Page 38 of Two Weddings and a Shoot Out

“I could use some help until lunch carrying merchandise down from upstairs and restocking the diner. Do you kids want to help with that?” Hope asked.

“Yeah, I want to be inside for a little while,” Benji said.

“I’ll walk them down to the diner and then go take care of my list. I’ll come back for lunch with you all,” Locks said.

Locks held Blake’s hand along with Phoebe’s. Ezra and Benji were both holding Hope’s hands. Blake’s hand was shaking a little in his. He hated that the kids had been scared at what should have been a fun event.

At least they’d been smart and contacted an adult. The kids were young, but his girls learned early to defend themselves. Maybe along with building motorbikes, the kids needed to be in self-defense classes at Winnie’s gym.

Younger kids were taken or disappeared every day, and it wasn’t happening to his kids or grandkids. Maybe the protection of the kids needed to fall to the Originals and some helpers. It wasn’t like he, Baron, and Rascal couldn’t make time. Locks might be in his seventies, but he’d take down anyone who threatened or hurt his family.

Chapter Twenty-Four

CompasssatbyLocks,waiting for War to start the meeting. After the events of the day were over and everyone was back at the compound, War had called an emergency council.

“How’re Benji and Hope?” Compass asked.

“Scared. Hope said her son’s friend was worse than her son. She’s worried but trying not to show it. Benji wanted to stay the night with the other kids like had been planned. I could see Hope fighting every instinct to make him stay home. If War doesn’t set a schedule around where the kids are staying tonight, then I’ll stay on their front porch,” Locks said.

“Happy to take a shift too or cover the back door,” Compass said.

The thanks in Locks’ eyes still had that warmth blooming. Remembering when they all formed the MC and how they’d grown over the years was miraculous. For those first years afterRegina came, Regina and Kathryn had been friends while Locks had been a member but not active where anyone could see.

With their bail bonds business, they’d worried—and rightly so—that people might not do business with them if he was in a motorcycle club. It hadn’t mattered that their MC had been almost all retired military. Some of them had let their hair grow after the service. Big, tattooed guys on motorcycles with cuts on had scared some people.

Compass had been so happy for his friend when the business had grown enough and Locks could slide on his cut and not worry about being seen.

Now, when Compass had thought he’d just be riding until he died, he’d found a woman to love and gotten married. Despite being worried about what had happened today, he had to fight to keep a smile off his face.

Life with Maureen would never be dull. Her planning their first time at Nelson’s had made yesterday the best day in a long time. He was excited to plan some longer rides with her and travel some of the country. Of course, if the RV was waiting for them at a spot or a great hotel, he wouldn’t be complaining. His older bones needed a soft place to sleep. The days of throwing a bedroll on the ground were long over.

War walked in, closing the door behind him.

“We’re just going to start with what Scoop has found,” War said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Hope’s son’s friend is Roland Gomer Phipps. He’s done time for theft and fraud. He’s been arrested but not found guilty for armed robbery, burglary, and attempted rape. He’s a nasty one, and it looks like he’s been around town for at least two weeks. Sarah and I found him on tape from two weeks ago in the diner eating a meal, paying cash, and checking out the shop. Unfortunately, we don’t have any cameras near the park. And honestly, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack withall the extra people we have in town this weekend. I’m sorry I don’t have better news,” Scoop said.

War clapped Scoop on the shoulder. “You gave us more than we had. Let’s add a note to check into where we need additional cameras after this weekend. Any thoughts on what we do next?”

“I think I’d feel better if we posted a couple people outside the house where the kids are. This is one of those times I wish we had some animals trained in protection,” Roam mentioned.

“That donkey hates everyone except Regina and the kids. We have the temporary fence panels that hook together. Why don’t we set them up around War and Remi’s house? Put the donkey, the cow—because the donkey whines if they aren’t together—and the goats in there for the night. They’ll definitely cause a ruckus if anyone gets close,” Baron suggested.

“That donkey is a little jerk, isn’t he? I tried to help Regina feed them the other day, and he brayed right beside me, then knocked into my hip. I think he thought I shouldn’t be blocking him from Regina,” Dex grumbled.

“Speaking of animals, how are the pigs doing?” Locks asked, chuckling.

“Well, since Regina thinks they are babies,” Baron said, air quoting the word babies, which had Compass chuckling along with the rest of the men. “They are in my fucking house in a playpen in our bedroom because what if they need something during the night? I should just be thankful that she doesn’t put them in bed with us because the little fuckers would probably take my place beside her. She said they should be old enough to go to the barn in a couple weeks. I think she just wants me to pay for getting grazed with that bullet. If they don’t move to the farm soon, Baby Back and Porkchop may be what’s for supper.”

Compass shook his head. Regina had been a force of nature from that first time she told Baron he could shove the Christmas tree down his throat when Baron had been testy with her.Compass had loved watching his President fall for Regina, War, and Roam. Seeing the boys grown was bittersweet. He wished he had adult children to enjoy, but with Maureen, he was blessed with Lexi and Booker.

“Ok, let’s get those panels set up and the animals moved. Can you take charge of that, Dex? If Scoop and I don’t get back to the kids, Remi and Sarah might kill us,” War muttered. “Of course, Sarah will probably give Scoop a pass since he had the Sportster restored and gave her a push present earlier.”

“Oh, I heard that might happen anyway,” Roam joked.

“What do you know?” War asked.

“Nothing I’m sharing with you because watching you and Remi fight is one of my greatest joys right now. That woman has fantastic aim. The only thing saving you is that she’s taken to throwing pillows instead of her boots,” Roam said, chuckling.

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