“I have to go. I’m going to be late for my first appointment.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.” He gave her a gentle smile as he started to open the door.
“Stump.” Zoey laid her hand over his on the doorknob. “While you’re waiting, are you… are you going to be with Crush?”
“No, the only one who’ll be sleeping in my bed from now is you.”
“I only sleep on mats,” she teased, breaking into laughter at his horror-stricken expression. “I’m teasing. Remember when I said I wanted to be a female monk?” At his nod, her grin widened. “Mattresses are another thing I didn’t want to give up.”
19
Mom,
Mr. Landon told me that he wrote to you and told you that I’m now in an orphanage and he hasn’t received any response from you. I gave him the only address I have, so either you don’t care, or you no longer live there. He did a search for you, and said you’re no longer at the address Dad told me you were at.
I hope he finds you soon. I hate it here. The other kids here are mean to me. I can’t stay here.
Mr. Landon is my advocate for the court, but he scares me. I don’t like the way he looks at me, and the last time he came to visit, he told me that, if I was nice to him, he could find me a foster home to live in so I wouldn’t have to share a room with the other girls.
He comes back next week. I plan to run away before then. I’m going to find you myself. If you don’t want me when I show up at your door, just don’t answer and I’ll go away. I don’t want to make things difficult for you. I just can’t stay here anymore.
The courts say I’m too young to be on my own, but the courts didn’t help me or Tracy when she went to them for help.
Dad went crazy when Tracy told him that she went to the police, and then she told him to get out. He sent me to go to my bedroom to pack my clothes. I should have known then what he was planning. He never let me take my things before, but I wanted my rabbit. I only meant to be a minute, but when I heard the shots and ran out of my bedroom, he had already shot Tracy and Aubrey.
I should have taken her to the bedroom with me. It’s all my fault that my baby sister is dead. I wish it had been me. I miss her so badly that I can’t breathe. Have you ever felt like that? I feel like that every day, and when I cry at night, the girls in my room tell me to shut up.
I miss Aubrey and Tracy, but I don’t miss Dad. He tried to make me get in the car with him. When I didn’t, he pointed the gun at me. All I could think of was that my baby sister needed help. He told me I didn’t need Tracy or Aubrey, that all I would ever need is him.
I fought for the gun, but as much as I hated him, I couldn’t pull the trigger. He laughed at me and started strangling me. He told me he was my father and he could kill me if he wanted to, just like Aubrey. I shot him over and over until I ran out of bullets.
The psychiatrist said I was in shock, and it was a flight or fight response. It’s true. I was tired of running away with him, and I just couldn’t watch him hurt any more people who trusted him.
He couldn’t believe I shot him. When he died, I didn’t even cry. I’ll never cry over him. He doesn’t deserve it. I guess I loved him to death.
xo
Love,
Zoey
“You’re not going to read the last one?”
Stump neatly folded the letter, placing it back in the envelope. “I can’t stomach reading another one right now.”
He began reading the stack of letters last night when Shade brought the cardboard box to the clubhouse right after Stump trashed the place. He hadn’t slept last night, reading three-fourths of the letters Zoey had written to her mother instead.
His eyes were gritty from lack of sleep, and if he didn’t get some soon, there was no way he was going to be able to meet Zoey in the morning.
Stump flipped the box shut. “Did you read them?”
Shade poured himself another glass of bourbon. “Yes. The kid’s had a rough time. Lucky called a friend of his. Her advocate was arrested for sexual misconduct right after Zoey ran away by an authority figure. He lost his job and got fifteen months jail time with a suspended sentence.”
“You don’t happen to have his address, do you?”
Shade reached into his back pocket, taking out a slip of paper and laying it on the bar top in front of him. “I hope you’re smart enough to get rid of that after you memorize it,” he said before taking a drink of his glass.
Stump memorized the address then took a lighter out of his pocket and burned the paper, dumping it into the ashtray.
“Thanks, Shade.” Stump got off the stool, sliding the box toward him. “Thanks for the information and the advice. It was taking so long that I was beginning to doubt you.”
“It’s not easy getting information on minors, especially one who was in so many jurisdictions. Lucky did most of the legwork. Without his contacts, there was no way we would have known that box existed. I was only able to get it because of a clerical error.”
Stump had no doubt that Shade created the clerical error.
“You’re a sneaky bastard. I would bow, but I’m too fucking tired.”
“I take it our plan worked?”
“Yes. I should feel guilty as hell for making her believe I slept with Crush, but you can’t argue with success.”
Shade saluted him with his glass. “No, you can’t, and I have two kids to prove it.”
“I thought you would stay at Penni’s house tonight. I don’t mind the company, but I’m surprised you’re not keeping them within eyesight.”
Shade poured himself another glass. “Jackal is there, and so is Greer, Rachel, and Cash. A little of Greer goes a long way. Anyone stupid enough to break into Penni’s house will get what they deserve.”
“If he’s got you on the run, I need to meet him,” Stump joked.
“I’m not running. I made a tactical retreat. You can meet him tomorrow night. Penni booked a table at her favorite nightclub. She invited Zoey.”
“I look forward to meeting him.”
