Page 35 of Wildcard's Wager

“We went and looked at the properties across the street,” I tell Alisa. “We’re taking the plot next to yours. Colt was excited to know he’d be living next door to Elina. I can’t believe how quickly he’s melded with them.”

“They’re good kids. He hasn’t met Mal yet, but they should get along, too. Mal’s the calmest of the bunch. Well, he and Slade. We’re pretty lucky that they get along so well and rarely cause any trouble. But part of that may be because there are so many adults watching. It will be different when we move into our homes.”

“It won’t be that different,” Puma argues as the prospects pick up the empty plates from the kid’s tables. “I still want them to spend time in the clubhouse. They’re our future.”

My dad comes out of the kitchen carrying a plate of cookies. He places it in the center of the kids’ table. As they each take a cookie, they grin at my dad. “Thanks, Gramps!” They all shout.

Wildcard chuckles. “I think your dad has his new road name.”

Puma pounds on the table, which gains everyone’s attention. “Perfect. Spock! Need you to place an order for a rocker. Have to give our oldest and newest member his road name. Gramps!”

The chagrin on my father’s face tells me he isn’t thrilled with the name, but when the kids’ pound on the table and echo the name, his expression changes to one of pride. He glances at me and I can see his eyes mist up. He has his family and I couldn’t be happier for him.

Max is clearing off our table when Viper approaches Puma. “I just got off the phone with Rafe. He wants to come talk to you.”

“Yeah, I figured. He can come by, but he comes alone.”

Viper nods. “That’s what he said. He dropped Sully off at his hotel. Said Sully was planning on calling judges to get a search warrant. Idiot. Rafe told him he was wasting his time. He doesn’t have jurisdiction. But Sully thinks he’ll find a judge who’d like to see the cops harass our club.”

Puma shakes his head. “He might find someone, but I doubt it. However, we better prepare. Tell Rafe to call before he leaves for here. We’re going on lockdown.”

Viper pulls out her phone as she walks away.

Puma turns to me. “I trust Rafe, but he’s a cop. He’s proven himself to be an ally in the past. He helped clear Viper of a murder charge. I want to lay everything out for him about the charges against you. He’s never played us wrong. He’s more concerned with justice than following procedure. However, this is your life we’re talking about. You need to be included in the decision.”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I’m in this mess because the cops see me as an easy scapegoat. Is trusting a cop the right move? Even though they’re vouching for him, it isn’t their future at stake. But, what’s my option? Stay inside the clubhouse for the rest of my life? Maybe this cop isn’t like Sully? Maybe he’ll help clear my name? I glance at Wildcard, whose expression gives nothing away.

“I’m scared,” I admit. “What if he arrests me?”

“Then we’ll get you the best lawyer money can buy,” Puma says with a shrug. “But I don’t think it will come to that. Rafe worked with us to prove Viper’s innocence. He worked with us to clear her. Your dad gave her an alibi. You’re family. So is Rafe. We don’t betray family. We protect family.”

Closing my eyes, I send out a prayer that I’m making the right decision. “Okay, I’ll trust him.”

“Good, because he’ll be here in ten minutes,” says Viper from behind me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: WILDCARD

I can see the worry in Brigit’s eyes, but she agrees to meet with Rafe. Her trust in Puma and the club fills me with pride. Rafe is trustworthy, for a cop. There is little risk that he’ll betray us by taking her in. But there is still a risk. She’s putting her faith in us. In me. We won’t let her down.

“Puma, can we talk?” When he nods, I turn to Brigit. “Stay here. I’ll come and get you in a minute. I just need to talk to Puma first.” Leaning over, I kiss her forehead before following Puma to his office.

“You want an escape plan, just in case?” Puma asks after I shut the door to his office.

“Yeah. I trust Rafe, but…”

“He’s a cop. I get it. Hold on.” Puma picks up his phone and makes a call.

“Puma,” Dante says when he answers.

“I have a situation.” Puma lays out the problem. “We might need help getting Brigit, Wildcard, and their son out of the country. Maybe her father, too.”

“Mexico?” Dante asks.

“I could make that work,” I reply, even though moving to Mexico isn’t ideal. Escaping to Mexico doesn’t mean we have to stay there.

“If you have to go on the run, come to the clubhouse here. We’ll get you to Ranch’s place. He has easy access to the border. It’s right on the other side of the fence. We have contacts in Mexico who can get you to my mom’s place. You’ll be safe there.”

“That works. Thanks Dante.”

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