Page 29 of Lay Me Down
“Is Viking causing more trouble?” I know his aggravation isn’t at me, and as the head of a complicated organization, I understand his struggles. It’s not theexactsame, of course. But being responsible for dozens of men that fight each other as much as the enemy? It’s hard to deal with.
“He wasn't until he heard you were coming. I thought he was past this, but he's back to being a crazy fuck today.”
“Yeah, he’s a little unhinged, that one,” I say in a smartass tone and try to lighten the mood. Grease looks up at me with an eyebrow raised, like that was the weirdest thing I’ve ever said.
“You’re one to talk.”
I chuckle lightly.
“Exactly. It’s from experience.” That actually makes Grease smirk and shake his head. Despite the heavy situation I’ve found myself in, it’s nice to know that Grease and I are still on good terms. “Seriously, though. Is that going to be a problem?” I nudge my head back towards the door and imply Viking’s pull within the club. Grease just shakes his head again.
“I think after today, things will calm back down. He’s only been back a couple of days, and he’s been dealing with a lot between recovering and dealing with Maria.”
“How is she doing?” I ask genuinely. By the time we saved her, Maria was gone almost a full twenty-four hours, and it’s hard to know for sure what she went through in that time. She was a little bruised and banged up when we found her, but she definitely had some resolve. So, I’ve imagined that she held it together pretty well since then.
“She’s alright. Maria is one tough woman. It was a little rough there at first, but she’s okay. Thanks to you.” He gestures towards me with his hand, and I just nod back. “How’s Ashia?”
“She’s okay. Tired, mostly.” I decide to keep it vague. I told him she’s pregnant during my last visit, and it lessened tensions a little bit. Anything else about her condition isn’t anyone’s business but ours, and while I know he means it from a good place, I want to keep anything else under wraps. You know, for the sake of diplomacy and all of that.
“I’m sure. How far is she now?”
I smile softly just at the thought. She looked so damn sweet this morning as she was getting ready for work. It was one of those moments that should’ve been nothing special—a peek atwhat any normal, domesticated life would look like. But she was fucking breathtaking.
She was standing in front of our bathroom mirror brushing her long hair out, and she hadn’t put her t-shirt on yet. So, she was just standing there in her leggings and tank top. It fit so perfectly on her curves and over her round little belly. I had to stop for a moment and soak in her beauty. One of those looks that I knew I would keep in my mind forever.
“Sixteen weeks,” I say proudly, and Grease grins back at me.
“That’s awesome, man. I’m happy for you both,” he says, but then his face morphs into something more serious. “Any signs of that woman from the groom house?”
The temperature must drop at least ten degrees in an instant, because a wave of cold washes over me. Gianna DeLuca. The vile bitch who is apparently a succubus. The overwhelming sense of failure from last night threatens to follow the fire shooting through me like an aftershock. I shake my head to answer his question, but when I realize it’s more like a tremor, I speak up.
“Not yet.”
“We’re keeping an eye out, too. Not that she’d show her face in town, but if we notice anyone else going missing, we’ll be sure to relay it to you,” he declares. All I can do is grit my teeth and nod so I don’t say something I would regret later. I don’t need him to fucking tell me. I’ve got eyes and ears all over this God-forsaken city. “Well, if you all feel comfortable, we’ve got that community barbeque thing we do once a year at the park in downtown. It’s coming up in a couple of weeks. You guys should come. It’s public, and a lot of civilians. So, no one should be stupid enough to cause any problems. It might help dissolve some of the tension.”
I look back up at him, and just when I’m about to reject his invitation, I see the sincerity behind it. The event is something the MC works hard on, and it’s good for the community. Plus, hehas a good point about practically forcing our two groups to get along.
“Okay. Yeah, that sounds good. We’ll meet again then?” He nods and I stand to shake his hand. “Contact me if you see anything weird.”
“Same for you.” He looks at me with a determined stare, and while I should probably sit my ass back down and demand him to tell me what’s got him so curious, I don’t. Grease has earned some level of respect and trust in my opinion, and if this truce is going to last, I don’t need to get involved in the MC’s problems unless I’m asked to.
I nod once and turn to leave, both feeling a little lighter and a little heavier. Things around this city, and in our lives, keep piling up, and it's only adding to the growing weight in my chest. I can’t help but look to the future warily, like I’m both excited and nervous for it. The question of ‘when is it all going to end’ keeps popping up in my head, but it’s hard to say if the answer to that is good or bad.
“How was the appointment?” Carter turns in his chair and asks as I walk into the Batcave. I look around to assess his most recent damage, and I’m surprised to see that it’s mostly clean. He doesn’t have clothes piled up here anymore, and the amount of trash is less than minor. I open my mouth to say something, but when smart-ass comments about him keeping it tidy for Serena is all I can conjure up, I decide against it. I don’t know if they’re in a good place or not, and I’m not prepared to bring that up.
“Which one? The tattoo or the motorcycle club?” I ask jokingly.
“Well, as much as I wouldloveto stare at your body, that’s for the Lost and Found,” he sarcastically taunts. I stop just a couple of steps in front of his computer chair. My head tilts just a tad, and I can feel my lip lift in a partial snarl.
“The what?”
He lays his arms on the rests, like he’s Doctor Evil or some shit, and sits forward slightly like he’s about to unveil a sinister plan.
“Lost and Found,” he reiterates. I think for a moment, wondering who the fuck he could be talking about, when it snaps into place.
“Are you talking about my wife?”
“And her long lost brother.”
