Page 14 of You're My Person - For Always

"Well, I think it's a bullshit answer the way he told you he'd think about letting River and Kenna see him in prison." He balled his hand and punched the top of the desk. "He might as well come out and tell them he no longer loves them. Our dad's a hard ass, but can you imagine him turning his back on us?"

Zane shook his head. "I'm at the point where I'm not sure it's the smartest thing to have the girls go to the prison and see Shay."

"You'd stop them?" Kingsley crossed his arms. "I don't know about River, but all Kenna wants to do is see her dad. Even if things go south, I'd rather be there to help her through the trauma than hurt her by keeping anymore from her."

"No, I get it." Zane took out a cigarette and tossed the pack to Kingsley. After lighting the smoke, he said, "I'd be stupid if I didn't worry about blowback. I don't know enough about Shay's organization to know if I should be worried about Gem Haven or if I can handle any trouble that comes our way."

"At least Valdones Motorcycle Club backed off us." Kingsley inhaled deeply and exhaled the smoke into the air. "We need to look forward. Protect the club from anything Shay can throw at us, and make sure Dad stays protected inside prison."

"We bought the weapons at a good time." Zane met his gaze. "I want the girls kept on Gem Haven."

"Agreed."

"I noticed Kenna was sticking close to you. Has she forgiven you?" asked Zane.

"Nah." He took a bigger drag off the cigarette. "But I'm not going anywhere. She'll have to face me at some point."

Zane muttered, "Are we really protecting them by letting them see Shay? What if it messes them up even more?"

Kingsley grabbed the ashtray and stubbed out the cigarette. "We can't shield them from everything. They're no longer twelve years old. As much as we hate it, maybe letting them face the hard truth is the only way they'll heal."

A knock ended the conversation. Big John came in and lifted his chin.

The frown on the big guy's face filled the room with tension. Usually, nothing rattled Big John.

"What's going on?" asked Zane.

"We've got a problem." Big John extracted an envelope out of his vest pocket. "Your dad, years back, told me if he was gone and I ever received a pine tree branch in front of my door, I was supposed to deliver this envelope to his sons."

Before Zane took the envelope, he said, "Do you know what this is about?"

"Not a clue but considering Prez—Ridge told me that he'd kill me himself if I fucked up, I'm assuming whatever is inside isn't good." Big John shook his head. "I sure wish he was here instead of locked up. That has nothing to do with you two running the club. My loyalty is to Gem Haven. I've been around a lot of years. I got a bad feeling we've got trouble coming to the mountain."

Zane took the message, thanked Big John, and walked him to the door. "I appreciate your allegiance to Gem Haven."

His brother shut the door. Kingsley stood from the chair, curious about the note his dad had set up before serving his prison sentence.

Zane shook his head. "Since when do we communicate with fucking tree branches?"

"Not to mention, how did anyone get close enough to his door without him noticing? He has his place booby-trapped. Even I won't go out there." Kingsley crossed his arms.

Zane stuck his finger under the flap and ripped the envelope open. He pulled out a sheet of paper and unfolded it.

Zane grunted. "It's from Dad."

"Read it," said Kingsley.

"Sons — I need you to protect Zora. She lives in the old hunter's cabin northeast of Gem Haven on the other side of the mountain. I expect you to safeguard her. She is as important to me as Gem Haven. She'll argue that she needs no help, but remind her that what Isay goes. Put someone outside the cabin twenty-four/seven. I ask for this protection because I believe there will be blowback from our failure to keep Tom Pruitt's daughters from learning the truth. If all hell breaks loose, get Zora to Gem Haven and put her in the house. Once you get this message, show up on visiting day at the prison."

Zane looked up from the letter. "Who the fuck is Zora?"

"Maybe the better question is why does Dad think she's as important as the club?" He shook his head.

"Do you know where the old hunter's cabin is?" Zane folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope before putting it in bottom drawer and locking it.

"Sure do." He scoffed. "I haven't been in that area since I was twelve-thirteen years old."

"Can you ride over there and check it out?"

---