“Anything to eat?” the prospect asked.
“This asshole makes the best burger,” Trev said. “Fire two of those up.”
The prospect walked away and Trev faced Eden. “Someone was killed up north, Eden.”
“Okay…”
“Different charter, same MC,” he said. “One of our brothers is dead.”
“Oh. Shit.” Eden looked back and saw the way all the guys were looking around, assessing their lives. “Shit, Trev. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, look at me, beautiful.” Eden looked at Trev. He touched her face. “It could be pretty serious depending on how things shake out.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t like any of it. The guys are buying it for face value, but I’m not. I told Miller. Something is happening with Ripper. He’s the President up there. I think… shit, beautiful, I think Griffin wrote that letter to you a long time ago.”
“I got it a year ago,” Eden said.
“No. Not that, Eden. I think he wrote it a long time ago. Years ago. And he gave it to someone to send to you in case he ever died.”
“What?”
Trev nodded. “I think he was watching out for you, beautiful. The picture you have…” Trev sighed.
Eden touched Trev’s leg. “What is it? Please, Trev. I’ve done everything I could since I showed up. Please trust me.”
“I do trust you,” Trev said. “That’s what blows my mind in all of this shit. Griffin’s your father, right? He was patched down in here in Frelen. He ran outlaw a few times, because of his own beef with the MC. He’s always had a purpose for it. The thing is… he was working with the charter up north. With their President, Ripper. Ripper’s old lady… she’s…”
“We got lights!” someone called out.
“Ah, shit!” Miller bellowed.
Trev looked to a security camera and Eden looked too. There were two police SUV’s in the lot. She quickly grabbed Trev’s hand and started to shake.
“What is this?” she asked.
Trev got close to her and pulled her tight. He kissed the top of her head. “Just relax, beautiful. We know why they’re here.”
“Everyone stay,” Miller said. “Nobody move an inch. We act normal. Just make sure all the guns are out of sight. They have no warrant to be here. Just questions.”
Eden didn’t care how many bikers were in the clubhouse, this situation bothered her a lot.
She looked at Trev.
He was about to say something to me.
“It’s okay,” Trev said. “I promise. Just stay with the story. They won’t bother you.”
“What about Dimitrio’s murder?” Eden whispered. “Won’t they ask…”
“No. That’s not their jurisdiction. That’s a break-in gone wrong. Drink your beer. Laugh at the stories everyone is telling. We’re going to send a clear message to the PD about true family.”
There was something stoic in Trev’s eyes when he spoke. It was like he was the one calling the shots, like he was the leader in all of this. It was really sexy to watch.
Blaine took his son from Miller.
Miller put his boy down and stood there, holding the kid’s hand.
“Someone break this up,” Trev yelled.
“Okay,” Blaine said. “Let me tell you the story about the first time I tasted Jessa’s milk…”
“NO!” ten voices yelled at the same time.
“I can’t stand you,” Jessa said to Blaine.
He wrapped an arm around her and laughed.
“How about this one,” Gaige said. “The time Blaine thought a rock was a bear in the road and he dropped his ride. Right down on his left leg, spun the motorcycle, and ended up skidding so hard on his ass that he ripped through his pants.”
Everyone laughed.
“Come on, brother,” Blaine said.
“It gets better,” Shay said with a big grin. “He stands up and puts his hands to his hips. That’s when he realizes the rock ain’t a bear. But as he’s standing there, his jeans are ripped right open in the back. His ass is hanging out and he doesn’t even realize it.”
The clubhouse laughed again.
Blaine put a hand out. “Okay, okay. If I can give my side…”
The clubhouse door busted open.
Trev squeezed at Eden’s side.
“Relax,” he whispered.
Two cops came walking into the clubhouse, one holding a shotgun.
“Whoa,” Miller said. “I, uh, didn’t realize we had invited you, Ethan.”
“I’m here,” Ethan said. He was the guy without a gun. He stepped forward. “What are we eating?”
“We’ve got some diapers in the trash,” Blaine said. “I mean, we all know how much you love to eat shit.”
“Come on, Blaine,” Miller said. “That’s no way to treat our guests.”
“When one of them is holding a shotgun and my kid in the same room, I take offense,” Blaine said.
“Fair enough,” Ethan said. He looked back to the other cop. “Go outside and make sure nobody tries anything funny.”
The cop left and Ethan sat down on a barstool. He looked around. He looked right at Eden. Then at Trev. He pointed to Trev. “Surprised to see you all enjoying life.”