“Thank you for going to get Cece for me. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up.” She turned to her husband. “Right after Cruz left to get Cece, I found a cyst in Buttercup. I needed McKelle here.”
Lane grumbled. “Next time, just text me. I’ll pick her up on the way home.”
“It was no trouble,” I said. “Is McKelle still with the horse?”
“No. She’s trying to reach Ryatt.”
I took off toward the barn, obviously creating confusion because Lane and Linda followed me. Coming around the corner, I nearly collided with McKelle.
“What’s going on?” she said in a rush. “Why does Levi have Ryatt’s phone?”
“What did she say?”
“She said to talk to you. I know something is wrong. You’re here, and he doesn’t have his phone.” Tears slipped from her eyes. “Is he hurt?” A tremble laced her voice. “Did the Kings find him?”
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to my chest. “Walk with me.”
“No, just talk to me.”
Not with her parents five feet away, waiting to pass judgment on Ryatt.
I laced our fingers. “Excuse us,” I said to them and pulled her along with me. I wasn’t going to get her on my bike to take a ride somewhere private, but I could keep the conversation from being overheard.
“He was arrested.”
“No.” She sagged with the words.
I told her what I knew. “The attorney will be at the MC tonight.”
“Can he get him out?”
“Fuck if I know. I thought the attorney was supposed to keep him from getting locked up again.”
“Can we see him?” Tears swam in her eyes.
Lane approached. “What’s going on?”
“They arrested Ryatt. It’s so messed up.”
Fuck me. She told her parents everything.Almost everything. She left out anything to do with the trap house and the dead Kings.
“Why didn’t you come to me?” her mom asked.
“I couldn’t. He was trying to stay out of trouble, but the Kings are after him. He won’t be safe if he gets sent back to prison.”
Her dad rubbed his jawline. “He’s not safe in county either. He needs a lawyer.”
“He has one,” I said. “The MC has an attorney on retainer, but I’m still going to need to come up with the money. I’ll cover his bike payment until he gets out.” At least she hadn’t told them about Ryatt’s bike being stolen. They’d report it, and this shit would get even more complicated.
“How much do you need for the attorney?” her dad asked.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. A couple grand, but I’ll work it out.”
Her dad grumbled. “I can imagine how you would get the money. You’ll end up in jail with him.”
“Lane—”
He waved off his wife. “I’m not arguing with him, but I’ll cover the cost of the attorney. Ryatt can work off the debt around here and at the track.”
