"Nothin' Prez, just like seeing ya happy is all."
Losing some of the bite in my tone, I regard him, "Thanks, brother."
"Well, I'm going to get inside. My stomach is talkin', and Grace's cinnamon rolls are about to answer." Quinn says getting off his bike and rubbing his hand over his stomach. "Brother, you can't tell me Lisa didn't already feed your ass this mornin'. That woman doesn't let anyone leave the clubhouse without a full belly."
"Yeah, Prez, but that was two hours ago."
Chuckling I shake my head, "Alright, man, I'm headed to see Reid. Call me if ya need anything."
"You got it, Prez." Quinn says lifting his chin and then strides into the bakery.
With one last look at my woman through the window, I fire up my bike and head in the direction of Kings Construction.
Walking into Kings Construction, I see Leah sitting behind the front desk with her face hiding behind her glasses and mass of brown curly hair. Though Leah has been in Polson and around the club for over a year now, she is still shy as ever. I'm always mindful of my tone and how I approach her. The last thing I want to do is scare her. And this poor girl looks like she is scared of her own shadow. There's a story there for sure. I don't know much; only she's layin' low from her father and Nikolai and Reid pay her in cash.
"Hey sweetheart, is Reid in yet?" I ask striding up to the counter.
"Yes, Mr. Delane. Mr. Carter is in his office," she replies, her voice low.
"Thanks, sweetheart," I say giving her a wink. "And no more of that Mr. Delane nonsense, okay? You can call me Jake."
With a slight blush, she drops her head and nods.
Walking down the hall, I stop in the doorway of Reid's office, and see he is typing away on his computer. Rapping my knuckles on his door, I make my presence know.
"Hey brother, you have a minute?"
Peering up from his screen, "Yeah, Prez. Come on in." He gestures for me to take a seat in the chair in front of his desk. "You saved me a trip to the clubhouse. I was about to head that way." Reaching into his desk drawer, Reid pulls out a folder, and hands it to me. "This is everything I found on Ronan De Burca."
"Excuse me." Nikolai cuts in from behind me. "My apologies, I don't mean to interrupt but your door is open, and when I was walking by I heard you mention the name Ronan De Burca?" I take in Nikolai's stature and notice his body language has gone tense.
"Do you know who Ronan is, son?" I ask.
Thinning his lips, Nikolai gives a tight nod. "Irish Mob." He states.
Knowing I can trust Nikolai, I state, "He's also Grace's husband." I watch as something like recognition passes over his face.
"Anna De Burca?"
Sitting up straighter in my seat, I turn to face him fully. "What do you know about Grace?"
"Personally? Nothing. The Volkov's have never worked with the Irish. But that does not mean I don't know how they operate. Personally, I find their family unfavorable. The Volkov's are no saints, but my father and I refuse to work with any man who places such little value on their women. A few years ago, we heard rumors of Ronan and how his wife and daughter had disappeared. Some say she fled and some suspected she was dead. Neither stories were surprising," he says, his voice dripping with malice. "Would you like mine and father's help? I'm going to assume the Kings are going to war if need be. The Volkov's will have your back." He declares.
"Make the call to Demetri. See when will be a good time for him to have a sit down with my brothers and me."
"I'll let you know something by days end," he confirms offering me his hand, and I offer mine in return.
Once Nikolai has left, I turn my attention back to Reid. "As soon as I hear back from Volkov I'm going to call church. Hopefully with what information you dug up and whatever Demetri can tell us we can get a better grip on what we are going up against."
"You got it, Prez." Reid backs me up without hesitation.
"Alright, in the meantime, I need your help with something else. Remi has voiced she wants to go back to school. Grace's friend Glory has been homeschooling her. Despite Grace's worries she wants to make her daughter happy and so do I. The kid is desperate for some normalcy and structure. I want to do my damndest to give her some."
"What did you have in mind, Prez?"
"Anyway you can come up with a new name and a fake birth certificate, social security number? You know, all the shit kids need when registering for school?"
"I can do all that. No problem. I can have everything done in a few hours then drop it by the clubhouse."
