“Katie, I have no patience for stubborn women. You will eat, even if I have to feed you. We take care of our women.” Where the hell did that come from? She’s not mine or ours. I do get a smile out of it, but it’s not a good smile, more like a sarcastic smile.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not one of your women. I’m not being stubborn. I just like to pay my own way, and even though all of you have been so kind to me, I really don’t know you. I appreciate all the help you are trying to give me, but I have no way of repaying you and I have to stand on my own two feet.” Katie is going to be stubborn. Captain, Con, and I all look at each other. Lil takes control.
“We just want to help. Please eat with us. Next time we will ask first, but we don’t want to waste this food. Con bought way too much for us. So please eat.” This is the way Lil always gets her way. She gives you no way to say no without being rude. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
“Okay, if you’re sure, I can do that. Thank you.” Lil hands her a salad and some kind of sandwich.
We eat in silence. Each of us looking, but not knowing exactly what to say. Con is the first one finished.
“I’ll be getting back to the clubhouse. I’ll be back tomorrow first thing.” Sure he will, if he doesn’t party too much tonight.
“Con, I want you to go to Katie’s apartment and bring her some things tomorrow when you come. I’ll text you the address. I’m going to have Lizard go by there tonight to check the security. Also, go by Brown’s ranch and let him know Katie won’t be there for a few days. Do you know where it’s at? Out on old Jacksonville highway.” Captain knows that we know where it’s at.
“I could just call Mr. Brown if I could borrow a phone. I guess mine was lost in my truck.” Katie is most definitely worried about that job.
“It’s okay, Katie. This is best taken care of in person. That way Con can update him on how you are.” Captain is never this calm with us.
Just as Con is getting ready to leave there is a knock at the door. We all look at each other and Katie says, “Come in.” Con is right beside the door so he opens it to see a DPS officer holding papers. He gives Captain, Con, and I looks of disapproval and walks in.
“Ms. Walton?” Like he don’t know exactly who she is.
“Yes, Sir. Are you here about my truck?” Katie is eager to get the update.
“Yes. I also need to get a statement of anything you can tell me about the accident.” This room has suddenly become too small. I always try to stay on the right side of the law, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Captain has cleaned up our club mostly, but that doesn’t mean if someone steps out of line we won’t get our own retribution. About that time Captain’s cell goes off with a text alert.
“We are just going to step outside and talk while the officer is here. Katie, Lil is here if you need her.” With that Captain, Con, and I step outside the door.
As soon as the door is closed behind us Captain flips open his phone to read the text. “Shine, you’ll be returning to check out Katie’s apartment with Lizard. It looks like Katie really is alone. Dad deceased four years. Mom deceased. Grandmother deceased. She has been enrolled in school this semester only and works. No criminal record. It’s like she lives a ghost life. She has a checking account with eighty-nine dollars and sixteen cents in it and a savings account with two hundred-thirty-one dollars in it. No credit to speak of. She’s lived in the same place for almost two years and worked at the same place for two and a half years. Only vehicle she has registered in her name is the 1994 truck. Lil is right. This girl needs our help and she is going to get it.” Captain flips his phone closed. “Shine, go back with Con. I can handle this. Help Lizard. Con, go to Brown’s and explain and let that jackass know he is doing the club a favor by holding her job. I’ll figure out later if she’s going back. Okay. Get to it. She’s under our protection now. Let everyone know. I’ll call a meeting when we get home so we can get an official vote.” Looks like we just got a new family member. I won’t mind getting to know this one, at all.
“This should be interesting.” We haven’t had anything but club girls around for a long time. Lil is the only old lady at the club. Looks like she has company now, and we have a princess.
Chapter 4
Captain
When I step back into the room the DPS officer is leaving and Katie is noticeably upset. She has tears in her eyes. I know he told her about her truck. Lil is trying to comfort her, but it is not doing much good.
“It’ll be okay, Katie. We’ll figure it all out.” Lil has climbed up in the bed with Katie and is holding her.
“I can take the city bus to school, but I don’t know what I will do about work. I knew this was too good to be true. Every time I get ahead something happens.” Lil is eyeing me and I know she is going to dive in head first to help this girl.