by Debra Kayn
"It isn't going to fall apart on you." He stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Let's get the meeting with your lawyer over with first before you stress."
"I doubt if he's going to allow you to be with me during the meeting," she said. "Everything has to stay confidential. Even Will meets with his lawyer alone, and then our lawyers get together, and we never do it as a group, even though we're all struggling to keep Meghoni up and running."
"Yeah, that won't be happening. I'm not letting you out of my sight." He looked over at Kurt, who held his cell to his ear and stared over in Natalie's direction.
Kurt lowered his arm. Remmy grabbed Natalie's hand and walked her over to his president. "What's up, prez?"
"That was my dad. Los Li is holding up out at the old gas station on Interstate 5." Kurt shoved his cell in his pocket. "First riders made contact, and the leader—guy named Gomez, is sticking with the story that they're only resting up on their way through to Seattle. Rain doesn't want a war, and has them covered. They're not moving, and seem to be taking their sweet time in the area."
"I don't like it." Remmy's arm tensed. "Why are they ignoring the boundaries now?"
"Could be that they no longer see Bantorus as a threat or they're working with someone else." Kurt leaned back against the bar. "I'm not against riding west and making sure Los Li leaves the territory, but we've got women here and I can't leave a short crew to protect this section of I-90 in case Los Li has another crew headed to meet them."
"No. I agree." Remmy cussed. "We need to stay here, unless Los Li makes a move."
"We need to recruit more men, so next year we have more numbers and this shit doesn't happen. We don't want to sit here like fucking girls and watch our brothers take the heat." Kurt pushed off the bar. "Put out a call to all members. We're having a meeting tonight. Los Li wants to step things up, we'll be ready."
"On it." Remmy pulled out his cell. "I also need to take a job to the table and will need three members in the morning for at least an hour or two. You can pick or I will, but Natalie will be protected."
Kurt moved closer. "What's going on?"
"She's got a meeting with her lawyer at the sheriff's department in the morning regarding Meghoni." Remmy's hand went to Natalie's neck. "Oman's location is still unknown."
"Jesus..." Kurt gazed at Natalie. "Let the club know what's going on, and we'll do what needs to be done."
"Thank you," she said, hating the fact that she was bringing more work to the club while they already had enough going on.
Kurt walked away, and Remmy curled his arm, bringing Natalie against his side. She leaned her head on his chest and looped her finger under his belt. She couldn't imagine living this way every day. The members and the Silver Girls, while entertaining and accommodating, the stress of danger tended to wear her down. She was used to union contracts and the price of silver influencing her life, not the Mexican mafia and killings.
"I don't know if I can take much more of this," she said.
"I know, lady. I know," he whispered. "Give me time. It will get better."
She hoped so, because right now, life overwhelmed her. If it weren't for Remmy loving her and being a constant in her life, she'd hit the road and start over. Maybe start a self-defense school in a bigger city where she could get lost in a crowd and nobody questioned her past. She'd surround herself with soccer moms and college aged women who were upbeat, and the most they ever worried about was getting a date or figuring out the schedule for next week's ballgame.
Ink pushed through the door, serious and out of breath. Remmy moved toward him, taking Natalie with him.
"What the hell's wrong with you," Remmy asked.
Ink's gaze darted all over the room. "Where's prez?"
"Office," Remmy said. "There's a meeting tonight."
"No way, man." He kicked out at a chair. "I need to get on the road and go back to Pitnam."
Remmy stepped forward. "What happened?"
Ink grimaced and shoved his fingers from both hands through his hair. "Mother fuckers."
"Remmy grabbed Ink's vest and whipped him around. "Start talking."
"I got a—God damn it." Ink swung his arms out, breaking away from Remmy. "I need to ride out. She's so fucking stubborn, I don't trust her to jump in her damn car and head this way."
Frustration and anger rolled off Ink. His face, red and sweaty, framed a pair of wild eyes filled with frustration and fear. Natalie kept her distance, worried about Ink. He was usually so easy going and a major flirt. She'd never seen him so upset.
