Surviving, One Day at a Time (Demented Revengers MC: Quitman Chapter Book 2)

by Vera Quinn

  “Brody, as soon as Shelby is home I will get our belongings out of your house. I will also be seeing Mr. Lemons about filing for a divorce and have the papers withdrawn about Shelby’s adoption. Thank you for everything that you have done for me.” Brody just nods his head yes. I look to Jilly. “I will make sure I have completely cleaned out everything from your garage and pick up any of Shelby’s things I left behind. I would appreciate if both of you would kindly stay away from me and Shelby.” I am trying to hold my temper in check. I just can’t take anymore right now.

  “Jilly didn’t do anything, Gracie. This is all on me and you shouldn’t take your anger out on her. Jilly even brow beat a doctor to release her so she could come see you.” Brody finally speaks.

  “I’m sorry, Gracie.” Jilly says but her eyes don’t meet mine.

  “I’m not stupid or that naïve, Brody. You still love Jilly and Jilly still loves you but she still wants Rebel, too. I cannot do this anymore. Rebel swore to me he would bring Shelby back to me and I am praying he does that. I am praying hard. I will not do this anymore, so Shelby and I are going to get us a little place to live by ourselves and all of you can have each other.” I stop for a second. “Jilly, if it wasn’t for you I don’t even know if I would still be alive. I am thankful to you and your family for everything you have done but I cannot and will not live this life. I have a daughter to think of and a baby on the way, so this is what I must do for my family. Now, can you both leave?” Jilly starts to say something but Brody grabs her hand.

  “Let’s go. I knew this was a bad idea.” Brody looks back to me. “I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you.” I start to laugh. I don’t know what comes over me. I can’t stop. I fall to the floor and I am laughing so hard it is hard to see anything but then the tears start. I have my legs folded up underneath me and my hands are in my lap. I bring one to my face to try to wipe the tears away. I hear a commotion coming down the hall and I think someone must be coming to check on me because of all the noise.

  “Gracie, your daughter is home.” I think I must be mistaken. I look up and there is Rebel with Shelby asleep on his shoulder. I jump up and run to my daughter. Shelby is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. I can breathe again. I make my way over to Rebel and I almost take Shelby out of Rebel’s arms but she looks so peaceful, sleeping like she doesn’t have a care in the world. I run my hand up Shelby’s back and then move in and kiss her head. I am on my tip toes and Rebel bends down so I can reach her. I feel the tears of joy washing away all my worry.

  Jilly steps behind me and puts her hand on my back like she is trying to show me support. Five minutes ago, I would have flinched away but right now I am just so grateful that my baby is home. I back up a little and Rebel stands back to his full height. I move over to his other side and he puts his other arm around me and I let him comfort me. “Everyone out.” Jilly moves towards the door.

  “Gracie, I am glad Shelby is back and safe. I hope we can talk later about everything.” Jilly looks hopeful but I can’t give her false hope.

  “Thank you, Jilly. Thank you for everything but right now I just am not ready for that. Once everything settles a little, if you want, we can set something up for you to see Shelbie. I just need some space to process everything.” That’s the best I can do for now.

  “I think you are being a little harsh with Jilly, Gracie. This is all on me.” Brody comes to Jilly’s defense. I thought after everything that has come to light about Jilly and Brody’s feelings towards each other that asking for a little space and time would be expected.

  “Brody, take Jilly and leave. When Gracie is ready she will call. Don’t come back until she does.” Rebel says in a low enough voice it doesn’t wake Shelby but the anger in his voice can be heard loud and clear.

  “Rebel, we still need to finish our conversation. Can we go somewhere quiet so we can do it? I don’t think it needs to be put off any longer.” Jilly looks hopeful.

  “No, we have nothing else to discuss. I am your friend Jilly but you have to accept that is as far as it goes.” Rebel says it with no hesitation. “I know what I want and no amount of talking is going to change my mind. It is what it is. Now, you and Brody need to go.”

  Brody walks up behind Jilly. I walk over to the bed and Rebel walks towards me. Brody takes Jilly’s hand and starts out of the doorway and into the hall but Jilly looks back at us. She wants to say something else but she doesn’t. She just pulls the door shut as her and Brody leave.

