Page 7 of Running Alone

“Yeah, Patti, evening. Sorry for the late call, but I need some help. Tomorrow night I’m going to need four rooms ata hotel, resort, or something that is above a two-or three-star. If possible, get me three suites or mini-suites, and one regular room. Just text me when you find somewhere. I’d greatly appreciate it.”

“Not a problem. I’ll find somewhere. Do you care what the rate is and do I have permission to do whatever I have to do to secure the rooms?”

“As always, Patti, work your magic.”

We say goodbye and I make my way back into our room with Freddy finishing making the pullout bed. The nice thing about this room is there is a dividing half wall between the king-size bed and the desk and couch. We will each have a little privacy. He has a television, as do I.

“Freddy, you good, man? I’ve got to get back online and review some documents. Mind if I work at the desk just a bit longer? It’s much more comfortable than trying to work in bed.”

“Brother, your room, do what you want to. I’m just grateful for the bed. I have no problem chipping in for the room either, Malachi. Just tell me how much.”

I nod but already know I’d never take money from him. He turns the television on quietly while he checks out his phone. Within five minutes I’m reading contracts and looking at some stuff Nova sent me earlier in the day. Just as I’m about done, my phone vibrates with a text. Grabbing it and opening the text app, I smile while I read Patti’s words.

“Boss, nothing close to four-or five-stars in Casper, Wyoming but I found a really cool location in Saratoga, Wyoming, which is before Casper. It’s called The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch. I’ve reserved the Yoakum, which has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. If you can get there on Wednesday, it will give you whenever you arrive until Friday or Saturday, I’ve left it open. The kitchen will be stocked and I’ve scheduled a chef to prepare whatever meals you want. I convinced the propertyowners that it was in their best interest to do their best to make yours and your friends’ stay one to remember. Let me know if you need me to add anything further. Oh, there will be a rental also there for you to use, if needed, per your instructions. Have a nice evening, Malachi.”

This brings a huge smile to my face. It’s Monday night, so I text her, telling her to adjust the reservation to arriving late Tuesday, which will give us a couple of days at the lodge. Jude is going to be so pissed, but I know Vito and Freddy will appreciate it. Then I send a group text, informing everyone I’ve taken care of the lodging—kind of chuckling at my play on words—and it’s on the way. Explained if we can bust ass and get there by tomorrow evening, we can spend a couple of days on a mini-vacation. I don’t give them the name just that it’s a town before Casper, Wyoming. I leave it like that.

Not even two minutes later I get a reply from Vito.

“Right on, dude. Can’t wait.”

Then Freddy, who just has an emoji with a smiling face with its mouth open, forming an ‘O.’

Finally, after eight minutes, I hear back from Jude.

“Why did you change the plans, asshole?”

Yeah, it’s working, I’m getting under his skin. Now for dad’s way of really pissing someone off, I pressure them.

“Oh, sorry, Jude, just trying to do something nice. If it makes you feel better when I pay the invoice, you can take care of your portion. I was going to treat everyone but whatever makes you happy, Jude. Going to bed, good night.”

When I look up, Freddy is watching me with a smirk on his face.

“What the fuck did you do, Malachi? Shit, knowing you like I do, probably rented out a movie star’s pad. This isn’t going to go over well, I promise you, because as we all know, even though Jude does okay, he’s not at your level and never will be. I mean,though I don’t even know what that level is. Goddamn, this is goin’ be a great day with him fuming and the three of us acting like the clowns we are. Damn, Malachi, thanks, brother, now I can’t wait. Wish we could leave now.”

I laugh along with Freddy as I sit down with my laptop on the chair and show him where we are staying. It brings such joy to me just seeing the shock on his face. This is what I like using my wealth for. Family and friends. I mean, bought Mom and Dad their new forever home. Helped my brother and sister-in-law with that total remodel of their home. Sent my younger brother on that, shit what was it, twenty-one day cruise, I think. They all have their own money but nowhere near what I have. It’s fun to treat them, especially our parents after all they’ve done for my brothers and me.

After we talk a bit more, I finish my work on the laptop, then after closing down shop for the night, I grab a water and take my jeans and T-shirt off and crawl into the bed. The last thing I see in my mind’s eye are huge flames shooting out of Jude’s eyes and nose. I fall into my dream world with a grin on my face.

SIX

‘KITTY’

RUBY

Squirt and I are sitting in the kitchen watching Kiwi work her magic making breakfast. Tink wanted everyone here this morning for an impromptu breakfast, so we watch all of our club sisters start making their way in. I hear the vibration before Squirt grabs her phone and smiles. I’m just going to take a guess that it’s Presley.

“Hey, good-looking, what’s up, Squirt?”

I watch her face and when her eyes shoot to me, my stomach drops. Oh my God did something happen to Presley’s friends who are on their way here? I mean, Malachi is one of them. Squirt’s head is going up and down like Presley can see her, which he can’t, they aren’t FaceTiming or Zoom calling. She asks a few generic questions then tells him our meeting is about to start and hangs up. I wait about two minutes, then I can’t take it any longer.

“Squirt, what the hell is going on, and is Malachi okay? He’s not hurt or injured, is he? Well, sister, talk to me, please.”

She never takes her eyes off me when she takes in a deep breath.

“Change of plans, Kitty. From what Presley just told me, there’s something going on with his four friends who are drivingup here. Don’t understand dudes but one has a hard-on, not my words, for Malachi. So Presley said it’s only going to get worse. The original plan was to drive through Wyoming to Casper and stop for the night. Well, something went down and now they are going to stop in Saratoga, Wyoming at some lodge for a couple of days to have some sort of mini-vacation. Presley said it might end up only being three who make the rest of the journey, but he’s not sure how the last guy is going to process this change in plans. Sort of on his own power trip. He wanted me to tell you Malachi won’t be arriving now until late Saturday but probably sometime on Sunday afternoon.”

I look at her, shrugging my shoulders.

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