Chapter Five

Talon

I finally got a chance to sit down with the books for Black Betty, and what I found left me a little confused. I had some management experience but mostly in retail, so I figured the basics were pretty much the same. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The bills from the past year were higher than they should’ve been, and I had to figure it out.

I didn’t want to blame anyone, particularly Charlie, but I needed to know if someone was stealing from me or my father. I spent the better part of the morning and afternoon going through orders for the past two years and creating a spreadsheet of expenses and profit. The first thing I noticed was that the produce bill had doubled six months before Dad’s death, but the amount of produce ordered and delivered had not. Weird.

I promised Mick I wouldn’t investigate and I wouldn’t, but I saved it all to a flash drive to show him later.

“Everything all right?” Charlie smiled down at me, a cup of coffee in one hand and pie in the other.

“Yep. Just checking past orders so I know what a good month looks like compared to a bad month.” I was curious if Charlie was involved in any of this? It seemed clear to me she loved my dad, but money did strange things to people. The diner and the house plus the land it sat on would have gone to her if not for me, and I had to wonder if she even knew about me before Mick found me. I physically shook that thought off because it felt too scary. Too real to think about.

“If you have any questions just let me know,” she said so casually I figured I must be wrong about it. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to be more diligent.

I nodded and finished placing the new orders before backing up everything on a new flash drive. A quick glance at the clock told me I’d been here long enough, and the tension in my stomach said the time had come for me to go home. Home. Never thought I’d actually call this place home.

“Hey, girl, what’s up?” Minx breezed in as she always did, wearing a blinding smile and her cleavage on display. Today she wore a denim dress that hit mid-thigh and red and white cowboy boots that were adorable and sexy.

“Not much, just finishing up some orders and going over the books. What’s up with you?”

“Just thought I’d pop in and see if you wanted to hang.”

I liked Minx. She seemed genuine and not quite as hard as some of the women I’d met so far. “Sure, what’d you have in mind?” She pulled me up from the chair, and I grabbed the stuff I wanted to take with me. After stuffing it all in my car, I grabbed my sunglasses and looked at her. “Where to?”

“Let’s enjoy one of the real pleasures of small town living. A nice leisurely walk.” She flashed a grin, lowering her cowboy hat on her head to shield her from the sun.

We walked along First Street which was Brently’s answer to Main Street. All the shops had colorful awnings with cute old timey names. The sidewalks were made up of wooden slats giving it that old west feel from the movies. “This is nice,” I told her, enjoying the way everyone had a ready smile and a kind greeting.

“Yeah, it’s a great place to live about ninety percent of the time. When things get scary it sucks, but we all know CAOS will take care of us.”

She spoke with such authority, but I wondered if maybe CAOS was responsible for the ten percent that sucked.

“Oh, let’s go into Two Scoops.” She explained that Trudy owned and ran the ice cream shop in addition to making many of her own flavors. “She’s Dagger’s ol’ lady.”

“I’ll be right with you,” a husky voice called out from somewhere in the back. The shop was decorated in sea green and carnation pink everywhere. The logo, the gingham tablecloths, the checkered wallpaper border. It all felt welcoming and fun.

“It’s just me, Trudy, and I’ve brought our newest resident to test out your creations.”

Trudy entered with a hesitant smile, but she greeted me with kindness. “Nice to meet you, Talon.”

“You, too. This is a great shop, I love the soda shoppe décor.”

Her face brightened at the compliment. “Thank you. Everyone laughs about it, but I’m glad to see someone appreciates it.” Her smile fell quickly, and worry created tension lines around her eyes. “Have you guys heard anything about the ride last night?”

I looked to Minx because she would know more than I would. “I haven’t heard about it, but I know Mick was with me last night.”

Minx’s eyes lit up at my admission, but she wrapped an arm around Trudy. “Sorry, hon, I know nothing of a ride last night.”

