by Jamie Begley
“Who?” Stump turned to look over at where she was staring.
“Penni,” Zoey said grimly.
“Why? What did she do now?”
“She invited Casey, Max, and Cole.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
The three people stopped by Penni, who had risen from her chair to hug Casey and Cole.
“What’s wrong with that?” Confused, he couldn’t see why Zoey was becoming so upset.
“I think she wants them to meet Greer. I’m going to hurt her,” she threatened.
“You can’t hurt her until I get paid.” The man across from them looked to where they were staring, his eyes narrowing on them. “After that, you can do what…”
Stump saw Greer’s face grow dark with anger as Penni took Cole’s arm to lead him toward them.
“Never mind. You can hurt her now. If she were a man, I would do it for you.”
“Greer, I want you to meet a friend of mine. His name is Cole, and he’s Casey’s brother.”
As Cole raised his hand to shake his, Greer scooted his chair backward so fast that he almost toppled it over. Righting himself, he hastily moved out of Cole’s reach.
Hurt at Greer’s reaction, Cole looked as if he was about to cry.
“Greer, please!” Penni called out to Greer’s back as he maneuvered his way down the table.
Stump saw a red-haired woman stand up at the end of table, giving Penni an angry look.
Penni gave Zoey a pleading glance. “Please help me, Zoey. Please!”
After he had read her letters, Stump knew she wouldn’t be able to refuse her pleas. When she rose to go after Greer, he let her.
Why would Penni want Greer to meet Colt badly enough to pay for his way? He didn’t want to interfere until he knew why. Penni’s methods of reaching her goals were often strong when she wanted her way, but her intentions were never meant to hurt anyone. In fact, she went overboard trying to help.
Colt was a boy trapped in a man’s body. If he was in that position and needed someone with determination and spunk to take his back, it wouldn’t be one of the Predators; it would be Penni.
Zoey would baby him, like Casey and Max did. No, Cole needed a fighter, and as crazy as she drove Jackal, she was the best in the club.
20
“Wait, Greer!” Zoey dodged around Vida’s chair, catching him behind Gianna’s. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him to a halt.
“Let me go!”
Zoey’s eyes widened in shock at the impact storming through her body from the sudden contact. She hastily dropped his arm, darting in front of him before he could move away. “Wow, you’re very powerful, aren’t you?”
Greer tried to sidle by her without touching her body. “I don’t know what you mean.”
She blocked him again. “Oh yes, you do. You know exactly what I’m talking about. No one with your kind of energy doesn’t know it exists. That’s why Penni has been so determined for you to meet Cole, isn’t it?”
“You’re as looney as she is. Move or I’ll move you myself.”
Zoey shook her head at him. “You won’t touch me. That’s why you act the way you do—to make people keep their distance. It almost worked with me, and I think I’m fairly good at spotting auras. I thought yours was a muddy orange, but it isn’t, is it?” She was tempted to reach out and touch him again, but she didn’t. “It’s gold. You’ve been in the presence of the Divine One, haven’t you? What’s it like?” she asked in awe. “I used to have a friend like you. He’s moved on, but he didn’t try to hide his colors. How do you do it?”
“Woman, you’re nuts. I’ve got squirrels in my backyard with more sense than you!” He tried to barge past her again, but she stepped closer, forcing him to stop.
“You were the reason Penni wanted to take Cole on vacation with them. I blame myself…. I’ve been distracted. I should have asked Penni about the conversation she had with Casey. She must have said no; that’s why Penni tricked you into coming here. Can you help Cole?”
“No!” he hissed, looking around to see who was watching and giving Gianna a baleful glare that had her turning around in her chair.
Zoey tilted her head to the side. “Why, because you can’t heal him or because you don’t want to?”
“I can’t help him!”
“You’re lying. Your aura is going muddy again.”
“Stop it!”
“Then tell the truth, and I’ll leave you alone.”
“I don’t know if I can help him, and I don’t want to know,” he muttered, looking away.
“Cole is a very sweet man. I would help him if I could,” she said matter-of-factly. “Did Penni tell you what happened to him?”
“No, and I. Don’t. Want. To. Know!”
“His stepfather almost bashed his head in.”
Greer winced. “How long ago?”
“I don’t know exactly, but I assume it’s been several years.”
“Then I can’t help. Move.”
“Don’t lie—”
“I ain’t lying.” He spoke so low his lips didn’t move. “I’ve never tried to heal someone who’s had an injury that old.”
“But you can make it better, can’t you? He might not be the same, but can you heal him enough that he wouldn’t be like a child anymore.”
“I don’t know.” Doubt began to ease into his tone.
“Then try.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I have a family to protect. If I use my strength on him, it’ll take me months to recuperate. I won’t endanger my family to help someone else. I’m sure he’s a sweet kid, but I have one of my own now.”
Zoey’s bottom lip began trembling, seeing he wasn’t going to help, and no amount of reasoning would talk him into it. Still, she had to try one last time.
“At least meet him before you decide what you can or won’t do to help. Don’t make a decision until you met him. Look at him, Greer. Cole’s crying because he thinks he did something wrong. Please… at least make him stop crying. It’s breaking my heart.” She had to blink back her own tears while watching Cole sob into his sister’s shoulder.
