Or is it?
See? I’m all confused. And it’s all because of Dad. And Abigail. Seriously, if I can just have one issue at a time to think through, I could figure everything out. I wouldn’t react so rashly and lash out.
Okay, maybe I would. But we’ll never know. Just like we’ll never know what life would be like if you didn’t eat the ice cream out of the pint container it came in. Maybe the world would survive if you put it in a bowl. Maybe not. Best not to chance it and change things up or think differently.
“Who?” I don’t need to elaborate, and her answer is the only thing that has her facial expression changing. From neutral to caring. Something that used to happen when she talked about me. I saw it from a distance. But now it’s for someone else.
“Billy.”
I should have known. Her boss is also the new president’s old lady. The boys might say they keep shit away from the women, but I’ve seen more than one brother break that rule when it comes to keeping their old ladies in the know. Usually it’s just for a safety thing. Telling them to keep them safe.
But now? This? How the fuck is Billy even a part of this? Or Abigail? Or any of the Crazy Eights, for that matter.
I turn and walk away, making it to my car without anyone else approaching me. I take a moment and then pick up my phone and dial one number. When Nat answers, I put it on speaker and peel out of the parking lot.
“Get dressed. We’re going out.”
“Where’re we going?” I can hear her already wrestling through her clothes to find something. And that makes me smile. That was the exact answer I needed from her. No questions, just acceptance.
“Anywhere that I can get plastered and make bad decisions.”
If the world is going to throw me a bad day, I better make the most of it. And if I’m lucky, I’ll get drunk enough to forgetit all.
Chapter 25—Kooper
Iwas already planning on heading up north even before Natalie called. I knew after Atom texted that I needed to be there. I stayed away too long. Left her alone with her thoughts too much.
She’s a strong woman. Nothing Ruby does is because someone tells her to do it. She can be awillingperson or as stubborn as a mule. But she’s never a pushover. Her thoughts are her own, and she says and does what she wants. Pushing her into something is the easiest way to see her walk away and never look back.
That’s why I kept myself away. She had a lot going on, and she needed to focus on other things. I know she was thinking about me. I zoomed in enough times on my surveillance cameras to see her start a text with a message to me and then close it out without sending it at least half a dozen times. Something I’ve been doing, too, but double the amount.
Okay, fine. Triple.
I might not have reached out, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t watching. I think I’ve watched her more in the last two weeks than I did that first year I was on her detail. Things have changed. Even if I wanted to go back, I can’t. Something has turned the tide, and there’s no stopping what’s coming.
I track her location and am happy to see that it doesn’t change as I make the long-ass drive up. Nat gave methe address, said they were at some house party. That things were getting out of control, and she was worried.
That she called was what had me running to my bike. I just got out of Church. Issues are going on with the Devils Damned. Their president wants a sit-down, something I don’t like. And I wasn’t the only one. But with the shit that happened between Psy and Casper’s old lady, it’s murky waters. Church was put on hold when a vote couldn’t settle things after three attempts. Stalemate each time. Club has a rule: When it’s something this big, the majority needs to be on board.
We rescheduled Church for another day, and as soon as I collected my phone on the way out, since they ain’t allowed in Church, it rang. The name had me speeding past everyone. No one protested. A few asked if they were needed, and I shook my head.
Nat’s voice was panicked, but nothing too frightening. I got the details: Ruby went looking for a good time and found trouble. Same MO as usual.
After hanging up with Nat, I checked my apps, then called my contact. He has eyes on her. So far, she’s fine. A few college boys are talking to her, but nothing more. Not that he can see much more from the scope he has on her from across the street.
My guys don’t engage. They survey. I might not have been the one close to Ruby these past weeks, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have a team on her at all times to keep her safe. Despite what she might think, there’s still a target on her back. Might always be there.
I park behind Ruby’s car and head inside the only house on the block with people spilling out of it. The signabove the door lets me know it’s a damn fraternity. I was never in one, just knew pricks who were. I don’t know everyone, but if I haven’t met a single decent guy who was in a frat, what does that say about them?
The place is packed, but not enough that I miss Ruby. Especially since she’s on a table dancing with two other girls I don’t know. I look to the side and see Nat, biting her lip and looking worried as she stands close enough to catch our girl if she falls.
She’s in her typical armor: corset, tight pants, thigh-high boots with fucking tall heels. You’d think she’d break her neck in them, but apparently they’ve been her staple since high school.
Her moves are coordinated. No teeters. No falls. And when one girl stumbles, my girl just shakes her off and keeps going. Those fucking Misfits must still be teaching her dance moves. No way she learned to bend over and snap up with her ass in the air from TV. Not that I’m complaining about the view. But I’m not the only one who notices. Or admires. I sneer at everyone, enough that a few back away from me, but it doesn’t deter them all.
She twirls, puts her hands up, and shakes her hips. Her eyes are half closed, and then her head rolls and she sees me. A grin, a sultry devilish one, touches her lips before she overdramatizes her movements.
I get closer, standing by Nat with my arms crossed. Ruby looks down at me but keeps dancing.
