She walks behind her desk and sits down. I squat down, pick up her phone and set it down in front of her.
“I’m going to go, but this isn’t over. I’ll give you your space for tonight, but tomorrow you’re going to answer my questions.” I turn, moving the short distance to the door, and open it. I cast one last look over my shoulder at her, but she has her head down, busily writing something.
Against my better judgment, I go back to work, but I keep my eyes on her door. About ten minutes later she steps out, her purse held tightly to her chest, not even once glancing my way.
For the rest of the evening, the image of Mels sitting on the floor with all the color drained from her face as she mumbled replayed in my mind. My rage continued to grow with each passing moment. The closer it got to shutting down, the more confident I became with my decision.
I’m going to have a talk with Earl. Tonight.
There are only two people I can blame for how I found her, the unknown person on the phone, and Earl. I have no idea how to find one of them since I have no clue who he is, but the other one I do and I know exactly where to find him. There’s only so many places he can be. My hand aches to wrap around that fucker’s neck and squeeze the life out of him.
“See you tomorrow.” AJ throws her hand up as she walks out with Jake. Those two think they’re fooling everyone, saying they're just friends, but that’s a crock of shit. He’s got his eyes firmly on her and his mind on making her his ol’ lady, as they like to call it.
“Later, pipsqueak. Stay out of trouble.” I smirk.
“I always do.” She winks back at me, and Jake shakes his head.
It takes about twenty minutes to make sure all the food is put away and the kitchen is clean. No matter how badly I want to stomp a hole in Earl’s ass, I can’t leave a messy kitchen.
I look around to make sure everything is in order. Happy with the way it looks, I turn out the lights and head to the front door, setting the alarm before leaving and locking up.
I get into my truck, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. I’m not wanting to drive from place to place, but I need to know where Earl is. I move my wrist, checking the time on my watch. It’s eight thirty. I’d bet he’s at the clubhouse or Ashlynn’s, enjoying time with his daughter. One will be easier to get in than the other.
I decide to try the easier one first. Confronting him in front of his daughter and her band of merry men isn’t something I really want to do, but I’d rather do it there than around his hoard of biker flunkies.
The entire way to Ashlynn’s house, the events replay in my mind. Earl showing up. The two of them in her office. Him leaving. Something falling. Mels in shock on the floor. A man on the phone.
Nothing makes sense. What the fuck upset her so much and who was on the phone?
Pulling up to her house, I give myself a mental high five. There, sitting in the driveway, is his Harley. I park behind him, blocking him in, but making sure I can get away if I need to. Let’s not forget the quad group, who will stand by their leader no matter what.
I take a deep breath, get out of my truck and head up the driveway to the front door. It’s a beautiful house and I imagine having one just like it one day for me and Mels.
And hopefully kids. I’m not sure if she’s able to have any, but adoption is always a possibility. There’s so many children who need a good, stable home. Something that she and I could give them.
Before I back out, I lift my hand and knock on the door. I don’t do the normal three knocks and wait. No. I’m a persistent bastard, wanting someone on the other side to open.
The sound of soft feet slapping against the floor echoes from the other side. It must be Ashlynn. A second later, she opens the door with a smile on her face.
“Hey, Jax.” She tilts her head to the side, furrowing her brows, like she’s trying to piece together why I’m here.
“Hey, Ashlynn.”
“Is Melissa okay? Is there a problem at the diner?”
“No, the diner is fine. I was driving by and saw your dad’s bike out front. Is he here? I need to talk to him for a minute.”
“Yeah, he’s inside with Jacey. Come on in.” She steps back so I can enter, but I shake my head. I know better than to go into the lion's den. I’m going to be where I can control the situation and make a getaway if need be.
“That’s okay. Can you ask him to step outside? I need to talk to him in private for a minute.”
“I can.” She raises her eyebrow at me before turning and heading deeper inside the house. Sounds of laughter drift out through the doorway; it’s the joy of family and I want it.
Looking over my shoulder, I carefully walk backward down the steps until I’m standing in the yard. I glance up at the sky, the twinkling of the stars shining brightly in the vast, darkness as the crisp night air seeps into my bones. It makes me wonder for a moment, forgetting everything I was raised to believe in church, if we’re really alone in the world. That there’s not another planet like ours out there in the universe with people living the same lives as us, but as green one eyed aliens with tentacles for arms.
“What the fuck are you doin’ at my daughter’s house lookin’ for me?” Earl's deep voice growls, void of the tenderness that I hear when he speaks to Ashlynn or Mels.
Chapter six
