Chapter Fourteen

 

Sloan

 

I watched horrified as the Chief slapped handcuffs on Creed.  A commotion out of the corner of my eye revealed Hank restraining Crew as the Chief continued to read Creed’s rights to him.  Johnny stepped forward as I tried to figure out who William Duvot was.

“What’s this about, Calvin?”

“A witness came forward saying they saw Creed here beat Willy half to death.”

“A witness,” Johnny repeated carefully and the crowd that had gone silent when the Chief had cuffed Creed, now stirred restlessly.  “Witness testimony is notoriously unreliable, Chief,” Johnny’s lip curled as he said Chief and the man in question flinched.  “I’d hate to arrest an innocent man.”

“It’s my duty to serve justice in this town, Johnny.  Not yours.”

“Is it now?”  Johnny gave him a cold stare.  “We’ll see how that goes, won’t we?”

The Chief backed up, pulling Creed with him as the crowd pressed in. “Back up,” he yelled, his voice cracking slightly.  Creed held my gaze the entire time, nodding when I mouthed, “I love you, too.”

“Don’t worry,” Johnny reassured me.  “We’ll have him out in a couple of hours.”

I nodded, sinking into one of the bar stools as club members muttered angrily around me.  I wasn’t as sure about that as Johnny since I’d finally figured out William Duvot was Fat Willy.

 

***

 

“I wouldn’t if I were you.”  The low voices drew me as I wandered the hall restlessly.  Night had fallen hours ago and Creed still hadn’t been released.  “He’s better off taking a plea.  The evidence is solid.”

“He fucking betrayed us,” Hank snarled.  “That fat bastard better hope I don’t find him.”

“He’ll be handled,” Johnny stated and a flicker of unease went through me at his tone.  I wasn’t sure I’d ever heard someone speak so coldly.  “Right now my concern is Creed.”  His voice lowered and I inched closer.  “Noah,” I peeked around the corner to see several of the club members gathered around Noah.  Johnny was sitting next to him, leaning forward as he stared him down.  “I’m gonna have to trust you right now.  So, let’s be real clear here.  You’re telling me to let my boy go down for this?”

Noah didn’t flinch as he nodded and Johnny rolled his tongue over his teeth.  “The best option for Creed is to plead guilty and hope for a reduced sentence.”

“Yes.”  Noah slid forward, his expression earnest.  “I know the DA. I can talk to her.  He’ll probably get a year, two max.”  He cast a glance around the guys as they muttered to one another.  “There’s just one thing,” he added, holding up a single finger.

“What?”

“You can’t go after Fat Willy.”

“What?”

“No, man.”

“Fuck that shit.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“Settle down,” Johnny’s voice cut through the protests and his gaze flickered back to Noah’s.  “Explain.”

“They have him in protective custody.  A move on him before Creed is sentenced will negate the deal,” Noah rushed to explain.  “But after Creed accepts the plea….”

“Fat Willy is once again fair game?”  Johnny confirmed and Noah nodded.  Johnny let out a sigh, sitting back as he called out, “Jailbait, what do you think?”

The other guys looked up in surprise except for Crew who continued to stand against the wall, arms crossed, his expression furious.  I edged into the room, stopping next to Crew.

Johnny lifted an eyebrow, “You heard all that?”

I nodded mutely, glancing at Crew who just shook his head.  “You think Creed should take the plea and go to jail.”

“That’s what Noah is telling us.”

“It’s not just the evidence.  It’s my uncle,” Noah interjected.  “He has it in for Creed,” his gaze drifted to Crew and he corrected, “For any Hayes, honestly.”

“Why?” I questioned, my gaze going between them.  “What did he ever do to him?”

“It’s not what Creed did,” Johnny said heavily, “It’s what his Daddy did.”

“So he’s punishing the son for the father’s sins,” I replied angrily.  They nodded and I twisted around. “Crew, what do you think?”

“What?  I get a say now? I’m not club,” he retorted, his eyes burning into mine.  My own eyes narrowed and I poked him in the chest.

“I don’t need your fucking pride right now,” I enunciated, giving him a sharp poke with each word.  “This is Creed we’re talking about.  I don’t want to leave him in jail but we have to decide what’s best for the club.”  My voice trembled as I came to the last word and Crew had the grace to look ashamed.

“He did it,” Crew said, rolling his shoulders. “He knew there was always a chance it would come to this.  And if I know my brother….protecting you comes first, the club second.”

“Look, Jailbait,” Noah said, and I glanced up at the ceiling, blinking back the moisture gathering in my eyes.  “I wouldn’t suggest he take the plea if I didn’t honestly think it would be best for everyone involved.  I know he would do anything to protect you.  This is the best way to do that.”

