Granny P. pulled up a long drive and stopped in front of a yellow house with black shutters and trim. It was as neat as a pen. Josie wasn’t all that shocked after seeing the car. She helped lug all the groceries into the house and put them away as instructed by Granny P. She remembered helping mama put away things when she was little and sitting on the kitchen counter while daddy cooked pancakes.
She shook her head.
She looked up to find Granny P. watching her. “When?”
“Excuse me?” Josie said trying to shake off the past.
“When did your father pass?”
Josie was so shocked she just answered. “When I was very small.”
Granny P. nodded. “That was it wasn’t it? The last time you felt like a real person.”
“It certainly changed everything.” Josie nodded feeling like a weight had lifted from her shoulders in just admitting the truth.
“Did your mother blame you?”
“I can’t say.”
Granny P. nodded. “Well, so far I can’t figure out a reason why we can’t get your feet back under you. Can you cook?”
“Yes.”
“Clean?”
“Yes. I have been keeping house for four years.”
Her eyebrows rose. “How old are you?”
“Twenty.”
The woman nodded as if that answered more than one question.
“Well we have work to do, if you’re willing.”
“I’m not afraid of hard work.”
“That’s a start.”
Eight
Choo-Choo opened his eyes. His head was splitting. The room was cold and smelled musty. Where in the hell was he? He tried to remember, but there was nothing after church. He remembered Preach’s worry when he heard Mrs. wasn’t at the compound. He remembered… Damn he couldn’t think. He lifted his hands to run them over his head and winced. He had a gash down the side of his head, that, he certainly didn’t remember.
The pain sharpened his senses. He wasn’t home and he wasn’t at the clubhouse.
“Ahhh look who decided to wake up.”
Choo-Choo squinted. He knew that voice, but from where?
He was bald and had a Cupid tattooed on his arm. Choo-Choo gritted his teeth. The memory was so close. It hit him and he frowned causing his split lip to pull painfully.
“You’ve got a hell of a hard head. Had to use a crowbar to knock your ass out.”
“Why would you go to that much trouble?” He pulled himself up to the sitting position and hung his head between his knees. He hurt all over.
“Had to make it look good. Got paid good enough too. Couldn’t get in on the woman though, I’m sorry about that.”
“Shit. What woman?” Choo-Choo asked.
He looked up at to find his friend frowning. He ran his hand over his head, bald much like Choo-Choo’s.
“And who would pay you to do this shit?”
“Devils. I didn’t do all that though. I had to let them get their piece of you before I could get you out of there.”
“Why? Why would they want this?”
“Bastards reached out. Devils liked the idea of a little payback and the idea of the Bastards owing them in a big way. My guess is that the Bastards are on their way out. Looking for a Devils patch. They wanted the woman to hurt the club, but said you needed to be taught a lesson.”
“Fuck. What woman?” Choo-Choo couldn’t stand the thought of Josie being back in the hands of those Bastards.
“I don’t know her name. They just called her Mrs.”
Choo-Choo’s world spun on its axis. He felt the blood drain from his head.
“Who took her? Devils or Bastards?” He could barely force the words past the lump in his throat.
Valentine shrugged.
“Damn it Valentine! Who has her?”
“Devils grabbed her. Bastards wanted her as I understood it. Not sure what the Bastards could have done to get the Devils to help them though. That needs to be watched, and I have to keep you under wraps for a few days. Hate that, but I can’t break cover by letting you go.”
“I can’t sit here while this shit goes down Valentine. That woman, Mrs., its Preacherman’s wife! Do you know who that is?”
“Holy fucking shit.” He looked like he wanted to rip someone’s head off. “I guess I can’t pretend forever.”
“I need a phone Valentine. I need to make some shit right.”
His friend huffed out a breath and tossed him a burner phone and he dialed the number he knew would get results the fastest.
“Yes?”
“Shadow, its Choo-Choo.”
“Where have you been? Things are fucked up.”
Choo-Choo frowned. “How long have I been gone?”
The line was quiet. “Three days.”
“Three days?” His question was for his friend who shrugged.
“I need to talk to the girl. She may know where they have Mrs. and how to get her back. I know you have her stashed somewhere.”
Choo-Choo was stuck as much as his friend was. Josie was safe. She was away from the dangers of club life. She could have a normal life if he let her go, but the club was his family, his brothers, and Mrs. was like a mother to them all. There was really nothing he could do, but tell Shadow where to find her.
“Listen Choo-Choo. I know what you are trying to do for her and I can respect that. I won’t share what I know. I just want to talk to her. Mrs. was the one that made such a big deal out of getting that girl away from those fuckers. Don’t you think she would want to return the favor?”
Choo-Choo didn’t know Josie all that well, but he knew that she would want to help the woman who had helped her. “She’s just outside Denver, Colorado.” He gave Shadow the address and explained who Josie was staying with.
“Thank you brother, this will be remembered. Do you need help getting back?”
“I think I’ll manage.”
“Where are you?”
“I have no idea.”
