Page 14 of Running Alone

Making my way downstairs, the front door opens and my club sisters start to make their way in, heading to the great room, so I follow them. Tink looks pissed, Glory seems distracted,and Peanut, Squirt, and Dotty seem to be dragging ass. Noodles takes a seat next to Tink, pulling her close. I don’t say a word, just sit on one of the sectionals.

“Kitty, how’s Addie doing? What did Dr. Malcolm say?”

I look to Glory, who seems to be really concerned, so I share what I know. When I’m done, I ask what happened to the two men and Tink groans out loud.

“Well, let me start with the Wooden Spirits is closed tomorrow and maybe the next day. I’ve got Dani, Kiwi, and Heartbreaker there now trying to clean up the mess Zoey made. Damn her, she never listens and is too quick to react. As far as those two imbeciles, they won’t bother anyone ever again, I can say that. The rest I doubt you want to know, Kitty. I got a favor to ask. Know you, along with Squirt and Presley, have some company coming maybe tomorrow, but I need you to go to the Wooden Spirits and do a thorough cleaning. Use bleach, move everything to make sure there is no blood or crap anywhere. Yeah, she went nuts, like Zoey does sometimes, but they deserved it. Especially when the one ran his mouth on what he was going to do to Addie. Glad you were there, little sister, saved the new prospect some huge grief and pain.”

My head jerks back at the compliment. I feel my shoulders lift up a bit while I give Tink a small smile as Glory walks by, patting me on the shoulder. Those words made me feel like I’m ten feet tall. Dang, my prez thinks I did a good job. She must see something in my face because she stands and walks toward me.

“Kitty, hey, look at me. Today is not the only day you’ve done something good. Listen and pay close attention, because we all think you are the shit, literally. Don’t let the past dictate your future. What is it that singer you all like say? Something about the windshield being larger than the rearview mirror ’cause where you’re heading is way more important than where you’ve been. Jelly Roll, right, that’s what he said. Squirt just loves himand I’ve heard you listening to him too. So listen to those words because, sister, we have your back always.”

Then she pulls me in and hugs me, and though she shorter than me, those arms of hers are pure steel.

After she lets go, she motions to Noodles, who stands and walks by me. He gives me knuckles on his way by and I just smile. Once they are gone, the rest of my club sisters make their way either to their room or cabin behind the ranch home. A few, like Glory, have to make a short trip to her and Yoggie’s home.

As I make my way to my cabin, it dawns on me that I’ve not heard from Malachi since earlier today. I hope all is okay with him and his friends. Looking at my phone, I figure they won’t be arriving until tomorrow since it’s getting late. I almost text him but figure they are either exhausted from enjoying their downtime, or still having words between themselves. And since I’m beyond exhausted, once in the cabin I go to my bedroom and grab my nightshirt and get ready for bed. Tomorrow is another day.

ELEVEN

‘LACHI’

MALACHI

Vito, Freddy, and I walk cautiously to the Yoakum building. My eyes are constantly scanning the area because I don’t know what to expect. Especially with Jude, he’s a ticking bomb in my opinion. When we reach our destination after a bit of a walk, didn’t realize how far it actually was, I motion for them to let me in first. Freddy shakes his head, but I insist. If something is going to happen then let it be to me. Been down this road before.

I scan my key and fling the door open, my hand resting on my handgun in its holster along my back. Vito and Freddy push in behind me just as I hear Jude screaming, “What the fuck? Why can’t I get in?”

We make our way past the kitchen to see Jude at the dining room table, my laptop and documents from my computer bag all over the table. His hair is all over, as if he’s been running his fingers through it. When he looks up and sees us, his eyes start to jerk back and forth in a panic.

“Fuck, what are you guys doing back so soon? Hey, this isn’t what it looks like.”

When Vito pushes to get past me, I put my arm up, giving him a look.

