“Take Hunter with you. We’ll keep an eye on her.” He gives me his approval, but in all honesty, this would have happened with or without it.
I turn my attention to Hunter, nodding for him to get up.
“I’m leaving in ten. Grab what you need now.” He doesn’t need to be told twice. He moves out of the room without a word.
“Anything else?” I look back at Nix.
“Don’t fuck this up,” is all he says before coming to stand. The rest of them follow him up and come toward me. Sy smirks at me and slaps my back as he passes.
“Welcome to the other side.” And maybe it’s the adrenaline running through me, but I miss the punch line.
“What side?” I call after him.
“Where you do stupid shit for pussy,” Nix answers, passing me next.
“Fuck, been there since she walked into my life,” I admit, then listen to them all laugh.
“Not like I haven’t been telling you this since the night we picked her up,” Sy shouts back.
“Yeah, I’m finally listening,” I tell him as Jesse passes. Remembering how much he pissed me off, I land my fist into his arm. “That’s for being a fuckhead.”
“Love you too, bro.” He barely flinches, continuing his exit.
I contemplate going in for a second punch but let it go. I told Hunter ten minutes. The sooner we have this done, the sooner it’s over, and we’re back in Rushford.
Twenty-Seven
Mackenzie
Five days later
“You doing okay, Kell?” I ask, watching her sort through piles of paperwork. It’s almost opening week for Missy’s Place and with Beau away dealing with the mess I left back in Ohio, Kelly is here trying to get it all sorted.
“Yeah, just hoping I can pull this off. With Beau away, it’s double the stress.”
“I’m sorry.” I cringe, hating that my drama is only messing this up for both Kelly and Beau.
“Don’t be silly. He needed to go. I’m just being dramatic.” She tries to soothe me, but it doesn’t help. When Beau told me he was heading to meet Fred, I begged him to take me with him. He didn’t think it was a good idea, and even though I understand why, it doesn’t make it easy knowing he’s there and I’m here.
“Well, if it’s any consolation, I’m here for you.” It’s the least I can do.
“And I’m going to use you. We have to have all this unpacked today.” I follow her gaze around the room and prepare myself for some hard work.
“Okay, well, where do you want me to start?” I stand from the chair and move toward the huge living area.
“Let’s just work through each room, starting in the living room. We can stop for lunch around twelve and hopefully finish up this afternoon.”
“Got it,” I tell her, but before I can start, my phone beeps from my back pocket. Pulling it out, I let out a breath when I see it’s from Beau.
Beau: Two hours out, darlin’. See you soon.
I quickly type back, my mind running wild with what he found out.
Me: Is everything okay?
Beau: Everything’s good. Will talk more when I’m home.
I smile at the text and let out a long breath. I’m assuming ‘everything’s good’ means he met with Fred and we have nothing to worry about.
“Beau?” Kelly notices my reaction.
“Yeah, he’s two hours out.” I pocket my phone, my day now perking up.
“Did he say if he found Chad?” I swallow at the mention of his name.
Kelly and the girls don’t know about Chad or what I did, and I want to keep it that way.
Having Nix and the rest of the guys know is bad enough. To say they were pissed would be an understatement.
After Beau left with Hunter to see Fred, Nix sat me down and expressed how unimpressed the club was that I had lied to them all. I knew it was coming. Beau was too kind to me to really tell me how angry he was, but Nix didn’t offer me the same grace. And rightly so. I lied to them, to everyone, and it wasn’t my intention to fall in love with Beau. It happened. But I should have told them sooner. After, he ripped me a new one, made it clear we are family, and that family look after each other. He followed it up with a hug and a warning not to fuck with Beau’s heart. I didn’t need the warning, but I took it. It was the least I could do.
“I’m not sure.” I divert my gaze so she doesn’t pick up on my unease.
“I’m sure he has. He wouldn’t be heading home without a resolution for you.” Kelly pulls me out of my head.
“Yeah.” I nod because she’s right. It’s just the way Beau is, always taking care of me.
After chatting for a few more minutes, we start work pulling open all the boxes and setting up. We don’t talk about anything deep, keeping the conversation light and easy. I’m grateful for it. My mind is still messed up with what Beau has to say. The day passes us quickly and before we know it, we’ve missed lunch.
“Oh, God, it’s after one.” Kelly looks up when we finish unpacking the third room.
“You want me to go pick something up from the diner?” I ask, taking in all the work we’ve managed so far. The living area, kitchen and dining room are all set up. Warm tones, dark wood, and brown leather furniture makes the house more homier, welcoming even. I can already see women here, getting the help they need after leaving dangerous situations.
“I should probably go. You stay here.” Since Beau has been away, I’ve been staying at the clubhouse and have had an escort to and from wherever I go. Now Beau is on his way back with what I can only assume is good news, I barely think there’s anything to worry about.
“I’ll be fine, Kell. It’s less than a block away. I have my phone.” I scoop up my bag, starving for food. “What do you want?” I pull out my phone and open up the memo app.
“I’ll have the California grilled chicken and a diet Pepsi, please.” She starts picking up the empty boxes.
“Okay, I’ll be back.” I flick the lock on the front door and push it open. “Lock the door behind me.”
“Got it,” she calls back and I wait for her to click the lock.
The cool November air nips at my skin. I wrap my cardigan around my body tighter and pick up my steps to get to Happy Chef quicker.
The lunch crowd is in full swing when I enter. I quickly place my order and take a seat at the counter. Looking around the diner, I’m thrown off kilter when I spy Mayor Morre sitting in the back booth, his graying blond hair is slicked back, almost identical to Chad’s. He’s wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt, and a gray tie. Playing the perfect part. On the outside, he looks put together, but the strong tick in his jaw tells me otherwise.
He looks in my direction, his cold eyes locking with mine before giving me a quick wave, signaling for me to join him. Knowing if I don’t go to him, he will come to me, I contemplate leaving for five seconds before forcing my legs over toward him.
Beau would have told me if he knew something. He’s only trying to mess with me, I remind myself when I step up to his table.
“Mackenzie, lovely to see you. Please take a seat.” I slide into the booth and decide to beat him at his own game.
“Cut the crap, Morre. What do you want?” I sound braver than I really am, but I run with it.
“I think you know what I want.” He tilts his head, quietly examining me, but I don’t let him throw me off.
“I don’t know where Chad is,” I lie, knowing there is no way I’ll ever tell him the truth. Not when he has no proof.