The party they were attending was to celebrate the fiftieth birthday of the chapter president, and it was good to be able to just kick back and have some fun. All too often Joe, as a nomad and go-to guy for any really unpleasant jobs that needed doing, only visited chapters on 'business'. He didn't mind, in fact he loved that he was able to do what he did for the club. But like all his brothers, what he loved best was to ride and to party. He frowned as his cell buzzed and, pushing the girl off him, he pulled it out of his pocket and checked the ID. "Ma?" He swallowed the feeling of dread; she never called out of the blue. "What's up?"
"Joe. You need to come home. It's Amy. She's disappeared."
"I'm on my way." He hung up. Right now he didn't need details and his throat was too dry to speak anyway.
Spike looked over as Joe hurried to the door. He could tell, even from that distance that something was very wrong. Getting to his feet, he followed his brother. "Tiny?"
Joe turned at the sound of his voice. "Gotta get to Cali. It's Amy. She's vanished."
Spike nodded and ran to his own bike. "I'm coming with. You shouldn't ride alone."
It took just over three hours to get to his ma's. Spike was surprised that one of them hadn't ended up getting scraped up off the asphalt. They pulled up outside Sophia's house, and Joe was off his bike and heading up the garden path as soon as he'd killed the engine.
As soon as she heard the bikes, Sophia opened the front door. "Oh, Joe." She threw her arms around his neck.
He returned the hug then pushed her away from him so he could look her in the eye. "What's going on?"
"She was upset and took off. We've looked everywhere. There's no sign of her."
“Upset? Why?”
"Does it matter? We need to find her. It's nearly midnight." She looked up as Spike followed Joe up the path. "It's Spike, right?"
He smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm flattered you remember me." He turned to Joe. "Why don't you go and talk to Amy's mom. I'll wait here and we can talk strategy when you get back."
He and Sophia went and sat in her cozy kitchen. She patted his hand. "Thank you for looking out for him."
"It's what we do. Tiny thinks the world of that little girl, an' he won't rest until he finds her." He frowned. "You gonna tell me why she was upset?"
"They're leaving. Maria's new boyfriend is moving them to Florida."
"Fuck! Tiny's gonna lose his shit."
They both looked up as Joe stormed in, slamming the door behind him. "Did you know about this?" He leaned over his mother.
She'd never been scared of her son, but right now Sophia was sure he was capable of killing her. "Of course not. If Amy hadn't taken off, I wouldn't know now."
He spun on his heel and marched outside, followed closely by Spike. "You know where she is?"
"I got a pretty good idea." He climbed on his bike and, as soon as Spike was mounted, he sped off.
Amy was cold, and if she was honest, a little afraid. The old forgotten orchard was a magical place in daylight when she was picking apples from the trees with Joe. She had remembered him telling her that it was here that he had hid out when he was a kid and he wanted to blow off school, and she’d known that no one would be able to find her. It was a secret place behind an old burned-out retirement home, only accessible by lifting a loose panel in the corrugated iron fence. She shivered and hugged her knees, trying to block out the strange noises that surrounded her. She didn't care how scary it was, she wasn't going back. They couldn't make her move to Florida. Away from Nana Sophie, away from her school friends, away from Joe. Suddenly, a familiar sound split the air. Amy smiled. Joe was here.
Spike scowled as Joe lifted the loose panel. "Couldn't you have just told them where she would be? Saved us the best part of a three-hundred-mile trip."
"To be honest, it never crossed my mind until Maria told me what had happened." He climbed through the gap. "Kid's hiding out. Don't wanna be found." He straightened up. "Amy! Get your skinny ass out here now!"
It was pitch black. Spike pulled out his lighter. "Fuck. Didn't it occur to you to bring a flashlight?"
Joe shrugged. "Amy! C'mon, sugar. I know you're here."
"Joe?" It was a tiny voice from the bushes. Spike lifted his lighter and she stepped forward. "I'm sorry. Are you mad at me?"
