Even Baby’s laugh was infectious.
“I didn’t introduce her because you already know she is.” He said, pointedly, giving me a squeeze.
Matt signaled for me to follow him with a nod of his head.
“Tay’s waiting on us, sweetheart.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Alice.”
Without a word to him, I push off of Noah and smooth my hair back. I follow Matt down the stairs and out the front door.
Matt could probably hear the wheels spinning out of control in my head. When we got into the truck Luke lent him, he put his hand on mine and waited for me to acknowledge him.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t you ever get tired of just firing off that particular lie? Don’t you want to mean it, just once?”
He wasn’t being judgmental or rude, just understanding. Matt got me.
I blew out a lung full of hot air and then looked over to him.
All I could manage was a small smile; answering that question would open a can of worms.
“Taylor wasn’t supposed to be home for another few days, right?”
“Correct.”
“So, what happened?”
Would he know? If he did, would he tell me? I don’t really know in what capacity he was working with KJ Elite. Matt fidgeted with the keys before answering me tepidly, evasively.
“Something is going down. Some information came in and something separate is happening with that woman you just met; Baby or Alice, or whatever you want to call her.”
“What should I call her?”
Matt laughed a humorless laugh and rubbed his thumb over my palm.
“I’d call her a non-issue as far as you’re concerned.”
“How would you know?”
“I’m intuitive.” His eyes sparkled. “Not mention you’re a got-damned top earning model and the idiot can’t keep his eyes off of you. Plus, she was hitting on me pretty hard when I picked her up.”
I laughed with him and leaned over to hug him.
Matt wasn’t a Kane or a Jameson. I have known him for years. We cared about each other as friends; I could hug him.
He held me tight and kissed my hair.
“We were real worried about you, sweetheart.”
We hadn’t had this conversation yet. When we spoke, it was usually him and Taylor trying to distract me from all the stuff that had happened. They wanted to drag me out of my own head without actually talking about the events to heal over them. I don’t want to heal over them though, I just want to forget and move on with the life I’ve made. They were the best friends someone like me could ask for. Especially Matt for risking everything by helping look for me while also protecting Taylor.
“I’m glad you found me. Thank you, for coming.”
Matt was a super soldier of sorts that the U.S. Government would deny ever creating. He was in some kind of hiding and I was a part of the reason he got found out. Though in good stride, he didn’t deny it or fight it; Matt just strapped up and joined the party to extract me. There were not enough ‘Thank you’s’ or ‘I’m sorry’s’ to cover it.
“We’ve got some business to discuss, you and I, and Tay really wants to hold you. Please, try to let her smother you for at least a few minutes, okay? I told her you were doing much better compared to when you got here. If she gets too much, I’ll pull her off and distract her with shiny things. If that fails, I’ll feed her white chocolate martinis.”
“I think I can handle that.”
Some loud noise caught my attention, on the front porch. A loud curse followed by Noah slamming the front door of his house. Baby led the way down the stairs, smiling sweetly at us in the truck. Her stomach is vibrating with what I guess is silent laughter.
“Let’s go.”
“I aim to please.” He pulled away from me after kissing my hand then put it into gear, and hit the gas.
“Also, I’d like to go on record that I am not in any way responsible for how this night will go.”
Knowing Taylor, I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer.
Chapter 8
“Meeting start time,” Mike checks his watch and says, “1845”.
Not a damn person needs meeting minutes in this company, but whatever gets his rocks off. Mike sits across from me at the large round table; Luke sits beside him, then Tommy, Candace, me, Peyton and Baby.
“Everyone probably already knows, but this is Alice Darling. Baby to me and our squad. She’s gonna be joining us here at KJ Inc. so everyone make her feel comfortable. Baby is family and” I turned to Candace, “is bringing yall another team member. Louisa, her gorgeous 4 year old daughter and no, she is not mine but I gladly claim her.”
“Yeah, if you can get her away from dad.” Luke laughed.
