Page 15

As I waited for Haven and Gareth to make up their minds, I didn’t hang out at the clubhouse. I didn’t want anyone who might be around to ask me questions, and I knew they would once they saw my face. Instead, I went for a long walk. As I did, I fought not to be sick. The thought of losing her made me want to hurl, scream, and make hasty promises. However, I knew the last wasn’t the way to go.

I could tell her I’d never harm someone, but it would be a lie. As much as the club tried not to involve the women in what we did, they inevitably suspected the basics and overheard things. There was no way I’d leave my brothers without my support. And I’d feel guilty if I had the means to help others and didn’t. What kind of man would that make me? Not one I’d respect or one Haven could either.

As much as I loved her and wanted a life with her, I couldn’t refuse to do my part, not follow my conscience, or walk away from my club. If it meant I lost her, then I’d have to find a way to live with it. I’d undoubtedly live as a lonely, unhappy, and bitter man. There would be no woman after her nor a family. It was all this that had my stomach churning and bile crawling up the back of my throat.

The time on my watch seemed to crawl ten times slower than usual. I forced myself not to stand outside the house, watching for their cars to leave. Eventually, I took refuge behind Crusher’s house, which sat behind mine on the next street. When two minutes were left, I slowly made my way to my place. When I rounded the front, I sighed in relief when I saw Annie and Gareth’s car still in the driveway. The garage was closed, so I couldn’t see if Haven’s car was in there.

Speeding up, I hurried to the front door and walked inside. It was eerily quiet. Doubts began to assault me. Maybe they stayed to tell me what an evil monster I was before leaving. I went to the kitchen. Assuming they were there, where I left them. I found them sitting at the table in the nook. They had their heads bent. Only Annie made eye contact with me. Her tiny smile was hard to interpret. Was she reassuring me it would be alright or trying to bolster me?

Gareth looked up at me. “Tinker, I’m sorry if I came across as judgmental. I shouldn’t have. You made some good points, and Annie explained some of hers while you were gone. I can’t say I’ll ever be completely comfortable with the idea of you or the club doing those things. However, I know the world isn’t fair or perfect. As for my family, I’d be shocked if there wasn’t dirty laundry they didn’t want to be exposed. I’d appreciate it if you’d ask Spawn to look into it.” He came to his feet, stepped closer to me, and then presented his hand. I took it and shook it.

“Thanks, Gareth. I appreciate it. I agree that it’s not something most people can easily embrace. Just know that if even one of us has doubts, we don’t make a move.”

As he nodded, I shifted my gaze to Haven. She was still sitting in her chair with her head bent. Her hands were clenched together. My heart sank. Walking to her, I sank to my heels. Her hair was in her face. I had to fight myself not to reach out and move it or touch her.

“Baby, I get it. I do. I hate it, but I understand. Can I have one more kiss before you leave?” I asked hoarsely.

Her head snapped up, and she gave me a shocked look. “Tinker, what’re you talking about? Leave?”

“Before you leave me for good,” I choked out.

The next thing I knew, she was in my arms. I fell back on my ass. As she kissed me, I hungrily returned it as I held her tightly to me. Who knows how long we might’ve continued kissing if it weren’t for Annie. I heard her giggle.

“I think we’ll leave you two alone. Let us know if you need anything from us and what Spawn finds out. He’ll probably have something before next week, knowing him. Why don’t you tell us which night you can come to have dinner at the house this week? We can talk more then,” Annie suggested.

“Thanks, we’ll do that,” I mumbled. I caught them walking out holding hands, which was a good sign. I didn’t want to cause issues between them.

Haven tried to get up off my lap. I tightened my hold. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Off you so you can get off the floor. I didn’t mean to knock you over. I was just so anxious for you to know I wasn’t leaving.”

“I didn’t mind it. Why don’t we sit on the couch so we can be comfortable and talk? I assume you have questions.”