"Thanks, son. I knew I could count on ya," I say standing up. "Listen, I know you guys have been swamped with the construction of the resort, but you think you can spare Austin? I want to put him on watch when Remi starts school. I'll want him where ever she is when she's not with Grace or me. If you can spare him, then maybe I can steal Blake away from Gabriel."
Reid shakes his head. "Nah Prez, you can have Austin. Sam is always willing to take on extra hours. He's a good kid and never complains. We'll make it work." Reid assures me.
"Alright, son. I'll see ya at the clubhouse in a bit." I tell him clapping him on the back.
Several hours later I'm in my office back at the clubhouse when Logan comes striding in with Reid tailing him. Reid is the first to speak. "I have what you asked for Prez," he says handing over a large manila envelope. It turns out Montana has 176 girls between the ages of five and fifteen named Remi. So, I kept it simple. Remi De Burca is now Remi Cohan. I gave her the same last name as Grace."
"This is perfect. Thanks, brother," I say, but am interrupted by Blake knocking on my office door.
"Prez, you have a visitor at the gate. Says his name is O'Rourke."
"What the hell is he doing back in Polson?" This coming from Logan.
"Fuck if I know," I say just as confused as I stand and make my way out of my office and toward the front of the clubhouse. "I talked to him the other day. He never mentioned anything about coming."
"He's got some balls showin' up at the clubhouse. Being a cop and all," Reid put his two cents in as he and Logan fall in behind me. And he's not wrong. A cop showin' up at our compound takes a fuck ton of guts. Damn it's hard not to like this guy. Stepping out of the door and into the parking lot, I see Finn O'Rourke sliding out of his rented SUV. I also take notice of his appearance. The last time I saw him, he was in a suit that reeked of being a pig, but today he's in jeans, t-shirt, and boots. Finn being the man who helped my woman is what has earned him respect with my club. My brothers know about him, so cop or no cop he will be treated accordingly. "O'Rourke, want to tell me what you're doing here?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest. Leaning against his truck and casually crossing one foot over the other he answers. "After our phone conversation a few days ago, I got the feeling that you and your men would soon be up to something."
"So, what? You thought you'd come to Polson and to my clubhouse because you think you can stop us? Because I can tell you right fuckin' now, that shit's not happenin'." I challenge.
"I'm not here to stop you, Mr. Delane. I'm here to help."
I narrow my eyes with suspicion. "What the hell ya talkin' about?"
Pushing off the side of his SUV, O'Rourke comes to stand toe to toe with me. By this point, the rest of my men join us. Gabriel, Bennett, and Austin. We are all awaiting Finn's next words.
"I took a leave of absence from the force. I am not here as a cop. I'm here as Grace's friend and a friend of the Kings. I left my badge back in Chicago. Today I stand in front of you as a man who is ready to take on the De Burca family and put that son of a bitch Ronan in the ground." He finishes.
Leveling his stare for a moment, I determine I see nothing but truth in his words. Holding my hand out to him, I ask, "You have a place to stay while you're in town?" Shaking my hand, he replies, "No. This was my first stop. But I was thinking of asking Grace if I could stay in her old place above the bakery."
I jerk my head towards the clubhouse, "You can foll
ow me over there in a bit. She doesn't get off for another hour. In the meantime, let's go inside and grab a beer. And you can call me Jake. You showin' up here, puttin' your job on the line to help my woman; you've more than earned the right."
"I can handle that," he says following me inside, "and thanks for not shooting my ass when I showed up."
Settling at the bar, I motion for Raine to give us a round of beers when I hear the door opening behind me. Turning in my stool, I watch Demetri and Nikolai walk in. "Heard you may need a little help exterminating a De Burca infestation." Demetri says leaning against the end of the bar. Raine, knowing what he likes, sits a tumbler of straight brown whiskey in front of him. "I would like the opportunity to be a part of this adventure," he smirks. The allure of violence gleams in his eyes.
"I'm out for blood--for retribution, brother. I plan on being Ronan De Burca's judge, jury, and his motherfuckin' executioner," I declare with a lift of my beer.
