Cole uses a hushed voice because we’re out on the fucking street.
“Gigi said a guy came in the other day. He wasn’t wearing a cut, but he had a Death Head tattoo on his forearm.”
“How would she know that?” I ask.
TJ glances at me. “She recognized it from doing tattoos up in Sturgis with her father.”
“Shit, prez. You think we’ve got Death Heads movin’ in on us?” I ask.
“No clue. Could be he’s an ex-member and hasn’t had it removed.”
“You don’t buy that for a minute,” Crash says.
Cole shakes his head. “Probably not.”
“Then what the fuck’s he doin’ here, and more important… is he the only one?” Shane asks.
“Could be visiting family,” TJ suggests.
“Could be scoping the area. Hell, they could be planning to infiltrate the entire state,” Shane mutters.
“We need to talk to the Temecula chapter,” Crash advises. “See if they know anything.”
Cole nods. “Yeah. Oregon, too.” He moves to his bike, and we mount up and head to the clubhouse.
CHAPTER NINE
Heather—
It’s been a month, and my entire life has changed.
I’m the new headliner at Sonny’s and hauling in a mint. Marnie’s mother has started watching Tucker, and the two of them get along like they’ve always known each other. She’s become like a surrogate grandmother to him, and he’s fallen in love with her. I have, too. She’s been a godsend.
With the money I’m making, I was able to move us into a nice apartment. I fell in love with it the moment I stepped onto the huge corner balcony. There are a bunch of amenities—a washer and dryer, there’s a pool and small playground, plus it’s walking distance from some cute shops and restaurants. We don’t have a lot of furniture yet, but I’m working on it, little by little.
Tucker seems happier than he has in a long time.
I still haven’t told my family where I am. Something holds me back.
Snake has probably moved on by now. Most likely he’s gone back to Cowboys and found another dancer to obsess about. My brain tells me all this, but a part of me doesn’t feel completely safe. I still check over my shoulder when I go anywhere, and I scan the parking lot when I get in my car.
I hate living like this, but at least I’m free and creating a life for me and Tucker.
In the back of my mind, I think I harbored some hero fantasy that somehow Ryan’s buddy, Cody, would find me and become my savior.
But what I’ve created is so much better. I’m saving myself, and though I know most people would look down on what I do, I’m doing what I need to provide for my son.
I’m fighting with the government to get Tucker his due. His father was a veteran who died in the service of his country. The fact that Ryan and I waited to marry really screwed things for us. I’ve been stuck in a red-tape nightmare and have been tempted to give up. Somehow Tucker fell through the cracks, and getting anyone to listen has been exhausting.
The buzzer rings, and I let Mrs. Harding up. It’s become a habit for Tucker to race down the hall as soon as the elevator dings and she steps off. I open the door, and we watch. When she steps out, Tucker races to her, and she stoops and catches him in a hug.
“How’s my boy?”
“Good. What’s in there?” He points to the plastic food container.
“I baked chocolate chip cookies. If you’re a good boy, we’ll have some after dinner.”
“Yay!”