Joe crouched down and pulled her into his arms. "I'm fucking furious. Promise me you'll never pull a stunt like that again."
Sobbing loudly she threw her arms around his neck. "I don't wanna go to Florida."
"I know, sugar. Ain't too keen on the idea myself." He buried his face in his hair. "It don't mean you can go running off, scaring the shit outta everyone."
Spike shook his head and climbed back through the fence. "C'mon, bro. Let's get her home. It's late and the kid's gotta be freezing." He pulled off his hoodie and as she came through the fence, wrapped it round her. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm Spike."
Amy gave a tiny smile. “Hi, Mr. Spike.”
Joe chuckled and put his helmet on her head and tightened the strap, before sitting her on his bike and climbing on in front of her. "Hang on tight, sugar. Let's get you home."
Maria was pacing up and down Sophia's kitchen when her phone rang. "Hello?"
"M, I got her. Be there in five."
"Thank you." She sobbed as her knees buckled and she sank to her floor.
Sophia pulled out her cell. "I'll phone the cops, tell them she's turned up." She shook her head. "Just wait till I see that little madam. I'll tan her hide."
"No you won't. This is my fault. I handled it all wrong."
"Yes, you did. Joe isn't going to let you off lightly, you know that, don't you?"
"This has nothing to do with Joe. Amy ain’t his kid. This move will mean a promotion for Rob and the chance of a better life for me and Amy."
They both looked up as Joe, Amy and Spike walked in.
Maria swept her daughter into her arms. "Oh baby, you scared me so much. Don't ever do that again."
Amy stuck out her bottom lip, refusing to meet her mom's eyes. "I don't wanna go to Florida." Two fat tears rolled down her cheeks, and she turned to Joe. "Tell her, Joe."
Joe shook his head and picked her up, his eyes meeting Maria's. "How about I put you to bed here and Nana Sophie will bring you up some milk and a sandwich."
"Okay. Joe?"
"Yes, sugar."
"Will you stay tonight?"
"Sure."
"And Spike?"
"And Spike."
"Joe, where will he sleep if I stay here?"
"He can crash on the sofa."
"Okay." She buried her face into his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I think I might like Spike. He has kind eyes."
Joe shook his head as Spike gave a crazy ass grin. "Smart kid."
"Amy, sugar." He carried her upstairs. "Spike does not have kind eyes."
"Whatever." She yawned. "I love you, Joe."
"Love you too."
Amy was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Joe kissed her forehead and made his way downstairs.
"Joe…” Maria stood as soon as he walked into the living room.
"Not here. We'll have this conversation next door." Without checking whether or not she was following, he turned and marched outside.
Spike and Sofia exchanged a glance and Spike frowned. "You think he'll hurt her?"
Sophia shook her head. "Oh he'll yell, but he'll never lay hands on her."
He nodded. "They need to sort something out. Losing that kid is gonna kill him."
Maria followed Joe into her house and braced herself for the onslaught she knew was coming. "Joe. Please, before you say anything. You have to listen to me."
"I'm listening."
He was so calm. It was almost more terrifying than if he had been angry. She ran her fingers through her hair. "This move, it's good for us. A fresh start. Amy will make new friends. The school we're planning on sending her to has an excellent reputation and the house is in a good neighborh
ood, with lots of young families." She touched his chest. "I know she's scared, and maybe I shouldn't have sprung it on her like that. But change is always scary, but she'll get over it." She fell silent, waiting for him to say something. "Joe?"
"Sounds like you got it all sown up." He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. "Why you really doing this?"
"I told you."
"Yeah, fresh start, yada yada." He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled, forcing her head back, so she had no choice but to look in his eyes. "This man. You love him? Is that it?" His lips curled into a sneer as she closed her eyes. "Thought not. Must be his money, then." Abruptly he let go of her hair and turned away from her. "You can wrap this up however you want, Maria. Fresh start, good neighborhood, fancy school for Amy. But we both know that this is bullshit. You always were a selfish bitch."
