Page 21 of Tex's Angel

“My best friend slept with my wife, and she threw me out for him. She won’t even let me see the kids. Said I had to take her to court to get visitation with them. Can you believe that?”

Clara shakes her head, looking traumatized by the sight of him. “I’m right there with you. She’s my sister after all.”

Wade brings up one hand and scratches at his right temple. “I just don’t know how something like this could have happened. I never saw it coming,” he says in a shaky voice.

Clara acknowledges, “I didn’t see it coming either, Wade. I remember coming home early and seeing her car in my driveway. I just thought Chris was sick and she’d come to check on him. It didn’t occur to me that they were having an affair until I walked in and saw their clothing on the living room floor. ThenI heard them and…” She breaks off, we can both see the look that flashes across Wade’s face. It’s clear this is all new to him.

Wade takes another drink of his coffee. “I wondered how that went down. You went no contact with everyone so fast, I didn’t have a chance to ask you anything.”

Clara’s bottom lip begins to tremble. “I’m sorry Wade. I should have called you and explained things.”

Taking another sip of his coffee, he continues. “Unlike you, I didn’t leave immediately. I loved her and didn’t want to lose my family. So like a dumbass, I told Gina we could make things work. Within a week, she’d thrown me out and let Chris move in.”

Scratching nervously at his neck, he mumbles as if to himself, “It’s like all those years of us being together, loving each other, and having kids together didn’t matter at all. She got her opportunity for something better and jumped at it without hesitation. I wasn’t even an afterthought, more like the nuisance that she wanted rid of. Every time I call to talk to the kids, they cry and ask when I’m coming home. I don’t know what I’m doing with myself anymore, Clara.”

Clara reaches out and puts her hand over his. “Look at me Wade. You’re a good man and a good father. You were a good husband, one that any woman would be proud to have. I don’t know what’s gotten into my sister, but she and Chris are the ones in the wrong here. You and I didn’t do anything to deserve this. It’s just one of those crazy things that happen when you least expect it. You’ve got to snap out of it. Don’t let a couple of assholes ruin your life.”

He swallows hard. “I got my doctor to put me on medical leave because I haven’t been able to pull my fucking self together and act like a man. I lost my apartment and have been sleeping in my car. Someone slashed my tires last night and I spent my last hundred bucks getting it replaced. I’m at rock bottom here, Clara. They already ruined my damn life, and I don’t know if I have the strength to pull myself out of this hole I’ve fallen into.”

Damn it! I can’t stand to see a man lose his wife. I know exactly what he feels like, so I pull out my phone and text Siege.

Me: Got space for another at the clubhouse? Will explain later, but I can vouch for him.

Wade is still talking when my phone vibrates, it’s a response from Siege.

Siege: Okay brother.

I knew my Prez would come through. Turning to Wade I say, “Alright, here’s the thing. Someone has been harassing Clara as well. It’s too much of a coincidence that y’all got your tires slashed too. It seems like someone is targeting both of y’all.”

His head snaps around to look at Clara. “Someone is stalking and harassing you? My God, why didn’t you say something? I could have parked up and kept an eye on you.”

Clara gazes at him. “If I’d known you were down on your luck, I’d have let you stay in my guest room. Don’t worry about me. You’ve got enough going on trying to cope with this whole shitshow on your own.”

“No,” I tell her. “We need Wade’s help, especially if they’re targeting him too.”

Of course we really don’t need Wade’s help, but he sure does need ours. So I turn to him and say, “You’re coming with us today. Our clubhouse has extra rooms for people to stay in temporarily. You’re gonna get cleaned up, have a nice lunch with us, and then you’re gonna help me figure out what’s going on here.”

Wade just laughs, “Dude, you’re nuts if you think I can figure out shit right now.”

“You’re wrong about that. Y’all might have the key to unlocking this shit and y’all don’t even know it. You’ve been involved in this family for years. You know Chris like the back of your hand. Y’all also know all the family secrets and have been eyes on with all the weird shit that nobody ever talks about.”

I can tell the little wheels in his head are turning and he’s considering the offer. He finally tells me quietly, “I don’t have money to pay my way so going with you would be taking advantage.”

“No. That’s how it works with a motorcycle club. If y’all help us out in any way, y’all get to stay at the clubhouse. The rooms are nice and clean, the brothers are friendly, and the food and drink are free. You pay by helping out with whatever problem we have. This is the way we operate. Hell, the bar doesn’t even have a fucking cash register because all the drinks are on the house.”

Clara catches on to what I’m doing and encourages him as well. “Yes, I’m staying there at the moment. They all say the Savage Legion trades a favor for a favor. This is a win-win situation. Please come with us and at least give it a try. We really need you.”

I point out, “If you don’t like being there, y’all can always just leave. Ain’t nobody gonna get mad one way or the other.” I glance at my watch. “Whatever you decide, we’re gonna have to get moving, because I left my fourteen-year-old there with one of the prospects. He’s learning to play chess.”

Hope lights up Wade’s face. “It’s a family friendly place?”

“Yeah, during the day brothers bring their kids. After dark,” I pause. I’d not broached that subject with Clara. I mean it’s not a den of iniquity but put a bunch of men together with alcohol and barely dressed club girls and things can sometimes get a bit X-rated. “After dark it might not be so family friendly. Any kids either go home or stay in their rooms.”

An expression of amusement settles onto Wade’s face. “Well, since I’m not a kid, I guess that’ll be alright. You really think we can get to the bottom of this?”

I give him a decisive nod. “Course I do. We’re smart, capable men after all.”

Clara seems delighted. “Let’s get going then.”

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