Page 30 of Hell & Back

“Can’t a loving brother visit with his sister and his grandmother without having a reason?” He pulled a chair from one of the tables and pulled it over to sit next to Bellamy.

“Yes, a loving brother can, but with those three here,” she motioned to the men at the bar looking their direction. “I can only assume they called and told you what happened and you’re here to see for yourself that all is well. Neither me nor Grandma were hurt. Neither was Cathy nor Calliope and the baby, in case you were wondering since they were also there at the time.”

“I’m glad everyone is doing well.” He smiled at both Cathy, who blushed wildly, and Calliope.

“How did you end up with Lindsey and the kids?” Bellamy asked what the rest of them were wondering.

“Daniel told me what was going on and that the Sons were stretched thin. I called Race and told him I was coming and wanted to know if there was anything he needed me to do. He asked that I round up Lindsey and the kids and bring them here so Trick didn’t have to worry.”

“How long are you in town for?” Bellamy asked.

“Don’t worry,” he patted her hand and leaned back in his chair. “I bought a place here in town so I won’t have to put Race out by staying with you.”

“You what?”

“Yes. I bought a place so when I come to visit my niece or nephew I have someplace to stay. You didn’t think I was going to be the uncle who only visits on holidays, did you?” Bellamy shared a worried glance toward Martha. “I’m going to spoil the little thing rotten.”

“Oh, boy,” Bellamy sighed, already seeing the arguments between her husband and her brother.

Kylie agreed. Oh boy, indeed.

RACE

With the women finally situated and safe inside the clubhouse, Race’s shoulders relaxed the slightest bit. He couldn’t believe how close he’d come to possibly losing Bellamy. Again. What the fuck? He loved the woman beyond reason and if anything ever happened to her, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. He sure as hell didn’t want to find out. He motioned for Cutter to give him a beer, then filled Tuck in on everything going on.

“What the hell is wrong with them? Why do they want Redemption so damn bad they’re willing to take us and and our families out?” Tuck asked Cutter for a bottle of water.

Race’s phone rang in his pocket. Half dreading what he might hear if he answered, he was slightly relieved to see Miles’s name on his screen. He was manning the gate, so it could be anything. “Yeah?”

“Three guys out here say they work for Preacher and want in.”

Race sighed heavily and wiped a hand down his face. “Let ’em in.” Should’ve known the men Preacher sent to watch over his grandmother and sister would insert themselves into this situation. He hung up his phone and waited for them at the bar. He motioned for Cutter to give him a shot. He tossed it back and set the glass on the bar when the door swung open. Cutter placed a beer in front of him without having to be told.

Preacher’s three guys were dressed in dress pants, white long-sleeve shirts with ties and shiny shoes. They stuck out like a sore thumb.

He took a drink of his beer, taking his time acknowledging them. “If you guys want to blend in better, try jeans, tees and boots.” His measured gaze took them in from top to bottom. “You look like feds.”

“This is what we always wear,” Daniel responded while looking down at his clothes, then checking out the other two with him. Race had met the trio before when something Preacher was working on happened to be something the Sons of Redemption were working on at the same time. The other two fed wannabes were Marco and West.

“I’m sure in Lost Junction you fit right in.” He smirked and took another drink.

“We contacted Preacher,” Daniel started.

Race held up his hand, cutting anything more he might have said. He turned on his bar stool, giving them his full attention. “Already figured as much. My question is this. After seeing Ink Envy get shot up, and I know you were sitting somewhere close by, why didn’t you haul ass to Bling? You know, where Martha and Bellamy were at?”

The three men shared a look, West shrugged, then Daniel faced Race again. “We have an apartment above the deli across the street. We were able to hack into Bling’s cameras and were watching things inside. By the time we heard the shots at Ink Envy and we got up to see what was going on, the shooters had moved down to Bling and opened fire. We ran down the stairs and was getting ready to cross the street when we saw you and your guy entering the building. We went back up to monitor the cameras. We saw that Martha and Bellamy were okay and that you had things under control.”

Race hitched a brow and frowned. “I guess that’s when you called Preacher?”

“Yes, I called Preacher and filled him in while West deleted things from Bling cameras before the police looked at them.”

“You’re welcome,” West smiled smugly.

Did Preacher only surround himself with arrogant assholes?

“So what has Preacher sent you here to do?”

“He wants us to keep a closer eye on them while you take care of business.” Business, meaning the club’s need to interrogate the fucker they caught.

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