Page 6 of Mace

“In that case, let’s brainstorm how to keep you out of their clutches. Do you have any relatives nearby that you can stay with?”

I had secrets that I couldn’t talk about with this man. In fact I felt like my life for the last three months had been nothing but secrets. I told him what I could, “I do have some distant relatives on my mother’s side in Texas. Unfortunately, my life is complicated right now. I wouldn’t want to draw problems they wouldn’t otherwise have to their doorstep.”

“Do they know what your father does for a living?”

I shook my head slowly, trying to figure out a way to explain how different my father’s family was from my mother’s side. “Look, I’m not even sure what he does for a living. They wouldn’t have a clue how to deal with my father. He doesn’t really listen to anyone and pretty much just does as he pleases regardless of the laws of the land.”

“Has he been abusive to your or your mother.”

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. “Define abusive.”

His expression turned grim. “I’m gonna take that as a yes.”

We were silent for a bit and then he said, “You need to report anything to the cops?”

I must have gasped without thinking because he looked at me with a quizzical look, “Nope.” I couldn’t tell him what my plans were, that I was here illegally, but if everything worked out then that issue might be overlooked.

He chewed for a few moments, and I held my breath, hoping he wouldn’t push the issue.

After swallowing his mouthful, he made me an offer that I didn’t think I could resist, “My club is not going to tolerateinterlopers setting up base this close to our property. If you cooperate with us in helping them decide to move on, I can talk to our club president about extending the protection of ours to you and helping you get back on your feet.”

That was an amazing deal. Too bad I had already made it with someone else. As I sat there looking at him, I realized he hadn’t denied being a criminal himself. He just kind of skimmed over the whole issue. If I accepted his offer, that could drag him and his club into the spotlight as well. Then again, I literally had no place to go, and I was worried about getting double-crossed by the very people I worked out a deal with earlier in the week.

It was a tough choice but I finally nodded, “I really need help. I’m just not sure how helpful I could be in unwinding this whole situation.”

After taking a drink of his water, he finally answered one of my first questions upon arriving at his cabin. “I think there is high probability your father will eventually find this cabin. It’s the only one within fifty miles. I’ve got weapons and good security, but even so. We’d be sitting ducks.”

I started to panic inside. “I can’t go back there. Mace, I can’t let them find me, not ever!”

He sighed. “A few years back one of my club brothers rescued a woman who was being held hostage by an honest to goodness serial killer. He had an underground bunker with cells. After he was caught our club took responsibility for the bunker. We keep it clean and maintain it, it has its own off-grid generator. It’s not a luxury hotel but I can promise you that your father could walk right over and never know what was there.”

“Wait. How do I know that you’re not a serial killer and that’s your bunker?”

He sighed all over again and pulled out his cell phone. He tapped on a name and waited for the other person to answer. A pretty, middle-aged, Native woman’s face came up on the screen. “Huri, what’s going on? Are you okay? You found anything yet?”

“Don’t get excited, Ma. I met a woman in the woods, and she’s worried I might be a serial killer.”

She raised her eyebrows. “My son a serial killer? I should say not.”

He held the phone out so we could see each other. His mother looked stunned and appalled. “Why? Why would you think this?”

I leaned closer. “He’s a stranger. I’m not saying I think he is one. I’m just worried that he might be. I don’t make a habit of going to strange men’s homes in the middle of the forest.”

“Is that because he’s prospecting for those bikers?” Turning to look at Mace she said, “I told you this would happen. People don’t see you, just the leather vest and they assume the worst.”

“I can’t help what people think, Ma. Maybe you could talk to her about my background. Like did I abuse animals, steal, or beat the women I’ve dated.”

An older woman shoved her face into the frame. Her gray hair was in a braid, and she wore a floral housedress, “Huri hit a woman? I never thought I’d see the day when our Huriwould do something like that.” She pointed her finger at him and announced, “If you hit this woman, I will hit you.”

He smirked just a tad. “You already hit me, for not eating enough, not moving fast enough and letting my laundry pile up.”

The woman’s mouth fell open and she huffed. “You are my grandson. It’s my job to keep you on the straight and narrow.”

The mother intervened. “Don’t worry Ma, this one wants to know if he’s ever hit a woman. She’s not saying he’s hit her.”

“Oh, that’s different,” the older woman stated disappointedly. It almost felt like she was hoping he did something wrong so she could berate him for it. By the respectful way he was talking to his mom and grandmother I think I had my answer. He was a good man.

As if to echo my thoughts his mother’s indignant voice rang out, “Huri would never hit a woman or do anything to hurt a woman.”

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