Everybody was restless tonight. I wondered where Joker was, and if he was just as upset in his own bed.
Then I instantly covered my face, hating myself for thinking it.
Today, he'd ripped away any reason left to ever sympathize with him. Hell, I hoped he was suffering somewhere tonight, torturing himself for the way he'd treated me.
Talk about wishful thinking. I shook my head, knowing I'd have another brutally early morning tomorrow. I had to be up and out near the clubhouse if I wanted a real chance to catch him.
God help me, I would. There wasn't another option.
I'd sell out the bastard who'd wiped his filth on me in a heartbeat. I'd do whatever it took to keep my son safe, even if it meant watching the monstrous killers threatening us put a bullet through his father instead.
*
The next day, I had Alex at the daycare as soon as it opened, before I took off in my rusted out car for the clubhouse. I parked just around the corner, careful to keep myself out of sight.
Hopefully, he'd take the opposite road heading for the highway when he came out of there.
If he came out, I meant. Nothing was guaranteed, but there wasn't a better option.
I'd decided to risk the entire day scoping out the only place I knew for sure where he'd come and go.
After three long hours in the car, I finally heard the motorcycle roar that got my hopes up.
“Shit,” I swore to myself, watching the scruffy brother who'd let me through the gate yesterday roar out instead.
Ten more minutes, I sulked, contemplating all the roads I could use to flee the south for my life if I couldn't get close to Joker again. Then there was another growl.
I stiffened in my seat, inhaling a sharp breath as I saw the unmistakable outline of the big, bold man I'd once loved drive through the gate. He was in his truck this time, and I swore I saw a massive dog at his side, heading for the highway.
My hand turned the key in the ignition before I could think. I counted to about ten and then took off.
I hoped I'd be able to hang behind him close, but not so close he'd spot me, and throw me off, or worse.
It worked. My heart pounded a little harder with every mile, heading down the short stretch of highway to a new exit, where he took a sharp turn. I almost lost it when he disappeared.
Soon, I saw his truck turn into a nearby parking lot, next to a squat building that looked like an old post office with flowers out front.
I pulled into the gas station across the street, keeping my eyes on him. No, I hadn't been mistaken before.
Joker went over to the passenger side and pulled out the biggest dog I'd ever seen on a leash.
What the hell? Seeing the animal didn't compute.
The cold, dead-eyed man who'd pushed me away didn't look like the type who had any room in his heart for a pet. I wondered if it could be a guard dog – but then, what was waiting inside the building if he felt like he needed to bring one along?
Whatever, I had to find out. When I was sure he'd entered the building, I darted across the street, parking behind the building.
STERNER PLUS RETIREMENT HOME, I read on the sign.
There wasn't time to stop and think about what that might mean. I grabbed my purse and headed inside, only to be stopped by a burly looking old woman at the front desk.
“Visitor sign in, ma'am,” she said. “Who are you here for?”
Crap. I hesitated, wracking my brain for a name, the only reason I could think of why he'd be here.
“Donald Taylor?” I said, grabbing the pen, scrawling my name and number before she could tell me there was nobody here by that name.
“Oh, of course! Mister Taylor. It's about time he had somebody coming to see him besides his grandson...”
Of course! I echoed in my head. I could've dropped to the floor with relief.
“Have you been here before?”
I shook my head, watching as she beamed and stepped away from the desk. “Cheryl! Take over while I show the girl around. Right this way, ma'am, he's probably hanging out in the commons like he usually does this time of day.”
My knees grew heavier with every step I took, following her down the long, egg white corridor. I saw them sitting together as I rounded the corner.
The lady smiled and pulled away, giving me a friendly squeeze on the shoulder.
Honest to God, I needed it, knowing this was going to be the last peaceful minute of my life today.
A shitstorm brewed ahead. And I was walking straight into it as soon as I came into their sight.
No time like the present, I thought. Go.
Forcing my way forward, I plastered the biggest, fakest smile I'd ever worn on my face. The old man saw me first, turning his head, muttering something about his hearing aids.
“You heard me, boy. This damned place creeps and crawls with everything. I ain't gonna be able to hear shit if you don't move your ass, and fix it for me.”
“Grandpa, that's the fourth fuckin' time this year. I –“ Joker stopped.