“Baby, starting at the top and moving right; this giant is Mike Kane, Luke Kane our resident genius, you know Tommy I think, this is Candace – she’s one of Tommy’s. Next to you is Tommy’s wife’s twin, Peyton Jameson. Charlie is the eldest Jameson and town Sheriff; he just took over for the old fart we grew up harassing, and Matt who picked you up. He’s an interesting, long story but for now he’s Taylor and Jamie’s agents slash a whole bunch of other shit.” I leaned back into my chair and took a deep breath. Jesus, we have a big group and this ain’t even everyone.
“Charlie and Matt are in town with the girls. Ma, Aunt Vic, Tay, Jamie and Doc are at Doc’s place.” Tommy informed me.
No one else. He looked me dead in the eye and dared me to push him.
“Let me guess, Annie’s brilliant idea?”
“You got a problem with it?”
“Have we checked you for steroids lately?”
“Taylor wanted to get Jamie out a little, get her a drink and enjoy some girl time.” Mike said.
Clearly no one knows that Jamie doesn’t drink.
“What’s the deal with your secret informant or whatever?” Mike asked Luke.
“I’ve already filled Charlie and Matt in, since they’re missing the meeting. I think I might have a few clues as to who this guy is. If he is who I think he is, the Government has succeeded in pulling the wool over an entire nation’s eyes again. Also, he has the potential to either really fuck this up for us or be a God send. Either way, he’ll be a key player. Jamie definitely has a problem.”
“No, someone has a problem with Jamie which means they have a problem with us.” Tommy said.
Luke did that thing he does where he locks his feet under the legs of his chair and spins from side to side quickly; says that’s how he gets his ideas and works it all out in his head. Makes us all want to vomit for him.
“Have you all read the file on Jamie? Her history growing up?” He asked, looking around the table.
“All but Baby.” Candace answered, placing a hand to her stomach. “Can you stop for a minute?”
“I’ll second that.” I said, holding my hand up.
Mike stuck his foot on Luke’s chair and pushed throwing him off balance temporarily.
“How many cups of coffee have you had today?” I asked.
“You keep count?” Luke joked, grinning and setting himself straight. “Read her file, Baby and come find me.”
He slid an actual file across the table to her and opened a laptop.
“As for your situation, I found your brother.”
Her head whipped up and she snarled. “Step-brother.” Emphasis on the step.
“My bad.” Luke waved a hand and turned his laptop to her.
“Cops can be idiots in big cities. It’s not their fault, it’s the head honchos who are politically corrupt and…”
Mike cut Luke’s conspiracy theories off and asked, “Where is he?”
“He’s been hiding out in Seattle. Little apartment in the center of town. He has been hawking some of your stuff but from the looks of it, inconsequential things. So far, as far as I can tell, he’s got the family heirlooms and important documents. He’s been selling along the way to Seattle, but not t
oo close and never in town.”
“So he’s just smart enough to get a shitty apartment and stay away from major purchases or sales. It’s obvious he hasn’t gotten his hands on a fake id yet, which is good because he may become harder to track.” Baby said out loud, chewing on a fingernail.
I smacked her hand; it’s been her bad habit for years. That and messing with the wrong men.
“Well, harder for the average Dick.” Luke said, throwing his head to the side stroking his own ego.
“Put it away.” Baby rolled her eyes at him, unaffected by his boyish charms.
“Candace, you and Peyton go do a little sight-seeing in Seattle. Pay Mr. Darling a visit and talk him into a visiting our neck of the woods. I have a feeling he’ll really get something out of his vacation.”
“Too easy.” Peyton clapped the desk and shot a grin to Candace.
“You mean too fun.” She replied, winking at him.
Mike grunted and shifted in his chair.
Damn, maybe Luke was right. Oh, I just can’t help myself.
Let’s have some fun with it.
I throw my arm over Candace’s shoulder and lean in.