I didn’t know Trudy at all, but I could recognize the distress written all over her. I’d seen my mother distraught enough over a man to know the signs. “Dagger didn’t come home last night, and he wasn’t at the clubhouse.”

Minx held her tight, soothing her with soft noises before pulling back. “I’m sure he’s fine. We’re on our way there anyway, so I’ll see what I can find out for you, ‘kay?” Trudy sniffled and grabbed a napkin, nodding her agreement. “Great, now let’s show off some of your fancy ice cream skills for the new girl.”

I smiled at the way Minx put everyone around her at ease. I was sure her background had something to do with her skills at diffusing situations, but still I envied it. After tasting a few spoons of Trudy’s amazing creations, I knew this place would become my favorite snack shop, and unlike Chicago, I could eat here all year long. “They’re all so amazing, but I’m going with the peanut butter mousse and mint chocolate chip.”

“That’s a pregnancy mix if I ever heard of one,” Minx groaned and took her toffee and coffee ice cream with a grin.

“You have no idea. I used to mix peanut butter with the mint chocolate chip as a kid, but thanks to Trudy I don’t have to do that anymore. Delicious stuff.” I grinned, hoping my compliment did something to ease her worry.

Back out under the scorching midday sun, we walked and ate mostly in silence, but Trudy’s worry really struck me. Part of it had to do with my conversation with Mick, but the other part was…I didn’t know. She seemed like a strong, capable woman. She and Dagger had a couple kids, and she knew this life. If she was worried, she probably had reason to be. “What do you think that’s about?” I asked Minx, nodding my head toward Two Scoops.

She shrugged, but the light within her dimmed just a smidge. “I don’t really bother myself with club business unless I need to. Otherwise, the guys tell me what I need to know.”

I knew I couldn’t lead a life of blind loyalty like that, but I understood why she did. They had literally saved her life, and that was how she’d chosen to repay them. “Right, but do you think something is up? I’m pretty sure there was no ride last night.”

Minx stopped and studied me for a minute under the brim of her hat before she started walking again. “Apparently, I’m not the only one who does.” She gave me a pointed look. “I don’t know for sure, and if I want to live to see twenty-two then I can’t go digging around. Got it?”

I nodded because I got it. More than she knew.

“Good, let’s head to the clubhouse.”

My stomach felt uneasy, and the ice cream turned to lead in my gut. But we headed back to my car anyway.

***

Going to the clubhouse left me feeling even more tense than my first visit. This time I knew what to expect, but that didn’t stop the roiling in my belly, the feeling I shouldn’t be there. As soon as we walked through the large double doors I spotted Mick, looking like a walking, talking wet dream in jeans that scandalously cupped his thighs and ass and the black leather of his cut hanging deliciously from his broad shoulders. And just like that, all the tension drained from my body and a new kind settled like lava in my veins. He was deep in conversation with Cash, so all I got was a flash of his come hither grin.

“Let’s mingle. He’ll find you when he’s done.” Minx pulled me to the bar where a young prospect with movie star looks stood behind it flashing a dimpled smile.

“What can I get you, ladies?”

“None for me, thanks. I have work to do still.” I stood around with Minx, chatting with a few of the guys and some of the women who always seemed to be around.

“Hear that, Miss High and Mighty is too good to drink with us,” a woman with black hair and blonde streaks sneered in my direction. I glared at her until she turned away because I refused to let anyone disrespect me ever again. Besides, I’d be jealous that Mick was sharing my bed if I were them. I smiled and laughed at the right times, but something about being at the clubhouse didn’t seem right. Maybe it was because one or more of the girls might have wanted Mick and I had him—or because someone had a hand in my dad’s death.

I leaned over the bar where the handsome prospect stood, ready to mix. “Can you tell me how to make a Mai Tai?” I could have looked it up online, but I figured asking him would give me a few minutes’ reprieve from chatting with anyone else. He showed me how to make it with that ever-present grin, but I felt a prickle of unease shoot down my spine just moments before we were interrupted.

