Tangled (Grizzly MC Book 3), page 13
“Are you in love?”
“It kinda feels like it, but there are some complications.”
“Complications?”
“This thing between us, we didn’t plan it. It sort of just happened.”
“That’s how it always starts.”
“And now... Well, I guess I should just come right out and say it. I’m pregnant.”
“You are? Oh, this is the best news I’ve heard in forever! Wow! How do you feel?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy. But I’m also coming to terms with the fact that my relationship with Abel is over. Now that I’m leaving town and all, I just don’t see how this could ever work.”
“You never know. Maybe one day, he will join you and the baby.”
“I don’t know, but for right now, I just want to…”
My phone rings. There’s another call coming through. It’s Abel. I hesitate for a moment. I’m not really ready to talk to him yet. I decide to let it go to voicemail.
“Rosemary? Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I’m here.”
“What were you saying?”
“I think I need a fresh start for me and the baby. That’s all.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay here.”
“I appreciate that as long as you don’t put me on 24-7 stinky diaper duty.”
“Come on, it’ll be good practice.”
We both share a laugh.
“Seriously, Rosemary, I think you must do what your heart is telling you and most of all keep safe.”
“I will.”
“Let me know when you get to the city.”
“Okay.”
“See you soon.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
When I hang up, I hurry to listen to the voicemail from Abel. I hear the sorrow in his voice.
“Hey, it’s me. I... I can’t see you again. As much as I want to, it’s just too dangerous. Rosemary, you have to leave. I don’t want you and our baby to get hurt. I... I want nothing but the best for you. Please understand that.”
I playback the message one more time. My heart is beating fast. I know I have a big decision to make. If I don’t leave Tomahawk behind, I might have to face the same kind of violence that claimed Craig’s life.
Even though I’m falling hard for Abel, I can’t let my decisions be driven by him. If I do, my love will turn into resentment. As much as I wish things were different, I can’t deny the reality. The look in Eric Brown’s eyes... There’s no doubt he’s a cold-blooded killer.
The only choice I have is to keep me and my baby safe. I have to leave Abel and Tomahawk behind. When I get to the city, I will do the best I can to get back to some sense of normalcy.
But for right now, the least I can do is tell Abel how I feel. I call him. His voicemail picks up. I leave a message:
“Abel, hey! I got your message. I... I think you’re right. I know I have to leave, but I’ll be okay. And from the bottom of my heart, I wish you all the best. Please promise me you’ll stay safe.”
Chapter Sixteen
Abel
The sun is setting as I walk into my house. I’ve got carryout from the diner. No more home cooked meals from Rosemary’s kitchen to look forward to. That woman was the closest thing I’d found to a soulmate after Kate, and now she’s gone.
It’s lonely as hell without her. Every time I try not to think about it, the memories all come back to me. Her gorgeous brown eyes. Her laughter. Her bravery. The way she made me feel like a man between the sheets. Rosemary was the total package.
In my mind, I can hear her voicemail. I guess that was her way of saying goodbye. I wish to God it didn’t have to end like this. What I felt for Rosemary... I have to admit, it was like I was falling in love. I really don’t want to lose her, but it’s not up to me.
And she’s not the only one I’m thinking of. What about our baby? When she gets settled, I’ll have to make arrangements to see her and send money to take care of my kid. Even if I can’t be there every day, I’m not backing down from my responsibilities. And who knows? Maybe we’ll be able to live together eventually. But that seems like a long ways off right now.
I head into the kitchen and grab a beer. I eat and think about all I’ve been through in the last few weeks. The Vipers are the root of all my problems. If I ever want Tomahawk to be safe again for Rosemary and our child and all the people who call this place home, I know I have to deal with these fuckers once and for all.
As soon as I finish eating, I grab my phone. I call Dom. He answers.
“Hey, man.”
“Hey.”
“What’s up?”
“Just got back from the store. Your sister is having her ice cream cravings again.”
I smile. Damn, I wish I could do little things like that for Rosemary, but sadly I’ll never get the chance. Hell, I haven’t even told anybody that I’m about to be a father yet. I guess I’m too afraid. I don’t want to jinx it. Not after what happened with Kate.
“You make sure you keep on taking care of Amy.”
“No doubt. I’m on it.”
“You got a minute?”
“Sure, I can talk.”
“Not on the phone. Can you meet me at the bar?”