I pushed up on her hips to help her up, and then I stood. It was a short walk to the couch in the family room, off the nook. When we got there, I sat first so that I could bring her down on my lap. She curled up on me.

“I don’t have questions so much as concerns,” she said.

“What kind of concerns?”

“How to keep you and the rest of the club safe from being caught? How do you cover up what you do? Do you have help?”

“I won’t tell you how we cover our tracks, only to say we do. Sometimes, we do need other help. And the way you can assist in keeping us safe and out of prison is never to speak of it outside the main club. In fact, don’t talk about it, even between you and the other ladies, unless necessary, and keep to vague comments. Never discuss when someone might overhear you, which means only when you’re within the compound and no non-club people are here. Even within the club, extended family members cannot know the details, just like you didn’t.”

“Would you have told me if it hadn’t come up?”

“I would’ve, but I was waiting until we were more established. This could get us life sentences. Just telling someone new could land us in a heap of hurt.”

“I get why you didn’t upfront. I just wanted to know if I would’ve been kept in the dark forever.”

“Not forever, and it wouldn’t have been possible even if I wanted to. Are you positive you can live with this?”

“I am. It was a shock, but as I thought about it, I realized I trust you not to harm innocents or to do things carelessly and not have all the facts. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Vance.”

“Thank fuck! I was outside trying not to puke. I can’t lose you, Witch.”

“You won’t. Not unless you lie, cheat, or become abusive.”

“That’ll never happen.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about. Okay, I know you need to get back to work so you can get back here for church. We can talk more after that if you want.”

“No, I told them not to expect me back today. Lash is there. He’ll take care of anything that comes up. I’m staying here. If there’s more you want to ask, now is the time.” As we settled in for the remainder of the day, I began to plot my next move regarding her family.

We gathered as usual for Monday night church. Occasionally, if a problem arose and warranted it, we’d hold our meeting on a different night or do an informal one like they did when they voted on Haven being my old lady. Most of the time, church was a repeating pattern of reporting on how each business was performing, any issues or concerns, staffing needs, and those sorts of things. At the beginning of each month, there was a financial report on how much money was made the prior month and how investments performed. If there were businesses someone thought would be good for the club to acquire or start, we’d discuss those, as we did with the Punisher’s Deuce, our bar a few years back.

It wasn’t until we ran through the regular agenda that Reaper opened the floor to new business. I’d been counting the minutes until he did.

“Alright, I think that’s all for the usual business. Does anyone have anything new they want to bring to the table?” Reaper asked. He scanned the table as he asked. My hand shot in the air. Checking around me, I didn’t see anyone else with his hand up. I got a chin lift from Reaper.

“It looks like you’re the only one. What’s on your mind, Tinker?”

“I need to ask Spawn for his help with something.”

“What?” Reaper asked. Even though I wasn’t asking him to do anything, as president, it was his right to deny it if he felt the request endangered the club or would interfere with Spawn’s work for the club.

“Haven and Gareth were served with legal papers today. The other uncle and his wife are lawyers. They’ve filed lawsuits to contest the will their grandma made, leaving the bulk of her wealth to Haven and the rest to Gareth. She gave the others a few family trinkets but no money or the proceeds from selling her house. They claim she wasn’t of sound mind when she made her will. It seems that fucking family of theirs has found a judge to order their bank accounts frozen until it’s resolved. Gareth and Haven are sure that the judge is a crony of the aunt and uncle, or they have something over him.”

“Jesus Christ, what’s with people and having asshats for family?” Shadow muttered. There were other complaints and harsh words, much worse than his. When they got them out of their systems, Reaper got us back on topic.

“Let me guess. You want Spawn to see if they have a case and to find out if there’s anything that can be used to make them drop the lawsuit,” he said with a grin.

“You got it. The will was made out years ago, well before she got sick and passed. Both of them assured me that she was absolutely able to make those decisions. They wouldn’t put anything past their family if it nets them power and money. I need that information as a backup if my first plan doesn’t work, which I doubt it will.”