  Rebel lays Shelby down in the middle of his bed. I crawl in beside her and Rebel behind me. I move Shelby close to me and cradle her in my arms. I smell her hair and she has the most wonderful Shelby smell in her hair. This is my peace, my joy, and my happiness. Right here in my arms. Rebel curls close behind me and puts a protective arm over us and I feel safe. I know I should get up and make Rebel move away from us, but I can’t. I need this safe feeling just for a little while.

  “I love you both, Gracie and I am going to keep you safe. I am going to love Shelby just like I am going to love our baby. I already love all three of you. You are my world. Sleep baby. You’re all safe now.” I know I should argue with Rebel. Brody promised the same thing but when things became complicated he showed none of it was true. I am just too tired to argue right now and I just want to feel safe for a little while and then I will deal with the harsh realities of the real world. I shut my eyes just for a second but then I am just too tired to open my eyes again.

  Chapter 11

  Rebel

  I have wrapped myself around Gracie as tightly as possible. I never want to let her go, if that makes me sound like a damn pussy, it is what it is. This woman has me tied up in knots. I know I need to get up and get back to business but it feels so right being with this woman. I kiss the top of her head. She is sound asleep.

  She looked ready to fall apart when I stepped into my room earlier. I didn’t hear everything being said when I walked in but I heard enough. Gracie knows Brody still loves Jilly and she knows Jilly has feelings for both Brody and myself. I know I am going to need to be patient with Gracie after everything she went through with Kendall and now Brody. Gracie always runs and I am going to need to put a stop to it before she puts her plan in motion. Gracie will see reason. Her and Shelby still aren’t safe.

  Neither the Giles woman nor Jade were in that motel room. We found three hired men inside the motel room. It was an easy take down. Too easy. The only causality was two doors. One into the room and the one to the bathroom. The three men had no brains and only one was armed with a weapon. They weren’t the same men who kicked in Brody’s door. Somewhere between Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs there was an exchange. The three men we took Shelby from were wearing suits and put up very little resistance unless you call locking doors resistance. None of it made sense.

  We left Spinner and a couple of prospects to keep an eye on the motel. Kaden was on his way to join in on questioning the three men with the Hopkins County detectives in charge. We questioned them briefly but got nothing. We had no time, one of the other motel guests called the cops when Spinner kicked in the door.

  I ease myself away from Gracie and off the bed. I kiss Gracie’s head and turn and get out of that room before I change my mind and stay. I get out to the common room and head to the bar. Cap and Shine are waiting on me but in the corner of the room I see ma, Jilly, and Brody sitting. I thought I could wait and take care of this later but I want Brody out of my clubhouse. I continue over to the bar. “Cap, I have someone I need to get gone.” Cap looks over at the table where ma is.

  “I’m going to make some more calls to see if I can find out if they have gotten any information from the suits.” Cap was as surprised as I was about how easy we took Shelby back.

  “Good idea. It may be a while before Kaden has a chance to call. You can use my office.” I take my keys from my pocket and hand them to Cap. Him and Shine head down the hall. I motion for the prospect to bring me a beer. He hands me a bottle and I make my w
ay over to the table. “Ma, can you give us a minute?” Ma does not look like she is moving.

  “I’ll be staying. I have a few things to say myself.” Ma has that stubborn look on her face. I look at Brody.

  “I told you to leave.” Brody looks at Jilly.

  “Jilly wanted to make sure there was nothing we could do.” Is that so?

  “I think enough has been done. This is the last time I will repeat myself, Brody. Gracie may be married to you, but she is mine. Her, Shelby, and our child. After she has had some sleep, I am going to talk to her about moving in with me after she files for divorce.” Brody shows no reaction but Jilly doesn’t like the idea and she can’t hide the reaction on her face.

  “Rebel, please. You know you need to give Gracie time.” Jilly doesn’t give up easily.

  “I will give Gracie all the time she needs. I am not going to rush or push her but she will live with me.” Jilly starts to say something but ma cuts her off.

