Regret squeezes the air from my lungs. I should’ve ended Suggs.Who knows when I’ll have the chance again.
Chapter Twelve
Rooster
Uncertain about turning Suggs over to the cops and unsure who’s the best person to ask for advice, I stalk into the hospital.
On Shelby’s floor, I run into Greg. Somehow he’s even more disheveled than he was when I left.
“It’s breaking. The story’s all over the place now. Even made it to cable news.” He points at the small television in the waiting room. “They haven’t released the name of the hospital, so at least she won’t get mobbed here, but it’s only a matter of time.”
“My brothers won’t let anyone near Shelby.”
Greg doesn’t exactly seem thrilled by that plan. Too bad. He better get used to lots more Lost Kings providing Shelby’s security for the rest of the tour.
My phone buzzes. Shit, I hope Shelby’s mom isn’t having any problems at the airport.
But it’s an unknown number with a 716 area code. Western New York. “Give me a minute, Greg.” I step into the stairwell and answer the call. “Yeah?”
“Rooster?”
“Who’s this?” I have my suspicions but I want to be sure.
“Chaser.”
I blow out a breath. “Hey.”
“I heard about Shelby. She all right?”
“I think so. I’m still at the hospital with her.”
“They catch the guy?”
“Something like that.”
He chuckles. “Not gonna ask.”
“Feds have him now.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah.”
“You need anything? Anything we can do to help?”
Although I’m not really sure what assistance Chaser’s club can give me, I appreciate the offer. “Thanks.”
“No sweat. Don’t ever hesitate to call me.” He waits a beat or two before continuing. “So, was this a random stalker?”
“Yeah, he’s a fucking loon. Started out sending her these crazy letters and it escalated from there.” I don’t have it in me to get into the whole story over the phone.
“Fuck, brother. Been there. Nothing quite this awful,” he hurries to add.
I almost forgot about his and Mallory’s Hollywood ties for a second. Maybe he’ll have some useful advice. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
I lean over the railing, checking no one’s in the stairwell. “You know how she’s out on tour with Dawson Roads?”
“Tell me he wasn’t involved.” The rumbling menace in his voice comes through loud and clear.
“No. Not him. I don’t think so, anyway. But his ex-girlfriend.”
“Glenna Wilson?” He whistles low and long. “Shit. Seriously? They had an ugly breakup or something recently. And before you ask, it was all over some blog my daughter reads. She told me all about it after we ran into you guys.”
I smother a laugh. “I don’t know much about it, other than what Shelby said. But somehow Dawson’s ex contacted this crackpot when she noticed him commenting on all of Shelby’s Instagram posts or some shit.”
“Christ, that’s fucking weird.”
“It’s totally fucked.”
“What’s your question?”
“The agent in charge seems to think if they go after her, it could blow back on Shelby. Somehow make her look bad. Fuck with her career since she’s so new and this woman is more established. Honestly, I was concerned about that before he even said it.”
Chaser blows out a long breath and doesn’t speak for a minute. “I stepped away from all that years ago to help my dad run the club, so I don’t know all the key players these days.”
While running the Devil Demons MC must take up the majority of Chaser’s attention, I can’t picture him staying completely away from the entertainment industry. Dawson said as much when he let it slip that he’d spoken to Chaser’s “people” about writing some new material together.
“But I know who Dawson is and I know about Glenna,” Chaser continues, confirming my suspicions. In the background, it sounds like he’s clicking a pen or typing on a keyboard. “The press on Glenna isn’t great right now. Rumor is she got caught cheating. Public opinion isn’t really in her favor.”
“That should be good for Shelby, then.”
“Key words—should be. The business is totally fucked, so it could always go the other way. But Shelby’s young, well-liked for the most part. Worked her way up from nothing. People love the underdog. She’s been through something scary and scandalous—a kidnapping. Everyone likes to jack off to some juicy trauma porn,” he adds in a dry way that makes it clear how he feels about people who get their kicks out of others’ misery. “My guess would be sympathy’s gonna land on Shelby’s side. Especially if you play it right. She got a PR person?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Let me find you a name. It might take me a minute to track down the right person but I’ll ask around.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. I’m sorry she’s going through this. Glad she’s got you looking out for her.”
Yeah, because I’m doing such a bang-up job.
“I’d watch out for anyone in the business telling Shelby not to press charges or sweep it under the rug. They might be more worried about Glenna’s interests than Shelby’s.”
“Thought of that too.”
“Or they’re just straight-up spineless.”
That describes a few people I can think of. “Hate to ask for another favor…”
“Ask away, Rooster. I wouldn’t have called if I didn’t want to help.”
Part of me can’t stop wondering what favors Chaser will want in return. Another part of me doesn’t care. “I’m gonna have a few brothers traveling with us for the rest of the tour—”
“You looking for extra protection?”
“Possibly. If not this tour, then the next one.”
“Yeah. Anytime you’re gonna be rolling through our territory, let me know. You still coming to our anniversary party?”
“You send us an invite?”
“I’ll ask Mallory.” He laughs. “But we’ll have brothers from all over in for the party, so I’ll introduce you around. Make sure everyone knows you’re a friend of the club.”
That’s one hell of a generous offer. “Thanks, brother.”
“Anytime. Let Shelby know Mallory and I hope she’s okay.”
“Will do.”
We hang up and I contemplate calling Z to let him know about my conversation with Chaser. Even though it had to do with Shelby, eventually it’ll bleed into club business, so I should give Z a heads-up.
Below me, the scuff-thump of someone hoofing it up the stairs grabs my attention. Sounds like cowboy boots maybe?
I press my back to the wall so I’m facing the staircase and casually cross my arms over my chest.