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Chapter Thirty-Four

Fitz

Earlier…

We rushed out the back door of the King’s Theater, only to be stopped by a uniformed officer in a sector car. “Gentlemen, where do you think you’re going, and why’s he cuffed?” Keller just laughed.

I glanced at Sparky, who chuckled and held up his badge. “Bail recovery agents. He skipped out on a bail hearing a month ago, and Judge Stanley called for us to pick him up. We’re taking him to CCDC now for transport to Carson City, which has jurisdiction.” He handed the bench warrant to the officer, who looked it over and nodded as he handed it back.

“Be careful. There’s a raid in progress. You don’t want to get picked up in the confusion.”

We nodded as Monty jogged ahead to get the truck. What Sparky had said couldn’t have been the truth, though I had no idea who Judge Stanley was or why they wanted Keller Abbott picked up. Sawyer would have told me if his father had been in Nevada a month ago, but then again, if Keller was in Nevada to meet with the Scorpions, maybe he wouldn’t have said anything to Sawyer. My head was spinning.

Monty came around with the trap truck, and I got Keller settled in the back seat. “I’ll get my truck and meet you at CCDC.”

“Actually, meet us at the office. I’ll explain things there.” Sparky got into the front, and Monty drove off before I could say another word.

I hurried to the open-air lot behind the casino where I’d left my truck and found Leo and Digs parked behind me so I was blocked in. “Hey, guys. Glad to see you didn’t get arrested.”

“Yeah, that was a clusterfuck. We’ll follow you.” Digs backed up so I could get to my truck, and we headed to I-15 to take us back toward South Rainbow. Why we were taking Keller Abbott to Sparks Bail Bonds, I couldn’t say, but I was pretty damn stunned by the turn of events already. If I dwelled on it, I’d probably miss my exit.

When I pulled into the parking lot and around the strip mall to park in the back, I saw Monty and Sparky had already arrived. I parked and hustled inside to find them in the conference room with Sawyer’s mother.

“Hi, Fitz. How are you?” Celine asked.

I glanced from her toward Sparky to Monty, and lastly, Keller, himself. He smirked. “It’s a pretty good story. I just need you to get Sawyer to listen to it. I think you have a way that calms his savage beast.” Celine and he both laughed.

“Shouldn’t we… When can we get him… What the fuck is going on?” My brain couldn’t keep up with what I was seeing.

“Take a seat, Fitz, before your head blows off. Judge Ruth Stanley happens to be Celine’s cousin. She’s the one who called me about Keller.” Sparky turned to Keller and tilted his head.

“Oh, my turn? Okay. Sorry we didn’t tell you what was going on, Fitz. We kept everyone in the dark so they had plausible deniability if anything went wrong. The Scorpions were making bigger plays for Cowboy land, and I couldn’t let that happen. This club was my father’s legacy, and now it’s mine, and it’ll be Sawyer’s, too, one day.

“Problem is, Boyd Townsend and Ricky Marlow got pissed because the money coming into the Cowboys’ coffers was completely legal, and they didn’t sign up for legal. They still wanted to be one-percenters, the damn fools, and they wanted to relive their glory days with the Scorpions. They didn’t give a shit if they took the club down in the process.”

“Why didn’t you tell Sawyer what was going on? He could have done something to stop them. More importantly, he wouldn’t think you betrayed him.” I was so angry smoke must have been coming out of my ears.

Keller sat forward and rested his forearms on the table. “Willy Roundtree is running the Scorpions now that Brando Carrey is in jail for that shit show with the Torrentes. I confirmed that Roundtree is only a placeholder until Brando gets out of jail. He’s still running things behind the scenes, and he wants Sawyer dead for his part in helping Dallas St. Michael get his in-laws back.

“Ricky Marlow was all set to kill Sawyer and Dallas St. Michael tonight after the kid took a dive. That’s why St. Michael was there so Marlow would assume it was his lucky night. I wasn’t about to let him kill my son, which is why I was with them so I could stop Marlow if he went for the knife in his boot.”

