Bags straightens and pulls his hands out of his pockets. “Lola might as well be yours, and like I said, you’re a good prez.” Bags slaps my arm and walks out of the room.
“Hey, Bags?”
“Yeah?”
“Find Wheels.”
Arrow walks past me and nods. “We will. Just keeping you in the loop.”
His barb doesn’t go unnoticed by Bags or me. He frowns at Arrow as the two of them walk out of the clubhouse. I guess I still have some bridges to mend before I’m forgiven.
My cell goes off—it’s Angus.
“Yeah?”
“You know, you and Sean have the same telephone conversation skills.”
“Well, we’re brothers. It makes sense.”
I hear his intake of breath. “I’m your brother, and I know how to answer a cell phone, or any type of phone for that matter.”
“Hello, Angus, what do you have for me?”
“Better.” I chuckle. “Wheels’ cell is off, but Deedee has hers turned on, and it’s at the Rochas’ warehouse.”
“Aww, fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“Are your bugs still active?”
“They haven’t found the one in the bathroom, but I’m only getting snippets of conversation. I’ll keep at it.”
“Thanks, brother.”
I hang up and walk outside. I can see Arrow and Bags having a heated conversation with Cutter looking on. Going by the scowl on his face, he’s pissed. As I walk toward them, he says something, and the men cease talking.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” replies Bags. Arrow nods.
I stare at Cutter, and he shrugs. “Angus got a location on Deedee’s cell, she’s at the Rochas’ warehouse.”
Cutter grins. “Does this mean we get to go visit with the Rochas?”
“Yeah, it does. But this time, we go with a show of force. Get Yvette Cartland, the drugs, and half the money ready. We’ll all ride in together.”
“Half?” asks Bags.
“Yeah, you know junkies, they spend big. The Rochas will never know.” Bags grins and nods. “Send some guys to keep an eye on the warehouse to make sure Deedee never leaves. Make sure they are noticed.”
“You got it,” says Arrow as he puts his cell phone to his ear.
I nod and walk back inside the clubhouse and keep going until I hit our medical suite. Lola is on a bed, and the doctor is putting her arm in a sling.
“Doc, how is she?”
“Couple of broken ribs and her wrist, some bumps and bruises, but she’ll live.”
“Good.”
Lola is staring at my chest. Her eyes are rimmed red.
“Did you give her pain relief?”
“I don’t want any.”
I scowl. “If you need something to take the edge off, it’s okay.”
Lola’s lips turn up on one side, and she shakes her head. “I don’t need it.”
The doctor clears his throat. “Can I talk to you outside?”
I nod, and we walk out into the hallway.
“What’s up, doc?”
“Logan. I’ve sedated him, but he’s in shock. Whatever happened to him, he’s going to need help.”
“Help?”
“Psychiatric help. I can recommend a—”
“I’ve got it covered.”
“You’re sure?”
I nod, and the doc purses his lips.
“Yep. Thanks for your help.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bottle of pills. “For Lola… if she can’t handle the pain. Give her one with food. If the pain is still bad, in an hour, giver her another.”
“Thanks, doc, we owe you.”
“No, I’m grateful for the help you gave to me in my time of need.” He turns to go back into the room, but halts with his hand on the door handle. “Logan will need the most help, and Lola could use some counseling, too.” Then he continues on into the room, and I get a glimpse of Lola’s face as the door closes. She’s bruised and battered on the outside, and from the look she gave me, there’s more than a few on the inside.
Unfortunately, now isn’t the time to talk.
Now is time for action.
Kyle
With most of my MC behind me, we drive to the Rochas’ warehouse. Tempers are high as the death of Smokey has gone through the MC like wildfire. They want blood. We park either side of the street in front of the import business that the Rochas use as a cover for their real dealings. It’s so cliché.
No one dismounts, we’re all waiting for Angus to drive his van into the loading dock, so we can unload Yvette discreetly, away from prying eyes.
As Angus pulls into the driveway, he stops and winds down his window. “Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”
“Do you think it’s not, brother?”
He searches my face, then shakes his head. Without another word, he continues on, and I get off my bike. Rocky, Sean, Arrow, Bags, and Cutter do the same, and together, we enter the warehouse. The rest of the MC stay on their bikes. They are all here to see justice done, and if things go south, wipe the Rochas and their men from our town.
Cristiano meets me in the small office area at the front of the building. “Kyle, so good to see you. And you brought me a present?”
His smile makes you want to go and have a shower to wash the slime off yourself.
“I did.”
“Hmm… and you’ve got a lot of friends with you this time.”
“Safety in numbers,” I reply flatly.
Cristiano narrows his gaze and gestures for me to walk ahead of him.
“After you,” I say with a fake smile.
Cristiano nods and smirks as he walks through the offices and into the main part of the building. Angus is leaning against his van’s back doors, projecting a tone of boredom as he plays with his cell phone. A few of Cristiano’s men are scattered around the room, and Cutter moves up to flank my right side. I glance at him, but his eyes are fixed straight ahead. The only sign he’s tense is the toothpick in his mouth that he’s busy working from one side to the other.