“Yeah. Gimme twenty minutes.”
“Okay. See you there.”
“Okay.”
I hang up and grab my car keys. It’s nightfall. I drive straight there. I see a few motorcycles on the road. I recognize them as Vipers. It feels like they’re talking over the whole damn town.
I pull into the parking lot at the bar and step outside. Two Vipers are laughing and smoking cigarettes. I want to punch them in the face. It’s time to handle these fuckers once and for all.
I approach the door. One of ‘em gives me a dirty look and stands there like he’s ready to start some shit. Not today, Abel. Keep your cool. The only way to cut off a snake is at the head. I’ve got to get rid of Eric Brown.
I ignore the Vipers and walk inside. The place is packed. Mavis is walking around with a tray full of drinks. She waves at me. James is behind the bar, wiping it down with a towel. I walk over to him.
“Hey.”
He smiles.
“How you been, man?”
“Can’t complain.”
On the inside, I’m consumed with thoughts of Rosemary, but now is not the time to discuss it. Besides, there’s nothing James can do to help me. There’s nothing anyone can do.
“What can I get you?”
“Rum and coke.”
I sit down at the bar.
“Okay. You got it.”
James pours my drink.
“Thanks.”
I take a long swallow.
“You sure you alright, buddy?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
James and I have been friends long enough. He can probably tell that I’m putting up a front.
“If you say so…”
“Really. I’m good.”
“Okay.”
“Dom is on his way over. I was hoping we could talk.”
“Sure.”
“In private.”
“No problem.”
“How’s Lena?”
“Working my last nerve, but I ain’t complaining. Man, I tell you, those pregnancy hormones are something else. Be glad you don’t have to deal with that.”
My eyes get wide. If James only knew…
“Between the three of us, you’re the only bachelor left.”
I smile a little. I don’t want to be a bachelor, I want to be with Rosemary. But what I want isn’t gonna happen.
Just then, Dom walks through the door. He makes his way over to us. A few women look his way, but he ignores them. Dom is a good guy. He only has eyes for my sister. And he’d better not change. or else, I think to myself with a grin.
“Hey!”
“Hey.”
James grabs his keys from behind the counter.
“Why don’t we head to my place?”
“Okay.”
Dom and I follow James as he unlocks the door to his upstairs flat. As we climb the stairs, I smell spaghetti. We walk in. It’s neat as usual. Lena has really fixed this place up. A woman’s touch can do a world of good. I can’t help but wonder all the ways my life would have been different if Rosemary and I’d had a real chance.
“You guys hungry? Lena has been cooking up a storm. I swear this cooking-for-two thing is serious business.”
“No, I’m good. I already ate.”
“Maybe next time. Amy and I went out for dinner earlier.”
We all sit down in the living room. I take a deep breath.
“I wanted us to talk some shit out.”
“What’s going on, Abel? You look like you got a lot on your mind.”
“Yeah. What else is new? Things are getting worse with the Vipers.”
“You can say that again.”
“But as crazy as it is, nothing will change if we don’t take these bastards out. We need to make a move.”
“I agree, but I’m not sure if the timing is right. And what about that investigation? I thought you had enough at the department to arrest Eric’s ass.”
“I thought so too, but that motherfucker has the best defense lawyer in the state. The prosecutors are saying that, if they bring charges, they wanna make sure they stick, or else he’ll walk free. And you know he can make bail with all that meth money.”
“Damn!”
“Yeah. I know. It’s fucked up. I don’t understand it either. But I’m tired of doing things by the book. Somebody’s gonna end up dead unless we stop the Vipers.”
Dom turns to me.
“I’m with you, man. So, what’s the move?”
“I don’t know. But we have to do something.”
James sighs.
“Whatever we do, we can’t fuck this up. One false move and that’ll be the end.”
I nod.
“There has to be a way. I’m not sure what it is yet, but there’s gotta be a way.”
“And what if there isn’t? You know these bastards are always dodging the law. Ain’t nothing gonna change.”
“We can’t think like that. They want us to give up. I’ve already lost so much because of them. It has to end now.”
“I hear you. Whatever you need, I’m right here.”
James touches my shoulder.
“Yeah, you know we got your back. Always.”
I nod.
“That means a lot to me, man. No matter what shit is about to go down, I can always count on both of you.”