“Then he takes the plea,” I stated, closing my eyes as a tear slipped out.

 

***

 

“You don’t need to be here, Jailbait,” Creed said worriedly as he glanced around the jail’s small meeting area.  “I don’t want anyone connecting you to me.”

“The Chief is off for a couple of days,” I told him, knowing that’s who he was worried about.  “Noah gave me the green light.”

Creed grimaced and I reached across the small wooden table to take his hands.  “I don’t want you to see me here, Jailbait,” he muttered, casting his head down.  He lifted his hands, the clank of the handcuffs restraining him loud in the small room.  “They gave me eighteen months, absolute best case I only serve thirteen.”  He met my eyes.  “You don’t…you shouldn’t wait for me,” he spit out, clearly struggling to say the words.

“You’re right,” I replied, curling my hands around his when he tried to jerk them away.  “But I’m young and stupid so I will be waiting when you get out.”

 He snorted, repressing a smile, “That’s my point, Jailbait. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.  You don’t want to tie yourself to a convict.”

“True.  I’m sure I can find someone more worthy of my affections than a guy who has consistently shown he’ll do anything to protect me.”  I squeezed his hands.  “Creed, I love you.  This doesn’t change that.  Trust me. I know why you’re here. I know the reason you’re here and it only makes me love you more.”

He sighed, “Ah, Jailbait, I’m not going to change your mind, am I?”

“Nope,” I answered, grinning.  “I like to think of it as a tour of duty.  You’re just going to be out of reach for a few months.”

“Prison, Jailbait,” he stated harshly and I lifted my shoulders.

“And I’ll be waiting for you when you get out.”

Creed shook his head, conceding with a sigh.  He turned to glance at the guard stationed by the door.  “Give us a minute?” He barked and the officer stepped from the room.  He tugged on my hands, jerking me forward until our noses bumped.  “If its gonna be thirteen goddamn months until I see you again, I better make the most of this,” he murmured, his breath skimming over my face as he crushed his lips against mine.

My mouth parted with a gasp, molten heat flowing through me as his tongue dove deep, tracing every curve in an effort to memorize my mouth.  My tongue meet his tentatively, gliding along his pouty lower lip, as he encouraged me.  He pulled back, and I sucked in air, my mouth seeking his again instinctively.  Our tongues tangled once again, this kiss deeper and more desperate as our time together ticked down. 

He jerked his mouth away, his breathing harsh as he settled his head against mine.  “I’m already regretting every single second of the next few months,” he muttered, rubbing his head against mine gently.  “Stay safe, please,” he whispered softly as a throat cleared.

“Sorry to interrupt but it’s time,” Noah said, his face averted from us.  Creed nodded, pulling away, and I bit my lip to stop an instinctive protest.

“Noah,” Creed called, his eyes locked on mine.

“Yeah, man?”

“Keep an eye on my girl.”

“Of course,” he agreed instantly.

Creed’s mouth quirked up.  “Make sure she doesn’t shoot anybody.”

Noah froze for a beat, but smiled gamely.  “Sure thing.”

Creed stood up, his chair scraping the floor as he kept his gaze on mine.  “I won’t blame you if you get tired of waiting, Sloan.”

“Not everyone leaves, Creed,” I answered softly.  His eyes glinted as he tilted his head, slowly shuffling after Noah.

 

***

 

I ruthlessly brought the hammer down, ignoring Crew’s yelp.  “Jesus, Jailbait, I know you’re upset about Creed but you don’t have to take it out on me.”

I lifted my head as the hammer slid through my fingers. “If I’m going to live here we need to get one thing straight,” I stated, climbing back down the ladder.  “One, clean up after yourself or get used to your shit going in the garbage.  Two, I’m not upset, much less taking it out on you.  However, if you’d fixed the fence like I asked we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

I glared at him and he ducked his head sheepishly.  “You’re right.  I was over at Norah’s changing the oil in her car and I blew you off.”

I sighed, “Yeah, and now I feel like a bitch.”

“No, don’t.  You are right.  I promised I’d fix the fence so Maisy could run around in the yard.  That’s on me.”  He stared off at the yard, swallowing hard.  “I just feel guilty, you know?  Like I can never do enough to make up for the fact that Deacon is gone.”

“His death is not your fault,” I repeated for the millionth time, hoping eventually the words would sink into his thick skull.  He was damn near as stubborn as Creed.

“And I know that,” he agreed, as he tapped his forehead.  “Up here.  But it doesn’t make the feeling go away.”