“What’s your first plan?” Maniac asked.

“I’ll have a heart-to-heart with them and make it clear that if they persist in doing this, they won’t like the results.”

Several chuckled. Crusher asked, “Would this heart-to-heart entail fists to do the talking?”

“Why, Crusher, you wound me. I can be civil. I only plan to talk. It won’t be my fault if someone on their end makes it physical,” I said calmly.

“Like that ex-boyfriend turned fiancé?” Riot asked with a smirk.

“If only I could be that lucky.” I hadn’t forgotten or forgiven what that piece of shit did to Haven. It might not be this month or even this year, but he’d get his comeuppance for doing that to her. My answer made everyone smile.

“I’ve got time, Pres. I’m helping Haven create a website, but that takes no time. Everything else I have is minor work. It’s been a while since I’ve had to dig into someone,” Spawn said, cracking his knuckles as he smiled.

“There you have it. Get the information to Spawn, and he’ll get to work,” Reaper told me.

I came prepared. I had their names, addresses, and birthdates jotted down. I’d asked Haven for them before church. We’d done this enough to know what Spawn needed to begin his research. I slid it across to him. He snatched it up, eyed it, and then slipped it into the pocket of his cut.

After that was out of the way, we kicked back and shot the breeze for a bit before Reaper called the meeting adjourned, and we were dismissed. I made a beeline for Haven. She was in the common room with the other old ladies. Most of the time, while we were in church, they’d sit and talk to each other out there. Other times, depending on what was happening, they might be at home, getting the kids to bed.

When we entered the common area, she gave me an anxious, questioning look. I nodded. I saw her sag in relief. I stopped to grab a beer from Dravin at the bar and called over to her. “Babe, you need something to drink?”

She was sitting around a table with all the ladies. The babies were either sleeping or being held while the oldest three kids played. It was comical to look and see a corner with children’s toys in a biker clubhouse. We kept some in here for them to play with. To us, it had become normal.

“I’d love water,” she called back. I didn’t offer it to the others because their men were already doing it.

“Thanks, Drav,” I said when Dravin handed me my beer and her a bottle of water. When I got to the table, I set them down so I could twist off the cap on her water.

“Thank you, honey,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” I told her before dropping a kiss on her upturned mouth, then dragging a chair over so I could sit behind and off to her side. Picking up my beer, I took a long swallow.

“Was that enough for Spawn?” she asked softly.

“It was. I’ve seen the man do wonders with less. No worries. He’s glad to do it. I think he’s been getting bored.”

This made her laugh and shake her head. As we sat there, I let the conversations flow over me. It was this kind of thing I loved about my club.

I wasted no time confronting Haven’s family in Blacksburg. The next day, I took the day off again and made the two-hour drive there. When I informed Haven what I intended the night before, she insisted she wanted to go with me. I tried to talk her into staying at home, but she was stubborn. I understood why she’d want to be there, so eventually, I gave in. My only stipulation was she let me do the bulk of the talking.

Since it was a sunny summer day, we rode rather than went in a cage. I was blessed that my woman seemed to enjoy riding. We’d gone on several short rides since our initial one, but this would be the longest for her. A total of four hours, even broken up, would most likely make her ass sore. I knew how to make her feel better when we got home.

The ride was great. We’d left early, so it was around ten when we rolled up to the offices of Whitt & Whitt, according to the sign. My woman had given me the address, and I plugged it into my GPS. It sat in town. Since we hadn’t warned anyone we were coming, Haven said it was almost certain they’d be there on a weekday. If not, then court or home. As for her bitch cousin and her fuck-faced man, who knew.

Strolling inside hand-in-hand, I took in the decor. The first thing I thought was they were too pretentious. The second thought was they should’ve hired Haven to do their interior design. Everywhere I looked was faux gold and statues. Arriving at the receptionist’s desk, a young woman gave us a vague smile. Her name tag read Nava .

