“Did you find everything you needed?” Ron asked as Scott and Jess stepped into the house. He was bent over the sink, washing a head of lettuce, the kitchen full of delicious smells.

 

It had taken only a moment for Jess to recover from Scott’s confession in the car and get her sudden tears under control. “Yeah. Mom called while we were out,” Jess said and Scott watched as Ron froze over right in front of him.

 

His hands never stopped moving, but he went stiff, the looseness leaving his body in a flash.

 

“And?” Ron asked, his voice cool.

 

“And she wants me to come home.”

 

“Are you going?” he asked, his hands still busy tearing leaves from the head and placing the pieces in three bowls.

 

“Maybe. But not until—”

 

“Jessica,” Ron said, cutting her off. “You’re a grown woman, and you can make your own decisions. I won’t try to stop you, but you need to think about what’s important. I know you love the motorcycle gang…sorry…club life, but do you really want to live like that? The drugs and booze and parties, they may be fun now, but look what happened to Kathryn. I don’t want to see you go down that path. You have a bright future if you just choose to grab it.”

 

Scott held his tongue, not knowing if he should step into the other room so they could speak in private.

 

“I know,” Jess said quietly. “But it’s too late for anything else now.”

 

“It’s not too late!” Ron barked, giving the leaves in his hand a hard shake to remove the water and accentuate his point. “That’s your mother talking, not you! Listen to me, Jessica. You’re bright and determined. You can do anything you set your mind to. You just have to take the step.” He paused and looked at Scott as if taking the measure of the man. “You’re out of the gang, right?”

 

“It appears so, yes.”

 

“Appears?”

 

“Let’s just say I have recently made some career-limiting moves.”

 

“He pulled a gun on Val and then later shot two Angels. That’s how we ended up in this mess,” Jess supplied.

 

Ron’s eyes flicked back and forth between Jess and Scott. “You were kind of vague about why the club was looking for you,” he said to Jess. “That’s a little more than a ‘falling out,’ I should think. I’m surprised you’re alive so we can have this conversation. I met Val a couple of times while I was married to Kat. He’s not someone I would want to cross. Does he know you’re here? Do I need to get my gun?”

 

“You have a gun?” Jess exclaimed. She couldn’t be more shocked if Ron had said he had a unicorn shitting rainbows in his garage.

 

“Of course I have a gun. This is Detroit, after all.”

 

Scott couldn’t help but smile at Jess’s open mouth stupefaction. “You know how to use it?”

 

“It’s just a Beretta Pico. I’m no crack shot, but if you get close enough, you wouldn’t want me shooting at you. I go to the range once a month or so.”

 

“I can’t believe you have a gun!” Jess finally said. “How long have you had it?”

 

“Since before I married your mother. Why does that surprise you?”

 

“I don’t know. I just…”

 

“Just what, Jess? You can tell me.”

 

“I just…never thought you had it in you. You’re always so nice, quiet and kind.”

 

“You don’t have to be thug to carry a gun,” Scott said softly.

 

Ron smiled, nodded, and jerked a thumb toward Scott in agreement.

 

“That’s not what I meant. I’m just surprised, that’s all.” Jess leaned her butt against the counter. Her world was changing too fast for her to keep up and she was reeling.

 

Her idea of the Angels was shattering, the club doing things she would have sworn impossible only two weeks ago. Then there was Scott. He was every bit the badass his demeanor suggested he was, but he was also thoughtful, kind, and rock solid, letting her make her choices then backing them to the hilt. He was clearly his own man, but he didn’t feel he had to prove it by trying to run her life. Then there was Ron. She didn’t know what to make of her step-dad. He was the same as always, but different somehow. It was like she was seeing a new side of him she hadn’t noticed before, and she was still trying to get her mind around the fact that he carried a gun!

 

“I don’t know what to do,” she finally said, her emotions in complete turmoil.

 

“You need to do what is right,” Scott said.

 

“What’s right? I don’t even know anymore.”

 

“Let’s wait until Saturday,” Scott suggested. “Maybe your mom can talk some sense into your uncle. But if she can’t, we should just go.”

 

“Go where?” Jess cried, raising her hands beseechingly. “Where are we going to go that the Grim Angels can’t reach us?”

 

“I don’t know. But Detroit isn’t the place, and you know it,” Scott said calmly.