12
Grace
With the last of the dishes loaded in the dishwasher, I slip my apron off and hang it on the hook next to the back door. My third full day at work and it felt great. My first day at work had been spent with Remi and me baking. The very next day I flip the closed sign around to open and so many people in town came by to say hello and let me know just how happy they were to see I was back. Of course, I had several ask why I left, but brushing it off as a family issue was more than enough to satisfy their eager curiosities.
Remi, however, has been on the edge of her seat ever since Jake said he would see what he could do about getting her enrolled in the local school down the road. I'm still a bit nervous about letting her go but know she needs it-she needs to feel and be a regular twelve-year-old girl. She has seen and been through far too much for her age as it is.
The only thing that puts my mind at ease is knowing Jake will do anything and I mean anything to make sure nothing happens to her.
When I walk to the front of the store Remi has the broom in her hand as she finishes sweeping the floors. Without hesitation, Remi has always helped with chores.
She was born into what most would consider a privileged lifestyle, but I haven't raised her to think that way. I wasn’t brought up with others picking up after me, and I plan on raising her the same way.
"Thanks for helping out, Peanut," I praise her while I begin to empty out the register and place the day's earnings in the lockbox in my office.
"Grace," Quinn walks out from the small break room, "Jake just called and said he'd be here in ten minutes. You got anything I can help with?"
"Sure, if you would grab the trash and throw in the dumpster out in the alleyway, I need to put this money away and log it," I let him know as I place the cash into a bank bag then zip it.
"You got it, pretty lady," Quinn responds before disappearing into the kitchen. Walking to the front door I secure the lock, "Remi, come hang with me in the office until Jake gets here," I tell my daughter. She follows me into the office and sits on the edge of the small desk and swings her legs.
"Mom, do you think Aunt Glory would consider coming to live here or live with us?"
I ponder her question for a minute as I key in the numbers on the computer screen. It's not a bad idea. Polson is a pleasant town and having her here would not only make Remi happy but me as well. "You know, I think we should ask her," I give an enthusiastic smile to my daughter. I watch the smile on her face fade and her brows furrow.
"Do you think we will ever stop hiding?"
The one question I have no answer for. Remi knows a lot, but doesn’t know the extent of the terrible person her father is, or the horrible things his family has done to people. She knows how abusive he is; she unfortunately witnessed his anger first hand on more than one occasion. No child should ever have to see or hear what she has heard. She's also aware of the fact her father and his family are suspected in the death of my mother-her grandma. My stomach sinks and bile rises in my throat at the thought.
Ronan and his family have money, most of it blood money. It's one of the many reasons I've had to take on a different name and stay low key. "I hope so, Peanut. Finn is working very hard to put your father and as much of the De Burca family as he can behind bars."
Remi begins to draw a circle on the desktop with her fingertip, "I like it here. I love being with you. I really like your friends, and Jake's club is really cool. I don’t ever want to leave here," she confesses with a low murmur.
"Me too," I agree. I'm done living under a rock. We've been given a second chance in life to have happiness, and I'm grabbing hold with both hands as tight as I can and not letting go.
Knuckles drumming on my office door takes my focus from Remi, and I turn my head and notice Quinn standing outside the open door.
"Jake just pulled up. I locked the back door, and everything else is shut down and secure for the evening. What do ya say we call it a day?" he tells me in his smooth and laid back tone. If only all of us could be that way. Quinn has a relaxed and easy going attitude, and I have enjoyed being around him because of it. He has a way of putting Remi at ease. She talks a lot, and it doesn’t seem to bother him. Quinn is a good man.
"Thank you, Quinn," I push my chair away from the desk and stand. "You ready to go home, Peanut?" I kiss her forehead, which earns me an eye roll with a smile. I'm very affectionate with my daughter. I always have been. I don’t want her to just hear that she is loved, I want her to feel she is loved.
"Can we pick some pizza up tonight, and maybe a movie?" she jumps down off the desk and walks to the far corner of my office to get her bag.