“Dammit!” Greer turned on his heels, making his way back to Cole.
Zoey moved back to her chair, sitting down next to Stump.
“Is everything okay?”
“Shh…,” she shushed him, waiting anxiously to see what was taking place in front of her. “Watch… I think we’re about to be blessed.”
Greer moved to stand in front of Cole and Casey. “Cole….”
Zoey gripped Stump’s hand at the sound of Greer’s voice. It wasn’t the obnoxious one he used when he had been talking to them. It was like soothing water flowing down a hillside to land in a smooth, calm stream.
Cole lifted his head from Casey’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry I ran off. I forgot my phone at another table.”
Zoey watched as a beautiful red-haired woman came to stand next to Greer, with a large man coming to stand behind her.
Greer gave the redhead a searching look before turning back to Cole at her encouraging nod.
“My sister would like to meet you, too, if that’s okay?”
Beaming now, Cole gave his hand to Greer again. Greer slowly took it as “Lovely” began playing in the background. The redhead then reached out to take Greer’s other hand as the man behind her took her other one.
Penni pulled Casey from Cole, murmuring something Zoey couldn’t hear.
Holding her breath, Zoey watched as Greer lowered his head, seeing Cole was becoming frightened and was about to cry again.
Zoey jumped out of her seat to go around the table to take Cole’s free hand.
“I’m here with you, Cole.” She pressed it tightly between hers, allowing her energy’s warmth to soak into his.
She saw the toll it was taking on Greer as his color gradually began to drain. She was about to tell him to stop when Penni moved between her and Cole, taking one of
her hands. Then she turned and took Casey’s hand. When Lily stood, taking Casey’s hand, one by one, The Last Riders stood up, forming a chain as they all linked hands until they reached the other side of the table. That was when the Predators stood up, surrounding Cole and Greer in the circle, hiding them away from prying eyes.
Zoey raised tear-filled eyes to Stump, who stood, holding hands with Colton and Max, seeing the same sense of wonderment in his that was filling her.
“Thank you.” Greer released Cole’s hand then shakenly grabbed the table.
The red-headed woman didn’t seem to be in any better shape as the man behind her helped her into a chair.
Zoey was feeling woozy herself as she reached out to help steady Greer.
“How can I help?” Becoming alarmed at how pale he was, she pulled one of the chairs under him, helping him sit down.
“Nothing. Give me a moment.”
“I’ve got him.”
Zoey moved to the side as a man whose aura frightened her raised Greer to his feet.
“I’ll take him to his room. He needs to lie down. Can you tell my wife we’re leaving?”
“Yes. What’s her name?”
“Lily. She’s the one with the black hair.”
“I’ll do it now.”
Glad to be away from him, she went to the end of the table, telling Lily that her husband and Greer were leaving.
“I’ll get my purse and go with them.”
Zoey couldn’t believe the woman was married to the man who was helping Greer.
“I like your dress,” Zoey complimented her as she reached for her purse.
“I like yours, too. Pink is my favorite color.”
“Mine, too. I hope I can see you before you go back to Kentucky.”
“I hope so, too.” Lily gave her a friendly smile as she left to go after her husband.
Stump was talking to Colton and Vida when she returned to her seat.
“Where did Casey and Cole go?” She looked around, seeing Max had left, too.
“They left while you were talking to Lily,” Stump answered. “We were just sitting here, wondering what the hell happened.”
“We were blessed,” she said simply. “No one at the other tables saw, did they?” She glanced around worriedly.
“No. It just looked like we were praying over nachos.”
“Good. Greer doesn’t want anyone to know.”
“Know what?” Vida scooted her chair over to make room for Kaden and Sawyer.
“That he’s been touched by the Divine One.”
“The Divine One?” Sawyer repeated.
“The Divine One,” Zoey repeated in an awestruck voice. “Greer is truly powerful.”
“Are we talking about the same person you were about to strangle when he talked about his wife?” Stump asked in amusement.
“Oh yes. His sister has the same capabilities, but she’s not as strong. He said he has a younger brother… I wonder if he’s like Greer or his sister. I could take a few days off. Did Penni say when they were leaving?” Excited about meeting another powerful healer, she started to get up to look for Penni.
“You’re not going anywhere without me, and I’m not ready to take you yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re not. That’s why!”
“But, why? I really want to meet… Wasn’t his name Dustin?”
“I don’t remember. It could have been Wilber.”
“It wasn’t Wilber. I would have remembered that. Excuse me…” Zoey caught the attention of a man passing their table. “Are you a Last Rider?” She flushed, realizing it was the man she had accidentally kicked the day before.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” she apologized.
“So you keep saying,” he mocked, his eyes flickering from hers to Stump’s, giving him a look that she couldn’t interpret.
“When do The Last Riders plan to leave?”
“Day after tomorrow. Name’s Moon if you want to go for a ride before I leave.”
“Thank you for the offer, but no. You have a very nice blue aura so I can be frank with you without hurting your feelings.”