When we’re a few feet from Angus, he pushes off the van and says, “The gang’s all here.”
Angus opens the back of his van. Inside is a trussed-up Yvette Cartland, her eyes are wide, and she’s shaking her head frantically.
Cristiano begins to laugh and clap his hands. “Oh, my friend, this is a wonderful surprise!”
“I’m not your friend.”
The laughter stops, and he shakes a finger at me. “Ah, but I think you are.”
“No.” Raising a hand, I point at Yvette. “She’s the reason we have bad blood between us.” I let my hand drop and stare at Angus. “Do you have the bag?”
Angus nods and reaches into the van, pulling out a dark blue sports bag and tosses it toward Cristiano. He looks down at it, then up at me.
“Open it. I believe you’ll like what’s inside,” I say.
Cristiano clicks his fingers, and one of his lackeys rushes over to open it. The guy holds up a brick of drugs and a fist full of cash.
“It’s Christmas,” says Cristiano with a grin. He nods at his man, and he takes the bag away, then he nods at another and points to Yvette. “Do you care what we do with her?”
“No.”
Yvette tries to scream as she’s dragged out of the van, but with the tape across her mouth, it’s muffled.
“Does this make us even?” asks Cristiano.
“Not even close.”
Cristiano nods and clasps his hands together. “What can we do to repair our friendship?”
“I want the man who gave the order to have our man killed. I want Deedee and Wheels returned, unharmed, and I want you to stay away from my MC.”
Cristiano smiles, the kind of smile that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
“But we could have such a beautiful friendship.” He does a twirl around, arms extended. “Don’t you want to be my friend?”
His men all laugh like he’s said the funniest thing in the world. Cutter moves up a little more, no doubt putting himself between one of Cristiano’s men and me.
“I want things to go back the way they were. Where you do your thing, and I do mine. The Loyal Rebels don’t deal drugs. It’s not our thing.”
“But you run guns, cars, and just about anything else, yes?”
I stare at him and say nothing.
“Come on, Kyle. I’m not asking for a partnership, merely an open business relationship.”
“I’m not following. What part of stay away from my MC wasn’t clear?”
“Oh, you were serious about that?”
“Serious as a heart attack.”
Cristiano laughs. “Well, my door is always open.” His eyes flick to Yvette. “Take her out back.” He crosses his arms. “As for your other demands, Deedee is here, and you can take her if she wants to leave. Wheels is not here. And as for your request about having the man who gave the order, that’s…” he pauses and steps into my personal space, “… never going to happen.”
“And here I thought we were going to be friends.”
Cristiano gives me a chin lift and steps back. “Wait here while I talk to Deedee.”
“That’s not going to work for us. We need to see her.”
“As you wish.”
Cristiano turns and walks out of the room. Cutter spits his toothpick out, and Sean is busy checking out the men who are left to guard us.
“I don’t like this, Prez,” whispers Cutter.
“Be cool.”
“The guy’s way too confident,” replies Sean.
“Both of you be cool.”
A door swings open, and Deedee walks through with Cristiano following close behind. Her stride is impaired, and she’s grinning like a fool.
“Kyle!” Deedee yells and trips, but Cristiano has her before she hits the ground.
“Fuck,” says Rocky as he shakes his head at the sight of her.
“You got that right,” agrees Sean.
“Here she is.” Cristiano has her hand on his arm, more to keep her upright than anything else.
I cup her face in my hands. “Deedee, you need to come home.”
“No. Cris takes care of me,” she replies with a smile.
“What about Wheels?” Deedee shakes her head and moves out of my grasp. “What about your children?”
“T-They’re better off without me.” A single tear runs down her face.
“Deedee, if you stay, there’s no coming back. You stay, you’ll never see Wheels or your kids again. Do you understand?”
“Cristiano will take care of me.”
I step back. “She’s all yours.” Looking Deedee up and down, I shake my head. Wheels and the children are better off without her.
I hold up my hand, whistle, and do a circle in the air, and we all begin to move out. Angus gets in his van, and once he drives away, we all head for the door.
“Wait!” yells Cristiano.
I turn and stare at him with one eyebrow raised.
“That’s it?”
I nod.
“You’re fine with me not giving you the name?”
I turn and point at Carlos, then I smile at him and nod. Glancing back at Cristiano, I continue for the door.
“He’s protected.”
Without stopping, I say, “So was Smokey.”
We hit the pavement, mount our bikes, and head for the clubhouse.
Lola
With my arm in plaster and my ribs strapped, I pick up the duffle bag off Kyle’s bed. No one pays me much attention as I go back into the medical suite. Logan has been sedated and is fast asleep.
With my eyes on him, I ask the doctor, “Is he going to be okay?”
“Physically, yes. Mentally, only time will tell.”
I glance at him. “What does he need?”
The doctor puts a hand on my shoulder. “A stable home life, lots of love, and a hell of a lot of counseling.”
A stable home life.
I’m not sure I’m the one who can give him that right now.
In a way, it makes my decision easier.