"Check yourself, brother. Every one of us is here for you. I've got your back. You're going nowhere until you think straight," Remmy said. "Who's she?"
Ink bent at the waist and braced his hands on his knees. Remmy looked at Natalie. She raised her brows and shook her head. She had no idea what was going on.
"Rain's going to kill me." Ink muttered to himself, straightening. "Jesus. They're in lock down, and she texted me."
"Who?" Remmy moved forward.
Ink shook his head.
"Brother, this is not the time to keep something to yourself if you think a woman from Bantorus needs help." Remmy lowered his voice. "All Bantorus women are in lockdown in Pitnam."
"I know," Ink said, through clenched teeth. "Jesus, I know."
"Then tell me what the hell is going on," Remmy said.
Natalie moved forward. She had a feeling Remmy was blind to what was happening, but she'd seen that look before. A look of a desperate man trying to protect his woman.
She'd also seen Lilly with Ink in Pitnam, and had seen the possessive way Ink watched over her without giving himself away. Other men were blind to what a woman saw when nobody was talking.
Ink jolted, grabbing at his pocket and extracting his cell. He turned away and read the screen. Natalie moved closer to Remmy and put her energy into taking the focus off Ink.
"Baby, why don't we give Ink some privacy," she said.
"Not until I find out—"
"Baby, think about it. You saw Lilly around Ink when we were in Pitnam. The girl is crushing on him hard." She paused giving him time to put the pieces together. "His loyalty to the club drives him, and he's struggling."
Remmy glanced between her and Ink. "Rain's going to kill him if he's returning Lilly's feelings or messing around with her."
"No, he won't," she said.
"Yeah, he will, because he'll have to get in line behind every member here. Nobody messes with Lilly. She's Bantorus. She's Rain's daughter. She's off limits."
"She's a young woman. A beautiful girl with her own mind and her own desires," she said softly. "Ink is here. Lilly's in Pitnam. There's nothing that can happen, and I think Ink is realizing he's a long way away when someone he cares about needs him."
Ink walked over, calmer and breathing normal. Remmy stared at him intently, and Natalie put her arm around his back, giving him a squeeze to remind him to go gently.
"Everything okay?" Remmy asked.
"Yeah. Finally." Ink ran his tongue over his teeth. "I'll never understand women, outside the bedroom."
Remmy's lips twitched in amusement. Natalie inhaled. Whatever happened was close to being resolved. At least that was one problem easily fixed with a message.
"Thanks, man. I'm good." Ink shook his head. "I'm hitting the bed and crashing until the meeting."
Ink strolled off. When he was almost at the stairs, Remmy called Ink's name. "Rules are in place for a reason, brother. To protect you and the women. Follow them."
Ink nodded and turned back around and left the room. Natalie turned into Remmy. "You're good with him."
"I ain't his fucking parent." He kissed her. "I'm too old for this shit."
"Hm." She smiled. "How about I take my old man, and help him relax before he has to go to the club meeting?"
He looped his arm around her shoulders. She walked with him up the stairs. If there was one thing she didn't doubt was that Remmy had more strength, mentally and physically
, then men twice as young as him. He was a rock to everyone in the club, but even the strongest needed to rest.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Remmy pulled up to the sidewalk in front of the Sheriff's Department, lifted his chin to Sheriff Colby, who stood outside as planned. He cut off the engine and put his hand over his shoulder, so Natalie could climb off the back of the Harley.
Along with the sheriff, he knew there were three deputies, as pre-arranged, inside to make sure nobody was getting inside the building. He threw his leg over the bike and stood. Cutter, Ink, and Germ passed him, making eye contact. He'd gone over the plan this morning with them all. Two Bantorus members at the back of the building, one at the side, and he'd take the front. Connected to the building on the right, the city hall would give them a buffer.
"There's a Mr. Kraum inside waiting for Ms. Oman. I've checked his identity," Sheriff Colby informed him. "The building has been cleared, except for the working staff."
He nodded. "You seal that door from the inside, and wait until Natalie steps out of the meeting before unlocking."
"Will do." Sheriff Colby stepped back to make room for Natalie. "I'm hanging the 'out on an emergency, call 911' sign on the door. It's usually quiet in the morning, but..."
