Grayson drops his head into his hands and shakes it. “Don’t call him. I don’t want them to see me like this.”
I get the feeling his band members don’t know how much he’s hurting. Maybe Jay should call Harrison. It’s only a matter of time before Grayson hits rock bottom and destroys himself.
“They don’t have to. You stay in my guest room tonight. Mama would love to see you.” Jay grins. “She made meatloaf for dinner.”
Grayson turns and stumbles off the stool. Jay quickly catches him. “I’m only doing it for your Mama and her meatloaf.”
He’s so drunk, I doubt food would stay down. But hey, at least Jay found a way to get him out of here willingly without a scene.
“Fine by me.” Jay takes Grayson’s arm and leads him down the hall to the back door. One problem solved for the night.
By the time I get to the front parking lot, Ross has the gate open. I stand next to him and wave to the kids as they leave. No clue why the little ones get a kick out of the guards waving at them. Most of them are under the age of ten. It probably doesn’t take much to excite them.
Ross groans when a car with two club bunnies pulls in after the last family leaves. “Guess it’ll get wild in there now.”
The married brothers don’t have much tolerance for the bunnies. Two bunnies were already inside before Rodeo claimed Kayla. Nana keeps them in line until after the little ones leave. I’m not married. Not seeing anyone either, and I don’t have much tolerance for the bunnies. A few of them try to stretchthe rules and end up creating havoc. I don’t have time for their nonsense.
“Yeah. Hopefully, it won’t get too wild.” My eyes meet Ross’s. I know it’s going to get wild. It’s Valentine’s Day. More than love will be in the air soon. Neither of us acknowledges it.
“Staying out here keeps me alive.” Ross reaches through the guardhouse door on this side of the fence and closes the gate. He’s not wrong. His ole’ lady would shoot him in the middle of the clubhouse if he so much as looked at a bunny with interest.
“I’m going to walk the outside. Make sure everyone’s home safe.” I clasp arms with Ross before walking away.
The parking lot is void of people except for Hendrix. It’s too cold once the sun goes down to hang around outside for too long. There’s no party in the backyard tonight. Just a few members hanging out around the fire pit. Big Papa is overseeing the backyard.
“Quiet night.” Hendrix is sitting on the tailgate of his truck at the edge of the clubhouse. He sent a couple of prospects to help out at the Roadhouse in his place tonight.
“We still got four to five hours.” I don’t need to remind him. He knows how wild things can get as the clock ticks closer to midnight. It’s like the magical hour for idiots around here. “Make sure Grayson’s truck is locked up. He’s staying at Jay’s tonight.”
“That’s a good idea. He was already half drunk when he got here.” Hendrix hops off the tailgate and walks with me to the side parking lot.
“Once you finish here, head inside for a while. I’m going to check the houses. Nick can monitor the parking lot through the cameras for a bit.” I toss my hand up and keep walking toward the path behind the clubhouse.
Hendrix’s reason for being here tonight is in the kitchen. He doesn’t think anyone knows. I notice things, though. Not surehe’ll get through the kitchen door, but at least he’ll be a little closer.
The music is so loud it practically shakes the walls of the building and vibrates through the air. A DJ is set up in the front corner of the Den on this side. There was so much going on within the club and the McLeod family that we forgot to hire a live band for tonight’s party. Bankz sent us one of his DJ friends. I’d have been fine with music through the speakers if it were up to me. Maci, the President’s youngest child and my honorary niece, suggested the club build a stage in this corner for the bands when it’s too cold to go out to the backyard. Maci’s loved by everyone. She’ll probably get her wish.
Movement up ahead near the tree line catches my eye. This path is private. It’s hidden from view of anyone entering through the front gate. The path branches off and leads to the McLeod family homes on the other side of the trees and mine. Most people don’t know this path exists. I’m not getting a bad feeling. Maybe it’s one of the McLeods. Still, I proceed with caution.
Even from here, it’s obvious the person is a woman. She’s too dainty to be any of the McLeod men. Even Mack’s grandson, Logan, is bigger than her. Hopefully, Logan’s sister, Everly, hasn’t snuck out of the house. If she did, Rodeo’s little sister, Mary, is with her. Surprisingly, when I get to the tree line, I find The Haven House Mother.
“Hey, Darin.” Nina pulls her coat tighter over her chest.
“Nina.” I nod, greeting her. “Why are you standing out here in the dark?”
“Um.” She glances around nervously. There’s nothing out here to see. “There are no angels in residence tonight. I thought I’d go to the kitchen and see if they needed some help.”
The story we tell when Nina’s name is mentioned is that she was one of the first angels we rescued from domestic violence. The truth is, Nina was the first. She has a family tie withinthe club that most people don’t know about. Since coming back to Willow Creek two months ago, she’s skittish and hasn’t left club property. After what she’s been through, her fear is understandable.
“People are in the backyard.” She can hear them on the other side of the wooden fence as well as I can. “If you don’t want to walk through the clubhouse, I can walk you around the building to the back door of the kitchen.” She’s not comfortable around big crowds.
The woman before me is not the same one we carried out of Tennessee. She’s older now, more mature. She’s changed physically, too. Her hair is longer now, not the short, cut-off little bob she used to try to keep blonde highlights in. Her natural brown looks much better. Her soft brown eyes still hold fear, though. That guts me. Every time I look at her, I want to banish every fear she has. She deserves to live her life free from danger. She’s amazing with the angels who come through Willow Creek. The world needs to see that side of her.
“I don’t want to be any trouble.” Her head and voice drop.
“No trouble at all.” I turn and motion for her to walk with me. “The parking lot is empty. I’m sure Nanny and the girls would love your help.”
She falls in step beside me. “Thank you for this. The house really feels lonely after Mia and Kash left.”