Lena walks into the room and smiles at us. She’s due any day now. She walks with a bit of a waddle.
“Hey guys, I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
James turns to her.
“Babe, we were kinda in the middle of something.”
“Sorry, I just woke up from a nap.”
She turns to me.
“How you been, Abel?”
“Getting by.”
“That’s good. You know, Rosemary stopped by here the other day.”
Everybody turns to me. I know what they’re thinking. They can probably tell I’m head over heels for Rosemary, and they’re right.
“She did?”
“Yep. We had a nice little chat.”
“Oh.”
I wonder what they talked about. Well, now isn’t the time to get into it.
James holds up his hand.
“Lena, we’re having an important conversation right now.”
She cuts her eyes.
“Excuse me.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, babe. It’s just…”
“I understand. It’s fine. Really.”
She walks into the kitchen.
Dom shakes his head.
“When a woman says she’s fine, trust me, she ain’t. You’d better go and talk to her, man.”
James takes a deep breath.
“I will. As soon as we figure this shit out.”
I look at them.
“I think we’re about done for now. There’s not much else to talk about. I need to come up with a game plan that makes sense. We gotta catch the Vipers by surprise.”
“That won’t be easy to do. They got eyes and ears all over the place.”
“Yeah, but so do we. Put the word out to the other Grizzlies. Tell them to watch every move those fuckers make. If we play our cards right, this could be the final stand.”
“I hope so, Abel. The town can’t go on like this. It fucks with me all the time. I’m about to be a father, and I don’t want my kid to grow up scared all the time. Tomahawk never used to be this bad. It’s a shame what it’s turned into.”
A few minutes later, I walk out of the bar and head outside. There are more Vipers in the parking lot. I’m on high alert, ready to reach for my gun if one of these bastards so much as looks at me the wrong way. Luckily, it doesn’t come to that. At least not tonight.
I get in my car and drive home. I think about the whole situation. Dom and James were right. If we’re gonna make a move, we gotta be smart about it.
I also think about Lena. The way she talked about Rosemary got me to wondering. How much does she know about us? Not that it matters. I have bigger things on my mind right now.
***
I drive around town in my cruiser. I’m wearing my uniform too. I want to send a message to the Vipers that I’m watching them. I know word will spread fast that I’m on patrol.
I head downtown. The streets are mostly empty. When I get to the corner, I see my old informant, Benny, walking towards me. He’s strung out on God knows what. His eyes get wide as soon as he notices me. He turns down an alley and disappears.
Out in public, Benny avoids me, and I want to keep it that way. It’s better for the both of us if nobody knows he’s spilling the beans on the Vipers. Still, it’s been a long time since Benny told me anything.
He gave me one tip that led to the meth bust with the teenagers but nothing since. Maybe he’s scared. I can’t blame him. It’s like a cloud of fear is hanging over all of Tomahawk.
I keep driving through town and I find myself in front of the high school. I smile a little, thinking about Rosemary. I miss her so much.
I head down the street to a laundromat at the corner. This place is also owned by Eric Brown. I have a feeling that he’s probably washing money while people wash their clothes. I just wish I could catch him doing it. I need more evidence. I can’t believe the prosecutors couldn’t throw the cuffs on him after Rosemary risked her life to get that recording.
I make a U-turn and find myself back in front of the high school. I take a deep breath as I keep an eye out for teenagers doing anything suspicious. Deep down inside, I know I’m hoping to see Rosemary, but I doubt that’s going to happen.
As I slowly cruise the parking lot, Mrs. Stewart walks out of the building. She waves and approaches me. I roll down my window.
“Hey, Sheriff Miller!”
“Hey, how are you?”
“I’m fine. And yourself?”
“Getting by.”
“I appreciate you patrolling the school grounds. It makes me feel a lot safer.”
“Well, that’s my job.”
“Rosemary just called. She put in her notice. She’s leaving.”
“I know.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s for the best. I just want her to be safe.”
I feel emotional, hearing the news from Mrs. Stewart. Rosemary’s voicemail was one thing, but now it’s official. She’s gone from my life. I may never see her again. That’s not easy to live with. But right now, I have to keep myself from falling apart. I quickly try to change the topic.
“Promise me you’ll be careful too, Mrs. Stewart. You know about what’s going on around here.”
“I know. I’m keeping an eye on everything. You’d better believe it.”