“Brother, you’re going to eat those words.”
Stump held Zoey back when she started moving forward with the crowd that was making its way to the front of the karaoke stand.
“I can’t see,” she complained, trying to look over the crowds’ heads.
“What’s to see? Kaden is sitting at our table.” Exasperated, he lifted her onto a chair.
With his hand around her waist to make sure she didn’t fall, he felt like an idiot with Jackal and Ice watching. Their humor was short-lived, though, when Penni and Grace got on their seats, forcing their husbands to their feet to steady the wobbly chairs. Jackal flicked him off when he saw his amusement.
“Come on, Lily!” Penni called out to her friend, encouraging her to do the same.
Shade’s wife started to get out her chair, and Stump smirked at Shade the same way he had done to Jackal and Ice.
“No.” The curt command from Shade had Lily immediately sitting back down.
He decided to ask The Last Rider how he accomplished having his wife listen to him when the others couldn’t. That was something he had to know before the night was over.
He was able to get Zoey down when Kaden left the stage, helping her sit between Vida and Sawyer. Then he moved to sit back down next to Colton, Vida’s husband, tersely staring around the bar that was filled to capacity.
“What has you so uptight? The girls are just having some fun.”
Stump didn’t take his eyes off the crowd as he answered Colton’s question, “I don’t know. I didn’t expect so many people to be here.”
“It’s this way whenever Kaden goes out. Relax, he has a team of security watching the crowd. That’s why this table is separated from the rest of the room. There’s an exit door behind the potted plant behind Lily, and security will stop anyone who approaches the table. And if anyone does try to start anything, several of The Last Riders and the Predators are carrying enough heat
they could make Swiss cheese out anyone who tries to start trouble.”
Stump had no doubt the men at the table could handle any trouble, but it didn’t stop the growing alertness that someone was watching them with a maliciousness that was sending his instincts into overdrive.
“Switch seats with me. I want to sit closer to Zoey.” Stump started to rise.
“Brother, I’m not moving from Vida’s side with the way you’re acting.”
“Then switch with Zoey.”
“That I can do.” Colton took his drink and stood up to ask Zoey to switch chairs with him. Grinning, she happily moved to sit down next to him.
“Isn’t this great?” she asked excitedly, setting her glass of ginger ale down in front of her.
“Yes,” he agreed, resuming his search of the crowd for the threat he felt down to his bones.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, just having a good time.”
“You don’t look like you’re having a good time.”
Stump avoided her curious gaze to see the man sitting on the other side of the table. The discerning eyes gave him the willies.
Shade introduced him to Greer Porter when he and Zoey had arrived at the bar, gracing him a mocking smile before moving as far from the man that he could get without leaving the table.
Zoey took a chip from the basket on the table, granting Greer a bright smile as she pushed the basket toward him.
Stump narrowed his eyes when Greer leaned forward to take one, giving Zoey a speculating look.
“You married?”
“Uh… no.” Her eyes moved to Stump with a sidelong look at the abrupt question.
“You should visit us in Kentucky. I have a little brother I want to introduce you to.”
Stump straightened in his chair. “She’s with me.”
“I don’t see a ring on her finger. Dustin would be smart enough to have married and impregnated her in a week.”
“She won’t be visiting Kentucky. She’s happy here,” Stump snapped. “And Zoey is with me.”
Zoey laid a hand on his clenched fist, running soothing fingertips over the knuckles that showed white.
“I don’t think your brother would appreciate you trying to find women for him.” Zoey leaned to her side until her shoulder was rubbing his. Stump saw Greer study her movement.
“Nah, he wouldn’t care. He’s gonna be mad himself that he didn’t come when I tell him about you. I told him he should tag along with me when Penni offered to pay my way.”
“I thought you were friends with The Last Riders and that’s why you came?” Stump turned his hand so he could link his fingers with Zoey’s. With his thumb, he stroked the satiny softness of her skin.
“Friends? Hell no. I don’t have any friends.”
“That’s a shocker.”
Either his sarcastic comment blew over Greer’s head or he didn’t give a fuck, which was what Stump was more likely to believe the longer he talked.
“Penni said she wanted to introduce me to someone. I figured it’s someone giving her trouble that she needs me to take care of. That husband of hers must be too afraid of whoever it is.”
Stump saw Ice saying something to Jackal, who was about to get out of his seat at Greer’s insult.
“You sure you don’t want to come for a visit? My sister Rachel is around here somewhere. She has a picture of Dustin on her phone. I don’t see her wait— Ginny’s seen him. Ginny!”
Stump jumped at him yelling down the table to the woman sitting next to Lily.
“Ginny! Tell Zoey how handsome Dustin is.” Greer lowered his voice, leaning over the table to loudly whisper into his and Zoey’s shocked faces. “I tried fixing her up with him, but she wasn’t interested. Must be because he has a kid, because he’s real handsome.”
“Zoey isn’t interested either! She’s with me!”
“I don’t see a ring!” Obnoxiously, Greer picked up one of the chips then sat back down. “She’d fit in perfectly with my family. My wife could use some help around the house. Are you any good at cooking? My wife is good, but she can’t make a good kettle of beans if her life depended on it.”
