Page 131 of Irons

“We have things to do.” I whispered in return.

“Shh, don’t be so loud.”

I chuckled then kissed her head. “I have some Tylenol and water over here.”

She groaned.

It took a good twenty five minutes just to get her feet on the floor. She then realized she fell asleep in the car and raced over to the mirror. “What the hell?”

I stood tall with pride.

“No mascara stains?” She felt her face and leaned in to look at her eyes.

“I did like you do at night.” I was still proud. “I used the wipes and the moisturizer.”

“I would smile as I said thanks, but my head hurts too bad to smile, but thanks and you’re too cute for your own good. Its adorable that you took such good care of me.” Her voice still sounded a little hoarse.

She was still upset about Matt, but I had to give her time, and I wouldn’t bring it up. I also wouldn’t tell her quite yet that her dad tried calling her phone then called mine because Matt had already been at his house twice and it was only ten in the morning.

It was a Sunday, and we were expected at her parents’ house. We missed Thanksgiving and would also miss Christmas, so her entire family would be at her parents to celebrate. Although there was an elephant in the room as far as Clint went, we still managed to enjoy ourselves and Magnus met her family. Thankfully, Clint said he told Matt not to come back because there was going to be a family gathering. He listened and didn’t return. He really needed to leave Wrenly alone. He already upset her enough and she said he did the same shit by stopping by her dad’s the last time she was home.

On our way back to the hotel, we took leftovers to Brock and Emma. Brock was trying to clean out the house when we arrived, so we stayed to help. Emma was in bed the entire time, but we started filling trash bags of junk, and we were there when Tricia stopped in. I hadn’t seen my aunt in years, and of course just like my mother she tried hugging me, but I stepped back. She didn’t just ignore me, but she did Brock far worse. He was a kid and of course he wasn’t her priority. Nothing that happenedwas ever Brock’s fault and I couldn’t help but feel more and more guilty as time went on. She didn’t have to adopt him, but she could have found someone to help him. Meeting him wasn’t even a consideration when Wrenly told me about him and Evie. I was starting to think I needed to get to know Evie as well.

The entire time we worked, my brother was super motivated and appreciative. I loved the motivated part, but the amount of appreciation he gave me just made me feel even sadder for him. It was apparent that he was never anyone’s number one priority.

Magnus was all over Brock with questions about cars he had done in the past and his current projects. I could tell Magnus putting such a focus on his hard work made my brother proud. I had to admit, seeing Brock speak with so much excitement and that big smile on his face, made me feel a tad emotional. In fact, Wrenly had to excuse herself a few times for that exact reason.

It was late by the time we went back to the hotel. Before we left, the three of us made plans to take Brock out for dinner the following evening. Our time in Oklahoma was coming to an end, but Magnus and I promised we would fly back to get them on the road in six weeks. I was also looking forward to the whole day I carved out before we left to spend some time together alone. It was starting to feel pretty damn awesome having a brother.

The next day we had to meet Clint, Charlie, and Paula at the Dark Knight’s MC Clubhouse. When we pulled up to the address we were given, two members were standing at the gate. We had to endure being searched by a few off duty cops. I was pissed that they tried to search Wrenly, and I demanded that a female member do it. It was bullshit. Of course, they didn’t have a female member present, and I had to threaten we were leaving,but Clint came out and cleared it all up. He wasn’t exactly thrilled that the members attempted to pat down his daughter.

It was a metal gate attached to a tall chain link fence around the property. Once we drove inside we saw the two story building. Clint explained that it was headquarters, so it was nicer than the other chapters. It was just a simple brick building. We walked inside and it was one huge room that pretty much looked like a typical bar. There were several pool tables, dart boards, poker tables, and of course a fully stocked bar. It was like an old man version of an MC Clubhouse. He led us to some steps that led to the second floor which had a few offices, a planning room, and a conference room. Of course, my mother was there waiting. Amazing how she wanted nothing to do with me until I had something she wanted. Wrenly was a hell of a lot more understanding than me.

“It’s so nice to see you again, son.” Mom said.

“It’s Travis.” I reminded her. “Clint already met Josh Magnus, he’s one of Creed’s Lake's VP’s and will be conducting the audit along with myself and Wrenly. We will need access to all your computers, finances, and files. Magnus, this is Charlie and Paula Wells.” No need to introduce her as my mother.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Josh.” My mother shook his hand. “I’m Travis’s mom and this is his stepfather.” He shook Charlie’s hand. Mom then hugged Wrenly and whispered something then Charlie shook her hand.

“Have you made a decision yet?” Mom asked.

I groaned. “Really, mom? I haven’t been here for five minutes and you’re already asking?”

“Lay off.” Charlie snapped at me. “I get she was a shitty mom to you, but Jesus have some compassion.”

I raised a brow at him. “You really want to talk to me about compassion?” Fuck him. If he was so powerful in this county, why did Brock have to spend time in juvenile detention? They did nothing to help him, he was seventeen and Charlie had to know his living conditions weren’t the best. Maybe someone could have at the very least helped him pay his fines. The kid just turned eighteen, and not one cop took an interest in his life. If they would have looked into his situation maybe they could’ve at least sent in social workers.

“Let’s get to work.” Magnus snapped us out of it, which was good because I didn’t feel like going rounds with her or Charlie again.

“There’s coffee and juice over on the side board, along with donuts, bagels, and muffins. I wasn’t quite sure what everyone would like, but I remembered Travis likes blueberry muffins.” Mom said.

She was right, I really liked the kind with the streusel topping.

All three of us made our way over and tore into the coffee and baked goods. Well, Wrenly got juice since they didn’t have her creamer. After that, I was taken into Charlie’s office, and he logged me into his computer and gave me all his passwords. Magnus was taken over to Clint’s office and Wrenly sat at mom’s laptop in the conference room.

Charlie sat with me as we looked through the encrypted files. “You really need to delete these files. If we do end up coming to an agreement, everything could be sent to our secure servers. There’s no need for it or the crime scene photos. At least not here, if you get busted this is the last thing you’ll want them to find.” I was buying time. There was a surprise coming for them.

Hostile

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