“Yeah,” I grumbled.  “I can understand that.”

“Anyway, I came to get you,” he said eagerly.  “I’ve got a surprise at the clubhouse for you.”

My ears perked up at that information and I set the hammer down.  “What is it?”

“It’s not a surprise if I tell you,” he mumbled, gesturing me to go ahead.  “Wouldn’t you rather be surprised?”

“Really depends on the surprise,” I replied.  It had been two weeks since Creed had been sent to prison and I’d worked hard to stay busy during that time.  I’d finished my last online course and was now a proud high school graduate.  I’d exceeded the forty hours of babysitting I’d promised Ronnie and we’d come to an agreement that she’d pay me to continue watching Kara.  I would have done it for free but Ronnie’s pride wouldn’t allow it.

I’d cleaned the entire bar until it shined and Johnny had finally thrown me out.  I was still working on getting Clutch to let me in his shop.  He seemed reluctant to allow me anywhere near his precious tools.

“Animal, vegetable, or mineral?”  I called over my shoulder as we traversed the well-worn path to the bar.

“None of the above?”  Crew answered, sounding uncertain.  I stopped, turning as he caught up.

“Do I even want this thing?”

“Yes,” he replied, the answer somewhat ruined by his next words.  “I hope.”  His gaze skimmed over me worriedly.  “You’re not armed, are you?”

I shook my head as I resumed walking.  “You’ve got me worried now, Crew.”

I stepped inside the bar, glancing around curiously, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.  It was early afternoon and the bar was practically empty.  I walked to the bar as Crew came in behind me.  “Did you surprise escape?”  I asked as he looked around.  He shook his head, coming up beside me.

“It’s here,” he assured me, his expression slowly losing confidence as the minutes ticked by.  “Swear.”

The door opened and he perked up until he saw who walked in.  “Is this your surprise?”  I asked.

“No,” he hissed as he smoothly stepped in front of me.

“Crew Hayes,” the man bellowed, causing my eye to twitch.  My fingers curled into my palms, biting deep as he came toward us.  “I’d think you’d have better things to do than spend your afternoons in a bar.”

“Chief,” Crew acknowledged as he nudged me backwards.  “What brings you here?”  The words were barely civil and that was probably only because he was trying to distract the Chief from my presence.

“And who do we have here?”  The Chief asked, foiling Crew’s half-baked plan to get me out of the room without him seeing me.  His eyes narrowed as he studied me before a delighted smile crept across his face.  “Is this my lucky day?  Another reason to bring a Hayes to jail where they belong?”  He glanced back at Crew.  “You’ve been hiding a runaway, Hayes.”

“Excuse me?”  I stepped forward, my gaze roving over the Chief as I kept my expression unimpressed.  “Can I help you?”

“You sure can, Ms. Spencer.  Right on down to the police station,” he answered, his eyes alight.

“I think you have me confused with someone else,” I told him.

“The hair color is different, but I never forget a face, Sloan Spencer,” he countered, reaching for my arm.  I stepped out of his reach, my own temper igniting.

“First time for everything,” I informed him sharply.  “My name is Angel, Angel Brad-” I was interrupted before I could finish by a silky voice.

“Are you harassing my niece, Calvin?” 

The Chief turned, his face stunned as he stammered, “Micah?”

“In the flesh,” she replied, hands cocked on her hips as she gave him an unforgiving stare.  “Is there a reason you’re questioning my niece?”

“Your niece?”

“Is there an echo in here?”  She glanced around as Johnny came up beside her, a smirk on his face.

“Sure seems like it,” he responded, eyeing the Chief.  “Either that or someone needs to get their hearing checked.”

“That is your surprise,” Crew muttered under his breath, discreetly gesturing to Micah as I stared at the scene unfolding in front of me.

“This is Sloan Spencer,” the Chief repeated, pointing at me.

“No, that’s my niece Angel Bradshaw,” Micah answered, a tiny lilt in her voice as she said Angel.

“But…”

“Do you need to see some ID, Calvin?”  I questioned, my smile mocking him, as I held up the fake identification Noah had procured for me.

“You wouldn’t be questioning my word, now would you?”  Micah asked, a definite snap in her words.  The Chief glanced at each of us and seemed to realize his presence was unwanted.

“No, Micah.  Just surprised to see you in Rebel territory.”

She spread her hands, “I’m just full of surprises.”

“I assume you’re just passing through,” he replied, his expression telling me that’s what he wanted to hear.

“You’d assume wrong,” she said, satisfaction on her face when he blanched.  “I’ll be sticking around a while.  Johnny here needs a bartender.”