I slammed my hand down on the goddamn table. “No! I won’t let anyone hurt Sawyer. I’ll kill all of them before they get anywhere close to him.” I would go to jail for the rest of my fucking life before I let anyone touch a hair on Sawyer’s head.

Monty pulled me back into my seat. “Cool your jets. Nobody’s going to get to Sawyer.”

His cell phone rang, so he pulled it from the holder on his belt and held it up to his ear. “Gree?” I could barely hear the response, but I recognized the tone of Greeley’s voice.

Monty turned on his phone’s speaker and placed it on the conference table. “Go ahead, Gree.”

“I talked to Chris Spitzer a few minutes ago. Here’s what he’s been able to find out. Ricky Marlow was found dead on the scene. GSWs, one in the abdomen and two in the chest. Willy Roundtree got away, but three of the Scorpions were arrested. LVPD is running their prints against those they found at Tumbleweeds Dispensary. They’re not saying if any are a match yet, but Spitz says it’s their best hope of catching someone responsible for the robbery.”

“Hey, Greeley. Fitz, here. Any word on when they’ll be released or when they’ll be available for bail?”

“They’re being arrested and charged with inciting a riot and breach of the peace, both of which are misdemeanors, but since they’re members of a gang—excuse me, a motorcycle club—the judge believed that there might be retaliation, so he wanted to be able to have them picked up again if anything pops off between the two groups.

“Spitz thinks the arraignment will be tomorrow morning, so you guys should look out for any calls from CCDC. Now, with the death of Ricky Marlow, I’m not sure if that will factor into their cases and bring more serious charges. There was a gun discovered on the scene, so the cops are looking for fingerprint matches on the gun, as well. The serial number was filed off, so there’s no way to trace it. That was all he could tell me.”

So, basically, nothing more than what we already knew—except finding out Ricky Marlow was dead. I glanced at Keller, but he was looking down at the table.

“Okay, Gree. Let us know if you hear anything more.” Monty ended the call and shoved his phone in his pocket.

“So, now we wait?” I asked. It was nearly midnight, and we were all exhausted.

Sparky knocked on the table and stood. “We won’t hear anything tonight, so let’s go home and get some sleep. We’ll get word in the morning.”

I nodded. I could worry at home as easily as I could worry in the office.

Hardy came from somewhere in the back with Dixie trotting after him, a big grin on both their faces. “Hey! I have an idea. I can go see them in the morning and make sure they’re okay. I can pretend to be their lawyer. They need a lawyer, you know.”

Sparky turned toward him. “Yeah, I’ll get Aileen Combs to represent them. You can’t pretend to be a lawyer, son. That’s against the law. Say you’re the paralegal to Aileen Combs, Esquire. They hate her, and if they can deal with you instead, I’m going to guess you’ll get in the jail to check on them.”

I drove Celine and Keller out to Silver Point Casino and Hotel. Celine touched my shoulder. “Come get me in the morning when you go pick up Sawyer. You’ll need me there to talk him down. This is a damn mess.”

Keller opened the door and helped her out before they disappeared into the casino, and I drove home. I let myself inside and sat on the couch. The bedroom seemed miles away, and I was too tired to go back there. Besides, it was a big, lonely bed, and my guy was in jail.

I slid off my boots and put my feet up, turning the television on so the house wasn’t so quiet. I seriously hated being alone.

I woke up the next morning to sounds coming from the kitchen. For a minute, I thought it was Sawyer and he’d been released early. I fell off the couch trying to get up to check.

“Sawyer?”

TJ stepped from behind the fridge door with a quart of milk. He was in his boxers, and I could see every mark Edgar Jaqeli put on him. “Sorry, just me.”

The kid’s lips were swollen, and I could see where the bottom one had been split. He had a bandage on his forehead, and his ribs looked as if he were wearing purple makeup. I was in pain just looking at him.

