrying kind. Trust me, I know.”
“I’m not expecting a happily ever after, Peggy.” It was the truth, but still there was a little pang in her chest as she said it. “It’s an arrangement that’s working for me right now.”
“An arrangement?”
“He needed a green card,” she confessed.
“The biker needed a green card, so he asked you to marry him?”
“Yes.”
“This is a hell of a secret to keep.” Peggy’s chest rose and fell with her deep breath.
“Peggy… I didn’t mean to keep anything from you. It all happened so fast-”
“Will doesn’t know, does he?” Her tone implied she already knew the answer.
“No,” she admitted.
“Lyndie, how are you going to keep being married to another man away from your son’s father?”
It was a fair question.
She rubbed Max’s leg softly as he nursed. Emotion clogged her throat instead of words.
It wasn’t long after that Max’s eagerness slowed down and he fell asleep.
“Give me a sec.”
Lyndie brought him to his room and put him in his crib to nap.
When she returned to the living room, she didn’t sit down.
“The plan was for him to never find out.”
Peggy tilted her head, and her brows looked like half-moons.
Lyndie held up her hand. “I asked Noa to keep it a secret. I needed the money. I thought I could keep things simple, but things got more complicated.” She rubbed her forehead. “Will’s not a good man, Peggy. I know I chose to be with him and-” She pursed her lips briefly before parting them again.
When she started to speak again, the words kept coming.
“He has an anger in him. I don’t know if it’s always been there or if it’s just for me. But I’m the one he’s never afraid to show it to.” Lyndie shook her head slowly. “He hates me for having Max. He’s just this innocent beautiful baby boy and his dad hates him for being born.”
A long ragged sigh left her. “A few months back, we got into an argument and he knocked me into his squad car. I must have hit pretty hard and my bra pads started leaking.” She had to push through the shame she felt and repeat to herself that it wasn’t her fault. “He thought it was funny and he touched me.”
“Lyndie.” Peggy stood and rushed her, grabbing her in her arms. “Lyndie, no.”
Lyndie hugged her back. She said something but the words were muffled by Lyndie’s uniform.
Their embrace was tight and comforting causing Lyndie to close her eyes.
Used to holding onto her pain Lyndie was surprised by the freeness she felt speaking up.
Was Peggy crying? She smoothed her hand over the woman’s shoulder and kept her close.
Lyndie had no more tears for Will.
The only thing I do know is I’m never letting him hurt me again.
Chapter Nine:
Family Matters
Lyndie was back at the diner getting ready for her afternoon shift.
Mitch came in looking as though he’d barely slept.
Lyndie put the last menu out at one of the tables before straightening.
“Afternoon,” she said with a soft smile.
“Lyndie, hey.”
“The meat shipment just left not too long ago. I went over it with the delivery man and left the receipts downstairs for you.”
“Perfect. Thanks.”
“Are you alright?”
“Where’s Jeff?”
“Gas station for his cigarettes.”
“On the clock?”
“No. He punched out.”
“He knows he’s the only guy that can cook in this town. And takes god damn advantage.”
“Yes,” Lyndie agreed.
She went around the counter to make him a coffee. “I want to apologize again about having Max here the other day.”
“It’s fine. Long as it ain’t regular. I know it’s tough with you and the kid.” His mouth lowered into a frown. “Will shouldn’t have left you guys like that.”
Lyndie slid the warm coffee over to him, adding two sugars and two creamers to the brew exactly as he liked.
“It’s hard being by myself… but I have to let all that go, you know?” Her voice stayed very low and she denied him eye contact.
“Don’t make it less fucked up, honey.” Mitch took a sip. “I have a shit habit sometimes of not watching people. That’s kinda how I ended up here.” He paused. “No offense.”
Lyndie offered a quick nod.
“I should have paid more attention to how he treated you. That told me the type of guy he was.”
She remembered them arguing in the parking lot; things must have still been tense between them. Now that Langley was conscious, it would probably get worse. She didn’t need to know the details to know it was about control. That’s what it came down to with most men.
Lyndie took a breath and looked out of the open windows to the quiet small town. She could see the theater but couldn’t make out the poster details.
Resting her arms on the counter, she looked over at her boss. “Will looks out for himself. He doesn’t let anything get in the way when he wants something. If he doesn’t need you anymore, he’ll toss you by the wayside. That’s how he operates.”
Mitch took a longer sip of his coffee.
Lyndie didn’t say anything else, she just looked out the window again, letting her
words hang in the air.
“You would know him better than most,” Mitch said after a time.
Lyndie shrugged. “For what it’s worth, I guess. But you guys are friends, so…”
Mitch scoffed. “Nobody knows a man better than his woman.”
“I’m not that anymore.” She kept the bite out of her voice.
“He was a better man when he was with you.” Lyndie let her eyes wander over the table, not sure how to process that. If it was the truth, did it matter at this point? “I heard Langley’s up at the hospital.”
Lyndie’s eyes widened. “Really? When?”
“Must have been in the last twenty-four hours. Things should get pretty interesting now.”
She had to agree.
*
The only thing Will should have been concerned with was getting Callas and his gang out of Amber Falls, but other shit just kept falling into his lap.
No one was stopping Langley from seeing his house.
Craig and Scott stood back quietly as Hugh eyed the damage.
A decent portion of the second floor was exposed on the left side.
Hugh was in a wheelchair and not a bit happy about it. His body was covered in bandages, with most of his wounds on his back.
“This house was built before the town,” he said quietly.
“We’re going to fix it, Daddy. It’ll be good as new.” Ashley held the handles of his wheelchair as she spoke.
They all stared up at the house.
“You’re damn right, it’ll be fixed,” Hugh spat. “I’ll hire my own investigators, since this department can’t seem to get its act together.” He turned his head to look in Will’s surprised direction.
“We’re doing the best we can.” Will took his hands out of his pocket. “Results take time, Hugh.”
“Not mine!”
Ashley leaned forward and touched her father’s shoulders. “Don’t get upset, Daddy. You haven’t even been out of the hospital one day. We will get this all straightened out, I promise.”
“Yeah, Dad. Don’t get yourself riled up.”
“Shut up, Craig.” Hugh glanced back at his son. It was obvious the sudden movement gave him pain, and he took his time turning back around.
“The house will be good as new soon. Better.” Will took a deep breath. He wanted to curl his lip, but kept his face neutral.