Chapter Twenty Brigit

CHAPTER TWENTY: brIGIT

I gasp when I hear the Detective mention Abby. Is he admitting that he was involved in her disappearance? Did he torture her for information? I'm watching and listening to the events unfolding outside the panic room via a series of monitors. Hunter is splitting his time between watching them with me and watching the kids. Luckily, they're all focused on the video game they're playing. The casual acceptance by Elina and the others of being trapped inside the panic room has kept Colt calm, too. When I asked Hunter about it, he explained the kids know being inside here is precautionary. That they often bring the kids in here for an hour or two once a month so they don't get frightened when they have to come in here for real. Puma's idea.

My estimation of Puma rises every time I learn something new about him. He is truly kid-focused. Squiggy taught me to fear motorcycle clubs. Puma makes me realize the club is only as good as their President.

When Detective Sully and Rafe leave, I shift my attention to a second monitor. I can't hear them speaking as well as I did when they were inside, so I turn up the volume.

"Does your captain know you're in their pocket?" Sully asks Rafe.

Rafe shakes his head. "He knows I'm on good terms with Puma and the club. They own a successful casino downtown and they sponsor several charities. You'll find Puma is well-liked in this state. Many are fans of his when he played ball."

Sully's head snaps toward Rafe. "What?"

Rafe laughs as he opens the car door. "You just met the great Maklin Brooks. Not a Celtics fan? Is that allowed?" Rafe slides behind the wheel and shuts his door. Sully stands outside and stares back at the clubhouse doors. The stunned look on his face would be comical if I didn't believe he hurt Abby.

Wildcard opens the panic room twenty minutes after the cops leave. Colt races out to greet his father.

"Dad! We were in the panic room. Elina said we have to go in there when the bad guys show up. Were there bad guys? Did you scare them away?"

Wildcard chuckles. "Weren't any bad guys this time. Just had a visitor we weren't expecting. Better to keep you guys safe."

"That's what Elina said. That we have to do what you say because you'll keep us safe."

Wildcard grins at me. "Exactly right. That's our job."

"My stomach is trying to eat my backbone," Hunter says. "Let's go see what's for lunch."

The kids cheer at this suggestion and follow Hunter to the common room.

"Do you think we'll get cookies?" Colt asks Wildcard.

"I think I smelled cookies baking. Maybe you'll get some after you eat your lunch. Deal?"

Colt nods his head. "Deal."

I smile as I follow them, my heart full, knowing that Colt has his father in his life. Speaking of fathers, I see mine placing plates down in front of the kids as they take their seats.

"Gramps, Dad said you might have cookies for us later."

My dad grins at Colt. "You know what? Ms. Claudia has a batch of cookies baking in the oven. They'll be ready by the time you're done eating."

"Cookies!" the children all shout as they dig into their lunch.

"What do you say to your grandpa?" I ask. Even though the question was directed at my son. All the kids answer.

"Thanks, Gramps!"

Dad chuckles as he returns to the kitchen.

Wildcard leads me to Puma's table and we take our seats. A few minutes later, two prospects bring out bowls of chili and fresh bread. Puma takes a bite and groans.

"Your dad is a phenomenal cook. I'm glad he chose to stay. We just need to figure out his new road name. I was thinking Cook or Chef."

"Agreed," Wildcard moans as he plops a piece of bread covered in chili into his mouth.

"It's nice not having to cook," Alisa says. "I can focus on other things."

"Like growing my baby," Puma says, reaching over to rub his massive paw over her still flat stomach.

"Luckily, that doesn't take much effort on my part. At least not yet. I'm sure I'll be a walking house by the time your baby is ready to come out and play." She glances at me. "I'm not looking forward to giving birth."

"I don't blame you," I laugh as Wildcard shudders.

Puma gives Alisa a pout, so she reaches over and pats his arm. "Everything will be fine. We just need to get the house finished, so he or she has somewhere to sleep. I'm not caring for a baby in the clubhouse."

"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.