Page 26 of Unruly Defender

No reason to make her so damn sore she won’t be able to take me later tonight. Yeah, I’m not afraid to admit she’s my new addiction. But like I said, we need to focus on the things we need to handle today. Though getting dressed while shooting heated glances at each other sure spices up my day.

“We’re picking up Maggie, making sure she’s settled in and then we’re heading back here, or? What’s the plan? Because I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned I need to check on my boat,” Gracy says as she picks up Finn and gives him a quick kiss.

I stroll over and pet him over the head.

“Clemente is supposed to message me. There are things going down today we need to handle. I’m not even sure if it will be today or tomorrow, they still haven’t been able to track down Rush so it all depends on when they find out where he’s staying.

I hate the uncertainty but it’s unavoidable.

” I place a kiss on her forehead and grab my leather cut from the chair in the corner and put it on.

The room we’re staying in is one of ten small rooms here at the clubhouse. There are about eight single brothers living here and the rest have their own house or apartment where they live.

My father used to live with my mother at the estate and I had both, a room here and a bungalow. The rooms here have just the basic necessities such as a king size bed, a chair along with a desk, a closet, and a separate bathroom. We all share the same kitchen.

There used to be a schedule of who cleans up the kitchen on what day, but I haven’t seen any list, and the kitchen is a mess.

So, I guess little things like that need my attention too.

I make a mental note to discuss this in church.

I have to smile at the minor necessary point of discussion and yet it’s a way better thing to deal with than the shit we’re wrapped in now.

The construction company my father owned was passed onto my mother and Yates has been keeping it afloat along with a few of the other brothers. Something else to discuss once things settle down, because eventually I will be back to working alongside my brothers.

My phone rings and when I check I see it’s Clemente calling. “Yeah?”

“They found him...and the net is closing around Rush. I’m coming over in about two hours. I have a virtual meeting planned with my uncle in twenty minutes, and I’m not sure how long it will take me to talk things through.”

“Take your time, Clemente. We’re heading out to bring my mother home. Shoot me a text when you’re headed my way.”

“Will do. Say hi to Gracy for me,” Clemente says before he disconnects the call.

“Clemente says hi,” I grumble and it makes Gracy smile.

Clemente’s words echo through my mind and I now realize what he meant. Fuck. Spencer. We thought it would take them some time to find Spencer, I guess that ship sailed.

“Everything okay?” Gracy asks. “You seemed to mentally drift away to another place.”

I shake my head. “It’s nothing, come on, we’re heading to the hospital and we’re taking Finn with us. He can wait outside with Rhett while we’re getting my mother. Then Finn can stay with her at her house so she’ll have some extra company.”

“You’re right.” Gracy starts to grab Finn’s things. “She loves it when Finn is sitting next to her. Can’t Rooney come with us instead of Rhett? Or is Rhett staying with her today?”

“I haven’t discussed it with Yates yet. I know most guys from way back but I’ve been away for a long time and don’t exactly know their routine.

Yates also handles the construction company where most of the guys work and as you know Rooney has his own company thrown into the mix too.

” I rub my jaw and think things through.

“But I’m guessing it’s Ash and either Rhett or Rooney.

Maybe Hudson but I know he had three days off and he used to work one week nonstop and then have three days off and then a week nonstop again.

He needs a routine in his life so I’m pretty sure he’s unavailable. ”

“Your mother used to be an old lady, I’m pretty sure she can handle any biker you team her up with.” She gives me a smile and says, “Ready when you are.”

I hold the door for her and we head out to the main room in search of Yates.

Turns out I was right about Hudson and Rooney.

So, it’s Rhett who is going with us while Yates needs to run out to a project that needs his attention.

Yates assured me he’ll be back within two hours if needed.

We take the car as Rhett and Ash follow on their bikes behind us.

We’re at the estate within the hour and I can clearly see my mother is glad she’s home when she starts to cheerfully talk with Finn.

I’m still worried, though. And I’m glad she agreed to a checkup in a few days because the papers she discovered might have set this off, but it’s good to keep an eye on her health.

My mother grabs my arm and ushers me into the kitchen. There’s a large safe in the pantry and she opens it and takes out her leather cut. She holds it out for me to take and when I do, I unfold it to check the back.

The two merged skulls with left and right, the rose and the dagger keeping everything pinned is in the middle while on top it says, “Property of,” and on the bottom it states, “Pierce.”

“It shouldn’t be kept in a safe, it should be passed on,” my mother says, her voice filled with emotion.

“I wish he was here to see this moment,” I grunt, not needing to mention my father’s name because my mother knows damn sure who I’m talking about.

“It wasn’t meant to be, son.” She swallows hard and adds, “When the time comes, I will see him again, but for now he would want me to enjoy the sunset and sunrise while I know he’s there with me in my heart.”

“That’s right, momma,” I croak and pull her into a hug.

“Everything okay?” Gracy’s worried voice flows through the kitchen.

“Oh, yes, child,” my mother says as she walks over to Gracy and cups her face. “I knew you were special the day I met you. And it makes me very happy you two are together now. And remember, grandbabies. I’m not getting any younger.”

“Ma!” I snap, exactly how I did at the hospital when she said the same thing, but at the same time satisfaction flows through my veins knowing there’s a slight chance she might get her wish sooner rather than later.

My mother steps back and it allows me to hold out the leather cut for Gracy to see. Her fingers go to her lips and her eyes fill up. Her gaze meets my mother’s and she nods approvingly, giving Gracy a tiny push so she moves to stand in front of me.

“Turn around,” I grunt, my voice raw with the loaded emotions.

My father gave his old lady this cut. He had it made special for everyone to see who my mother belonged to. Now, after all these years, it serves the same purpose for a new generation.

She slides her hands through the holes and puts it on. She turns and lets her fingers slide over the leather. Locking her gaze with mine she asks, “How do I look?”

“Fucking perfect and all mine,” I tell her and take her mouth in a fierce but quick kiss.

She gives me a shy smile and wraps her arms around my waist to give me a hug.

“Okay, you youngsters, I’m going to grab a book and lie down on the patio with Finn keeping me company,” mom says as she gives us both a smile and waves us out of the room.

By the emotions swirling in her eyes I can tell she’s getting too emotional and needs to be by herself. I tell Rhett and Ash to keep an eye on her. Not just on the surroundings but on my mom as well to make sure she’s okay.

When everything is set Gracy and I head back to the clubhouse. It’s time to take on another problem; Rush. One thing at a time is how we handle things, and our “to-do list” is getting shorter.