“So, you should here around midnight?”
I count the road time in my head. “A little before, but we’ll be in your mom’s room by midnight.”
“He should be in bed with his new woman at the time, but I can’t guarantee he won’t have eyes on the hospital.”
“Tin-Man will have our back when we get there, just don’t take your eyes off that bastard.”
He blows out a stress-filled breath. “I want to see her, but I don’t think it’d be safe.”
Trying to formulate a plan, anything that will work to ease Shay and Lock’s pain. I can only think of one place that I know she’ll be safe for them to meet. It’s not perfect, but it’ll work. “How about we hole up in Catawba, you drive down the next day.”
“Do you think the protection of the Hellions is the way to go?”
I should’ve known Lock would know where my mind was headed. He knows I would only trust Shooter with something this big. He’s close to Shooter though, and he should know our brother will make sure Shay is safe. “I think it will be the safest place for her to be. No way is that fucker going to bring shit to Catawba. Shooter will clear the way for us.”
He’s hesitant as he asks, “You think the Hellions will want me around their clubhouse? Your boys didn’t.”
The Hellions and the Savage Outlaws have ridden side by side many times. We always make their boys feel welcome when they’re in our territory, and they do the same for us. Even so, our clubs are as different as night and day. They have their hands in some dirty shit, but they live by a code of ethics. The Outlaws, on the other hand, we do whatever the fuck we want.
They do have a better relationship with the local boys than we do, so I don’t think they’ll have an issue with Lock being at the clubhouse. If they do, our brother will make sure they get over it. “I’ll call and make sure, but I don’t think it will be a problem. Shooter isn’t gonna let shit happen to Shay. We both know that. He’ll spread the word that you’re there for your sister, nothing else.”
I listen as he takes a pull off his smoke before saying, “I heard there’s been some trouble.”
“Doesn’t matter. We’ll be welcome there.”
“I talked to Shooter a few days ago. Some shit went down and now the Hellions are having trouble with Desert Ghosts” He says, telling me something I didn’t know.
“I’ll call Shooter,” I growl out, still wondering what the fuck is going on with my brother’s club.
“Word on the street is there is some bad blood between the VP and our boy. Shooter didn’t tell me that shit though, so I don’t know how true it is.”
The Hellions VP is a good guy, but he can be a dick from time to time. “What the hell is up Rex’s ass?”
“Not sure, but I heard it had something to do with a woman. If it’s true and Rex finds out Laura’s under Shooter’s protection, he’ll do his best to fuck with her.”
Rex will be a dead man if he gets too close to my woman. “I don’t want Shay anywhere near Rex’s ass. If he lays a finger on her, I’ll kill him.”
He laughs, “My sister wouldn’t fall for a biker, even if he does have a golden dick.”
I want to tell him I’m about to change that, but I don’t. Now is not the time; he’ll find out soon enough, but I may need to tell her first. “I’ll text you when we get to town.”
“All right, brother. Keep her safe.”
“Always,” I swear, as I click off the phone and slide it back into my pocket.
I turn towards the hall, just in time to see Shay stepping out of the bathroom. She’s wearing that mask again, the one that hides her emotions from the world. I hate it, hate every fuckin’ thing about it. It reminds of the broken woman I met at the bus station.
Walking down the hall, I pass her. Not giving her a chance to ask any questions, I head to her bedroom door. Slinging it open, I look back at her. “Pack light, we hit the road in five.”
She looks puzzled for a moment then asks, “What are you talking about?”
“I’m taking you to see your mama, baby.”
Relief hits her face in an instant followed quickly by confusion. “What? How?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just get ready to go see your Mama.”
A smile crosses her face and she runs towards me. As soon as she gets close enough, Shay throws her arms around my waist and goes to her toes. Slowly, she brings her lips to mine and places a feather light kiss on them. I can tell it’s taking all of her courage, just to do that. After the briefest of seconds, she pulls back. Her face is covered with a beautiful blush as she says, “Thank you, Bowie.”