  “That is the smartest thing I have heard come from you in a long time but you can’t expect Gracie to raise Shelby in the clubhouse. Gracie and Shelby can stay with me until your house is ready. I haven’t been there in a while, but if you get your brothers to help you, then you should be able to get it ready in no time. Connie, Sylvie, and I can help Gracie get everything bought for the house while you boys finish it.” Ma is showing her support. Jilly has gone quiet and Brody is watching Jilly.

  “We’ll figure it all out, Ma.” I turn to Jilly. “Now, you two need to go. When Gracie is ready to see you then she will call.”

  “Don’t you have anything at all to say to me? Before I was run down I told you I wanted you back. I thought we were going to try.”

  Brody stands up. “Jilly, have a little self-respect and let it go. This is not you. Do not lower yourself to begging. It still won’t change his mind. Let’s go.” Brody waits for Jilly to get up.

  “It’s time for you to go, Jilly. Go home. Get some rest.” Ma tells Jilly. Jilly finally gets up but she is staring at me the whole time.

  “Tell Gracie as soon as Mr. Lemons has the divorce papers ready to call and I will go and sign them at his office and I will be paying for it. It’s the least I can do and I will deposit some money into an account for her to get by on until she can get a job.” Oh, hell no. Gracie does not need Brody’s money.

  “Paying for the divorce is expected. It’s your damn fault all this shit happened. I will be taking care of Gracie. If she needs money she will be getting it from me and that includes her insurance.” That’s all I have to say to Jilly and Brody. I have other things I need to take care of. “Ma, are you set up in your room? This may take a while so if you need anything from your house someone will be going with you. I’ll talk to you later. I have business to take care of.” Brody walks to the door with Jilly behind him. Jilly watches me until she is out through the door. If she is expecting me to change my mind, it won’t happen.

  “Son, don’t worry about me. I know you have a lot going on. I have everything I need and just so you know, I meant every word I said. I’ll keep an eye on Gracie and Shelby for you. Take care of business so we can all get on with our lives.” She stops and starts to say something but stops again, then goes on. “I don’t think Jilly is going to let this go. I’ve known that girl for most of her life and she has done some things that have made no sense at all but her mind is set on you. Tread lightly son.” Ma gets up and goes towards her room. I don’t have time to think about this right now. I look at the beer in my hand that I haven’t even touched. I make my way back to the bar and set the beer on it. I look at the prospect.

  “Make us some coffee.” He takes the beer away and I head for my office. I walk in and Cap is on his phone talking over by the window. Shine is on the sofa texting on his phone and Con has joined them and he is sitting in the corner in the chair and looks like he is playing some game on his phone. I go and sit on the sofa next to Shine and leave the chair behind my desk for Cap.

  I am tired. The adrenaline has worn off and the worry of the last few days is catching up with me. Cap walks across the floor to my desk and I hear a tap on the door. I go to the door and open it and Crowder is standing there with a pot of coffee and some mugs. I open the door wider and he puts the mugs on my desk and fills each one and hands them to us and then he is gone. Cap moves to the desk and sits down.

  “I don’t know where Giles found the suits but she doesn’t pay them enough money to keep their mouths shut. They couldn’t roll over on her fast enough. None of them have a record.” I feel my phone vibrate and take it out of my pocket. I look at it and it is a text from Kaden.

  “They just issued a warrant for Lorraine’s arrest. They are trying to get search warrants for all of her residences on record.” I text Kaden back the address in Dallas that the nomads are watching for us. “I sent Kaden the address in Dallas.”

  “The best case scenario, is they will pick her up soon. Now, what about Jade? Has anyone on the streets heard anything?” There’s a knock on the door.

  “Enter.” I yell out. Tip sticks his head in the door. “You got something?”

  “Whinny wants to talk to you. She says she has some information on Jade.” Tip wouldn’t bring something to us unless he thought it was important.

  “Bring her in then.” Tip turns and pushes Whinny in the door. Tip looks unusually pissed. Tip doesn’t get mad and he is holding onto Whinny’s arm with a hard grip. “What have you got for us, Whinny?”

