I waited until I made it to the shop to return Mama’s call, and sure enough, she wanted to make sure we were still on for lunch. She asked if I was cool with Southern Delightz, and I told her that was fine before ending the call. To be safe, I texted Jelai to make sure she was cool with us coming through. I knew that was her mom’s restaurant, and if she wasn’t comfortable engaging with me in front of her, that was something I’d need to know before I pulled up.
“I’m sorry, baby. I don’t want to make this weird. I just would like some time to tell her about us before I introduce the two of you,” Jelai said softly.
I guess she was so busy that she hadn’t seen my text because she looked like a ghost when Mama and I arrived. Lucky for her, we weren’t put in her section, so that made it easy for her to ignore me. Regardless of how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. It wasn’t until Mama and I finished lunch and I went to the restroom that Jelai decided to acknowledge my presence by pushing me back into the bathroom and locking the door behind us.
“It’s fine, bae. That’s why I texted you what I texted you. I’m cool with keeping things on the low for now, but I’m too grown to be hidden forever.”
Her body relaxed as she wrapped her arms around me. “I know, and I’ll be quick about it. It’s just . . . Chris told her you were out and he asked her to tell me to make sure I stayed away from you. Honestly, she didn’t even want you and your mom to have lunch here because a lot of Outlaws eat here, but I told her that was absolutely ridiculous. They don’t run shit around here, and I’m not putting you or any other Wilted Roses out because of them.”
My head tilted as I processed her words. “The Outlaws consider your mama’s restaurant a part of their territory? Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess one of the members randomly had dinner here one day and they just started hanging around.”
“Have they been here a lot since I’ve been out?”
“Actually, no. Since the day you showed up at my doorstep, none of them have stopped by. I hadn’t noticed until you just mentioned it.”
I gave her a quick kiss before making my way out. After tossing a few bills onto the table, I told Mama we had to go. If I was right about this, there was no doubt in my mind that The Outlaws would be pulling up soon. Once they started eating somewhere frequently, they put a claim on it and used the space for meetings and bike nights. I didn’t see them using her mom’s restaurant for bike nights because they didn’t serve alcohol here, but I was pretty sure one of their members had been watching the place and waiting to see if I’d come through.
If they really had a target on my back because of Mario, they were going to be waiting for me and Jelai to link up. It didn’t make sense for them to no longer eat here just because I was out.That was for my benefit. For me to relax. For me to think there would be no threat.
By the time Mama and I made it outside, about six bikes pulled into the parking lot. As they circled us, six more bikes pulled in. I saw Jelai running out of the restaurant out of the corner of my eye, but I pointed toward the door for her to go back inside.
“Yates,” Mama called, grabbing my hand.
“It’s cool, Mama. You know I ain’t gon’ let nothing happen to you.”
“I know that. That’s why I’m worried aboutyou.”
Ignoring her statement, I opened her car door and helped her inside. After placing a kiss on her temple, I told her, “I love you. I’ll see you at home later.”
“What? I’m not leaving you here with them!” she yelled, trying to get back out of the car.
“I’m good, Mama. Gone home. I’ll call you when I get to the clubhouse.”
She released a shaky breath as her head shook. “Yates?—”
“I can’t take care of them and worry about you,” I said firmly, still keeping my tone low out of respect. “Pleasego.”
She looked back as a dozen bikers circled my bike, swallowing hard. “I’m going to go, but you call me the moment you make it to the clubhouse, Yates, and not a second later. I’m about to call your daddy now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed before closing her door.
My eyes shifted toward the window of the restaurant as Mama pulled off, and Jelai stood there—watching. A small group of onlookers had huddled around the door, and I just shook my head in frustration. This was the last thing I needed right now.
As I walked toward my bike, the ringleader parked in front of it. I didn’t know who it was because he still had his helmet on. Regardless of who it was, none of them could put fearin me. When he lifted his helmet, I chuckled. It was Mario’s uncle. I remembered him from my trial. Last I heard, he’d been promoted from road caption to vice president for The Outlaws.
“What’s keeping me from putting a bullet between your eyes right now?” Hamilton snarled as I grabbed my helmet to put it on.
With a shrug, I chuckled. “The fact that you know if you kill me, my folks will wipe out your entire bloodline.” Our eyes remained locked as I hopped on my bike.
“The only reason I’m letting you ride away is because my president made me promise not to touch you unless I was provoked. I won’t ever forget what you did to my nephew, and I will make you pay for it, one way or another.”
“Yeah, aight,” I replied, unable to hide my amusement. I’d never been one to go back and forth. I gave warnings, and then it was time for action. All this shit he was talking meant nothing to me.
“You stay the hell away from here. This is Outlaw territory.”
“Did the owner agree to y’all using this as your clubhouse? Do you gather here for events or bike nights?” When he didn’t respond, I continued. “You have no claim to this place or anyone in it. And even if you did, you can’t tell me what the fuck to do.”