"So I want a better life for me and Amy. What's wrong with that?"
"Amy. Ha! Since when have you wanted what was best for her? You'll never change."
"I love Amy."
"I don't doubt it. In your own twisted, selfish way you do. But you love yourself more. Whether it's sticking a needle in your arm or chasing some rich guy's money across the country. It's always been about you." He laughed. "I bet you got that sad fuck wrapped round your finger, just like you did with me. Poor little Maria, she can't help fucking up. But it's okay, there's always some sucker to pick up the pieces. What happens when he sees you for what you are? Cuz he will, M. An' I'm betting he ain't as dumb as me. It won't take him more than twenty years to see you for the selfish, manipulative bitch that you are."
She slapped him so hard, her hand stung. Maria gasped as, quick as a rattlesnake, his hand shot out and grabbed her throat. "I'll give you that one, a free pass. But I won't take back what I said." His hand dropped, and he sat heavily on the sofa. "Amy don't give a shit about fancy schools or good neighborhoods. If you had wanted to give her the best start in life, you wouldn't have done all the shit you did. I swear to you, Maria. If you take her away from me I will never forgive you."
"She ain't your kid, Joe. You don't get a say." She was pissed now. "How is hanging around with a criminal, a murderer, for fuck's sake, better than a new life in Florida?"
"You never had a problem with it before. I guess you don't need my money now." He stood back up and started to pace up and down the small living room. "She might not be my blood. But I couldn't love that kid more if she was my own. An' what about Ma? Or Beth. They love her too. Please Maria, for once in your life, do the right thing."
Maria watched as he walked slowly to the front door. She didn't think she'd ever seen him look so defeated. "It is for the best."
"You keep telling yourself that, sweetheart."
Spike was lounging on the sofa as Joe walked back in. He didn't need to ask how things went. "She still breathing, bro?"
Joe gave a shrug. "Probably be better if she weren't. I'm gonna head up to bed." With a heavy heart, he headed upstairs and lay on his narrow, childhood bed, trying and failing to get some sleep.
~ oOo ~
The rest of the house was still asleep when Joe snuck out of the house. He loved riding early in the morning; the only sound was the roar of his bike, no other traffic. Just him and his Harley in the early morning sun, heading downtown in the vague hope that there was something he could do to ease the pain of separation.
It would be a while until anything was open, but he needed this time to clear his head. He knew Amy was looking to him to make things right, and, not for the first time, he was going to let her down. As he sped along the deserted streets, he spotted a diner opening its doors. Maybe with coffee and food inside him, he would be better equipped to break her the bad news.
Amy was woken by the growling in her stomach and the delicious smell of bacon. She was surprised to find only Spike and Nana Sophie in the kitchen. "Where's Joe?"
Spike smiled. Joe was wrong, he did have kind eyes. "He went out early. Don't look so worried, sweetheart, he'll be back soon."
"Okay." She climbed onto the chair next to him and gave a tiny smile as Nana Sophie put a plate of bacon and scrambled egg in front of her. She swallowed the urge to cry and forced the food down. She wasn't sure exactly how far away Florida was, but she knew they were going by plane. Amy was terrified she would never see her family again. "Nana Sophie?" It was barely a whisper.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"When I go to Florida. Will you come to visit?"
"As often as I can."
"And Beth?"
"Of course."
Amy took a deep breath "An' Joe?"
"Yes baby girl. And Joe."
Spike watched the exchange with interest. He didn't really know Tiny's mom at all, having only met her once, when they had stopped off at her place while on a run. He knew, though, from what Tiny had said, that she was a tough old broad and he guessed that she and her son were cut from the same cloth. She clearly loved the kid as much as Joe did, and judging by that little exchange, the feeling was mutual. He stepped outside for a cigarette and Sophia followed him. "You're going to have to watch out for him, Spike."
"I know."
She ran her hand across her brow. "I've got a real bad feeling about all this."
Spike said nothing, just stood looking out across the barren yard. He had a bad feeling too. And his feelings were rarely wrong.
