“LZ.”
Oh fuck.
Not too many people used that nickname anymore. His mother, Sophie, was one of the few, confirming he was no longer in his cell.
He blinked open his eyes and sat up, expecting her to ream him a new asshole.
She only stared at him with sadness and disappointment.
For fuck’s sake.That was even worse. “What’re you doin’ here?”
“Checking up on you. Are you okay?”
He pulled himself up straighter and made sure his dick was covered. “Yeah, Mom, I’m good.”
“Well, I can’t say you’regood. Because if you were, you’d stop getting arrested.”
Damn.“Was defendin’ myself.”
“You had your father all riled up. And you know that takes a lot.”
Zeke had a knack for that.
“You’re lucky you had your cut with you. Otherwise, I think he would’ve ripped your patch off himself.”
“Vi said he fought for me to keep my spot.”
“Well…”
“Did she fuckin’ lie?”
“No. But he would’ve made you earn it back.”
“He don’t got that power anymore.”
He liked to think he did, but the truth was he didn’t.
“He worked to keep this club on the straight and narrow for a reason, Zeke. Don’t ruin his hard work.”
“Probably did it to keep you happy.”
“He was determined to keep the club aboveboard long before I met him. It keeps the club stronger and?—”
“Yeah, yeah, Mom. He’s already drilled that shit into me too many times to fuckin’ count.”
Her lips flattened out. “You don’t have to be perfect, Zeke, but you need to do better. For the club. Your father wanted everyone’s lives to be better. Don’t destroy everything he built.”
Seriously, her soft scolding laced with disappointment was worse than if she had raged at him. Though, his mother had never raised her voice to either him or his brother. If he ever drove her to that point, his old man would never forgive him.
“Anyway, I just came over to make sure you’re okay and I wanted to give you this…” She dug in her purse and pulled out his cell phone. “Laney found it after you were arrested and gave it to me for safekeeping.”
“Thought those pigs stole it.”
She frowned. “Don’t call your cousin a pig. And you should thank her for returning it.”
Cousin or not, Zeke wasn’t thanking anyone who wore a Shadow Valley PD uniform. Or hell, any pig skin.
“Sure you already thanked her.”
