Page 40 of Chubs

“A boy is my second choice, so that would be great too!” he replies, cheeky grin in place.

“I don’t care as long as it’s healthy and acts nothing like its father,” Trudy adds as she takes Alex out of my arms, winks at Axel, and walks off.

“You’re a great dad, Axel. Any kid would be lucky to have you for their parent,” Candy tells him sincerely before slugging him in the arm and walking off.

“She still scares me a little,” he admits while rubbing his arm.

“She’s good people. Had a rough life and no role models, so she did the best she could to get by and survive. I can respect that,” I say quietly.

“It was bad enough having her hang around the gym. Then she started turning up everywhere. With you, Ava, or Trudy. I had some doubts about her, but Ava told me a little bit about her life. I’m glad you set her up in the apartment and helped her get a better job. The club is starting to see her as one of ours, so if she needs anything else, let me know. Yeah?”

“Yeah. Thanks,” I answer. “I’m really happy for you and Bailey.”

Before Axel answers, Petey joins us and holds out his phone to Axel.

“What’s up?” Axel questions as he takes the phone.

“Bella did us a solid. Just sent me a video you’ll want to see. Let’s call this your congratulations-on-your-new-baby gift,” Petey explains as he taps the play button.

Horse’s gagging sounds come through clearly, but the part that had Axel howling starred none other than his former nemesis, Candy.

Chapter 15

Chubs

From a safe distance, I watch as my mother, sister, and brother drive down the street. I know where they’re going, so I don’t pull out behind them. I wait and watch to see if they’re being followed by anyone and breathe a sigh of relief when they’re not.

I make a stop for drinks and snacks before parking across the street from our church. Same church at the same time we attended every Sunday when I was a kid. I recognize a few of the stragglers as they rush to get inside before the service starts. They’re the same stragglers as before, and it’s somehow comforting to know some things don’t change over time.

I get my first good look at my mom and brother when they exit an hour later. Mom has aged but in a beautiful way. Elegant as always, she speaks with another patron while my brother scans the area while staying close to Mom and Aria. He hasn’t changed much over the years. Less gangly teen and more bulked-up man, and that’s about all.

Aria is speaking to him, but I know the second he spots me. I should be unrecognizable, but he’s suspicious of anything out of the ordinary because that’s how Dad trained us. I start my car, put it into gear, and drive slowly away. His eyes stay locked on me the entire time, but he shows no other signs of concern. A few minutes later, I received a text.

Les: Watch the news.

I’m several miles away from the hotel, so I flip on the radio, tune it to a local station, and listen as I drive. I do a fist pump when the news I’m hearing is good for me and bad for my enemies. My plan is working—they’re turning on each other.

“Two more bodies washed up on shore yesterday, and they’ve been identified as members of local organized crime. We’ve been told by an unidentified source that there was an attempt on the life of another member of this same crime family. We’ll keep you updated as the investigation continues.”

The news report helps soothe my frayed nerves a bit. As long as they’re killing each other off, even if some of it’s my fault, my hands won’t be as bloodied. I smile as I drive, feeling better about my chances of survival. Unfortunately, I get very little precious time to feel that way before reality sets in.

The next morning, I am driving back to my old childhood home and see a familiar face. Two, to be exact. I cruise on past their car and park several blocks away. Donning my usual disguise, I grab a basketball out of the trunk. Walking to the end of the block that Mole Face and Pig Ass, the two Feds that found me in Denver, are parked, I enter the basketball court.

I have a perfect view of their car as I shoot the ball and retrieve it. There’s a group of young guys playing a game at the other end, but they ignore me. After doing this for a while, I walk to a bench and take a seat. Sipping on water, I must come up with a plan about how to handle them.

I knew they’d watch for me to show up at my mother’s home, but I thought they’d have given up by now. They weren’t here yesterday, so why today? Do they suspect I may be the cause of the recent problems? Are they still trying to build a case and need me as a witness?

I watch as a car leaves my mom’s driveway, but I’m too far away to know who is driving. The Feds make no move to follow it, though. It’s the house they’re watching and not whoever just left. I wait another half an hour, then return to my car. I shoot off a text to Les.

Me: Got feds watching mom’s house from 1 block south. Who just left?

Les: Must be Mom because Aria left when I did this morning. How do you know they’re Feds?

Me: They’re the same two that found me in Denver. If no one’s home, why are they sitting on the house?

Les: Looking for you or expecting trouble?

Me: Could be either. Warn the women.

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