THE LAST FEW DAYS had gone by in a bit of a blur. We were swamped at the garage, and last night I didn’t even get to pick Remi up because I worked late. It broke my heart, but I did stop by her grandparents’ to see her and tuck her in. That got me really hoping I would be able to convince Stephanie to move in with me. I loved putting Remi to bed every night, and if she and her momma were in their own place, or even at her parents’, I would feel like I was intruding on her personal space if I stopped by every night.
I was also fucking bummed as shit that I wouldn’t be able to call Stephanie tonight because she was going out for her going-away party. I thought about asking her to call me when she got home, but that seemed pushy. I had the excuse of talking to her every night because of Remi, but Remi would long have been asleep by the time they all ended up calling it a night. I didn’t want her to feel like I was keeping fucking tabs on her, but she was the mother of my child and I wanted her safe. That’s all it fucking was. Right? I mean, I cared about her, but I could deal if she didn’t want a relationship with me. Fuck, I lived twenty-eight years without a serious relationship, I could fucking deal if she didn’t want one. It was no big deal. Shit, why did I feel like I was making shitty excuses?
I hopped on my bike and headed over to see my princess, late out of work again. Stephanie’s mom had invited me to have dinner with them all when I called and said I was gonna be a little late. Between all the jobs we had going at the shop and preparing for the run this weekend, we were running ragged. I needed to return to the clubhouse for a brief meeting tonight as it was. We were scheduled to leave in a few short days.
I pulled up in the driveway and climbed off the bike. Damn, there must be rain coming. My leg was stiff and sore today.
When I rang the doorbell, I heard little feet pattering toward the door, and I couldn’t help but smile. The doorknob rattled as she tried to open the door. Then another set of footsteps approached and someone opened it for her. She stood there holding her grandpa’s hand, squealing, “Daddy! Daddy here!”
Stephanie’s dad shook my hand as I came in the door, telling me dinner would be ready in a few minutes, and I bent over to scoop my little girl up. The contrast between her ivory skin and the ink on my arms was dramatic. We walked back to the kitchen, and I sat at the table with her after her grandma denied needing help with anything.
“So how is the house coming along, Colton?” Her mom looked over at me from the oven where she was pulling a roast out. I couldn’t get Stephanie’s parents to call me Reaper, and I quit correcting them. “We drove by and saw the fence and gate. That’s amazing! I bet Stephanie is going to love that.” Yep, more hints…
“Yes, ma’am, she does. I sent her a picture of it.” Her knowing smirk was not lost on me as she tried to turn away without me seeing it. I also heard her harrumph at my use of ma’am, but hey, if they weren’t going to call me Reaper, two could play at that game. I had told them, despite my somewhat nefarious ways, my momma did raise me to have manners and respect.
“She has her going-away party tonight, right? So will you talk to her after she gets home? I’m so happy to have her home soon.” Another fishing episode. I laughed to myself.
“No, ma’am. Remi will be in bed by then, and I only call her to let Remi talk to her before she goes to bed. I’m trying not to push her too much.” She looked a little disappointed. Yeah, Ma, I’m disappointed too. I had gotten addicted to hearing her voice and sometimes seeing her face with Facetime. Thank fucking God for technology.
Dinner was filled with pleasant conversation. Stephanie’s dad talked about the things he had planned for the farm over the next few days, and her mom spoke of the plans for the Oasis Stephanie had told her about. I had to admit, they were great ideas, and I could see she was going to make the Oasis into a great pub where people would love to hang out, eat and drink.
I headed back to the clubhouse after putting Remi to bed, arriving just as everyone was filing into the chapel. That was close. Hacker caught me as we were walking in and whispered he needed to talk to me as soon as we got done. I didn’t hear much of the meeting due to wondering what Hacker had to discuss with me. From the expression on his face, it didn’t look like it was good news. As soon as Snow called an end to church, we headed out—some to grab drinks at the bar, some to shoot pool, others to play darts, and still some left to go home to their old ladies and families. Me? I found Hacker.
“What’s up, bro?”
“Man, come to my room.” He headed quickly to his room and shut the door after I entered, then turned to pull up some files on his computer. “I tried to call you earlier, but you didn’t answer, and I figured you were with your kid, man. I heard from the contact finally. That sealed juvenile file? It was for stalking, assaulting, and raping a girl he had dated after she broke up with him. Because they were both minors and his parents paid a big profile lawyer, he did a stint in juvie and everything remained sealed. But there’s more.”