“How may I help you?”

“We’re here to see Judd and Ursula,” Haven said. She’d told me it might be better to let her get us in the door. Then I could take the wheel.

“Do you have an appointment?” Nava asked skeptically. She was eyeing our outfits.

“We don’t, but they’ll see me,” Haven said confidently.

“I’m sorry, but unless you have an appointment, they can’t. They’re very busy. I think we have an opening in a month if you’d like that slot,” she said as she began tapping on her keyboard.

Haven leaned closer. A few people were waiting to be seen. They were casting curious looks at us, no doubt wondering what bikers were doing in a place like this.

“I suggest you tell my uncle and aunt that Haven is here. And unless they want these good people to hear what I have to say and for it to be all over town by five o’clock, it would be in their best interest to see us. They have five minutes, and then I’m opening my mouth. God knows what might come out.”

It wasn’t the time or place for it, but I was so turned on by her badass attitude I almost bent her over my arm and kissed the daylights out of her. The receptionist’s mouth dropped open, and a look of shock took over her expression.

“I-I can’t do that,” Nava stuttered.

“You can. You now have four-and-a-half minutes,” Haven said.

She must’ve seen Haven wasn’t joking because Nava jumped to her feet and rushed down the hallway. Her high heels were clicking loudly on the marble floor. While we waited, I checked out the others in the waiting area. They were avoiding eye contact. Nava made it back with thirty seconds to spare. Her face was flushed.

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to the conference room.”

As we both began to move toward Nava, she added, “Mr. and Mrs. Whitt said they only wanted to speak to their niece.”

“They can want, but they’re not getting it. Where Haven goes, I go,” I informed her gruffly.

She gulped. Haven waved her off. “I know where to go. You stay here and smile. I think your clients are getting nervous.”

Glancing to where she pointed, I saw a couple exiting the office. The receptionist squeaked in alarm and then took off after them, calling their names. Not bothering to wait, I let Haven show me the way to the conference room. As we entered it, I saw it was empty.

She snorted. “I’m not surprised. They’ll keep us waiting. It’s their style. It’s to show me that I’m a nobody compared to them,” she explained as we took a seat. This room was no better than the rest. Gaudy was the word that came to mind.

“Babe, they may try to make you feel that way, but we know better. They do it because they’re insecure. Just relax and breathe.”

She smiled and squeezed my hand. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re here with me, Vance. I can handle them, but it’s nice not to do it alone. They’re exhausting and will make you want to punch them. Just a fair warning. And if you do, they’ll have you arrested.” I heard the warning in her voice.

“Witch, they won’t make me lose it. I know better. We’re here to give them a chance to do the right thing. That way, when they don’t, and shit comes down on them, they can’t claim they weren’t warned. I want you to think about where to have lunch before heading home. This is your home turf. You know the best restaurants in town.”

She was chuckling at my suggestion when the door opened, and a smartly dressed man and woman came in. They were both wearing suits, but hers didn’t have a tie, and she wore a skirt and heels—typical executive look. They were in their fifties, I would guess. The woman’s hair was blonde, undoubtedly out of a bottle, and no strand was out of place. Her face was made up expertly with makeup. If she didn’t have such a condescending sneer on her face, she’d be considered attractive in my book. However, that expression destroyed that possibility. The man was staring down his nose at us haughtily.

“Haven, would you mind explaining what the meaning of this is? It’s rude and uncivilized to show up here without an appointment and expect us to see you. And I thought we told Nava we’d speak to you alone,” he said.

“Just as it was rude and uncivilized for you to have a man show up at my door with papers? I didn’t get a warning or appointment for that. As for me meeting with you alone, I’m entitled to have a witness. Two against one isn’t smart,” my woman replied.

“This is ridiculous. Tell us what you want, then leave. We have a busy day,” her aunt snapped.

