“You too, old man,” Crash counters. “You were the king of saving damsels in distress.”
“And you were right there with me, brother.”
“True.”
“I have to leave town. I have to get Tucker and run.” Heather stands and tries to push past me, but I’m not letting her out the door. “Get out of my way, Cody.”
“Settle down,” Cole says. “You’re not running anywhere. This is the safest place for you right now.”
She whirls on him. “You just said I’m not worth starting a war with the Death Heads over.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t worth it; I said I didn’t want a war. Do not put words in my mouth, understand?”
“Same difference.”
“Heather, he’s my president. Have some respect,” I snap.
She folds her arms defensively and lowers her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just terrified and determined to protect my son, no matter what that requires.”
“Everyone here understands that,” I say softly.
“You thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?” Crash asks Cole.
“Lucky’s?” Cole replies.
“Yep. There’s that apartment above the bar where the last owner kept a place. It’s empty. We put her there and give her a job.”
“And that doesn’t look suspicious? Her getting that apartment?” Cole asks. “If I was that manager, I’d think she was an insider.”
“Maybe that’s the angle we use up front. She’s under the club’s protection for a reason we don’t tell him. We need him to give her a job. He’ll think it’s some form of biker witness protection and never suspect what she’s really there doing.”
“You may have something there, brother.”
“What do you mean ‘what I’m really doing’?” Heather asks.
Cole leans in his chair. “Looking into what’s going on at the bar. We just bought the place, and the daily earnings are down significantly. I think someone is stealing from us. They’re either serving free drinks or pocketing the money and not ringing them up. I need to find out which it is and who’s doing it.”
“But what about Tucker? Who would watch him?”
“I’ve got a clubhouse full of brothers and ol’ ladies with kids. We’ll take good care of him, and he’ll make some new friends.”
“You ever wait tables?” Crash asks.
“Yes, before I had Tucker.”
“Then it's settled. You start tomorrow.” Cole lifts his chin. “Go feed ‘em breakfast, Cody.”
I lead a stunned Heather out of the room and back to her son, who is having a great time with my brothers.
“This is crazy. Are we really doing this?” she whispers.
“Looks like it. He’ll never look for you there, babe, and the club will keep Tucker safe.”
An hour later, the place is packed with women and children, and Heather meets so many people, I’m sure she’ll never keep all the names straight.
As dangerous as the situation could be, I’m happy to see the entire club pull together over this.
“This is crazy,” Heather whispers, gazing over the crowded room. Kids are playing with Tucker and running through the clubhouse, laughing and having the best time.