The Chief snapped his teeth together, hatred in his gaze as he glared at Johnny.  “Well, you are just full of surprises today.”

“You have no idea,” she answered, wiggling her shoulders as she shrugged out of the leather jacket she wore.  She folded it carefully, patting the emblem of the Flying Eagle before turning back to face the Chief.  “Johnny was gracious enough to patch me into the Southern Rebels,” she added as my mouth dropped open and the Chief choked.  She reached for the kutte Johnny held up, shrugging it on with ease.  She tapped the little patch that named her Secretary.  “Look at that, they even gave me a position and everything.”

“I thought you were smarter than this, Micah,” the Chief sneered.  “You think the Rebels will take care of you?”  He swept us all with a glare full of loathing.  “They couldn’t even take care of their own.”

I started forward, ready to tear him to pieces, when Crew’s arm snapped out, stopping me. I glanced up at him in shock, but he just shook his head.  “Not now, Jailbait.”

“It appears you’ve worn out your welcome, Calvin,” Johnny murmured as he strolled forward.  “Unless you have some official business, I suggest you leave.”

The Chief glared around impotently before stomping out the door. I released the breath I’d been holding as I turned to Micah.  “You’re here.”

“I am,” she replied, her hands tugging awkwardly on the kutte she wore.  “Not exactly how I planned it though.”

A smile worked my mouth as I gave a rueful shrug.  “Wouldn’t expect anything less around here.”  She chuckled.  “You’re really staying?”

“If you’ll have me,” she asked hesitantly, her eyes hopeful.  “I really do want to know you, Sloan.”

I held up my hand and she paused.  “Jailbait,” I corrected.  “Around here, I go by Jailbait.”

“Jailbait,” her mouth twisted as she shot a glance at Johnny.  “Appropriate.”

“Yeah, it kind of is.”  My foot made circles on the floor as I took a deep breath.  “I want to get to know you too….Aunt Micah.”

“Jailbait,” Johnny barked, causing me to jump.  “Take a ride with me.”

“Johnny,” Micah said, a warning her voice and he turned to stare at her.

“Not your business, Micah,” he told her, tapping the side of his nose.  “Not your business.”  He turned back to me.  “You coming?”

I glanced at Crew and then Micah before nodding.  “Why not?”  I muttered, getting a grudging smile from Johnny.

He handed me a helmet as I slung my leg over the back of his bike. I snapped it on, my hands holding onto the bars next to me as he took off with a roar.  He headed to the outskirts of town and I started to wonder if this was where they hid the bodies.  He slowed, turning down a gravel drive, finally coming to a stop in front of an old RV.

“Oh God,” I whispered as I looked up, my fingers numb against the helmet I tried to remove.  Johnny reached over and unsnapped the strap, lifting the helmet from my head.  “He’s,” I couldn’t finish, staring in horror.

“A warning,” Johnny stated, unbothered by the sight. “Of what happens when you betray your brothers.”  I nodded faintly, my gaze still stuck on the sight of Fat Willy’s crucified body.  “He’ll be found tomorrow,” Johnny murmured, tilting his head as he stared at Willy critically.  “A reminder that we don’t tolerate snitches.”

“Are you warning me?”  I asked curiously.

He glanced back, arching an eyebrow as he stared at me.  “No, Jailbait.  This isn’t a warning for you.”  He surprised me when he said, “I don’t think you’ll betray the Rebels or Creed. You’ve proven your loyalty.”  He leaned forward, propping his arm on the handlebar.  “Monty is being charged with the murders of two men. One of them Grant Ericson.”  He sucked on his bottom lip, staring contemplatively at Fat Willy’s corpse.  “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“He had Deacon killed,” I replied emotionlessly.  “We couldn’t prove it.”

Johnny nodded, never taking his gaze off the dead man.  “And Nina suddenly decided to take a job out of state.”

I licked my suddenly dry lips.

“You don’t have to answer, Jailbait.  There are a few things I’m well known for not tolerating.  Drugs and liars.”  His eyes cut down toward me. “Don’t become the latter.”

I nodded and he exhaled.  “This is what happens to those who betray the club, not the ones who protect it, Jailbait.”

“Good to know,” I answered as I took my first deep breath since I’d seen Willy hanging.  “Um, can we go now?”

He chuckled and handed back the helmet.  “I think I like you.”

“I think I like you too,” I replied hesitantly, glancing once more at Willy’s dead body.  “You’ve definitely got a flair for the dramatic.” 

We roared back down the road, his laughter drifting back to me, as he shouted, “Welcome to the Rebels.”