Page 14

Kenna

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A group of bikers walked into the bar. Kenna grabbed a notepad and followed them to the tables. It was still early in the afternoon. They'd want to eat and get out before those from the campground wandered over for dinner.

"Does anyone need drinks?" She held up her pen.

Snake, nearest to her, pointed around the table at each man. "Beer, whiskey, beer, beer, and a whiskey and Coke."

"Got it." She tore off the piece of paper. "Rebecca will be by in a minute to take your orders."

She walked away, motioning at Rebecca to let her know the table was ready. While filling up the beers at the counter, she spotted River walking in alone. Kenna frowned, noticing the backpack on her sister. She'd gone without her pack lately. Knowing the bag was more of a security blanket to her sister than a handy way of carrying stuff around, she became concerned. Something must've happened.

Putting all the drinks on two trays, she carried the order to the table, passing them out to the men. She wasn't needed until they finished eating, and then she'd clean off the table and prep it for the next customers that came in.

She and Rebecca had fallen into a routine that kept them constantly moving, making the hours go by faster. The customers appeared happy with how efficiently she and Rebecca worked to serve their food and drinks.

After serving the drinks and checking with the other customers, she headed straight to River. "What's wrong?"

"Why do you think something is wrong?" River ripped a napkin into shreds, making a pile on the counter of the bar.

She might have been separated from her sister growing up, but she'd learned that River was quick to think the worst when something happened. Most of the time, River's stress came from Zane. Ironically, Zane was also the one person who could make River feel safe again.

"Where's Zane?" she asked.

"With Kingsley," muttered River.

"Aw." She nodded in understanding.

As she left for work, she learned Kingsley and Zane had plans to ride. Since it was River's day off, she was stuck home alone. She thought her sister was okay being by herself until they got back.

"You do know it's club business." She softened her voice. "He'll come back."

"What if he doesn't?"

"But, he will." She leaned closer. "They both will."

She understood her sister's worries. The fear of losing contact with Kingsley gave her nightmares. He was the one constant in her life. He'd always come after her no matter how hard she fought or how far she ran. That reassurance that he would love her no matter how she messed up had done more for her than anything in her life.

"Do you know where they went?" whispered River.

"I think Kingsley mentioned St. Maries." She shrugged. "I could be wrong. It also wouldn't surprise me if the ride has something to do with their dad. Yesterday's visit to the prison was intense."

"But you got him to listen to you." River's voice came out louder. "I'm so proud of you."

"I was too scared not to say something." Kenna held up her finger as a customer walked through the door. "I'll be right back."

She took the man's drink order and returned to the counter to make a bloody Mary. Wanting to pep her sister up, she asked if she wanted a drink.

"You do know I'm not twenty-one yet." River propped her chin in her upturned hand and leaned against the bar. "Two more months."

"Don't tell me you haven't had alcohol." She hurried to deliver the drink and returned to her sister. "And, I haven't forgotten your age. I just figured with the club owning the bar and eating ninety percent of your meals here, you would've had a drink."

She stared down at the counter. "I have plans with Zane to drink on my birthday."

"Well, see." Kenna knocked on the scarred wood in front of her sister. "He wouldn't make plans with you if he was going to ghost you."

River looked up and frowned. "I'm stupid."

"You are not." Kenna walked around the counter and grabbed River's shoulders, shaking her. "I get it, sis. The first thing I do each morning is make sure Kingsley is beside me in bed, and it takes me a minute to calm down because I panic. Maybe it would be different if we weren't split apart or we didn't live in foster homes. I don't know. But I understand how badly you need Zane by your side because that's how I feel about Kingsley."

River grabbed her, hugging her tightly. Kenna wrapped her arms around her and the backpack. Her sister started laughing. Kenna slapped her pack, knowing how ridiculous they looked—but she didn't care.

She'd missed too many years of having someone beside her who understood her feelings. No one else would comprehend the fucked-up mess they'd survived.

"Do you think mom knew that her life was in danger and that she'd end up dead?" River pulled away from her. "I keep thinking about her. There's so little information online. There's only that one article about dad's crimes and they hadn't even mentioned mom by name."

"I imagine she had no idea she was going to be killed."

"I hope so." River inhaled deeply. "I hope—I don't know. I hope she didn't suffer."

"She was a good mom," whispered Kenna. "She loved us. She loved Dad."

River looked around the bar and then met Kenna's gaze. "I know you think dad is innocent, but—"

"I never said he was innocent. I said he was alive." Kenna turned her back to the room. "I'm angry, too. He lied to us. He made Kingsley and Zane lie to us." She inhaled swiftly. "It's like we're caught in a web of secrets, and we don't have anything to free us."

"Is someone going to help me?"

Kenna turned around, plastered a smile on her face to greet the customer, and gasped when she found Zora inside the bar. The shock of seeing Kingsley's mom sent her heart racing.

