Pulling out the other two pairs of jeans I bought, I show them to her and she holds them in front of her. “Where did you get them? I love this black one.”
“Why don’t we go to the mall together tomorrow afternoon when I pick Queenie up? There was a sweater I wasn’t sure I wanted but now I’m thinking I should have bought it.”
“We could get some coffee as well.” She throws the jeans on the bed and takes me into her arms. “I’m so proud of you. You have a beautiful little girl, you’re a sweet momma, and a good wife. It isn’t easy balancing it all, believe me, I know.”
My eyes start to sting with tears due to her words. “Thanks,” I croak.
She pulls back. “Come, let’s go downstairs before we both start to sob.”
A chuckle slips over my lips at the same time my mother gives me one of her proud and kind smiles. We head downstairs and shortly after the house is quiet and I have a large mug of coffee beside me. It’s currently getting cold because I’m engrossed with the laptop in front of me.
I’ve ran several checks about the cases in the file Archer gave me, and none of them make sense. There’s no connection. Nothing. Except for the fact these men were all previously convicted criminals who had new crimes linked to them and were all killed. Shot. Executed. As if someone took out the trash one by one.
The killings might have stopped for a few months but I’ve found three recent cases similar to these. And yet no other link other than adding them to the execution list. Maybe that’s it; someone out there made an execution list and is executing criminals.
I reach for the file to double check what line of shady business these men were active in and yet again it’s all different. Drugs. Money laundering with extortion involved. Head of a gang. All of them have a rap sheet a mile long. And yet…they were out there walking the streets freely to keep doing what they’re doing…until someone swooped in and ended their lives.
I slam my laptop closed and release a deep sigh. Taking the mug with the cold coffee into the kitchen, I empty it in the sink. Pouring some new hot black gold into my mug, I plant my ass against the counter and lean back, slowly blowing over the rim.
I let my mind go over different questions to trigger a new lead. Who would benefit from killing criminals? Cops for sure because it creates safer streets. New upcoming criminals who would fight their way up. I did read an article about a new mafia boss getting arrested, maybe that’s the reason why the murders stopped for a few months.
Taking my coffee into the living room, I open my laptop again and wait for it to boot up. Searching articles, I come across several other headlines that snag my attention. One is about a neighborhood watch, forming patrols to take actions against the recent wave of burglaries. And there’s another one about a man preventing people getting mugged. Same guy, twice in one week.
“I’m surprised he doesn’t wear a superhero cape,” I mutter to myself.
There aren’t many who would step in and face a criminal with a knife or a gun in their hand. You never know, a situation can escalate within a single second. The front door swings open and Archer steps inside.
“Hey. I’m only grabbing my wallet, we’re going to grab a bite to eat before I have to ink a client.” His eyes go to the playpen. “Where’s Queenie?”
“My parents wanted to spend some more time with her, she’s staying the night.”
The grin sliding over his face is so damn tempting. “Are you busy or do you want to go for a ride and wait at the shop while I work?”
“Give me one minute,” I tell him and rush up the stairs.
I quickly slide on a new shirt, fix my hair, and check if the light makeup I added a few hours ago is still perfect. Grabbing my backpack, I head downstairs and shove my purse and laptop in there.
“Ready.”
He steps closer and brushes his lips against mine. “It’s been way too fucking long since we did this…us. Fuck. You wouldn’t believe how much I look forward to tonight but having you on the back of my bike now? Grabbing something to eat and joining me at the shop? Damn. It almost sounds like a date.” He sighs in contentment.
“Take me for a ride, Archer,” I murmur, getting hot from a mere kiss and the promise for more.
His hands grab my ass, fingers spread out and holding me in place while he deepens the kiss. I’m ready to strip naked right now but Wyatt is bellowing his name, making Archer end the kiss. He snatches my wrist and leads me out of the house, locking up before we head for his bike.
Ever since Queenie was born, we’ve been taking the SUV or I’m walking to and from the clubhouse while Archer rides his bike wherever he needs to be. Change is always in the air, even if you’re one person but being together or having a family? There are a lot of compromises, keeping your chin up, and muddling through until things somewhat settle. And they might never settle completely but that’s also the acceptance part in life.
And being on the back of Archer’s bike with my arms wrapped around him, feeling the wind whip around us, is breathing in a fragment of what we had before Queenie was born. The part where our roots lie and basically the foundation of our love. The MC. Family. Brotherhood.
The ride is way too short and when we eventually stroll into the tattoo shop, I’m welcomed by a surprised Hadley. She’s Depay’s daughter and another tattoo artist since the shop is run by either bikers of Broken Deeds MC, or in Hadley’s case, kids of the first generation.
Hadley is deaf but can read lips flawlessly. Some of the clients don’t even notice her lack of hearing and rave how she’s a great listener. Hadley always has her sketches and appointments on point and only has to motion her clients into her room before she starts without the need to utter a single word.
She jumps out from behind the counter and throws her arms around me. Pulling back, she signs, “I missed you.”
“I missed you, and this place,” I tell her, her smile bright as she reads my lips.
Most of the Broken Deeds MC have learned to sign or at least know some basics to understand her when needed. It was to make sure there was normality for Hadley when she was growing up. It shows the love and devotion how an MC adjusts even for a child of one of the brothers. And even now when she’s all grown up and still part of the MC in some way.
Archer gently takes my chin and turns my face toward his to give me a kiss on my lips. “I’ll leave you with Hadley. I have to get things set and if I’m correct Hadley’s next appointment is in about an hour. Come find me or watch her work and I’ll come find you when I’m done, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I sigh in contentment.
His husky chuckle flows over my lips before I get another slow kiss until his mouth completely leaves mine. I’m still staring at my husband walking away when I feel someone smack my arm. I connect my gaze with Hadley who rolls her eyes. Her hand flies through the air and now it’s time for me to roll my eyes.
With what she just signed? My only response to her is, “Wait till you find the right man, Hadley. You might not always have moments to swoon. There will be times where you want to cut off his head and boil it to serve his friends soup from his stupid brain. A relationship tests your restraint and ability to compromise and grow together. And when you’ve found the right person, you create a strong bond between loved ones who always have the will to go on.”