Yeah, he understood. Los Li could use anyone, a woman, a child, an elderly man, and pay the person to walk into the department under the pretext of needing help. None of them were going to take that chance.
Natalie stretched and gave Remmy a kiss. "I'll hurry."
"Keep alert. You get a bad feeling , you go directly to the sheriff. He'll come and get me. Do not step outside that door." Remmy kissed her again. "If you're not done in two hours, I'll come get you myself because that's plenty of time to do your business."
She nodded and walked inside, escorted by the sheriff. Remmy turned his back to the building and searched the parking lot across the street, and studied each car that went by. He scanned the sides of the street and all the cars parked within the two blocks he could see from his post. His neck, stiff with tension over having his woman away from his side, protested every move and he changed position to keep himself loose.
It seemed like he'd battled territory wars with Los Li his whole life. Though they couldn't prove that Los Li orchestrated Tori's attack by her half-brother, it was a bi-product of Los Li's affiliation with Lagsturns MC. Things escalated when a rogue Los Li member kidnapped and beat Taylor within an inch of her life. Later, Los Li used Brandy to get inside Bantorus MC, kidnapped her father, and blackmailed her for information on Bantorus MC. After that, things settled down.
Kurt set out to head the Federal Charter and at Bantorus MC's weakest, Los Li attacked Risa. Now, Los Li was in Pitnam, and Remmy had the woman that was directly involved with Los Li. There were too many coincidences.
Something was off, and he couldn't put his finger on it. He trusted Natalie, but why would Los Li be targeting Bantorus in Pitnam? Rain had that portion of the territory covered for more years than the members of Los Li had taken an interest in the Pacific Northwest. Unless Los Li's presence in Pitnam was meant to distract the Federal Charter and get them to relax, putting them at risk. He walked a few feet along the sidewalk and peered under the viaduct. He'd be a fool not to believe everything happening wasn't personal.
Los Li murdered Natalie's husband and brother in law. Now, Will Oman was missing.
The one person who had a link to everything happening was Natalie, who now was Bantorus property. Los Li wanted Bantorus MC out of the picture. Yeah, something wasn't right.
He moved back in front of the locked door. The damage ordered by the Mexican mafia needed to stop now. He wouldn't let anyone touch his woman or his club.
Mrs. Palmer walked out of the store and crossed the street, heading directly toward Remmy. His gaze went wide, sweeping the street.
"Hello, Mr. Hollis." Mrs. Palmer stepped up on the curb.
He stepped forward and balanced the older lady. "Morning, Mrs. Palmer."
"The city council meets tomorrow evening, and we're going to do a special dedication to the Bantorus Motorcycle Club and place another brick in the city park with your club name on it." She patted his arm. "Do you think one of your members could represent the club during the announcement? There's a chance that you can have your picture in the Federal Press."
The last thing he wanted was his fucking picture in the newspaper or to continue talking to Mrs. Palmer on the sidewalk. "I'm afraid not. The club's busy."
"But you boys have done so much for the town," she said.
She smiled and he guided her a few steps away from the front door. "We're glad to help, but we also enjoy our anonymous donations more."
"But—"
He gritted his teeth, digging one hand into his front pocket and grabbing the twenty-dollar bill he'd stuffed in there in his hurry to dress this morning. "We're simple men, Mrs. Palmer. In fact, it pleases us to give back to Federal for the support we've found here."
"Oh, well..."
He folded the money into her hand and squeezed. "Why don't you treat yourself and Linda, who I'm sure is waiting for you, to breakfast down at Rosie's cafe? I bet the other customers would love to hear your plans for the renovation of Bank Street."
"You're too kind, Mr. Hollis." She continued on her way with no argument.
Remmy watched her until she turned the corner and then he returned to the front of the sheriff's building. At least most of the town was working and it was too early for the kids to venture out on their bikes and run wild with their friends. Around noon, the tourist would show up, and any thought to keep the streets clear would be impossible. By that time, Natalie would be done with her business and inside the clubhouse, safe and better protected.