Joe parked his bike and let himself into his ma's house. Spike and Sophia were still outside, and Amy was sitting at the table pushing a piece of bacon around her plate. He snuck up behind her and snatched it of her plate. "Hey, I was eating that."
"Didn't look like it, sugar." He sat in the chair that Spike had vacated and put a bright pink cell phone in front of her. "This is for you. If you want to talk to me, just press '1' and that key, there. You can call me whenever you want, and if I can't answer, I promise I will call you back as soon as I can."
"Okay. Thank you." She picked up the phone. "Mommy said I was too young for a phone."
"Don't give a shit what your mom said, sugar."
She smiled. "Joe?"
"Yes, sugar?"
"Will you come and see me in Florida?"
"I'll do my best." He kissed the top of her head. "It don't matter how far away you are, I'll always love you."
She sniffed loudly and roughly brushed away a tear; she wasn't a kid that cried easily. "What if I never see you again?"
"You will, sugar. I promise."
NINE
Joe shut his cell and hurled his beer bottle across the clubhouse. Fucking Maria. Just when he thought she couldn't hurt him any more, she gave one more twist of the knife. He stalked out of the clubhouse towards his bike. "Mac."
"What d'ya need?" The chapter’s newest patch looked up from the bike he was working on.
"Call Samson. Get him to cover for me on tomorrow's run. I gotta go to Fillmore."
Mac nodded and watched as Joe sped off the lot.
"Was that Tiny?" His VP, leaned on the wall and lit a cigarette.
"Yeah, said to get Samson to cover for him, had to get to Fillmore. Must be a problem with his mom."
Spud frowned. "Not like him to take off like that." Mac shrugged. It wasn't his business. And to be honest, the mood Tiny had been in for the last week, he was secretly glad he wasn't joining them on tomorrow's run.
As Amy dawdled behind her mom, her scowl deepened. It wasn't that she didn't like Rob, and she really didn't care whether her mom married him or not. But despite her liking for pink, she wasn't a girly girl and she really, really didn't want to wear a stupid frilly dress and be a stupid bridesmaid. She knew her mom was annoyed with her, but she couldn't help that she didn't want to move, and she didn't see why she had to change her name. And no matter what they said there was no way she was going to call Rob 'Daddy.' She didn't love Rob and he wasn't her daddy.
"Amy. Hurry up, please." Maria frowned. "Most little girls would give their right arm to be a bridesmaid." She gritted her teeth as they
walked towards the bridal salon. Little bitch better not try to sabotage this. Rob had explained that the company he worked for was old fashioned and looked more favorably on married employees, and if Amy had his name, it would mean embarrassing questions would be avoided when they started their new life.
Maria was more than happy to go along with this. He was well paid, from a respectable family and when she had first met him at the local church after one of her group sessions, she had thought there was no way he would show an interest in someone like her. He had surprised her, though. As far as he was concerned the past was the past. She was clean now and was turning her life around. That was good enough for him.
She smiled as she thought of her fiancé. He may not have set her world on fire like Joe did, but he was kind and he genuinely loved her. He offered her the kind of future Joe never could.
Sophia paced up and down her small kitchen. As soon as Joe had called, she knew that Amy had told him what was going on. This was not going to be pretty. Her pacing stopped as a Harley pulled onto her driveway and her son stormed into her house. "Joe."
"Hey, Ma." The hug was perfunctory. "Did you know about this?"
"Not till Amy came in this morning in tears. Poor kid. It's all getting too much for her."
Joe sank onto the sofa. "Son of a bitch wants her to call him Daddy."
"I know. That's what upset her the most." She sat next to her son. "You're going to have to be careful how you handle this, Joe."
Joe shrugged. He hadn't given any thought about what he was going to do. Amy had been upset and he had just jumped on his bike without another thought. Shit. What was happening to him? Joe Taylor was not impulsive. This shit was getting to him as much as it was to Amy.
A Family Man Page 5