“You know, Mick isn’t the only club member around. I might like a ride, too.” Toro laughed when I shook off his touch. “Mick can’t keep you all to himself,” he growled, trailing a finger down my jaw.

I smacked his hand away. “Too bad no one has a say in what I do but me.” The guy was gross and made my protective instincts kick in big time.

“I’ll be seein’ you soon, Talon.”

“Not if I can help it,” I grumbled and looked around the room with an assessing gaze. Guys like Toro and the snarky little bitch was the reason I began to wonder if hanging around here, around these men and this life that had gotten my father killed, was the smartest thing for me.

“Everything okay?” Mick asked as he wrapped his arms around me, his deep voice in my ear drawing a shiver from me.

I wanted to stay right there, enveloped in his scent. His strong tattooed arms. But I couldn’t. “That guy gives me the creeps. Wanted me to know he was up for a ride. On me.” I couldn’t help but notice Mick was preoccupied with something else, at least I hoped so. If not then I’d read things between us badly. Last week he’d shown his jealous side when a cashier flirted with me at the grocery store, but now he had nothing to say. Weird.

“Yeah look, babe, I’ve got some shit to take care of around here, and I probably won’t stop by tonight.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek, but he didn’t even look at me. “Call and let me know you made it home all right, yeah?”

“Sure,” I answered absently and went in search of Minx. I’d been ready to go the moment we stepped into the clubhouse, but now I just wanted to get home. Minx and Cash were in a heated discussion by the door. Perfect. “Hey, Minx, what are you up to tonight? Want to come over?” I didn’t need Mick to have a good time, and I needed to make my own friends so that when this ended I wouldn’t feel compelled to leave town.

“Yeah. I’ll meet you there in thirty?”

“Make it an hour, I need to stop for some supplies.” Which mostly meant I needed booze, but I also needed food and snacks.

***

“I figured it was rude to show up empty handed. Not that I know that, mind you, but I heard it on a show once.” Minx walked in and put down a Black Betty bag with two chicken dinners and a case of beer. “I haven’t had a girls’ night in forever. All the chicks here are ol’ ladies who are crazy jealous or old as shit, and the young ones are looking to become ol’ ladies.” She held up a beautiful multi-colored glass pipe. “I figured we could use some Lemon Haze to get the night started.” She wiggled her perfectly shaped brows.

“Is that pot?” She nodded, and I was intrigued. I’d never smoked pot before, but I knew they gave it to my mom while she was in cancer treatment. And I did have a mild curiosity about it. “Okay, let’s give it a shot.”

“Yay,” she squealed with too much glee. “I’m corrupting you!”

I didn’t think that was true, but it made her feel good to think it. After a few puffs, I didn’t feel all that stressed any longer. We talked and shared stories about growing up, and Minx told me all about life in Brently. Most of it amused me—could have been the pot—some of it left me wary.

Listening to her stories had me shaking with laughter. “Everyone is a little rougher than usual, but most of ‘em are good people just trying to make a life for themselves.”

I believed that but decided to keep my feelings on the CAOS clubhouse to myself. “So, tell me about you and Cash.”

Her face turned an amusing shade of pink that told me my hunch was right. “Nothing to tell. He’s a Boy Scout, and I’ve already been saved as much as I can be.”

“He’s hot, though, and he seems nice.”

“Oh, he’s both of those things in spades. Just not for me.”

I had a feeling Minx was fooling herself, but I didn’t know her well enough to say it, so I just nodded and popped open another beer. We’d drank a lot. I felt it when my legs went wobbly on the way to the kitchen to pick up the dinners from Black Betty. And then again when my vision went hazy around the edges.

Hours later, Minx had already passed out on one end of the sofa, and I was nodding off myself. The last time I looked at the clock it was three in the morning. Mick hadn’t even bothered to call.

It was a good reminder for me. This relationship, although new and exciting, probably wouldn’t be my last. And I needed to remember that.