Disentangling myself from the chokehold of the blankets that she’d tossed over me as she wriggled around, I somehow got to my feet without disturbing her and padded out and over to the kitchen.
This place was the nicest room in the house so far and without need of renovating. With creamy white cabinets, marble countertops, a station island in the middle that was a breakfast bar, I loved being here because it was so different than the kitchens I’d had as a kid.
It belonged in a magazine, and Keira and Cy deserved that.
I headed over to the double-wide fridge, grabbed the bottle of milk, retrieved a glass from a cupboard, then plunked my ass on the stool after I dragged out my cell from my pocket.
I had some messages from a couple of guys back at the clubhouse, then there were some from my brothers, my real family, in a group chat that had been surprisingly silent for the last couple of days.
Figuring that was because it was Christmas, I’d not suspected anything, but now I opened it and saw the hundreds of messages that were unread.
Quickly perceiving that Bear had died on the night of Christmas Day, that the guys were all mourning him as much as I was, I just read through Nyx, Link, Steel, and Maverick’s comments. Rex hadn’t said a damn thing.
Me: You could have told me sooner.
It was an accusation. I knew that. But I didn’t care.
Nyx: We didn’t fucking know until yesterday.
Me: What? Why not?
Nyx: Rachel didn’t tell us. When we started asking about Rex, then she keyed us in.
What about Rex?
Me: What the fuck? Why didn’t she?
Nyx: Dunno. I’m looking into it.
Me: She had no right to keep that from us.
Link: Agreed.
Me: What are you doing awake, anyway?
Nyx: Same thing as you, dipshit.
Me: Fuck you.
Nyx: You wish you could.
Me: Don’t joke, Nyx. This is serious. Fuck, Bear’s dead.
Nyx: I know, Storm. I know. It’s like a fucking bad dream.
Link: When’s this year gonna end, huh?
Me: You couldn’t sleep either?
Link: No.
Link: Where do you think Rex is?
Nyx: I’m hoping he’s riding to Ohio.
Me: To see me? Why would he do that?
Me: He’s been gone since Christmas Day?
Nyx: Yeah. That’s why we started asking questions.
Nyx: You were close to Bear, I figure you could talk about old times.
Me: So? We were all close to Bear.
Nyx: You know you’re different. Why wouldn’t he want to be with you?
Me: Well, it only takes eight hours to get here. If he’s coming, then he’s gone via fucking Alaska. Why the hell did he take off?
Nyx: He did the same when Rene died, remember? Anyway, not saying you’re the only place he’s heading, just that I bet you’re his end destination.
Uncertain of his logic, I didn’t reply, just asked:
Me: When’s the funeral?
Link: You coming back for it?
Me: What the fuck do you think? Of course I am. Even if it’s just for the day, I have to be there.
Link: I wasn’t sure. Rex said you were having issues with the club.
Me: I picked a council yesterday. Things should even out soon enough.
Nyx: They’re saying there was some kind of foul play with the body.
Me: What?! Is that why’re they’re going ahead with an autopsy?
Nyx: It’s a load of asshole, bullshitting, fucking insanity. I don’t know what that asswipe sheriff is doing, but if he doesn’t fix this fast, I’ll work on getting another one in our pocket.
Me: That’d be a stupid move to make. Just let the investigation run unheeded. Nothing happened.
Me: He was involved in a fucking blast and died as a result of his injuries.
Me: They’ll figure that out as soon as they… Jesus.
Link: Yeah. As soon as they, you know what.
Bear was gonna be cut up soon. Christ.
Nyx: He’s dead, guys. I can’t believe it.
Me: I can’t either.
I reached up and grabbed my glass of milk. Taking a deep sip from it, I sighed.
Me: You know where Digger is? I’ve been trying to get in touch with him.
Link: Heard about MaryCat.
Me: How?
Link: Keira.
Christ, I’d forgotten they were close friends.
How that had happened, I still wasn’t sure, but Link used to have all the bitches swarming around him like fucking flies. Why wouldn’t my wife be the same?
Me: Of course.
Link: Storm. Shut up.
Me: Never said anything.
Link: You didn’t have to.
Nyx: Are we gonna start talking about our feelings or something?
Me: Fuck off.
Link: Keira told the Posse, and Lily told me over dinner.
I wished that didn’t make me feel better.
Nyx: Think Digger’s in Canada.
Me: Why?
Nyx: Rex knows...
Me: Not you?
Nyx: I know why, not where. Plausible deniability or some such shit. I’m not happy about being out of the loop. Trust me.
Me: Why?
Link: Yeah, you never said.
Nyx: Rex thinks the Rabid Wolves are on the take.
My brows soared upward in surprise.
MaryCat and Digger had created a little union of sorts between the Irish Mob and the Satan’s Sinners. One that had been cemented in place by the fact that Sin, the Sinners’ Enforcer, was also her half-brother. Sin and Rex were cousins, because his dad was Grizzly, Bear’s brother, and Sin shared an egg donor with MC.
Complicated, sure.
Ever since Digger had branded MaryCat, the Five Points had been using the Sinners to traffic goods up to the Canadian border. There, the Rabid Wolves took over the transporting.
They were ruthless fuckers, because they were dumbasses.
Arming stupid with a gun was never a wise equation.
Me: Who’s with Digger?
Nyx: Couple of brothers. It was just a scouting mission.
Me: He gonna get his ass killed? Not like Rex to send the dad of a newborn into a fucking bloodbath.
Nyx: Like I said, I don’t have details. I just know why. But you’re right. I don’t think Rex expected trouble.
Link: Is that what he got?
Me: Fuck, I hope not. MaryCat’s already wrecked over here. Don’t think she’d be able to deal with her Old Man getting shot.
Nyx: Look, when Rex took off, he didn’t exactly leave his cell behind for me to monitor everything. I’m as blind as you fuckers.
Me: Get Maverick onto it. Have him crack Rex’s phone.
Link: Maverick’s all over the place right now.
Me: Still in and out of the hospital?
Link: Yeah. It’s looking better though. They’ve got him on some kind of alternative therapy course. Alessa was telling Lily about it. Costs a fortune. They’re gonna run through their money trying to fix him.
Me: No, they won’t. Rex’ll open up the Sinners’ coffers before he lets that happen.
Nyx: You know that’s right.
Link: I hope so. Either way, Lily won’t let them bankrupt themselves.
Nyx: Can’t believe that fucker took off like this.
Link: We’re all worried about him.
Me: You’ll tell me when you know about the funeral?
Nyx: ‘Course.
Me: Thanks. I’m gonna get some sleep.
Nyx: Me too. Giulia’s all over the place right now. Pregnancy hormones on top of this, it’s the opposite of what she needed. Night.