"Sure." I answer as we walk to the entrance of the store where Jake is waiting out front with Finn. Wait a minute. Finn? Why would Finn be here? Quinn unlocks the door, and the three of us walk outside to meet Jake and Finn on the sidewalk. "Come here, give me those lips, Little Bird," Jake's voice rumbles while my eyes continue to stay locked on Finn's, waiting for answers. Jake's hand snakes out and pulls me into his body. Tilting my head, I give him my full attention as his lips descend upon mine. My eyes close and I melt into his touch, and I breathe in his smell of motor oil and grease cleaner he has acquired from working in the shop all day.
"You mind if Quinn takes Remi home?" his large calloused hand comes to rest on my face and he uses the pad of his thumb to caress the apple of my cheek as he waits on my response.
"I get to ride on a motorcycle?" Remi squeals with excitement.
I turn to Quinn, "Please drive safe with her on the back of that thing," I tell him.
With his signature smile he holds up his index finger, "First, my bike is not a thing she is a Harley Davidson Heritage Softail. Second," he holds up a second finger, "I've had my little sister on the back of my bike before, I can promise you I'll keep her safe, Grace."
Quinn has a little sister?
"Please, Mom," Remi grabs my hand and bounces. I look at Jake, and he smiles.
"Quinn may be a goof a lot of the time, babe, but I trust him," he says to put my mind at ease.
"Okay," I relent and turn to my daughter, "call me as soon as you get home," I inform her. Jake, Finn and I watch as Quinn secures a helmet over her head and helps her onto the back of his bike. He slides his aviators over his eyes and signals a two finger salute before pulling out and driving down the road. As soon as they are out of my sight, I fold my arms under my breasts and give Jake and Finn a look. "Alright, now someone let me in on what's going on," I ask the two of them.
Finn slips his hands into his pockets and is the first to speak. "Come on; I'm using the apartment above the bakery for a while. Let's head up, and we can fill you in," he ushers.
Eager to find out, I allow Jake to guide me up the stairs with his hand possessively placed on the small of my back. Jake reaches around me and unlocks my old apartment door. Everything inside is the way I left it. Dresser drawers left open in a rush and a couple of dirty dishes still sitting in the sink. The same wave of emotions I was feeling that night rush
over me. I was scared to love someone again. Afraid of the feelings I had been hiding for a long time. I have let fear rule my life for a long time. Not anymore. "Okay," I place my bag on the kitchen counter, "I'm listening."
"I'm working with Jake and the club to bring down Ronan and several of his family members, and I've taken a leave of absence from the force to do it," Finn informs me.
"Wait. Why? What's changed? Has he found us?" I choked my words.
"No, babe," Jake assures me, "but O'Rourke feels the Kings can offer him something more. He's right; we can. We can offer him a reach that’s beyond the law. The club has connections which can allow us more of a backdoor to the inner workings of the De Burca family. I know you are aware who Logan's Father is, am I right?" Jake studies me.
Many conversations with Bella about her family has clued me into many facts, and my own experiences have made me acutely aware who Demetri Volkov is, or of him anyway.
"Anna…Shit, I'm sorry…Grace, I want you, Remi, Glory and her family to have a normal life again. I know that unless we put Ronan behind bars or somewhere more permanent that will never happen," Finn says with certainty.
He's right. The De Burca family is ruthless, and Ronan won't stops until he finds us. "Finn," I say with a sigh.
"Yeah?" he answers back.
"Two years. Ronan has been looking for us for two years. He took my mom from me; he almost took my life. The evidence you already have against him, you're positive it isn't enough to take them down?" I question. What the two of them are talking about puts all of us in the middle a war zone. Should I have heeded the warning my parents gave me? Why did I have to be so blinded by what I thought was love?
"No, we need more to have anything that will hold up in court. Unfortunately, money talks and even dirty money if the amount is right can help persuade influential people. They have covered their tracks well, and we have found no witnesses to anything besides you. You are our only witness to a crime they have committed."
UNBREAKABLE: The Kings of Retribution MC Page 9