 

“How will we live?”

 

“We’ll find jobs. Somebody is always looking for a cook. Maybe I can find a job in a body shop or something. We just have to get settled someplace then we can figure out our long-term plan.”

 

“He’s making sense, Jess. You should listen,” Ron said softly before turning his back to them as he tended a pan on the stove. Scott didn’t know what Ron was cooking, but it smelled wonderful.

 

Jess nodded slowly. “I know, but this is my home. It’s where I grew up and where my family lives. I don’t want to leave.”

 

“I can understand that.” Ron said slowly. “But you haven’t been anywhere. There is a whole wide world out there you haven’t seen. Think about it. You have always been interested in history. Go, find some history in the old west, or New England. There is more to this country than Detroit, Michigan.”

 

“Sounds like you are trying to get rid of me,” Jess mumbled as she thought about his words.

 

Ron snorted. “Hardly. I just want you to get out and experience life. There is so much to see and do. But if you do leave, you have to stay in touch, okay, kiddo? If I don’t hear from you occasionally, I’m coming and taking my car back.”

 

“Yeah…about that. I’m trying to get Scott’s bike back. If I can, we won’t need your car. But thanks for letting us borrow it.”

 

“How do you plan on getting it back? Isn’t that going to be, well, to be blunt, dangerous?”

 

“Yeah, probably. If Mom actually agrees to get his bike, I’ll worry about it then. It’s kind of like a test, to see if I can trust her and Val.”

 

“And how will you know if you can trust her until it’s too late?” Ron asked as he dried his hands and returned to the stove.

 

“I don’t know. Scott and I will put our heads together and figure something out.”

 

Ron began to scoop half-moon shaped globs onto a paper-towel draped plate as he spoke. “I won’t be involved in anything illegal, but if I can help in any way…”

 

“Nothing illegal,” Scott agreed. “I’m not sure this is even a good idea. What are those? They smell great?” he asked, changing the subject.

 

“Pierogi.”

 

“Pierogi? What’s that?”

 

“You’ve never had a Pierogi?” Ron asked, his surprise clear in his voice.

 

“Oh boy, you’re in for a treat then,” Jess added as she took the plate from Ron.

 

***

 

Jess and Scott moved about the kitchen, loading the dishwasher after dinner. Jess had insisted that she would clean up since Ron cooked. When Ron finally agreed, Scott offered to help, not because he enjoyed washing dishes, but because he wanted to be alone with Jess for a few minutes.

 

“I don’t know how we’re going to work getting the bike back,” he said as he rinsed plates and handed them to Jess to put in the dishwasher.

 

“Me neither. But since Mom hasn’t called back, it’s probably moot anyway. I’m sorry. I thought she could get it back for you.”

 

“It’s okay. It’s insured, but thanks for trying.”

 

“Yeah,” Jess said quietly. “I bet you wish you had never come to Detroit.”

 

Scott thought about it. While it was true Detroit had been nothing but a pain in the ass since he arrived, there was one thing that made him glad he came. “I have to admit that I’ve had better weeks. But there is this one thing that has made it all worthwhile.”

 

Jess looked at him from under her bangs and smiled slightly. She was just leaning in to meet his lips when her phone buzzed, making her jump. She aborted the kiss and pulled her phone. “It’s Angela,” she said as she pushed the button to put the call on speaker. “How’re you feeling?”

 

“Like I’ve been shot, but other than that, fine. Glendal gave me some good shit. I assume since you answered the phone you got away okay?”

 

“Yeah, but they took Scott’s bike.”

 

“I heard. Where are you now?”

 

“I don’t think I should say,” Jess said as Scott shook his head.

 

“Okay, I understand. Listen, we need to talk. This whole thing with you and Scott is fucked up. The club is beginning to split. Half the brothers think Val is losing it and the other half wants to kill Scott on sight as an example. Which is part of the reason why I called. Your mother wants me to bring you Scott’s bike.”

 

“What?” Jess asked in confusion.

 

“Didn’t you tell Kat she had to get Scott’s bike back for him? Val won’t give it up, but she wants me to steal the bike for you.”

 

“Angela…I can’t ask you to do that.”

 

“You’re not asking. Ed is on the side of Val is losing it and you need some wheels. Val has everyone looking for the Durango. You’re not still using it are you? If you are, you need to dump it, and pronto, before they find it.”