“What’dya say we ditch Pey and take a side trip to Vegas, Candy?”
She couldn’t even answer before the force of a cat five hurricane swept in and kicked Peyton in the shins. Hard.
He jumped up and grabbed his knee to his chest, cursing a mile a minute.
“What the mother fucking fuck, you blind sumbitch? Holy got damn fucking shit!”
I, of course, doubled over in laughter. I may have also been thanking God that Mike managed to miss me and avoided a big shit-tuation.
“Oh, don’t be a little bitch.” Mike barked. “And you.” He pointed to me. “Keep your hands to yourself. That’s your sister.”
Candace snickered and I bit back my own laughter.
“Before we all get kicked out, can we get a confirmation on the body and death certificate for… for Dillon?” Luke asked, rubbing his chest.
Everyone gave a moment of silence before Peyton answered quietly. “Yeah. It was him.”
We didn’t give him a funeral service. We did not pay him respects. No one said his name and no one talked about it. For us, it would piss us off; for Taylor and Jamie it would just rehash painful memories that no one wanted them to relive. Charlie was the one who took it the hardest but not because he was hurt that his best friend was so incredibly evil. He swore that his hurt was really anger because after bringing Dillon into their home, into the bedroom just beside Taylor who was still in grade school at the time, he never knew; never had a fucking clue that a beast so nasty could be right beside him, the whole time. Aunt Vic just stopped and prayed wherever she was, whenever she thought of him – which was still pretty often. Dillon was like a child to her but Taylor was her baby through and through and that was enough to tip the scales and make her pray Dillon landed in Hell. No amount of sense or bible verses could make her pray for his salvation or redemption. My solution? Don’t think about him and I won’t turn homicidal again.
So, I turned on my usual adorable charm – the others called me annoying but what do they know?
Mike glanced back at me and I shot him my best shit eating grin nodding my head discreetly in Candace’s direction.
“Don’t.” He warned.
I was never good with warnings. They called me troublesome for my total lack of fucks to give. Like I said – adorable.
“Sister, huh? Yeah, I bet that’s how you think of her, too, right?”
“Meeting dismissed.”
“Wow, Happy. What a bunch.” Baby laughed, looping her arm with mine as we left.
“You know you missed this.”
“More than you’ll ever know.”
She stopped and looked up at me. “Did you know I actually served a stint with your brother, Tommy, after you …left?”
I tensed up and looked around.
“Yeah, he mentioned something after he got home. Listen,”
She cut me off.
“I got it.” Baby put her fingers to her lips and mimicked sealing them tight.
“Feel like hittin’ the bar tonight?” I was feeling mischievous and unsettled.
“Have I ever answered that question other than ‘hell yes’?”
Her eyes twinkled again and we took off.
From what she told me earlier, dad had my precious little Lou Lou and there wasn’t a chance in Hell he would be giving her back anytime soon. It’s a miracle ma left the house tonight with a little girl there. It’s why Taylor was so damn coveted and spoiled – only girl in a long line of rambunctious boys.
Doc’s place was actually named Doc’s Place. Doc was actually Dr. Jessica Abbott. The bar was opened by her old man who is the President of a local MC, The Devine Dirty Devils.
Coincidentally he was also nicknamed Doc; Rusty Abbott was a Medic and Vietnam Vet who came home and started the MC with two of his buddies. They run a clean game but aren’t afraid to dip their toes when the water’s just right. The Dirty Devils help to keep the garbage out of town, mostly. Jess’s ex also happens to be the father of her two kids and a member of the Dirty Devils.
The bar originated as a biker bar but as Doc got older, he couldn’t take as good a care of it as he used to could. That’s when he signed it over to Jessica and she changed it up a bit. As a daddy’s girl, she has a soft spot for the bikers so she kept the original theme but classed the place up. Like, a lot. Where the girls used to walk around pretty much naked, now they wear cut off shorts that cannot show any actual x rated material. Their tops are a black leather crop top with some cleavage but not enough to make you choke. Jessica wanted to appeal to men while allowing the women to have their pride and respect. The outside looked like a rundown old shack but inside was a shocker.
