Page 54 of The Heart We Guard
At her own pace, Esme makes her way back to the sidewalk and walks off with her dog.
I stand for a moment, like I just had one of those visions of how my life is going to play out along two tracks. One where I do as Esme says, and one where I don’t.
What if I did change? What if I did start acting like that man, the man Greer and my kids deserve? What would I do?
I glance down at my clothes. They’re fine, but dirty and stink of booze. She’s right; Idoneed a haircut. Could probably do with losing some weight, even though I’m in reasonable shape. Should probably clean up my home, my clubhouse, and my act.
And I should find my goddamn family. All of them. Greer, wherever she is. And Ember, who has been right under my nose all along. I should pull them all together. Apologize and fix us so we can have a happy future.
“I’m gonna fuck this up,” I mutter.
The five words are almost enough to trip me up before I even get started.
“Don’t let ‘em, Butch.”
And now I’m speaking to my goddamn self.
I pull my phone out of my cut and pull up the one person who can help me.
“Vex,” he says when he answers, and laughter is heavy in his voice. The tech wizard from the New Jersey chapter is usually a pretty intense guy, so to hear him gleeful is unusual.
“It’s Butcher,” I say. “Is now a good time?”
“Yeah, man. Avery and Niro stuffed her dad’s exhaust with glitter, so when he started his bike, a fucking rainbow cloud ofsparkles came out. Bates is currently chasing the two of them around the clubhouse for messing with his bike. Funny as fuck.”
I check my watch. Six a.m. Guess it must be eight there. “Early start for you guys.”
“Headed to Bethlehem on a run.”
“Understood. Do you think you could help me find someone?”
“I’ve got an hour before we need to head out. What do you need?”
“I need to find Greer Hansen.” I give him all the details I know about her. From her address to her former job and description. “Her house is packed up and for sale, so I’m guessing she’s leaving Denver.”
“I can check listing agents. They’re pretty easy to hack. You know if she’s planning on traveling anytime soon?”
I’ll keep the two of us safe.
“Possibly.”
“I’ll monitor the airlines too for tickets. You got a photograph of her?”
I shake my head. “No. But, because she’s a prominent doctor, I’m guessing you’ll be able to find an image of her with a simple search. Unmistakable hair. White blonde and long.”
And so soft and silky when it slipped through my fingers and wrapped around my palm.
“I’m on it. I’ll let you know within the hour if I’ve found something. If not, it’ll have to wait until I’m in Bethlehem.”
“Good enough, brother. Thank you.”
“This a personal thing or a club thing?”
I sigh. “A personal thing.”
“No fee or favor then, but it will have to come after club business.”
“Fair. But understand this, I’ve never made a more important request.”