An hour later, the roar of a motorcycle grabbed his attention. He cocked his head, pinning the noise coming from behind the building. It wasn't Ink, Cutter, or Germ's bikes. He'd recognize their sounds. Ink had a muffler that'd seen better days, and both Cutter and Germ's Harleys had the newer slip-on mufflers.
The rumble grew louder, shifting down. Remmy put his hand on the butt of his pistol as the bike and rider rounded the corner. Recognition came fast and confused him more.
Lee, Slade's other son and Kurt's brother, pulled over to the curb. Remmy stepped forward and clasped Lee's hand.
"Brother," he said. "What the hell are you doing in Idaho?"
"Lagsturns MC rode out to tie up some loose ends while the disperse, and I thought I'd take a few days of my own time and do what I do best." Lee's usually carefree gaze locked on the building behind Remmy, and he lowered his voice. "I have some news you might be interested in."
Remmy waited. If Lee came all this way to tell him something, he'd say it.
"Los Li has your woman's brother in law." Lee leaned down and fiddled with his jeans hanging over his black, leather boot. "He's alive, but that tells me they're not done using him yet."
"Jesus..." Remmy's gut tightened and he kept himself from showing any reaction. "Where?"
"That I don't know, but they're in your territory," Lee said, straightening. "I've informed Rain, because I think Los Li's distracting Federal by staying in Pitnam."
Remmy inhaled swiftly. His chest constricted more. The mafia had enough men to cover both areas. So if they had men in Federal, where the fuck were they?
Remmy lifted his chin and gazed up the road. "Are you sticking around?"
"For now. I'm riding out to speak with Kurt, and I'm sure I'll catch up with you later." Lee started the engine. "Watch your woman's back, brother."
"Always." He watched the wandering Bantorus member hook a Louie in the middle of the street and head for the viaduct out of town.
He pulled out his pre-pay cell and texted Ink, Cutter, and Germ.
Stay at post. LL in area. Whereabouts UK. Do not move.
He slipped the cell back in his pocket. His hands itched to hold his pistol, to assure himself that there were eight bullets in the mag, safety off, and th
e gun cocked and ready. He checked his watch. Natalie had fifteen minutes to go. Edgy and unsettled, he called bullshit to the time frame. He wasn't going to chance having her in town another second. He turned and approached the door, rapped on the bulletproof window running down the side of the steel door.
Sheriff Colby looked out the other side. Remmy mouthed, "Open."
The latch clicked and the door opened. The sheriff's gaze went past Remmy to the street before coming to Remmy. "Everything okay?"
"Get Natalie. She's done." He stayed outside on the sidewalk.
Several minutes later, Natalie walked through the lobby toward him. A lean, shorter man strolled alongside Natalie carrying a briefcase. Remmy profiled him by the time they both faced him. Steven Kraum couldn't defend himself much less protect Natalie.
Natalie raked her teeth over her bottom lip and said, "There's one piece of paper that we have to get notarized."
"Not today," Remmy said, slipping his hand under her elbow. The urgency to get out of town grew.
"Remmy, I have to do it. The papers are due on the union's desk on Monday. It's Friday and Mr. Kraum isn't allowed to do the notarizing. Every other place that could do it would be closed on the weekend," she said.
"There's a U.S. Bank a block away. I've already called and made an appointment for her. It'll take five minutes," Mr. Kraum said, pushing up his glasses.
Shit. "I'm going with her," Remmy stated.
"That's fine. The confidential part of our meeting is over. You can accompany Mrs. Oman to the bank." Mr. Kraum smiled at Natalie before turning his gaze on Remmy. "It'll give me a chance to thank you for helping my client in her time of need. She's spoken highly of you."
"Yeah, that won't be necessary." He pulled out his cell, typed—Nat's out. Taking her to US bank. Make your way down the street and hold position.
"Let's go." He took the outside position on the sidewalk, putting Natalie between him and Mr. Kraum.
Natalie's fingers slipped into his hand, he squeezed and let go. She gave him a puzzled look, but he shook his head. He couldn't afford not to have both of his hands free.