“I’d sit down if I were you. This is going to take more than a minute,” I informed them.

They both gave me a look of derision. Upper lips curled up. “And exactly who are you? Wait, I know. One of those dirty bikers Haven and Gareth have been hanging out with. I knew Gareth’s wife would ruin him. You must be the one Jubilee and Warrick told us about,” her uncle said.

“Sit!” I snapped as I let my booming voice out.

They both jumped. As I rose from my chair, they scrambled to take a seat across the table from us. They thought that would make them safe. They had no clue. If I intended them harm, those few feet would be nothing. A bullet from the gun I carried would reach them with no problem. However, I wasn’t here to physically hurt or kill them. It was just to issue a warning, I kept reminding myself.

I moved to stand behind Haven and placed my hands on her shoulders. She was tense, and I had to prevent myself from rubbing her shoulders to make her relax. We needed to get this over with ASAP. The hostility and toxicity were coming off those two in waves.

“I’m Tinker. I’m Haven’s man. We came here today to inform you that your underhanded move to take what doesn’t belong to you won’t succeed. We won’t respond in kind to your threat if you drop the lawsuit and never try something like that again. The money was distributed the way your grandma wanted. Your hard feelings about it are your problem,” I calmly informed them.

“How dare you stick your nose into family business? You’re nothing but a dirty biker Haven is sleeping with. My God, can you embarrass this family anymore, Haven? You’ve wasted your life and then this,” Ursula said with contempt.

“Ursula, Haven has done no such thing. You, your husband, daughter, and sister-in-law are the embarrassments. Apparently, you’re too stupid to recognize someone so above you that it’s not funny. Haven sacrificed starting her career to take care of her beloved grandma while you and the rest went on with your lives. And don’t get me started on your shitty excuse for a daughter. What has she done with her life? Nothing from what I hear. And her so-called fiancé is a piece of shit, so they make a perfect couple,” I said back with equal contempt.

Both their faces reddened. I practically saw their blood pressure rising. Maybe we’d get lucky, and their heads would explode. That would be great. As they sat there staring holes through us, I whispered that to Haven. She choked back her giggle, but a tiny bit escaped.

“Who do you think you are to speak to us this way!? You have no idea who you’re messing with. I don’t know what Haven and Gareth told you, but they’re lies. They’re the ones in the wrong. They stole from the family. They took advantage of an old, demented woman and forced her to make her will out, so they benefited,” Judd snapped.

“Bullshit. That will was made out years before she got sick and died. You might think with your friends and a judge in your pocket, you can win, but I’m here to tell you that you won’t,” I warned them.

Ursula snorted. “You think we’re scared of you? Please. You’re a loser like her,” she pointed to Haven.

I was about to cut the bitch down when Haven spoke up. “Ursula, you can call me all the names you want, but it doesn’t matter. Tinker and his club are far from losers. If I were you, I’d take the warning. However, I know you two. You’re too conceited to do it. Don’t come crying to me or Gareth when your supposedly perfect lives come tumbling down around you. Pursue this matter, and we’ll make you regret it. The days of taking your shit are over. Grandma is gone, and Mom has made her position clear. I’ve found a family that wants my love. And they care for me and will have my back. Honey, it’s time to go. We did what we intended. Let’s get out of here. The smell is getting to me. Desperation stinks.”

I moved back, taking her chair with me. As she rose from it, she was regal as a queen. Her stare of disdain for them was spot on. They were sitting there with their mouths hanging open in disbelief. We made it to the conference room door before one of them was able to say anything more.

“You don’t stand a chance, Haven. We’re going to destroy you and Gareth,” Judd taunted, though it was weak in my book.

“Bring it on,” I said before opening the door and walking us out. We breezed past Nava and out the door. Time to eat and then go home. I couldn’t wait to see what Spawn found on these fuckers. My gut told me it would be good.