The first thing you notice walking into the bar is the sea foam green walls, country style lighting fixtures and the layout.
Hanging from random spots in the ceiling were varying lengths of black cords and different sized jars; the jars were full of little lights making it look like it was lit up by lightning bugs. All around the bar’s walls were framed pictures of the MC, their families and the people of Devine.
Dead center in the bar was a dance floor area surrounded on three sides by tall tables and mismatching bar stools. Despite the designated dance floor, people were often times dancing wherever they stood; the bar got packed out all weekend.
Tables lined the walls mostly except for where a large, high bar stood the length of the left wall; mirrors covered the wall behind rows and rows of liquor bottles.
A large stage took up the back wall where a live band usually played every night. Tonight they were still setting up.
The place was clean and friendly with a backroom for the rowdier crowd.
In the back there were three pool tables, two flat screens to each wall and another bar. This back area was were the bikers mostly hung out – unless they were on the prowl. It was the part of the bar where she mostly kept all the original theme.
Before Jessica took over, the back was where they held a few stripper poles and activities still illegal in several states, five at the very least.
For a Friday night at eight p.m. it was relatively tame in here. My buddy Jack welcomed me at the door and tried his hand at flirting with Baby, asking to see her I.D. and waving her cover charge. All $2 of it.
Once inside, I led her over to the bar and ordered us a couple of drinks. Taylor had Jamie on the dance floor, grinding into her. As far as I could tell no one had spotted us yet and I wanted to keep it that way. For some reason though, the hair on the back of my neck is at attention, painfully so. I take in a fifth, or twelfth, sweep of our surroundings not noting anything off.
Bless Jamie’s heart, she looked reserved but not from annoyance or boredom; I suspect a fear of letting herself go. My woman was tightly coiled. My woman.
All eyes were on her tonight. Her upper body was wrapped in
a soft pink cashmere wrap around piece that fit her like a glove. Instead of some skirt or designer jeans, she had on a pair of light, well-worn ordinary jeans that looked as soft as butter. They clung to her hips and tiny waist, going down, down, down her mile long legs to cover her black stiletto boots. Disregard the fact that she’s a very famous model, she is so completely breathtaking, flawless in every way. You just couldn’t help but watch her move.
Taylor kept rubbing all over Jamie and laughing. Ma and Aunt Vic were sitting at a table sipping on their drinks and laughing. Baby found us a table behind a half wall that hid us pretty well. Matt obviously spotted us by his shit eating smirk in the back corner, leaning against the wall. Charlie was circling the dance floor like a total creeper while keeping one eye to the girls and the other strictly on Jessica.
“So, what’s the plan Hap?” Baby thumped my forearm with her glass, spilling a little beer.
“You’ve got the Devil in your eyes tonight, Baby. I better not have to drag your ass home. Again.” I said, a smile on my lips.
We both knew the count.
And that I literally had to drag her ass out of a bar one night in some backwoods ass town that probably housed the original freaks from those Hills Have Eyes movies. She was supposed to be the designated driver but long story short she was almost worse off than me. When we tried to remember our names, half stumbling, half fart-assing our way out of there, some hillbilly thought to grab her ass making her a useless sack of fluff swinging back at him. I might have been drunk beyond reality but once I pulled her out of there and got her settled into the motel room I had to make a trip back to the joint – a little housecleaning if you will.
I warned her not to give a second look or thought if she saw a Dirty Devils cut; most of the boys were alright but some were catching our eye and I didn’t like a wild card. Lucky for me, Baby did.
“This is going to be fun. I haven’t done this in a long time.”
She rubbed her hands together and tossed back a shot of Jameson. The joke was not lost on me after the goo goo eyes Peyton was giving her earlier.
Keeping You: KJ Elite Inc. Page 11