 

“No. We abandoned it right after we dropped you off. Why are you doing this?”

 

“Because you need to get away until things calm down. Jason, he’s stirring up the shit. He’s the one filling Val’s head with the idea that he can’t back down or he will look weak. It’s like he has a giant chip on his shoulder or something, the little prick. And Val is swallowing it hook, line, and sinker.”

 

“That’s Jason,” Scott said. “Always forward, and damn the consequences.”

 

“Yeah,” Angela agreed, “and Val is lapping it up. He’s supremely pissed at me for trying to bring you some clothes and not telling him we were meeting, and his attitude has pissed Ed off. The whole fucking club is coming apart over this.”

 

“What about the guys Scott shot? What does the club think about that?”

 

“They’re not happy about it, of course, but I don’t think anyone really blames Scott. I made sure everyone knew Jack and Greg started shooting first and that one of them was the one who shot me. To be honest, I think some of the guys are impressed that Scott stood up to Val, managed to get you two out of a very tight situation, and didn’t leave me behind. I heard one of the guys say they could probably track you down by looking for where Scott’s dick was dragging in the dirt.”

 

“How did they find us?” Scott asked while Jess giggled.

 

“I don’t know for sure, but Ed thinks they were tailing me, Kat, Rick, and anyone else they thought you might contact, hoping one of us would lead them to you. I drew the short straw. Once they saw the meet up, Greg or Jack called in the troops. I guess when they saw that you were getting ready to bolt, they tried to stop you. It didn’t work out so well for them.”

 

“How can we trust you?” Scott asked.

 

“I know how it looks,” Angela answered. “And I don’t blame you for being suspicious, but I would never do anything to hurt Jess. Ever. We’ll play it however you like. Just understand that Ed is putting it all on the line for you, Jess. If he gets caught delivering Scott’s bike to him, it won’t go well for him. I hope you know that.”

 

“I do,” Jess agreed. “Why is he doing it, then?”

 

“Because I want him to and because he knows it’s the right thing to do. You Atlanta boys haven’t done shit to us, but Val has put out the hit on you Scott, and for what? For daring to want to give Jess her life back? For not letting Val run your personal life? If Val gets away with this, what’s next? Is he going to start dictating who can hookup with who? What if he decides that Ed and I aren’t right for each other? Well fuck that. I sleep with who I want to and Val can just go fuck himself. Ed feels the same way.”

 

Jess looked at Scott, waiting for him to decide what he wanted to do. “Okay. How do you plan to get the bike away from Val? Do you even know where it is?”

 

“Yeah. It’s at the garage. Leave getting the bike to Ed and me. We’ll get the bike. How are we going to get it to you? That’s the hard part.”

 

“We need a big open space, like a parking lot or something. Someplace where nobody can hide.” Scott said.

 

Jess thought a moment. “How about the Fairlane Mall? They have a huge parking lot. You could park out at the end somewhere, away from the mall. Just leave it parked there. There are never any cars out there. Would that work?” she asked looking to Scott.

 

“Yeah, probably,” Scott agreed.

 

“Is that what we’re doing then?” Angela asked.

 

“Yeah. Fairlane Mall. On the Macy’s side. Park out in the middle somewhere, away from all the cars. We’ll find it. Call us when you get the bike and we’ll come pick it up,” Jess explained.

 

“It’s got to be in the middle of the day,” Scott added.

 

“Tomorrow, then,” Angela said. “Around noon, okay? But Jess, your mom wants to be there. She wants to talk to you and make sure you’re okay. That was the deal, Jess. She will help get the bike by distracting the brothers at the garage, but she wants to be there when you pick up it up.”

 

“No. Too much risk. I don’t a repeat of today,” Scott said.

 

“Scott…” Jess said softly. “If we’re leaving, I need to talk to her. I have to tell her goodbye. Please.”

 

“She’s Val’s sister, Jess. You know she’s loyal to Val and the club.”

 

“She’s also my mother. She won’t sell me out. Please, Scott. I have to do this. You can hang back if you need to, but I have to do this.”

 

Scott fumed a moment. “Fuck. Okay. I don’t like it, but okay.” This is just like the last time with the clothes! I should just walk away! But even as he thought it, he knew he wouldn’t.