We made our way back toward the house, where bikers filled the yard. They worked together seamlessly with our men, setting up tables and chairs.
“King, I’d like to introduce you to Armando and Dario Garcia. Jessie’s uncle and father.”
He held his hand out and shook Garcia’s hand, then Dario’s. “Welcome to Diamond Creek. This is my VP Cash, and his old lady Kytten.”
They each shook hands, and Dario eyed Kytten.
“Hello, Kytten.” Cash stiffened next to his old lady and glared at Dario Garcia.
“It’s good to see you, Dario. Please excuse me while I help the others.” Cash leaned down and kissed her heavily before letting her go.
“Your woman is a remarkable young lady,” Dario said.
“Yes, she is.”
“King,” Garcia began. “I have heard great things about you.”
King didn’t answer. He waited for Garcia to continue.
“Your father tells me—”
“My father died when I was ten years old.”
“I apologize for my insensitivity,” he said, his hand on his heart as if that proved his sincerity. “I only meant that O’Malley is very proud of the man you have become. He isn’t an easy man to impress.”
“His impression of me means very little, as does yours. I am not here to garner allies. I am here to enjoy good food and good friends. If your trip here has anything to do with connecting with me, let me assure you now, that won’t happen. If you want to sit down and share a beer and talk about life in general, I would be more than happy to. That’s what today is for.”
Garcia nodded. King turned and looked at me. “Can I speak to you for a moment? I spoke with the sheriff.”
I closed my eyes. I figured he would. Declan wouldn’t keep his brother out of the loop.
“Certainly, let’s go to my office. Excuse me, gentlemen. Make yourselves at home.”
King motioned for Gunner and Cash to follow us, as well as Tyson. Tyson had been angry when he found out after everyone else about the first woman that had been found on the ranch. I’d understood why Declan had asked us to keep things quiet. Ty said it felt like a slap in the face. Like he wasn’t included in the family shit anymore. He’d calmed down when I explained that Carson and Pops hadn’t been told either.
Everyone on the ranch knew now, as well as all the Silver Shadows. The mayor asked us to keep it quiet from the town for as long as possible. Though with the discovery of a third body, Declan had a decision to make. Continue on his own or call in the Feds.
Once Gunner closed the door, King began, “Dec doesn’t want to call in the Feds just yet. He has asked us to put a few teamstogether to search the ranch, if you’re agreeable to that.”
“I’m fine with that; I want this person found as much as anybody does. When word gets out, my family will be the prime suspects in town. I don’t want them to go through that.”
“How are things with Garcia?”
“Sketchy, but I didn’t expect anything less. Knowing he’s Jessie’s uncle threw me for a loop. Did you know before Tyson called you?”
“I did. I had Nav investigate her after she said something in the hospital. She’s pretty adamant that your accident had nothing to do with the war that’s escalating.”
“She thinks it was her uncle?” I asked.
“Not sure, but I don’t. After your horse was stolen, I don’t think our shit or her family had anything to do with it. I think you’re dealing with good old-fashioned greed,” King explained.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jessie
I watched as Grayson and Tyson went inside with King, Cash, and Gunner. My mind whirled with assumptions and theories about what they could be talking about.
“Yessica.”