“I do? That’s good to know. Here I thought mine was red. You sure you don’t want to go on that ride with me? I’m into auras, too.”
“Yours is going to be black and blue if you ask her one more time to go for a ride.” Stump stood, making his threat clear.
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist. Brother, be cool. I’m a lover, not a fighter.”
“I’m not down with you hitting on my old lady. I don’t know how The Last Riders react when you hit on their women, but the Predators will take you fucking out.”
“Nice meeting you.” Moon gave her a sensual smile before retreating into the milling crowd.
“Day after tomorrow… I was hoping they would stay longer. That doesn’t give me time to reschedule my appointments.”
“You’re not going to Kentucky to meet Dustin.”
“I don’t see why not.”
“You really want to go?”
She gave him a confused frown. “Isn’t that what I’ve been saying?”
“Fine.” He stood, pulling her to her feet.
“What…? Where are we going?”
“You want to go to Kentucky, you’re going to be married to me and pregnant before meeting Dustin. Walmart is open. We can buy your ring there. When the courthouse opens in the morning, we’ll get the license. We can start trying to get you pregnant after Walmart. No Kentucky boy is going to outdo me.”
Zoey looked at Vida and Colton to see if they heard the same words coming out of his mouth as she had. They looked just as shocked as she did.
“Don’t worry about the Porters outdoing you. You’re in a league of your own.”
21
Mom,
I’ve tried to find you, and I can’t. I spent the last two years searching for you, even a teacher tried to help me until I was caught and brought back to the orphanage. I’m writing to you now because I’m planning on running away tonight. A girl from school let me give her money for a bus ticket. I’m writing the information on the back of this letter so you can find me. I want you to be there when I get off the bus, but if you’re not, then I have to move on. I can’t spend the rest of my life searching for someone who doesn’t want me. I really hope you will be in Queen City when I get there.
Zoey
“I can’t believe you said that!”
He dodged another blow to his shoulder as he unlocked her front door, then swung it open.
“I was just joking,” he assured, dodging the wristlet she had taken off to dig for her key.
“And don’t forget the five dollars you owe me!”
“You better not!” he warned her when she took off her sandals and started aiming them at him.
“Everyone at that table heard you!”
He was able to duck the one that flew over his head.
“I’m warning you, Zoey. If you throw it, I’m going to pad—ouch!”
The sandal sailed over his shoulder, falling harmlessly to the floor.
“You better not!”
“What are you doing?” He watched as she braced her feet, putting her hands out in front of her.
“Preparing myself.”
“For what?”
“I know jiu-jitsu. I have a client who is an instructor. You still want to paddle me? Try me. Marc said I’m a natural.”
“Marc the wuss? The one who left you alone during the fire alarm? I’ll take my chances.” Taking his leather jacket off, he threw it toward the couch. “Oh… baby, I’m going to try you. I’m going to fuc—”
One second, he was moving to give her the paddling she deserved, and the next, she had gripped the front of his T-shirt, her foot buried in his stomach. He went sailing over her head, landing on the floor behind her.
“Still want to paddle me?” She grinned down at him triumphantly. “And you owe me ten now.”
/> He lay there, staring at the ceiling. “Zoey, I can’t get up. I think you knocked my back out.”
It took three tries to get him off the floor.
“I’m sooo sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you! Should I call an ambulance? Can you make it to my car?”
“Just help me to the couch. I’ll be fine in a little while. I just need to rest my back.” He painstakingly let her help him to the couch, groaning loudly every inch as he eased down to the cushions.
“I’m sooo sorry.”
“I believe you didn’t mean to hurt me, but you did. You can’t play around with jiu-jitsu. It can be dangerous.”
“I know!” she wailed, twisting her hands. “I only learned to use it for protection. I’ll never use it on you again, no matter how mad I get at you.”
“You promise?” he groaned out, trying to adjust the pillow behind his back.
“I promise. Can I do anything to make it better?”
“You could massage my back. I’m sure that’ll help.”
“I can do that. I have a client who was a massage therapist.” She sat down on the couch, helping him lean forward so she could reach his back.
“Do any of your clients ever pay you in cash?”
“A few. I told you that I’m not interested in money. I prefer to live simply to reach enlightenment.”
“Well, can you enlighten me on how you pay the electric and water bills? Pay for food?”
He jerked when she started massaging his back.
“Sorry. Was that too hard?”
“Yes, that hurt. Look, can you just reach into my jacket pocket and hand me my cell phone? I’ll call Crush and have her bring the car and drive me back to the club. I need to lie down.”
“If you want to go home, I can drive you. Crush doesn’t have to come out.”
“I don’t think I can bend down to get in the car, and I couldn’t take the drive to the club in your small seat. Just hand me my phone. She won’t mind—”
“No! I mean, you can lie in my bed. It’ll make it easier for me to massage your back anyway. Come on, I’ll help you up.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you. Crush really won’t mind—”
“I don’t mind either… Take it easy…,” she crooned, helping him get to his feet. Putting his arm over her shoulder, she then helped him into her bedroom. “Just a sec. I’ll turn the light on.”