“You’re married?” Zoey wasn’t capable of concealing her appalled expression. Stump almost laughed when she went ashen.
He wouldn’t have to worry about her going to Kentucky in the near future. At least, not before he could get her married and pregnant.
“Yeah, I have a kid, too. She’s as cute as a button. Rosalie takes after her father,” he bragged.
“Is your wife here?” Zoey asked, looking around the table pityingly.
“Nah, I don’t let my woman go gallivanting around the country. I leave her ass at home where it belongs.”
“Lucky woman.” Zoey’s snide comment sailed over Greer’s head as his had done.
“I tell her that all the time. I’ll tell her you said that when I talk to her tonight,” he remarked, taking another chip.
“Who are you here to meet?” He wanted to warn whoever it was, and he would do a better job of it than Shade had done.
He wanted to kick Shade’s ass for not warning him to sit as far from Greer as he and Zoey could get.
“Don’t know. They aren’t here yet, or she would have introduced me to them.” Greer shrugged, taking another chip.
“Penni paid you to come here and didn’t tell you why? Didn’t you ask?” Zoey shook her head at him.
“The waitress will bring more.” Greer mistakenly thought Zoey was shaking her head at him because he was eating all the chips.
Stump could feel Zoey’s hand trembling in agitation under his.
“You didn’t ask Penni who she wanted you to meet?” she repeated.
Greer shrugged nonchalantly. “Money talks.”
“Excuse me. I think I need to have a quick chat with Penni.” Zoey tried to pull her hand away from his as she started to rise.
“I would wait. She seems to be busy arguing with Ginny.” Stump tugged her back down.
“I really need to speak to her….” She was still trying to break his hold when the DJ shouted into the microphone, drawing their attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re opening the floor to the karaoke part of the night. If you’re a regular here, I’ve been asked to start it off with a woman who sang here before. Ginny, where are you?”
“Tell me Penni didn’t set this up just so Ginny would be forced to sing in front of Kaden?” Zoey pleaded with him.
“I wish I could, but from the sight of them arguing, she did.”
Stump felt bad for the woman arguing with Penni. He had never met her, but he was acquainted with Penni enough to know she was steamrolling the woman who reluctantly rose to her feet at the shouts from the crowd.
Stump watched her make her way down the table toward Zoey, her eyes pleading with her as Zoey continued to try to free her hand.
“I have to go with her. She won’t do it by herself.”
He released her hand, letting Zoey stand.
Stump couldn’t hear what she said to Ginny, but the woman eventually straightened her shoulders as they walked toward the stage. Then both women went to the microphone as the DJ selected a song to play. It took only a few notes before he recognized the song “In My Blood.” He listened when Penni played it last week at the office.
Stump rose a brow at Penni’s choosing of that song. It would be hard for a professional to sing, much less a woman who didn’t want to be on a stage.
That Ginny didn’t want to be there was obvious as she stood behind Zoey, not putting her mouth near the microphone.
Kaden wasn’t even paying attention, talking to his wife.
Zoey started the song. Her voice was nice, but it didn’t suit the song. She wound her arm through Ginny’s, pulling her forward when the soft music reached a crescendo.
When Ginny’s voice gradually rose, taking over the song, he reluctantly understood why Penni had maneuvered her into singing it.
“Damn
,” Stump muttered, seeing that Kaden and Sawyer had stopped talking to listen.
When her final words trailed off, the crowd started stomping and clapping for Ginny to sing again.
The next song was one he wasn’t as familiar with. However, listening to Ginny’s raspy voice, he was drawn in.
As she sang, she seemed to forget she was in front of a crowd, gripping the microphone as Zoey stepped back, letting her have the stage.
The crowd went crazy when she finished.
Seeing that Zoey had moved back, Ginny immediately retreated back into her shell, grabbing Zoey’s hand to leave the stage.
The DJ called someone else to the stage to calm the audience down, but it didn’t work. They started chanting “more” and didn’t stop until the DJ finally had to play a tape, taking a break.
It took three security guards to get Zoey and Ginny back to the table. He would have gone into the crowd, but he knew the guards would have pushed him back. Therefore, he had to impatiently wait for Zoey’s return.
“Don’t get up without me again,” he snarled as soon as her ass hit the chair.
“That’s why I keep my woman at home,” Greer remarked before Zoey could release her anger at his demand.
“You need to give me your wife’s phone number before you leave.”
Stump winced at the unnatural sweetness of Zoey’s request.
“Why? You want to ask her about Dustin? I can tell you everything you need to know.”
“Is your brother like you?” Honey dripped off Zoey’s sarcastic tone.
“He’s not as handsome as me, and he doesn’t have the red hair. But when it comes to women, we’re cut from the same cloth.”
“I don’t look so bad now, do I?” Stump said from out of the corner of his mouth.
She turned to look at him. “He has to be joking. He can’t be as bad as he sounds.”
“I don’t think he’s joking. I think he’s being for real.”
“He’s not in any reality I know, and I hope I never do….” She trailed off then raised her voice in astonishment. “I’m going to hurt her tomorrow in the office!”
“Who?” Stump turned to look over at where she was staring.