Page 59 of Coty

“Get her stuff. I’ll talk to Nathan. We’ll move Kayla to the Haven House until this is over.” Jack walks over to the Sheriff.

Kayla and I will briefly tell him what we know and get out of here. If they need more, they can contact us tomorrow. I want Kayla where I know she’s protected, on club property. No one, not even the cops, can protect her like my brothers and I can.

Chapter 28

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Coty

It’s just after five am, and the Den is filled with Vikings. It’s not like Friday and Saturday night parties. We let the public into those. They get ID’d at the gate, and Nick runs a quick background search on them. Anyone we don’t want on club property doesn’t get in.

“Vikings!” Mack enters the Den. “Church!”

Surprisingly, Nanny and Nana walk in behind the Prez and Granddad. Even more surprising, Maci and my sister Ember are with them. Ember rushes across the room. I hold my arm out, and she wraps an arm around my waist for a hug. Kayla’s tucked under my left arm.

“You two okay?” Ember sighs with relief just from seeing us.

“We’re good. He didn’t get near her.” I’m not relieved. Anger grows within me every time I think about this man being inside Kayla’s apartment. “Where’s Mary?”

“She’s at the main house with Everly.”

“Alone?” The girls are seventeen. I don’t want a prospect watching them unless there’s no other choice.

“No. Jay’s mother is with them.” Ember smiles at Kayla. “Does this mean you two finally worked things out?”

“It’s a start.” Kayla looks up at me and presses her lips together.

I kiss the top of her head. “It’s a great start, Sparky.” My club brothers file into church. “I gotta go.” I kiss the top of my sister’s head, too. “Will you stay with Kayla for me?”

“Absolutely.” Ember grabs Kayla’s hand. "Come on, Lala. You can help us fix breakfast for all these Vikings."

“Lala?” Kayla glances at me and back at my sister. “You remember that?”

“Yeah. Mary still calls you Lala, and we do around the house. You’re only Kayla to the rest of the world. To us, you’re Lala or Sparky.” Ember points at me as she pulls Kayla away. “One of those names goes on her cut when you claim her, not Kayla.”

“What?” Kayla’s eyes widen.

“Oh, can it, Lala. You know it’s happening. Probably dreamed about it.” Ember smiles, waves at me, and pulls Kayla into the kitchen.

Once everyone’s inside church, Worley closes the door and takes his place down front next to Mack. I join Jack in the front row. It’s weird and yet satisfying seeing Jay upfront with the officers. Our new Enforcer looks great up there.

“Okay, Vikings.” Mack taps the gavel. “We have an emergency situation. As you all know by now, Kayla Chambers’ apartment was targeted this morning. Her neighbors also spotted the guy and called the cops.”

More than half the room groans. Others shake their heads. Even though the Viking Warriors MC is a clean, legit club, cops give us a hard time. It’s crazy. There are hundreds of Christian clubs out there, and several clubs whose members are all police officers.

Worley takes over. “We’re all patched members here. You’ve heard by now that Kayla brought an angel with her from Knoxville. Kayla and her friend, Kira, experienced some abuse from Kira’s fiancé. Nick is trying to handle the legal issues with the Knoxville Police Department. We’ll sit down with Kira on Monday and talk next steps with her.”

Nick stands from his table down front on the lower level. “I’m ninety-five percent sure the incident at Kayla’s apartment is connected to what happened Thursday in Knoxville. I’m not sure if it’s Cory Coleman. He was released from the hospital late yesterday evening and had time to drive to Willow Creek by four am. Or,” Nick pauses. “It’s possible Kayla’s ex, Trent Colby, is involved. The two men are friends and may be working together.”

“Prez?” Pops raises his hand. It’s rare for him and Granddad to join us. Both are here this morning.

“Yeah?” Mack motions for Pops to continue.

“If an angel brought this to our door, should we really keep her here for two more days?”

Mack glances at Worley. Our VP nods. His dad has a good point. “Take a vote.”

“We can’t move Kira Mitchell just yet,” Nick interrupts.

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