Chapter Thirty-eight

 

 

 

Jordan never returned to the cabin, but I learned from Raptor, the next day, that he’d taken off when the cops had arrived.

“I get why he left when the cops should up, but why didn’t he come back for me afterward?” I’d asked, still frustrated.

“Because of someone named Brett Stryker. Stryker had information on him and Jordan was worried that the Feds would figure out who he was and arrest him.”

“Wasn’t Stryker killed?” I asked.

“Yes, but Jordan thinks that Stryker might have kept information on him. He didn’t want to take any chances.”

“So what in the hell am I supposed to do? My mother needs me. I have no money. The sheriff said I needed to stick around here for a few more days.”

“Fuck him. Leave a note and get back here. We’ll wire you some money for the plane ride back.”

I began to relax. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Have they found out who killed Slammer yet?” I asked. From what I’d heard, he’d driven to a movie-drop-off kiosk and someone had shot him in the back of the head.

“We’re not sure exactly. There was one witness that claimed a woman did it, though. The club thinks it could be a girlfriend or an Old Lady of the Devil’s Rangers.”

“A woman?”

“Yeah.”

“They get a description?”

“Guess she was wearing a hoodie and dark glasses. The only other description they had was she was light-skinned with medium height and build.”

So, not a lot to go on. “How is Tank doing?”

He sighed. “He’s wrecked. They were pretty close, you know?”

“Yeah. I know. You two were pretty close as well.”

Raptor was silent and I could tell he was trying to stay composed. The poor guy had lost two people, in the last few days. I had a suspicion that Slammer had meant even more than Mavis.

“I’m going to miss him,” he said, after a while. “He was like a second father to me.”

“I know he talked highly of you,” I said.

“He loved you too, Jessica. He really did.”

My eyes filled with tears. I’d been trying not to think too much about his death, but the truth was, he’d grown on me. I was definitely going to miss him. “I could tell. I still can’t believe he’s gone.”

“I know. Tank’s determined to find out who did it and settle the score. He doesn’t care if it’s a woman, either. He’s looking for blood.”

I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. “It’s just never going to end, this feud. And Tank’s going to go to prison if he gets caught. Slammer wouldn’t want that.”

“No, but Slammer would want retribution,” said Raptor.

“Maybe,” I said. One thing for certain, I was going to move my mother out of Jensen, whether she liked it or not.

“We’ll set up the wire so you can buy a plane ticket home.”

“Okay. When’s the funeral?”

“Not sure yet. They’re doing an autopsy and it could take a little longer.”

“Oh.”

“We’re cremating him,” said Raptor. “Slammer always wanted his ashes spread out on the freeway.”

I’d heard him say that before. He wanted Tank to release his ashes after giving him one last ride on a Harley. “I remember.”

“Well, I gotta go. Hold tight and we’ll get you back here.”

“Sounds good. Oh, and Raptor?”

“What?”

“Do you have a phone number for Jordan? I’d really like to talk to him.”

He didn’t say anything.

“Raptor?”

“Sorry, but he specifically told me not to give you his number.”

I grit my teeth. “Really? Why not?”

“He said you were a distraction that he couldn’t afford.”

I snorted. “I’m surprised that he didn’t also call me a pain in the ass.”

“Actually, he did. I just didn’t want to repeat it.”

I scowled. “Wow. What an asshole.”

Raptor chuckled. “He can be. I’m his brother and he won’t even join us for the holidays.”

“A real Mr. Grinch.”

“Guess so. What was he like, anyway? You were together for a couple of days. I don’t anyone else who might have gotten to know him as much as you did. ”

I grunted. “Cocky. Arrogant. A real ‘Mr.-Know-It -All’.”

“That’s probably what Adriana would tell you about me,” he said, laughing. “So, in other words, he’s a dink?”

“Yes,” I said and then sighed. “But, there’s a man struggling to get out of that wall he’s built around himself. He says he doesn’t need anyone in his life, but his actions show otherwise.”

“What do you mean?”

I wasn’t about to tell him how Jordan had held me in his arms and had kissed me with such passion that I’d felt it all the way down to my toes. So, instead, I told him about the cabin he’d purchased. The one he would someday leave for Sammy.”

“You’re kidding?” he replied, shocked.

“I know, right? He’s definitely a man with many layers,” I said softly.

“I guess so.”

“Don’t tell him that I told you about the cabin,” I said quickly.

“He might come looking for you,” laughed Raptor.

I smiled slowly. “Actually, maybe you should tell him.”

“Damn girl, what happened between the two of you?” he asked, a smile in his voice.

I bit my lower lip as I pictured Jordan’s smile. At that moment, I wanted to kiss him just as much as I wanted to slap the big jerk. “Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out myself.”