“I staked a claim and she said yes.” He grabs another beer from the bar.
A grimace smiles slides on my face. “Oh, I can’t wait to tell her you said you staked a claim.”
“Do it and I’ll beat your ass to the ground,” he flings the loose bottle cap in my direction. “Honestly brother, you’re telling me that you haven’t fallen for her.”Since the moment I laid eyes on her.I brush it off.
“Change of subject. Any luck tracking down the containers from Bobby? What was on the docket or ledger?” I walk over towards the couch glancing at them. We need answers and we need to prevent any more slipping through our fingers. Once was too many times.
“I checked through the logs that Joaquin and Coda found and everything is accounted for, but I have to wonder.” D.R starts to say, but I know where he’s going.
“If things were hidden? Throwing off any scent?” I had a couple run-ins like that during my time and the bastards can get smart when working with the right people.
“They bypassed the dogs and customs?” Jackson’s anger rises in the background.
I nod, “If anything that would be my guess.”
“I’ll ride out with a prospect when a new shipment comes in, apparently he’s got one more coming.” Memphis says handing me the shipping notice for the incoming container. The shipping date is January, but if anything the Falcons are going to be there.
“Answer me this, between Falcons possibly using second businesses as the switch point, where do the kids come into play?” D.R questions.
The club starts to get busy and I try not to say a lot loudly as we haven’t said a lot for the whole chapter. I have more families within the chapter and we protect our own.
Once you make her your own, you can protect her even more.
I lean down, “Look, my hope is that the Falcons aren’t stupid to recruit the kids, knowing that they rather live than be six feet under. But I do think that they are involved with this.”
Jackson creeps behind me, slapping a hand on my shoulder, “And you haven’t said anything to Lottie about it. Or your theory.”
I nudged his hand off, looking at him angrily, “Because Rawlings and your old lady don’t want me to say shit. You want me to stay quiet.”
“Watch it, brother,” he puffs up his chest. “We all have an order.”
“Didn’t realize that your lady had more authority than you.” I spit out. I don’t know where this anger is coming from. Maybe it’s the fact that I can’t tell Charlotte what she needs to know for her own protection but for her students. Maybe it’s the fact that they are pulling the same crap we had to for Jackson.
“I would hate to give you a shiner before your date,” Jackson inches closer. “Teresa has authority over this matter because it involves her organization. You were there when she told you and you didn’t fight it then, but you’re fighting it now.”
“Because the idiot grouch found someone worth fighting for,” Memphis chimes. I push his head, shutting him up. He’s not wrong. I found her and I wanted her and now I’ll take my chance to make her mine.
It clicks with Jackson, “That’s why you are going with her to the stake out, so she doesn’t find out or get herself killed.”
I raise an eyebrow, “Damn, it’s a good thing you’re pretty.”
Jackson takes heavier breaths letting me know that I’m pushing too many buttons. Memphis looks at me, the big damn softie, and whispers, “I’d run away if I were you.” I look at my watch and if I don’t move now, I’m going to be late picking her up.
I tiptoe around Jackson trying to avoid any sudden movements. And sprint to my bike. I had told her to bundle up because the wind and winter weather was going to freeze her. If anything it gives me an extra excuse for her legs and arms wrapped around me. I’ll take her to the festival, try not to piss her off, and maybe in the end, she’ll come to the conclusion that I’m not going anywhere.
The winter wind whips in my face, but in no time I’m at her door and yet my heart is beating hard in my chest.
I wasn’t expecting and now that I had her close, I’m not leaving.
I ring the doorbell, noticing a few security issues that get my blood boiling. A bit careless for her style.
The porch light comes on and the door creaks open and there stands an older lady with ringlets of silver, age adding to her beauty. A big crimson smile comes across her face, her soft accent rings out.
“My, my, it’s about time Lottie finds herself a man,” she says. “Come on now, don’t stand in the chill for too long,” she invited me in.
The house is charming with an outdated interior, but enough to make it a home. A home full of memories. There is a warmth to the home. Within the living room I see Finn with a book in hand, nestled under blankets.
“Don’t you have anything else in your closet besides leather?” he asks without looking up. “Figure Lottie would get with a guy with more fashion sense.”