“What exactly is this then, Jude? And why are you trying to get into my laptop? My alarms have informed my security that someone is trying to breach the computer. Looking for something maybe? Feel like sharing ‘friend’?”

He plops down back into the chair, head down, shoulders up to his ears. His legs are both jumping up and down like he’s either on coke or nervous as fuck. Not sure which one, or both. I wait as Freddy walks to the kitchen and comes back with four waters. The three of us walk around the table, taking seats on the opposite side Jude is on. I reach over and grab my laptop, seeing he couldn’t get past my sign-in, which is not only a password but numbers and also my fingerprint.

“So are you going to explain, or do I need to bring in the police, ‘friend’?”

Jude’s head jerks back as if I punched him. His face is pale but sweaty. Shit, not sure what’s going on with him. Then to all our shock, he leans back and starts to talk.

“Malachi, you said that girl you’re interested in is part of the Devil’s Handmaidens Motorcycle Club, right? Well, somehow, don’t ask me how, my asshole dad got into some trouble with a bunch of men a few months ago. Before you ask, yeah, gambling again. It started out a few grand then went to ten and now it’s well over a couple hundred grand. He’s put the business up and these guys are now coming into our business giving orders and shit. You know we are a company that hires anyone qualified. Well, these assholes came in last week firing five of our guys. Guys who’ve been with us for many years. Two are African American, one Hispanic and one Muslim. When my dad told them they couldn’t do that, they beat him. He ended up in the hospital so when I went in to confront them, they gave me an out. Not sure how they knew, but I was told if I get them what they want, they’ll leave our family business alone and never touch my dad again.”

Looking at Jude, he looks like he’s going to piss himself. This ain’t good and I’ve not even heard what it is these men want exactly. So I ask, “What did they want from you, Jude?”

“I didn’t know, Malachi, swear I didn’t. You never said you had feelings for that girl from Texas. Thought it was just a piece of ass.”

I jump up, intending to beat the shit out of him, but as I move so does he, around the table. I stop for a second and glare at him.

“You motherfucker, told you it wasn’t a piece of ass. First, we didn’t—as you so ignorantly call it—we didn’t ‘fuck’ and, secondly, since when do I treat women the way you do? Have you ever seen me hook up with a female just to get laid? The answer is NO, never. I like Ruby, she’s a wonderful woman. So what does she have to do with this gambling debt and bunch of assholes your dad tied his star to?”

“Turns out this group of guys are part of some brotherhood, don’t know their name, but they know about the Devil’s Handmaidens club in Timber-Ghost, Montana. They were really interested in what I knew about them. When I explained I didn’t know much, they gave me the out. If I took the trip with you and while I was at their main ranch—or if I was able to get into their clubhouse, I think they called it—if I could get a couple of recording devices set up, that would pay my dad’s debt. Well, I didn’t think, dude, it’s my dad. Fuck, my family, Malachi. You know my great-granddad started our construction business and it’s been handed down throughout the years. What changed is the call I got last night. They want me to kidnap your girl, though they called her Kitty, along with someone named Addie and another woman, Momma Diane, who supposedly is the prez of the club’s mom. Once I had them, they would tell me where to drop them off.”

The rage almost blows the top of my head off. Fuck, here I am trying to get a second chance with Ruby, while all alongone of my boys is setting her up for only God knows what. I sit down, trying to calm myself when someone knocks on the door. Both Vito and Freddy pull their guns, while Jude hits the floor crawling under the table.Chickenshit bastard, I think to myself.

“Malachi, hey, it’s me, Nova, open the goddamn door, will you? I’m a sitting duck out here. Open it before I bust this bitch down.”

I rush to the door, flinging it open to let in Nova and Mayhem, who are waiting outside. Mayhem slams the door shut then locks it before looking around. His eyes narrow on Jude under the table, as he smirks at the asshole. I mean, I’d be afraid too. Mayhem is well over six and a half foot tall and huge in every aspect.

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