Page 78 of Chubs

Lifting his head, Gunner sighs then reaches across the bar to run a gentle finger over my cheek. I smile a little and nod my head, agreeing to his ask.

“We’ll keep her close,” Craig states in his adult way.

“As soon as Rex has more information, several of the members and I will travel to Chicago. One of us will keep you updated on what we find,” Gunner says before walking away to speak with Petey.

I can’t take it back, so now my job is to wait and see if I helped or hurt Chubs’ cause.

Within two days, the men left for Chicago. Several on bikes, a few driving the two vans, while Axel, who’s still recovering, stayed behind. Unsure of what Chubs is protecting us from, the men insisted on taking precautions. Vex temporarily moved Taja, Tessie, and baby Kalea to Petey and Trudy’s house, so they’d be closer to the other wives. Tammy moved into Pippa and Pooh’s for the same reason.

Cash made the attempt to get his Aunts to stay with Livi at his house, but they were having none of it. His dad, Lars, and Terry happily moved into rooms at the clubhouse, though. Lisa said she’d stay with our parents but didn’t think it was necessary, and I moved to Bailey and Axel’s home. Candy refused to leave the bakery, claiming she could do security on Ava and Trudy while they were working. With the guys being gone and Axel taking care of everything in Denver, the decision was made to close the gym.

Pigeon decided he was going to go to Chicago too, and the two women that showed up at the ranch will be staying put for now. They still haven’t explained who they are to Chubs, so nothing is discussed in front of them. Ivy is staying at the ranch because the animals need to be fed, so Freddy closed the strip club and is staying with her to help. Other than Axel’s whining about being left at home, everything went smoothly and quickly.

I sat my parents down and explained what I knew. Neither said anything negative about Chubs or me for staying silent, but they were worried, of course. Dad got that look on his face that said he was going into full-on dad-mode, and I’ve noticed the tail I’ve recently acquired. With so many things up in the air, I decided to let him have this play. If it makes him feel better, I’m fine with it as well.

Today, I’ve found myself at the club’s garage, working the counter in Petey’s place. I’ve filled in a few times before, so it’s not a complete mystery, and it keeps me close to Tessie, who’s working for Trigger. She should’ve been in school today but chose to skip instead, even though Taja argued against it. With the other employees, non-club members, that work here, we’re fairly protected if something happens.

Pippa: Tammy and I are doing an intake, a bad one. The school sent out an alert that it’s being evacuated. Can you or Tessie pick up the kids? If not, Bailey might be able to.

Me: I’ll go there now. Evacuated for what?

Pippa: No idea.

Me: Did Craig go to school today?

Pippa: Oh shit! Yes! Please don’t let Craig be the cause of this!

Me: I’ll keep you posted. Leaving now.

Walking into the garage area, I find Tessie under a hood. Tapping her on the shoulder to get her attention, I cringe when she jumps, startled, and bangs her head hard. She rubs at her head while turning to glare at me.

“Not funny,” she states with a wince.

“Sorry! It’s so loud in here I didn’t think you’d hear me if I spoke.”

“I’ll survive. What’s up?” Tessie asks.

“School has been evacuated, and I have to go pick up the kids.”

“Craig go to school today?” she questions with a grin.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll take my lunch break and go with you. You’re probably going to need backup then.”

When we arrive at the school, I park my car, and Tessie and I start looking for the kids. Kids are milling around the school grounds, and the teachers are frantically trying to keep them contained. It’s not long, and we find the twins and Luke, but no Craig. I show the teachers my ID because I know I’m on the kid’s list as an approved person and ask where I might find Craig.

Mrs. Howe, Luke’s teacher, answers.

“Principal’s office would be my guess. Good luck.”

“Did he have anything to do with the evacuation?” Tessie asks with a grin.

Mrs. Howe, probably not seeing the humor that Tessie does, nods. Of course, he did, and I have a gut feeling I know how.

With Tessie and the kids in tow, I make my way to the principal’s office. I knock on the closed door and wait. The kids take seats in the hall with Tessie entertaining them. When I hear someone say enter, I do.

The principal is standing in the furthest corner of the office, with Craig sitting in a chair in front of the desk. In his lap, of course, is Bart. The principal looks relieved to see me, but he doesn’t step forward to shake my hand when I introduce myself. I attempt to cover my smile, but I’m not sure I am successful.

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