Dylan ate his lunch, pretending to be normal, like everyone else in the room.
Chapter Six
“Maya! Wait!” Jake caught her crossing Bishop Avenue. “What is going on?”
“We can’t get married, Jacob. That’s what’s going on. We can’t be together anymore and that breaks my heart.” She tried to walk away.
He wouldn’t let her. Spotting a bench, he led her toward it. “Can we sit down for a second, please?” Even after they sat, he held her arm. “Talk to me.”
She wiped a tear. “Fine...” He was here. He came. She owed him something. “Fine...there are things you don’t know about me—”
“No, shit.”
Her frown warned him not to interrupt again.
“There is a...membership to Rain. We can’t get married unless we are both members.”
His forehead crinkled. “Like a cult?”
“No. It’s not religious or anything. But, it’s secretive for a very good reason...I’m risking everything by talking to you.”
“I can keep a secret, Maya. You know I can.”
She touched his face. “I do. I trust you. But I’m bound. I can’t reveal it to an outsider. None of us can. You have to be accepted in.”
“That’s why I’m here?”
“That’s why you’re here. Telling you anything beforehand—even this much—is an instant no, with complications.”
“Is it that big?”
“It’s life-changing...life-threatening.”
He wiped her face. “I love you, Maya.”
They held hands.
“I’m not trying to hurt you, Jake. And, I don’t blame you. But, my bringing you here puts people’s lives at risk. I did it anyway because I love you and I wanted to marry you.”
“Wanted?”
“Getting approval was a long shot.”
“Bringing Dylan and Sonny didn’t help.”
She shook her head. “Even if they could get around that, Sonny’s behavior is irreversible.”
“I will talk to them—whoever the hell they are—I’ll make it right. We’ll get married and never look back.” He kissed her forehead.
“There is no ‘never look back,’ Jake. I’m bound to Rain.”
“Fine. Whatever. We’ll deal with first things first. How can I make this right? Whose approval do we need?”
“The Bishops’.”
“Who?”
“Tigris, Nile, and her twin brother, Jordan.”
He couldn’t speak.
“Their family makes the call. All the calls. We have a formal meeting tonight, but what happened in the bakery...that was our interview.” She let go of his hands and pulled back, letting anger and grief color her words. “While you were jealously thinking I’m kissing Jordan’s ass, I watched Sonny—here at your behest—badmouth the people who own me.”
“Fuck.” Still not understanding, but catching on to her perspective, Jake said, “Please, Maya. Let’s go home. We’ll figure out what happens next tomorrow. There is some bad control-shit going on. I’m not about to let anybody tell us we can’t get married for any damned reason.”
“Yes, you will.” She stood up. “I can’t leave, Jake. Ever again. And, you can’t stay.”
He stood up too. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”
“Yes, you are. You can’t leave tonight, but tomorrow you, Sonny, and Dylan are going to ride out of my life.” Contrary to her sharp words, she kissed his cheek.
“I’m not listening to you, honey.” He pulled her in.
For a moment, she let him, then stepped away. “You better listen to me. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Maya...Maya!”
She didn’t stop or look back.
“I’ll walk you to Macy’s.”
Startled, Jake turned.
Tigris stood about five paces away, arms folded.
“Did she see you? Is that why she left?”
“Doubtful.” She hunched her shoulder. “I was around the corner and you two were engrossed.”
“Were you listening?”
“Nope. I already know what you were talking about. I didn’t stay for the outcome, but your friend was in the process of getting arrested. I thought you might like to know.”
“Shit! Sonny!”
“Yeah, he’s a real piece of work.” She motioned for him to follow. “Oprah, our pantry chef is making your brother some lunch. We thought you and Maya might need a minute.”
Feeling like a lost mutt, Jake followed her. “Thank you...and Sonny?”
“Don’t worry about him. He’ll get fed, as will you. Jail is the best place for him. He can’t mess up anything else for you tonight, and they’ll release him in the morning.”
He felt wrong for agreeing.
“Why won’t she tell me what’s going on?”
“Because, frankly, it’s none of your business. She already told you too much.” They stopped in front of a large Colonial house with a blue and white sign that said: Macy’s Bed & Breakfast — Welcome. “Maya reserved your room. My guess is someone updated Macy when your crew showed up. Let me know if I’m right.” She walked back the way she came.
Frustrated, tired, and anxious, Jake climbed the wide wooden steps. If this wasn’t hell, it would be a nice place to visit.
“HEY, MISS YOUNG GUNS.”
“What can I get you, JB?” Nile didn’t turn around. He’d been calling her that forever. Wild Thing, Boss, and Young Guns - he had a name for each of the Bishop siblings.
“Is that take-out for the motorcycle idiot?”
She placed plastic utensils into two separate bags. “One of them. Contrary to fire-breathing-Tigris, even imbeciles need to eat. The other is for Maya’s boyfriend. He’s had a hard day.”
“Any chance Maya will get her wish?”
“No idea.” Nile added a stack of napkins to each.
“Are you doing the deliveries?”
“I am. I’m done with this place for today. I’ll drop them off on my way to a real life.”
He chuckled with her. “Let me help you get started. I’ll take the mean one. Wouldn’t want any of that dumbness to rub off on your pretty skirt.”
“JB, you are too sweet.” She blew him a kiss. “Thank you. I wasn’t keen on going there, anyway.”
He caught the kiss and pounded it against his heart. “What wouldn’t I do for you?” He took the bag and scooted around Dylan on his way out.
Nile and Dylan locked eyes, liquid brown against fiery brown. The pull was strong, but she broke away first. “What can I get you?”
Angel/siren/goddess: what was she? “I believe I got left with the check.”
“It’s on the house. You all supplied the entertainment.”
Her smile was heaven. “We did sing for our supper.” He couldn’t help but smile back. “A hundred times over, I am sorry. None of it should have happened.”
“No worries. That’s not the worst thing to occur this week.” She stepped around the counter carrying the takeout bag.