Skylar made a face. “We’ve been trying to do everything we can. The crew does regular community service events, we’ve hosted a rally so the town can get to know them better. Things were getting better and people were finally starting to accept them, but then this new crew showed up and derailed all their progress. Sierra, another one of the old ladies, has been working herself to the bone to try and get traction again. That’s why she’s not here today. She’s got a newborn and she’s still working her butt off to help the crew. She’s exhausted.”
I thought about what might make a difference for Elias and his crew, but came up blank. Unless they could somehow convince this new crew that the area wasn’t worth the effort,I wasn’t sure how to combat the issue. The new crew was dangerous, they weren’t afraid to cause damage or flash their guns. Elias’s crew wasn’t like that. They couldn’t go up against them unarmed, and I didn't think Elias was the kind of person to pick up a weapon unless it was life or death.
The door that Elias had disappeared into earlier opened again and the crew began filing out. None of them looked happy, and Elias looked downright stricken, like he’d just been told about the death of a loved one. God, I hoped that wasn’t the case. No one had mentioned anyone getting hurt. Just property damage as far as I was aware.
Elias didn’t say a word when he came to join me, just carefully plucked Isla from my arms and offered me a hand. I excused myself from the group of ladies, taking his hand and following him out the door. He barely glanced at Jasper, knowing he’d follow the second he saw his sister leaving his view. Jasper set aside his controller, following us out, and when he saw the dark look on his cousin’s face, he whispered to me, “What’s up with him?”
I shook my head. “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get you two home. Come on.”
The car ride was silent, and Elias’s grip on the steering wheel was so tight, his knuckles turned white. He glared out the window, and while I didn't think the anger was directed at me or the kids, it was obvious he was too upset to parent properly. When we pulled into the driveway, I put my hand on his arm, drawing his focus.
“Do you want to go for a ride? I can watch the kids.”
He looked ready to agree, then stopped himself, shaking his head. “No. I don’t want to– Now’s not a good time.”
He slid out of the driver’s seat, his movements stiff and tension-filled, and yet when he pulled Isla out of her car seat, he was still gentle with her. He offered her the pacifier withouta word, gaze distant as he headed inside. Whatever happened in that meeting, it was eating at him. But our relationship was so new, I wasn’t sure how to bring it up.
Elias was quiet the rest of the night. He did what he needed to do in regards to parenting, cooking both kids a well rounded dinner and giving Isla a bath, but I could tell he wasn’t in the room. At one point he disappeared upstairs and when he came back down, he was no longer wearing his vest. He wore it all the time. It was such an integral part of him, it almost looked wrong when he went without it. He didn’t mention why he took it off, didn’t say much at all, actually. He was usually such a chatty and happy person that the difference was like night and day.
Jasper went to his room after Isla was put to bed, though I could see it in his face that he was disconcerted by Elias’s behavior. He kept glancing over his shoulder on his way up the stairs. Elias sat heavily on the couch, burying his face in his hands. He looked dejected, and the image hurt my heart.
Sitting next to him, I put a hand on his back. I didn’t push him to speak before he was ready, didn’t make demands, but eventually he dropped his hands and looked over at me, forcing something that he probably intended to be a smile, but was too strained to pull it off. “I’m sorry. I’m awful company right now. I’m not ignoring you, I swear.”
“I know you aren’t,” I reassured him. “And so do the kids. But you look heartbroken, Elias. Can you tell me why?”
He let out a shuddering breath, almost like he was holding back tears. “The crew is basically being forced into a hiatus until we can get this shit with Battle’s crew handled. No driving after dark, no groups bigger than two on the roads, no… no cuts.”
That part seemed like it hurt to admit, and when I moved to hug his shoulders, he leaned into the embrace.
“My crew has been my family for more than half my life. I was sixteen when my parents kicked me out. They thought a few days on the street would scare me straight. Tank, the guy who founded the Dirty Devils, found me wandering around alone and offered to buy me lunch in exchange for my story. He gave me a place to stay at the clubhouse and the guys from the original crew all helped me finish high school and get into community college. And when I was legal, they threw a huge fucking party inducting me into the crew.” His voice got tight, like he was fighting his emotions as he admitted, “They were the family I always wanted. My crew is everything to me. Asking me to stop riding full time was hard enough. Giving up my cut, forcing me to avoid the clubhouse, feels like ripping away a big part of my identity. It feels like I’m giving up my family. I’m not sure I can handle it a second time.”
My heart ached for him. I knew all about teenagers being forced from their homes. I’d taught plenty that had come from or still lived in difficult situations. Not many were lucky enough to find someone to take them in. Elias found his place among his crew. And now, thanks to the trouble this new crew was causing, he was being asked to give that up.
“I’m sorry, Elias. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now. But it’s not permanent, right? This is just a precaution until you come up with a plan?”
He looked pained and his tone lacked any hope, despite his words. “I mean, I hope that’s all this is, but no one has been able to come up with any plans short of violence. And I’m not willing to go down that road. I’ve got two kids to think about. A third of my crew has kids. We can’t risk them by having an all out war between our crew and Battle’s. No matter how much I love my crew, it’s not worth the risk.”
That he still put Jasper and Isla first, despite how much he loved his crew, made my chest warm. He was a good man in a very difficult position. Being a little quiet was the best response in this kind of situation.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
Sitting back and sinking a little into the couch, he gave me a lopsided smile. “Is it pathetic if I ask you to stay a while? You being here helps.”
My heart melted at the sweet sentiment. Who knew chaotic bikers could be so sweet?
Leaning into his side, I put one hand on his chest, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. “If that’s what you need, I’m happy to help.”
He hummed, reaching out to brush his fingers along my jaw. “Can I be a little forward and ask for a distraction?”
A smile tugged at my lips and I raised my eyebrows at him, giving him my best teacher look. “Is that really what you want?”
“When it comes to you, gorgeous, I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
SIMONE
We ran into the same issue we’d had last time with the lack of privacy. The master bedroom was right next door to Jasper’s room, and neither of us thought he was asleep this early. Elias didn’t seem interested in a repeat in the laundry room, and I got the feeling he needed more comfort than just the physical release he was teasing at. He was trying to lighten the mood, but I could still see the pain in his eyes.