“I didn’t want to wake you, but is my grandpa still in jail?” He poured milk in his coffee and put the carton back.

“They all are. They’re supposed to be arraigned this morning. My boss got them a lawyer, so we’re waiting for a call to come get them. Were you checked out in a hospital?”

“No. After I didn’t take the dive, I got the fuck out of there before someone tried to kill me. I got here about three this morning. I didn’t know if anyone was following me, so I took a few rideshares to throw them off. I’ll be okay, but we have a mandatory health check tomorrow at Cowpokes, so I’ll ask the doc to take a look at my ribs. If I don’t piss blood, then I think I’ll be fine. That asshole kneed me in the crotch, but I’ve had much worse.”

Glancing at him again, I found that hard to believe. “When we pick up your grandfather and Sawyer, we’ll figure out what we need to do to keep you and him safe. I was told that Willy Roundtree escaped, but three of the Scorpions were arrested. I don’t know how many members they have in the club, so I think it’s best if you lie low for a while.”

I went to shower so I could be ready when the call came from Sparky regarding getting Sawyer out of jail. As soon as I had my boxer briefs on, my phone rang on my dresser.

As I predicted, it was Sparky. “Aileen Combs just called. They were all arraigned and can be bonded out. I can meet you at the office and go along.”

“Thanks, but I’m covering Greeley and Keats this weekend, so I’ll be going anyway. I’ll call a friend of Sawyer’s to come pick up the rest of the guys. I’ve gotta swing by to pick up his mother.” Sparky and I ended the call, and I hurried to finish dressing.

I went into the living room where TJ was on the couch with two ice packs, one on his chest where there was a huge footprint, and one on his right side where the bruises were the darkest.

“You need anything? I’ll drop your grandfather here in a bit,” I said. TJ nodded and closed his eyes. I added, “Eat something and drink a bunch of water, will ya?” Again, he nodded, but he gave me a small smile before I left.

Once in the truck, I sent a brief text to Celine.

I’m on the way to Silver Point. Sawyer’s ready to be picked up. I’ll get you at the front of the hotel. Fitz

I glanced around to see if there were any strange cars I needed to worry about. Satisfied nobody was surveilling my house, I started the truck and headed over to Silver Point.

A part of me hoped that Keller didn’t come along. I had no idea if I could be civil to the man because I was still pissed that he hadn’t called Sawyer and explained things to him. He took away Sawyer’s choices and made him look weak to the club members.

Keller made his son think he was a dirty traitor, and I knew that kind of hurt would take a while for Sawyer to get over. I prayed he wouldn’t carry a grudge. I knew how much he loved his parents.

I pulled under the canopy to pick up Celine, finding her sitting on a bench waiting for me. I stepped out of the truck and waited for her to cross the driveway. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Fitz. I’ll be glad when we get the boys out of jail. This has been a nightmare I’d have rather avoided.” She reached into her purse and pulled out an inhaler, taking a double hit off it. I knew she had lung issues, but I didn’t know how severe they were. I hoped the stress from current events wouldn’t complicate her health.

We parked at the curb outside the jail, and I hopped out and walked around the front of the truck to help Celine out. I saw Tiny and the skinny one, Tim Walton, standing outside the intake door. “You boys wanna come inside?”

They both backed away like I was infested with some sort of parasite. “I’m just kidding, guys.”

“We’ll wait out here.” Tiny gave me a nod and led Tim over to a bench by the bus stop.

I pressed the intercom button. “How can I help you?”

“Fitz Morgan from Sparks Bail Bonds to pick up Sawyer Abbott, Derson Lynn, Hobie Richards, Spider Remmick, Arlo Kitchell, and Jim Middleton.” I held my ID and badge up to the camera.

The door buzzed, and I held the door for Celine. I approached the desk and smiled at Anita Graves, the clerk at the jail. She stared at me for a moment before she spoke. “Who’s the lady?”

