“A man came in here and said the bar’s days were numbered, and the next afternoon there was a drive-by.Another MC has it out for Lark, and if they find out she’stechnicallyhis daughter, they won’t hesitate to target her.It’s far from crazy to keep Ivy and Debra out of this,” I said.
Mickayla approached the bar with an empty serving tray tucked under her arm.Her gaze moved from me to Ivy.“Someone would like to talk to you in the office.”She looked at me.“Only her.”
“Does he know this wasn’t her idea?”I asked.
Mickayla nodded.“Yes.”
I tipped my head toward the office.“Don’t keep him waiting.”
Ivy hurried away.
Chad took a sip of his soda.“The gatekeeping is exhausting for everyone.You should let Lark know that.”
I chuckled.“I’ll be sure he gets the message.”
“Do you have a helmet she could have worn?”Debra asked.
“Yes, but I’m not—”
“You can’t control the other drivers,” Debra said.
I’d heard that umpteen times before from my mom (who had no problems with Dad riding), from Grandpa Carlton, and even from Dad.All of a sudden I was glad of the many times I had to endure their lectures.
I nodded.“You’re right, but I have mirrors, and I’m acutely aware of my surroundings.I don’t split lanes, and I offered her my helmet.She opted not to use it.Bottom line, a car crash can be just as deadly.”
Debra nodded.“Right.Her birthday is coming up, I guess I know what she’s getting.”
“When?”I asked, since we hadn’t exchanged birth dates.
Her eyebrows rose.“If you don’t know, I’m not sharing that with you.”
Chad laughed.“Like Ivy would care!”
Debra swung a finger in the air toward him.“No, but he should do the work.”
I nodded.“You’re right.I’ll put in the effort so she shares that with me.”
She sighed.“I’m sorry if I’m coming across as being bitchy.I like you, but I’m worried.On top of this moving rather fast, it seems she’s in danger, and I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I, and it’s a big reason why we’re trying to keep this visit short.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ivy come out of the office and head our way.She went directly to her mom.“If you really want to meet him, you can come with me, but he’s only got about five minutes to talk to you.It’s a little busy tonight.”
Debra opened her wallet and plucked out two twenties while shaking her head.“No, dear.Give him my apologies.Chad and I really shouldn’t have done this, and I’ll come backwith yousome other time when it’s not so crowded.”
I caught Debra’s attention.“Or, maybe you can come by the clubhouse, save yourself the drive out here.He won’t be distracted by customers or anything else.”
Debra gave a half-nod.“That might work.I’ll let you and Ivy set that up.”
Chapter 26
Runt
Ivy
“Thiswasn’tChad’sidea,so don’t be upset with him,” Mom said as we walked through the restaurant parking lot to her Hyundai Sonata.
“It didn’t sound that way when he called me,” I said.
