Page 31 of Unruly Defender
“I’m going to need to handle a few things in the upcoming hour but you’re going to be by my side every second, understood?Those papers behind me are proof of my innocence and if they get into the wrong hands, I can’t put the one responsible behind bars.Hell, maybe it’s more than one person if my suspicions are correct and it would also add murder to it.Because this also is proof my father, along with Nicolaus, Rush’s father, were murdered by Rush.”
Henley takes a moment to expel a breath or two, as if he’s contemplating what he should tell me or keep to himself, before he continues.“Nicolaus and my father’s functions were more the overseeing kind.Make decisions, take on new projects, visit potential investors, that sort of thing.Except, the night they died they were standing on top of a building that we handled the renovations for.The police ruled their deaths as an unfortunate accident.Something about floors not being safe and it gave way causing them to fall to their death.But neither of them should have been there.These papers?”Henley’s voice is an angry growl and he swallows hard, as if to catch himself losing control and is trying to calm himself down.
He glances back at the bed and points.“These papers shine a whole new light on what went down that night.And I know for a fact Rush didn’t just shove me out of the way so he could take over the club, this has been going on for a while to gather funds for his drug dealing ambitions.I might have pulled you into this but the papers lying behind me are the real documents while the forged ones were the ones that got me convicted.And with Spencer forging documents and working with Rush, I’m thinking those two have been working together for years.I don’t know the finer details yet, but I’m going to find out.By doing so I might open a can of worms where there’s no turning back from.I can’t promise your safety and maybe it’s better if you move in with Clemente for a few days, or as long as it takes for me to solve this.And I might have to put someone at the hospital to keep an eye on my mother because I’m pretty damn sure she didn’t know she had this and my mind is still boggling over the fact these papers were in her possession, and I’m wondering how she got them.See?It’s all a fucking mess and I don’t know where to start.”
“You start by facing one thing at a time.And you’re not going to send me away like a little child.All of this involves me too.I’m here, I can help.Let me help.And you know as well as I do that you have a solid partner in Clemente if—”
“If I keep you safe because if something happens to you, I’m sure my next breath will be my last.That’s why I suggested you could stay with him, let us work this out.Because I also can’t focus if I’m not sure you’re safe,” Henley tries again.
It’s not going to work; I’ve made up my mind.Besides, I need to do this, not just for him, but for me.“I ran away from Spencer once and ignored everything to pick myself up and start over.Look what that got me.Almost losing my mother’s family’s legacy to a man who never loved my mother but wanted her money instead.And he might be getting it too.I’m done ignoring things and not stepping up for what’s right.So, you forget about stashing me away because I’m not going to leave your side, understood?”
“You’re right,” Henley says with determination now evident in his voice.“How badly I want to keep you out of this, it’s not possible because you’re connected to all of this too.Come on, we have to pack a bag for my mother and get back to the clubhouse.I need to talk things through with Clemente first before I get my brothers up to speed.Then we’ll drop the bag off at the hospital and hopefully get some good news.”
“I’m sure she’ll be awake when we get there, and if she’s not, you know it’s for the best that she rests up to regain her strength.And maybe those papers made a huge impact on her and explains why her body reacted this way.We have to stay positive for now until we know more.One thing at a time, remember?”
The corner of his mouth twitches.“Mr.and Mrs.Positive, huh?”
“You know it,” I quip.“Go grab those papers and tuck them away safely.I’ll head into the other bedroom and grab a few things for her.”
I turn on my heels and head for the door but Henley snatches my hand and makes me glance back.
“You’re really something, Gracelynn,” he murmurs.“A reason to live beyond the need for justice to prevail.I’m one lucky man to have such a good thing in my life.A strong woman who doesn’t let anyone interfere with what she wants.”
My chest blooms with warmth.“Save the sweet talk for later, pretty boy.Because saying things like that will get you laid and we don’t have the time...we have work to do.”
He barks out a laugh and tries to keep from smiling big.“Yes, ma’am,” he finally says and heads for the bed to snatch up all the papers.
It takes me a few minutes to grab what I need from the other bedroom and I hear Henley throw a question at Rhett as he steps from the patio into the living room.“What were you doing out there?”
“I had to get some fresh air, Pres,” Rhett groans.“You and your old lady were getting it on in the bedroom and the dog takes after the owner because he’s rubbing one out on a stuffed animal while I’m here twiddling my thumbs.Yeah, stepping out there and enjoying the ocean view seemed like the right thing to do.”
My cheeks heat when I hear Rhett mention he heard me and Henley having sex, but his ramblings right after make me giggle.I place Maggie’s bag in the hallway and enter my own bedroom to pack myself a bag because we’re going to be staying at the clubhouse.With everything going on and Henley being the president of Unruly Defenders MC, that’s where he needs to be.
I make sure to bring Finn’s bowls and food so everyone is set for at least a few days.We all head out and a few minutes later we’re walking into the clubhouse.It’s crowded and Yates comes rushing toward us to take the bowls and Finn’s food out of my hands.
“Where do you want me to put them?”he questions.
“My room.I’m not trusting Finn running around here when I’m handling things so he can sleep, eat, and stay in our bedroom when we need to do other things and can’t bring him along,” Henley tells him.
“Smart,” Yates states.“But I’m sure the little dude is going to fit right in.It’s all of the others who need to adjust to having a dog around.And an old lady, let’s not forget Gracy is the first old lady of this MC’s new generation.You’re moving in too, right, Gracy?”
I have to swallow a few times at the dryness in my mouth to form a word, and I’m glad I don’t have to because Henley is answering for me.
“Are you seriously stealing my thunder, VP?I was thinking of having her hang around here for a few days and letting the guys and the place grow on her before popping the question.”Henley shakes his head and hardens his tone.“If she runs away, I’m blaming you.”
Yates’ eyes slide to me and they widen as crinkles appear in his forehead.He holds his fingertips in front of his mouth and by doing this he’s clearly saying “Oops,” without words and it makes me smile big.The mischief dancing in his eyes makes him appear ten years younger and I have to say, he makes me feel at ease.
“Don’t worry, Yates, I’m not going anywhere.Well, not without Henley.”I shoot him a wink and head for the room we were in the last time.
Henley follows me and we drop our stuff on the bed.I scoop Finn up and it makes me wonder.“Did you mention we were leaving Finn here?In this room or with the guys?Did you need to have the meeting now or are we going to your mother first?”
Rooney pops his head into the room.“I could watch the little doggie for you.I’m going to do some reading so I could be in my room or in the main room, whatever makes you feel at ease but Finn won’t be alone, he’d be with me.”
“Okay.”I give Rooney a grateful smile.“But don’t feed him any chocolate.”
“No worries.I used to own a Dutch Shepherd.I know how to take care of a dog.”
“A man with many talents,” I compliment.“Wait, what else can you do, and did you bring me some more chocolate?I need more.I would love to pay for them too.”