Shadow sniffed which was as close as he had heard the man come to a laugh.
Choo-Choo turned back to his friend. He knew he didn’t have to say anything. Valentine had always been a friend and he knew about loyalty even if he showed it in a strange way. Choo-Choo reached up and rubbed his head again.
“Three days…”
“Had to earn the money man, you’ll heal. I hit you in the head after all.”
“Fuck you.” Choo-Choo let out with a laugh that made him wince. He was pretty sure he had a broken rib or two to go with his concussion.
“Not my type sweetheart.” He sent Choo-Choo a wink. “So who the fuck have you sent to Granny P. and do they have any idea what they’re walking into?”
Choo-Choo shook his head. “She’s hiding a girl for me and I just told Shadow where to find her.”
Valentine lifted his brows. “The girl?”
Choo-Choo nodded.
“And you’re sending Shadowman to Granny P.?”
Another nod.
“Fuck man. What if she unfucks him up? Your club won’t have that scare factor protecting your asses anymore.”
“He’s not so bad.”
“We’ve met. He’s three kinds of fucked up. Fucked a girl fresh out of his bed one time too…” He just shook his head. “His wife must be something.”
Choo-Choo didn’t comment. He wanted to get to Josie before Shadow did.
“We need to go Valentine. I need to be there.”
Valentine let out a huff. “I guess if I tag along, I’m not really letting you go.”
“Josie is mine Valentine. Just so that’s clear. She’s not going back to those assholes. Not even for you man.”
Valentine studied him for a long moment, then he nodded slowly. “We need to make sure she’s safe then. There’s a huge price on her pretty head. Let’s get you cleaned up and get on the road.”
Nine
Josie sat on the sunny front porch of Granny P.’s house. It was still b
itter cold, but Josie was enjoying the bright sunshine as she rocked in a big split bottom rocker and listened to the stillness that seemed to blanket the place. She had met Granny P.’s son Harry and she could tell by looking at him that he was related to Choo-Choo. It turned out that Choo-Choo’s mother had been killed when he was just a small boy. His father had never been in the picture so Harry had stepped up to fill that position. Granny P. had been the backbone of the family and continued to be.
Josie had gotten a glimpse at the man who had saved her from the gutter. She had seen pictures of his smiling face as a child and several as he grew to be a man. He was infinitely loved by his family.
Josie ached inside. She would love to belong to a family like he had, but she couldn’t bind herself to a man just so his family would love her.
“That’s a whole bunch of heavy thoughts there young lady.”
Josie jumped when she heard Granny P.’s voice.
“He wouldn’t have sent you here if he didn’t think you would belong with us.”
Josie furrowed her brows as she stared at Granny P. “What do you mean?”
“I think that’s a question you should ask him.” She nodded toward the road where Josie could just see a dark colored truck pulling into the drive.
“Is that…” She didn’t finish her statement. She could see him. She could almost feel him. The burning in her chest intensified until she had to reach up and rub it to relieve the discomfort.
She stood like a statue and waited for him to walk to her.
“Are you ok?” He asked when he stood two steps below her, meeting her eyes.
Her throat closed up as tears clogged her throat. “I am now.” She whispered and found herself pulled into his arms.
She inhaled him. She closed her eyes and felt peace envelope her.
“Thank you… Thank you for sending me here.”
He pulled back and she noticed the colorful bruises that covered his face and head. Before she could say anything he pulled her lips to his and kissed her breathless.
“It’s where you belong Goldilocks.”
She felt his words seep into her marrow. She felt them warm her in places that had been frozen for so long.
“What happened to you?”
She felt something sickening slither over her and rob her of her peace.
“Eddie…”
He shrugged confirming her suspicion.
“I’m so sorry. I…”
“Hush that. I’d bleed to keep you safe any day Goldilocks.”
Tears sprang to her eyes and trickled down her cold cheeks. She looked up when someone cleared their throat.
“Hello Josie, I’m Nicholas Love.” His blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he took her in, giving her a half grin.
“That better not be who I think it is on my porch.” Granny P. stepped forward wearing a scowl, but there was a sparkle in her eyes.
“Hey there Granny P.”
“Don’t you get fresh with me. I didn’t raise you to be a no account. What in the world do you mean bringing my boy back here beat to hell?”
“Well…” He looked like a penitent child and Josie almost laughed.
“He did it Granny.” Choo-Choo said, but he was grinning.
“He beat you?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Shut the fuck up man. You want me to get my ass beat?”
Choo-Choo let out a gust of laughter, but the Nicholas looked miserable.
“Yes sir, we will be having a talk about this.” Granny P. nodded as if everything was settled and started toward the house, but she stopped and turned to stare toward the corner of the house.
“I don’t like the feel of him one bit.”
Josie turned to watch the man from the Clubhouse, Shadow, as he almost floated across the snow toward the porch.
“He’s alright Granny. He needs to talk to Josie. That’s why I came so fast. I wanted to be here.”
“Looks like he gave you did you the courtesy of waiting. He’s been here for hours.”