Nodding, I stare at the doctor and hand him an envelope. “Can you give him this when he wakes?”
“You don’t want to give this to him yourself?”
I shake my head and back out of the room. “He needs more than I have to give.”
Without looking anyone in the eyes, I walk briskly out of the clubhouse. I keep going until I hit the parking lot where my car is parked. Opening the door, I toss the duffle bag onto the passenger seat. The keys are in the ignition, so I start the car and drive out of the compound.
There’s nothing left here for me.
Driving through the gates, I have no idea where I’m going to go. My car finds its way to Annie’s house as if on autopilot. I get out and climb the steps to her home. Annie’s probably the only one that will listen to an explanation.
Knocking on the door, Annie appears. Her face morphs from concern to happiness as she opens the screen door and embraces me.
“Oh, Lola, I’m so glad you’re okay.” She holds me at arms’ length. “I was worried.”
Tears stream down my face.
“Come in, honey. Tell me what happened to you. I want to know it all.” With her arm wrapped around me, Annie guides me inside and sits me on her sofa. “I’m going to make us a pot of tea. I’ll be right back.”
Annie pats my leg and goes to her kitchen.
Sitting back on her sofa, I tilt my head back and close my eyes. Annie’s home smells clean with the added scent of lavender. She always has some in a vase on her coffee table.
Within moments, I’m asleep.
Kyle
The minute I arrive back in the compound, I notice Lola’s car is gone. Mounting the steps two at a time, I enter the clubhouse. My gaze falls on Stroke, a prospect.
“Why is Lola’s car missing?”
He shrugs. “‘Cause she took it?”
“What do you mean, she took it?” I demand.
“Prez, she grabbed a duffle bag and drove out of here. That’s all I know.”
I scowl at him then the doctor clears his throat. “She, ah… left a letter for Logan.”
“You’re still here?”
“I wanted to make sure the boy was all right.”
“Is he?”
“He’s still sleeping.” The doctor pulls an envelope out of his jacket pocket and hands it to me. “I was waiting for you to get back before I left. Lola’s cast will need to come off in about six weeks, but I’ll want to see her before then. Do not let her put anything up inside to scratch. She’ll need to take it easy for the next little while. Those ribs are going to be uncomfortable, and if she’s in pain, an ice pack will help.”
“Thanks, doc.”
“You know where to find me if you need me.”
He nods once and leaves. The doctor is a good man. He doesn’t ask questions unless it’s related to an injury, and he knows how to keep his mouth shut.
My cell phone begins to ring. The caller is Annie Farrow.
“Hey, Annie. I’ve been meaning to call.”
“Lola is here. She’s asleep on my sofa. You best come and get her.”
“Annie, I love you.”
Her sweet laughter trickles down the line. “Smooth talker, so like your Da. Now, get your butt over here.”
Annie ends the call, and I’m headed for the door. Sean is coming in as I’m heading out.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Annie’s. Watch the kid.”
“Who’s going to look after you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Cutter is still on his bike and stares at Sean. “I’ll go with him.”
Not wanting to argue with either of them, I say nothing.
Annie must have heard us pull up as she has her front door open. I go to speak as I climb stairs, but she holds a finger up to her lips.
“Shh, she’s still asleep,” whispers Annie.
Cutter is right behind me. Annie points to Lola, and then she grabs Cutter’s hand and pulls him toward her kitchen, leaving me alone with Lola.
In sleep, like her son, she looks younger and much more peaceful. I brush the hair off her face, and she slowly opens her eyes.
“Hey, you.”
“Shit! Did Annie call you?”
“Yeah. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking you’d packed up all my stuff. I didn’t tell you about Logan and my family…” her words trail off.
Slowly, I exhale and run a hand over my face. Sinking into Annie’s sofa, I tilt my head up and stare at the ceiling. “I understand why you’d assume I wanted you gone.” Turning my head, I peer into her eyes. “It wasn’t my intent. You and Logan need a home. I have one. I was going to move us to Da’s house.”
A tear runs down Lola’s face. “Y-You weren’t getting rid of me?”
“No, love.”
Lola’s face crumples as a sob breaks out of her. As gently as I can, I drag her onto my lap and embrace her.
Whispering, I say, “No more secrets. I always thought you and I had an understanding, but Lola, you’ve been keeping some pretty big secrets from me.” Lola nods and pushes her hair out of her face so she can look at me. “I can’t have that. Not from you. I love you, Lola, but you lie to me again or keep things from me, and we’re done. Understood?”
Lola sniffles and wipes her nose on her good hand. The sobbing stops, but the tears keep coming. She stares me in the eyes and nods.
“Is there more?” I ask.
Lola throws her head back and looks up at the ceiling. “No. Yes.” Her eyes find mine. “Jesus, Kyle, I don’t know.”
Cupping her face, I bring her forehead to mine. “It’s okay, Lola. We’ll find our way.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
Her bottom lip quivers, and she drops her gaze from mine. “I’m not worth it. I never was.”
Spark of Hope: MacKenny Brothers Series Book 3: An MC/Band of Brothers Romance Page 12