Page 63 of Coty

“You don’t want my ole’ lady working for you anymore?” I’m teasing, but I tilt my head, cracking my neck.

Bankz isn’t fazed. The fool actually grins. “Not at all. Just thought with all the parties going on Friday night, people could slip around town unnoticed for a while. I mean,the suspect,” he makes air quotations with his fingers, “hasn’t been caught, she’d be safer at the clubhouse.”

“Good point.” She’s been as happy as I have this week. It’s good to know my brothers are looking out for her. “I’ll bring it up tonight.”

“She’s probably in a loving mood since she’s helping out at the bakery this week. Ask quick before it changes,” Jack suggests. The rest of us laugh.

Lala is helping Lily and Emily out this week due to the extra Valentine’s Day orders. This is the first year I’ve wanted to celebrate the holiday. It’s kind of pointless when you’re single.

“Did Kira get settled?” I ask Jack.

He takes a deep breath. “You know you can’t share her location or new life with Lala.”

“I know, but letting her know her friend is okay and safe would ease her mind.” She asks me every day if I’ve heard anything about Kira.

“You can tell her that much, but not the rest.” I nod. Jack continues, “Shep carried her to Arizona. From there, she was taken to Drew.” Jack shakes his head. “I don’t know where Drew housed her. Kira isn’t happy, but she’s safe.”

“What happened to her ex?” Hendrix asks.

“He was arrested for domestic abuse. Bail was set, but no one’s paid it. The judge agreed to let Kira testify via Zoom from a police station in California. Her location won’t be disclosed.” Jack leans back and glances toward the front counter.

“No, Angie. We want a party table in the back.” Sherry Rhodes comes to an abrupt halt when she sees us.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Rhodes, but you have to sit in the front dining room,” Angie says.

“No. Make them leave,” Ms. Rhodes demands.

“They were here first.” Angie motions to the large round table in the front dining room. “According to the restraining order, they stay. You can leave, or sit there.”

Ms. Rhodes huffs. “You always take their side.” She lifts her chin. “Just wait until everyone hears about this. You’ll lose half your customers.”

“If they’re all snotty and rude, I couldn’t care less. I’m following what the law says in this situation.” Angie motions to the table again. “Now, Ms. Rhodes, would you like to sit there or leave?”

“Come on, Mom.” Finley lays her hand on her mother’s arm. “This table is fine.”

“But it’s not private.” Ms. Rhodes glares at us.

Finley holds her hand out and looks at her mother with wide eyes. “Mom, that’s insane. We’re meeting a few ladies from church and talking about the Valentine’s party Friday night. We have nothing to hide. We could have used the fellowship hall if we did.”

Ms. Rhodes turns her glare on her daughter. “Fine, Finley. You just listen to your father. Those barbarians hurt your brother. Stay away from them.”

Jay sits up straight and slides to the edge of his chair. Jack clamps a hand down on his cousin’s shoulder.

“Don’t,” Jack orders, low and deep. “And put the knife away.”

The rest of us glance down at Jay’s hand. Not that we all can see it. Thankfully, Jack heard Jay open the knife.

Jay glares back at Ms. Rhodes just as hard as she glares at us. The Preacher’s wife snaps her head toward the front dining area and stomps over to the table Angie suggested.

“Not very ladylike. Is she?” Bankz mumbles.

Finley sighs and gives us a sympathetic smile. She mouths the words‘I’m sorry.’Each of us dips our chins to her. The Vikings Warriors will never hate Finley.

Jay turns back to our table and drops his head. “Her father and brother are the real problem.”

Jack needs to find out what Jay’s deep hatred for Matthew Rhodes is. Sooner or later, Jay’s gonna lose control, and no one will be able to save the Preacher’s son.

“Why don’t we get back to work?” Jack pats Jay on the back a couple of times. “I’ll grab Cloudy’s to-go order. Hopefully, he hasn’t set the shop on fire while we were gone.”

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