At her words Shadow looked up and when their eyes met they both inhaled a sharp breath. Granny started trembling as he grew closer and he tilted his head to stare at her.
“Cut that shit out Shadow. This is my Granny. You came to talk to Josie. Just leave Granny alone and get the hell out of here. I don’t want this shit coming down on her head. This is my family...”
Shadow looked to Choo-Choo and shook his head. “I believe I am here to see her.” He tilted his head to Granny P. “We’re brothers Choo-Choo. She’s my family too.”
Josie watched the woman’s eyes slide closed as her lips moved silently. She looked like she might be praying, but Josie wasn’t sure since she hadn’t been around too many praying people in her lifetime.
Choo-Choo ground his teeth. He had struggled to keep this part of his life separated from the life he lived with the club, but he just couldn’t keep his shit together lately. His eyes found Josie. She stood on the porch as if everyone was about to pounce her.
He stepped closer and pulled her against his chest, placing a kiss on the top of her golden head.
He knew the stories about Shadow and his past. Family mattered to the man and Choo-Choo trusted him. They were brothers.
He nodded.
Granny P. broke the tense silence.
“Come inside son. Josie will you get Shadow something to eat and something warm to drink?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Choo-Choo watched Shadow walk silently up the steps and onto the porch. He stopped and met Valentine’s eyes. Choo-Choo saw retribution there. Valentine let out a curse under his breath that said he had seen the promise in Shadow’s eyes as well.
What a perfectly fucked up day.
Ten
Josie felt like a cat trapped on a hot tin roof. Shadow scared her, but what made her nervous was the look of trepidation on the face of that man she had heard so many rumors about. Why on earth would a man like that be frightened of a little old lady?
She tried to piece it together as she threw together something for everyone to eat.
She felt him before she heard him. His warmth surrounded her as she stood at the stove stirring soup she had pulled from the pantry.
“Are you alright Goldilocks?” His arms wrapped around her and his lips pressed to the pounding pulse at the side of her neck.
“I think so. What’s going on?” Her voice sounded small and since that pissed her off she straightened and cleared her throat. “I need to know what’s going on. I know it’s got something to do with Eddie and I need to know. I won’t be kept in the dark about my own life. Not ever again.”
She felt his chuckle against her neck.
“I would love to keep you in the dark for about two days straight.” He bit down on her neck and let a little growl slip past his lips.
Josie felt herself relax against him again. “You are insufferable.”
He swatted her ass. “Big words…”
She cut her eyes around at him to show him she wasn’t convinced of his ignorance for one second.
By the time she had soup and sandwiches made and placed on the table, Shadow had seated himself at the table along with Choo-Choo and Nicholas, which she had learned preferred to be called Valentine. There was something odd about the man and Shadow obviously distrusted him as much as Choo-Choo seemed to adore him. It made no sense.
Granny P. shuffled into the room and sat at the head of the scarred oak table and cleared her throat. Josie had gotten in the habit of saying grace before her meals since living with Granny P, but she could see that Valentine had forgotten. He looked sheepish as he swallowed the mouthful of boiling soup and bowed his head.
Granny P led a simple prayer as she always did, but the weight in the room felt heavier than Josie had ever felt. Shadow picked up his spoon and ate with manners that would have made the Queen of England envious.
Josie couldn’t help but watch him.
Choo-Choo and Valentine minde
d their manners, but as they quenched the best part of their hunger they began to exchange glances that told Josie the two had been close since childhood.
A stab of longing hit her. All of her friends were lost to her, not that she’d had very many growing up, but she’d had one or two that she wished she had kept in contact with.
Granny P. interrupted her thoughts when she cleared her throat and laid her napkin on the table.
“Thank you Josie for a lovely lunch. I’m sorry for springing it on you the way I did, but it couldn’t be helped when no one thinks it’s necessary to pick up a phone and let me know I’m about to need enough food to feed a regiment of fighting men who haven’t eaten in a month.”
Choo-Choo looked sheepish and mumbled an apology right along with Valentine.
“Accepted. Now, I think there are a few things that need to be cleared out of the way so we can get to the real questions. First, I don’t believe in coincidence, so there is a reason I have three men around my table right now, two who obviously do not care for each other and one who looks like he’s been hit by a tractor trailer. We will get to that. I’ll begin. I am Granny P. I raised Anthony. He, his uncle and the raggedy son of my eldest daughter are the only family I have left. I’m not ashamed to say I wouldn’t mind a certain young woman joining that family if my blessing is sought it is given. I’m not one who enjoys danger and intrigue. I prefer a simple and quiet life right here at home so I would appreciate it if that stays the same. That being said, Marcus was right when he said we are all family.”
Josie frowned before she realized that Granny P. referred to Shadow.
“Anthony decided to bind himself to this club and call them brothers and while I may not understand it, that makes them family to me as well and I haven’t been fair in turning my back on them and asking him to keep us out of that part of his life. I am sorry for that. I can’t say that I know what you have pledged yourself to Nicholas, but I am willing to listen without judgment if you are willing to share with me.”
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