“No,” I interrupted. “It’s not your fault,” I said and turned to Landon, “and it isn’t yours either. Does it suck? Yes. But it happened and we can’t change it. I’m going to be okay, and Kalen’s safe. That’s all that matters.”
Before either one of them could respond, Copper cleared his throat and walked over to my bed. “Now that you’re awake, the cops aren’t going to wait long to talk to you.”
I nodded in understanding. “What do you want me to tell them?”
He grinned. “The truth. Everything except the part about the guns.”
“When I mentioned those, he said he didn’t care about the guns and was looking for something else.”
Copper’s eyebrows raised. “Did he say what it was?”
“I don’t think so. When I told him I didn’t know what he was talking about, he lost his shit and all of this happened,” I said and used my hand to gesture to the bruises scattered all over my body.
Copper rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll work on figuring that out. Since Game will be here with you tonight, I’ll have Spazz and Drew stay at your house to keep an eye on things.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Why? Do you think someone else will come looking for whatever he thought I had?”
“I can’t say for sure without knowing what he was looking for, but I’d rather err on the side of caution. And, well, Blakely, you killed the leader of a gang. You’re going to need protection until we get this sorted,” he said bluntly.
“But he attacked me!” I shouted and immediately wished I hadn’t when pain erupted in my torso.
“You don’t have to defend your actions to anyone here. You did exactly what you needed to do to make sure you and your nephew were safe. We just need a few days to make sure everyone understands that.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. I wasn’t sure if it was the medicine I’d been given or if he was intentionally being cryptic, but I wasn’t following him.
“Let me put it this way. There are two chapters of Blackwings. Both chapters are good friends with The Manglers in Reedy Fork. There’s no way that little street gang will want to take on three motorcycle clubs.”
“What if they do?” I whispered.
He smiled, but it wasn’t friendly. “The choice is theirs, but either way, they won’t be a problem for you.”
And suddenly, I understood. If the gang refused to back down, the clubs would take them out. “Um, thank you?”
Copper laughed. “You’re going to fit in nicely around here, Blakely. I’m going to head out and let you get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I looked at Grant once he was gone. “Why did he say he’d see me tomorrow?”
“They think you should stay at the clubhouse for a few days after you’re discharged. And I agree,” Landon answered for him.
“You know I can’t do that. I have to work,” I argued.
He was already shaking his head. “Spazz and Drew are going to help out while you’re recovering. They were going to have them there anyway to help watch over the place. Two birds, one stone. It’ll be fine.”
Before I could argue against their plan, two police detectives knocked on the partially open door, and Grant motioned for them to come in.
“Hi, Ms. Collins. I’m Detective O’Brien and this is my partner Detective Higgins. We need to ask you some questions about what happened at Stuff It today.”
So, I started at the beginning and told them everything that happened, starting with Ben asking me to keep Kalen and ending with me in the hospital. Everything except the part about the guns. I wasn’t sure why Copper asked me to leave that part out, and I made a mental note to ask Grant after the officers left.
“Do you have any idea what he was looking for?” Detective O’Brien asked.
“Not a clue,” I said honestly.
“And what about your brother? Do you know where he is or how to get in touch with him?” Detective Higgins asked.
“No, I haven’t heard from him since he dropped Kalen off. He told me he was serving time in jail, so he didn’t leave any contact information with me,” I explained. “Maybe you guys could help me find him.”
Detective O’Brien nodded. “We would like to speak with him, so we’ll see if we can track him down. Here’s my card. Please give me a call if you hear from him or think of anything else I need to know.”