I didn’t like the sound of all this, and I was getting more and more pissed.
“He didn’t just leave the Quad Cities because he had a better opportunity. He had been threatening and tried to assault a girl he had been seeing after she broke up with him. She refused to press charges, parents hired the big lawyer again, and he agreed to leave the area and have no contact with the girl again.” He looked worried and pissed.
“Motherfucker! Do we know where he is now? Stephanie swears she hasn’t seen or heard from him, but his prior MO says he isn’t done with her. Fuck. I need to talk to Snow. I need to go to her. Thanks, bro. I appreciate all of this. You have no idea.” I headed to the door.
“Hey, Reaper. Can I ask what your intentions are with Stephanie? Not just for my own peace of mind, but for the interest of you and the club. I’m going to ask you straight up what your intentions with her. You gonna make her your old lady, or what? She deserves good things. I don’t wanna see you dick her around.” His expression showed the depth of his concern.
“Trust me, bro, if I have my way, I’m claiming her. But I need her to be on board with it. And she’s my baby girl’s mother. I’m hoping Snow will take that into consideration when I talk to him, and let me head out earlier than planned.” I left the room, making a beeline for Snow’s office, praying like hell his ass was still here.
The light was on as I approached the office, but it was evident Snow was preparing to lock up. He looked up in surprise when I asked if I could have a word, and motioned me to sit. I told him what was going on and his brow furrowed in concern, but he didn’t say a word until I was done.
“Reaper, I understand your position, but I really need you on this one. I was planning on sending you and Hollywood ahead to find a good location to set up just so you can be our ‘eyes in the sky’ if needed. We talked about this tonight at the meeting. Was your head not in the game, son? I don’t have anyone else with your particular skill set. I can’t spare you. The best I can do is cut you loose as soon as the handoff takes place. I’m sorry, but I have to look out for the safety of the club.” He leaned forward in his chair with his fingertips steepled as he raised his brows.
“Look, Hollywood is damn near as good a shot as I am. He could cover this easy.” I couldn’t leave his office without at least trying again.
“Reaper, you said there haven’t been any issues. I’m not gonna send you down there on suppositions. We need you. As soon as we’re done, you can be with your girl and take your time coming back. Okay?”
I was fucking pissed. I clenched my jaw to hold my fucking words in. For the first time ever, I was pissed at my club for coming between me and something important to me. My loyalty was to the club, and I wasn’t going to go against my Prez, but I was fucking livid.
Not trusting myself to speak, I nodded and stood, walking out of his office. I needed to get in touch with Stephanie. Of course her phone went to voice mail. Fuck. Fuck! Fuck! I stormed through the clubhouse, earning raised brows and questioning looks from everyone still hanging around. Hacker and Hollywood rushed out of the door after me just as I turned and punched the side of the building, leaving a dent in the metal and blood on the wall. I could barely feel my hand, but I didn’t giving a flying fuck. I wiggled my fingers and clenched my fist. It hurt, but I didn’t think anything was fucking broken.
“What the fuck, bro? What happened?” Hollywood placed his hand on my shoulder, and I shook him off in frustration. I still didn’t trust myself to speak. As Hacker explained what he knew, I tried to call Stephanie again. No fucking answer. Come on, Stephanie! Pick up your goddamn phone!
I told them what Snow told me, and they said they figured that would be his response after what he had discussed in church. I kicked myself for not fucking paying attention tonight. Sonofabitch!
Helplessness was not a feeling I dealt well with, and it pissed me off. Not having control of a situation drove me fucking insane. It made me feel like I was coming unraveled. I needed to cool off so I strode to my bike, and Hollywood followed suit. He was my best friend, and he always had my back. I expected nothing less of him. What the fuck ever. He was welcome to tag along.
I pulled out of the lot like the fucking hounds of hell were hot on my ass. Hollywood was right on my tail. As I rode down the dark night highway with my headlights illuminating the road ahead, I ran through everything in my head. I told myself that she hadn’t heard anything from him so far and that was a good thing. I prayed to a God I didn’t know if I really believed in that she would get out of there before he made a move. It was all I could do.