“Mother of one of the guys I’m here to pick up. I forgot to stop at the office and get the bond paperwork. Can you print me two copies of yours?” I opened my wallet and handed her two twenties.

“Be right back.” Anita went out through the door to the holding area, and I walked over to where Celine sat.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Deputy Marin stepped through, escorting the Cowboys. None of them looked too much worse for wear, which was a relief. Sawyer spotted his mother right away, and I could see he was pissed.

“Where’ve you been?” The snap in his voice brought a raised eyebrow from Celine.

“Your father sent me to visit my cousin Ruthie in Carson City. What’s going on?”

“Where is Dad?” Again, with the bite in his voice.

I stepped forward to Deputy Marin, the stupid fucker. “Take off those cuffs. We posted bail for all of them. Where’s Jim Middleton?”

Marin cut the cuffs as he spoke. “We were told to hold him for questioning. LVPD is coming to get him.” I had no idea why, but I doubted Marin knew either.

Anita returned with my copies and a receipt for the cash I’d given her, along with the receipt for the charge to the company credit card they had on file. She handed a set to me, and I signed the set she needed for her files that secured the bonds.

I opened the door for Celine and led the way to the truck. The others headed to the trucks Tiny and Tim had brought, leaving Sawyer to sit in front by me.

“Get in, Mom,” Sawyer said behind her.

Celine climbed into the back seat and Sawyer closed the door as Hobie slid in beside her from the other side.

I put the keys in the ignition and turned to Sawyer. “Sugar, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Sawyer smirked before he leaned forward and kissed me. “I bet you say that to all the guys you bail out of jail.” I chuckled and shook my head.

After a moment, the anger reappeared in Sawyer’s expression as he turned and glared at his mother. “Celine, where’s Keller?”

Dread consumed me at the tone in Sawyer’s voice. I had to diffuse it. “He’s safe, sugar. Calm down.”

I drove out to the clubhouse in Pahrump, parking in front of The Roundup. The others had just arrived ahead of us.

Keller strolled out of the restaurant, and Sawyer seemed ready to run to the porch to beat the fuck out of the man. I grabbed his arm and Celine sat forward in the back seat, touching Sawyer’s shoulder. “Calm down. It’s a long story.”

I was there to support Sawyer as he heard what his father had to say about the crazy shit that happened the previous night. I was pretty sure my guy and his father were still going to have a lot to talk about, but that would have to be another day. I was only celebrating that my Sawyer was released from jail.

The sun was rising, painting the sky a beautiful purple. I sat on the front porch of Sawyer’s house with a cup of coffee that Celine had made before I got up from Sawyer’s bed.

Keller and Sawyer had been at the clubhouse with the other members of the club all night. I couldn’t imagine what they were talking about, but I wasn’t leaving until Sawyer came home and showed me that he was okay.

“Sawyer is just like his father. They’re hard men to love, Fitz, but if you can tolerate the shitty moods and the times that he’ll put the club ahead of your relationship, I can promise you that you’ll never be loved more.” Celine took a seat beside me. “Do you understand the loyalty they have to that club? Sometimes I wish the whole damn thing would burn down.”

It wasn’t as if I hadn’t had those friendships in my life before, but when I left the Navy, I didn’t carry those friendships with me. In my heart, I believed I had some now that were more meaningful than any I’d had previously.

“Thank you, Celine. I hope you’re right. I love that man—” My voice trembled, keeping me from finishing the sentence.

Celine patted my arm. “That love will be the best gift you can ever receive and the worst curse you’ll ever experience. It won’t let you walk away when your common sense tells you to.”

While I wasn’t exactly sure what she and Keller had gone through, I could see she’d been hurt by Keller in the past. “But you’re still here, Celine.”

Sawyer’s mother reached up to wipe her eyes. “You can’t stop loving them, and love will keep you by their side. That’s the curse.”

Was she warning me to get away from Sawyer now before it was too late? If she was, I wouldn’t heed it. Sawyer was my life.