“Yes, well, you have a motorcycle club at your back.”
He gave me a pointed look. “So do you.”
“Mom, did you forget to tell me something? Is Ink my new daddy?” Ariel asked, causing me to splutter and Ink to laugh.
Ink didn’t miss a beat. “Who’s hungry? How about I take my new family to dinner?”
“Dinner!” I gasped. “We’re supposed to be having dinner with Dice and Daphne tonight. I completely forgot!”
“And I completely forgot to tell you they need to reschedule because London is sick.”
“Oh no. What’s going on with her?” While I was relieved that dinner was canceled, I didn’t like that it was because their baby was sick.
“I’ll tell you about it in the car,” Ink laughed.
14
INK
When we walked into Irene’s for dinner, the place was filled with more Blackwings members than usual. We walked over to the table where Dice and Edge were sitting. “Did I miss a memo?” I asked, only partially joking.
“Nah, I think we all had the same idea,” Edge said. “Do you want to join us? We can pull up another table.”
I turned to Presley. “It’s up to you.”
“It’s fine with me,” she said. “But, um, what idea did everyone have?”
“Macy was attacked in the parking lot across the street. Even though it was an isolated event, the brothers are here to send a message,” I explained. “I’m sure Phoenix has some of the younger members and prospects scattered around the area keeping an eye on things, but Macy is the VP’s wife, so it’s not surprising the others are here.”
“Why are they here if it happened across the street?”
“She was picking up lunch and had to park across the street because this lot was full. Irene rents a portion of the lot across the street for overflow parking because this place is always packed during peak hours.”
After we took our seats, I introduced Presley and Ariel. “You know Dice, but I don’t think you’ve met Edge. He lives across the street from me, and his Old Lady is part owner of the diner. Oh, speak of the devil, here she is. Evie, this is Presley and her daughter Ariel.”
“Hey,” Evie smiled. “What can I get y’all to drink?” After she took our orders, she directed her attention to Presley. “If it slows down some, I’ll swing back by so we can talk. I’ve been wanting to meet you. I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
Presley grinned. “Have you been talking about me?”
I shrugged. “Maybe a little.”
“Y’all got room for two more?” Walter asked as he and Buck approached our table.
“Of course,” Dice said and gestured to the empty chairs.
“I told you he wouldn’t turn away his future father-in-law,” Buck said. “Or is he your future father-in-law?” he asked and pointed at me.
I chuckled and shook my head. “This is the thanks I get for being a good friend.”
“This sounds like a good story,” Ariel said.
“Oh, hello there,” Buck said. “I’m Buck, and this old grump here is Walter.”
“Hi, I’m Ariel, and this is my mom, Presley.”
“It’s nice to meet you both. You must be friends of Ink’s,” he said.
“Yes, they are,” I confirmed.