  “Jade is in town. She called me and told me she is staying with some friends. I knew she left here because of the things she did to Gracie but she is my friend.” Whinny is speaking softly and it is as if she doesn’t want to tell me what was said but she is coming to us.

  “Speak up, woman.” Cap tells Whinny but she doesn’t say anything. I look at Tip and back at Whinny.

  “What do you have to say, Whinny? Just spit it out already.” I tell Whinny.

  “She doesn’t want to say anything, Rebel. I put a trace on all the club girls’ phones because I knew if Jade contacted anyone it would be one of them. I questioned Whinny about a call from an anonymous caller last night and she can’t lie for shit.” I jump off the sofa and I am in Whinny’s face before she can react. I pull her out of Tip’s grasp and back her into the wall.

  “Have the Demented Revengers not been good to you, Whinny? Have we not taken care of you? When your ma needed that breathing machine, did we not come up with the money for you? Did we not help you out with all her medical bills and made sure you had help to take care of her so you wouldn’t lose your day job? What in the hell has Jade ever done for you except find a way to make sure you got the shit jobs she didn’t want? We take care of ours. What the hell did Jade ever do for you?” Everyone knows I demand loyalty to the club above all else. I know I am repeating myself but I am so pissed I can’t think straight.

  “I know. I am sorry, Rebel. I should have come to you but I don’t want to see anyone hurt. Us club girls have to stick together even if we don’t like each other.” I feel myself losing what little patience I have left. Damn bitches are all the same.

  “Tell him, Whinny.” Tip has a warning in his voice.

  “Jade wanted me to let her know when Gracie was alone. Jade said she was going to make Gracie feel what it was like to be used like a whore. She wants me to help her kidnap Gracie. I told her no. I promise, Rebel, I told her no.” Whinny is not looking me in the eye. She is leaving something out.

  ‘What are you not saying, Whinny?” I demand for her to tell me.

  “She wanted to sell Gracie to another club.” Whinny hesitates. “The Hell Keeperz MC. She’s been talking with them. That’s all I know. I swear it, Rebel!”

  “Did you say the Hell Keeperz MC?” Cap is on his feet and next to me. Whinny is shaking. I back away from her and look at Cap. I see Shine and Con are both paying attention now. Whinny looks at Cap.

  “Yes.” I can barely hear Whinny when she confirms what she said. I look
at Cap.

  “Get her out of here. We need to talk.” Cap has a hard look on his face. “Do not leave this clubhouse in case we have more questions.” Cap tells Whinny and she nods her head yes. “Do not make me come find you, Whinny. You won’t like the consequences.”

  “Tip, get all the club girls and question them to find out if any of them have heard from Jade. Keep an eye on them and do not let them out of your sight. Gracie is still asleep with Shelby but do not let any of girls close to them. Keep them away from everyone.” The girls are going to find out what happens to people who are not loyal to the club that takes care of them. Tip escorts Whinny out. As soon as the door closes I look to Cap. I have a gut feeling things are going to take a turn for the worse.

  “The Hell Keeperz MC is the club that is raising hell in our territory in Tyler. They are home manufacturing some bad shit and then selling it to kids. We have been trying to find their dope house but it is mobile. I know it seems like we should be able to find something that big but we can’t even get close. They have kids in the schools selling the drugs, in middle school. The kids pushing their drugs can’t be older than eleven or twelve and the ones buying it are the same age. They throw parties and get them to use and this shit is so addictive it doesn’t take long for them to get hooked. It’s destroying their futures and destroying families. We have to put a stop to it.” I can see the rage in Cap’s eyes.

  “Cap, you have had me to keep an eye on the crime in Tyler. There have been a few disappearances of young girls. I’ll have to check my computer at home but I think there has been five or six. The cops have put it down to runaways, but what if it isn’t? What if the Hell Keeperz are picking the girls up? If they would take Gracie then why wouldn’t they pick up runaways? I need to consider it further. The last time I checked none of the girls had been found.” Con stopped talking and then went on. “I think that is what bothered me the most about it. Not a one of the girls have been found. They could be getting them hooked on the drugs and then using them.”