"C-can I help you?" she asked.

"Where is he?" Zora's face pinched. "He's supposed to be here."

Kenna glanced at River, who shrugged. "Who?"

"You know damn well who." Zora walked over to the nearest table and shoved the chair, making it topple. "Bitches."

Kenna stepped over to River and whispered, "What's wrong with her?"

"She's mad."

It was more than that. She'd seen the woman at the cabin—calm, quiet, and sensible.

Zora turned and screamed, "Don't just stand there. Get him."

"I don't know who—"

Lori hurried into the room, carrying a dishtowel. The cook looked straight at Kenna while going to Zora. "Call the clubhouse. Get Big John."

She hesitated. This was Kingsley's mother.

"Now." Lori reached for Zora, but the woman backed away.

"Don't touch me." Zora swatted Lori's hands

The cook kept walking, pushing Zora toward the kitchen. Heart pounding, Kenna took her cell phone out of her pocket, pulled up the contact for the clubhouse, and connected the call.

"Yo."

"This is Kenna." She thrust her hand in her hair, unsure if the member knew who she was. "Kingsley's Kenna."

"Got it."

"Lori needs Big John at the bar," she said.

"He just rode out."

"Shit." She looked at the two women, arguing and drawing attention from the customers. "If you hear from him, tell him we need him at the bar."

"Will do."

She disconnected the call and instantly called Kingsley. Glancing at River while the call connected, she found her sister also holding her phone to her ear.

"Zane," mouthed River.

She nodded. It wouldn't matter which brother came. Lori needed help with Zora.

Her call went to voicemail. "It's me. Zora is at the bar." She paused. "She's upset. Can you come?"

As soon as she put the phone away, she overheard River talking to Zane. She pointed toward the kitchen, left her sister there to explain what was going on, and went to check on Lori.

Rebecca intercepted her before she reached the swinging door. "Who was that woman?"

"I don't know," she lied.

"Coo-coo." Rebecca raised her brows. "I'll take care of the customers. Go check on Lori. She looks like she could use all the help she can get."

She slipped into the kitchen and stayed back at the commotion going on near the back counter.

Zora struck out, knocking a pan off the hanger. Lori held her hands out to the sides, not letting the other woman get past her to go back into the bar. Afraid the older woman would get hurt, Kenna slowly inched forward. If nothing else, she could grab Lori and get her to safety before she got hurt.

"Let's stop and take a deep breath." Lori inhaled deeply. "Big John will be here soon."

"I don't want him. I want Ridge. I know you're keeping him from me, and I want him back." Zora's hair had come undone and wrapped around her shoulders. "Let me see him."

Lori caught sight of Kenna. "Did you call?"

She nodded. "Big John's not at the clubhouse."

"Damnit." Lori backed up a step. "Okay. Let me think."

Zora turned to Kenna. "You—you were with Kingsley."

Kingsley's mom launched herself at her, grabbing Kenna's arms before she could step away. "Where's my baby?"

"I-I don't know." She flinched at the nails digging into her skin. "I called him."

"No, no, no. What have you done?" Zora flung herself around, pacing the kitchen. "He's going to be mad. He's going to make me leave. I can't go. I need to get out of here. I need to hide. I can't let him see me."

Zora kept ranting irrationally, and her movements grew agitated. Keena could no longer understand the words coming from Kingsley's mom. The way she acted scared her. Something wasn't right.

Lori grabbed her arm. "Call Kingsley."

"I tried," she whispered. "He's not answering."

"I don't know what to do." Lori blew her cheeks out. "Big John is usually here when she escapes the cabin."

Escapes? Kenna swallowed the apprehensive coursing through her. Kingsley was guarding the woman. She wasn't a prisoner there.

The back door burst open, and Kingsley filled the kitchen. Kenna held herself back from rushing to him. The tension in the room suffocated her.

Kingsley's gaze swept past his mom to Kenna, checking her out from head to toe. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. It wasn't her. It was his mom. Something was wrong.

Lori wrung her hands. "Your dad didn't—"

"I know what he did." He looked at Zora. "Will you come with me?"

Zora, much calmer after seeing her son, walked to him. He led her outside and let the door shut behind him. Kenna looked toward Lori, wanting answers but not sure she had any right to ask the questions that plagued her.

Lori's shoulders slumped. "I never thought it would come to this," she muttered, almost to herself. "He promised she'd be okay."

Kenna took a tentative step closer. "Lori, what exactly is going on? Why would you say Big John usually deals with Zora when she escapes from the cabin?"

Lori's eyes were haunted as she met Kenna's gaze. "Zora...she's not just any woman. She belongs to Ridge—"

"I know she's Kingsley and Zane's mom," she said.

Lori nodded. "Big John, he's tried to shield her for years."

Kenna's mind raced. Unaware of the dynamics within Gem Haven Motorcycle Club, she could only wait for Kingsley to return.