Christmas Outburst

CHAPTER TEN

Two weeks later

– ZALE –

“It’s been two weeks, Sebastian,” I grit when I stalk toward Sebastian who just parked his patrol car in front of the clubhouse. “This is a small town, how hard is it to find a fugitive and her henchman?”

Sebastian comes to a stop in front of me, places his hand lazily on his service weapon, and grumbles, “Hard when it comes to your ex-wife.”

Frustration and anger hit me at the sound of him referring to Vera as my ex-wife. “If you knew every detail of the case, you’d also know that I never married the bitch. Hell, I never so much had a relationship with her other than I shoved my dick in her long enough to conceive Leon. Even that is questionable.”

“Why is it questionable?” Sebastian asks.

Because I might have overheard Vera and Adette talking when Leon was about five years old. Vera told Adette to tie Reef to her the way she did; roofie the alcohol and puncture the condom. Another punch to the gut, but it did explain how she ended up pregnant and me not remembering shit.

Needless to say, Reef knows and has been ignoring Adette since. Adette, on the other hand, doesn’t give up trying to spike his interest every now and then.

“None of your damn business,” I grit.

The muscles in Sebastian’s jaw jump and I know he’s holding back instead of cursing me out.

Ultimately, he says with a neutral tone, “I didn’t come here to argue.”

“Why did you come here? Not to tell me Vera’s ass is back in jail, or dead, because you would have answered my question with those details.”

Sebastian shocks me when he states, “Her henchman, Joel Sandler, turned himself in this morning.”

I take a step closer and ask a little less hostile, “Did he give any information about Vera’s whereabouts?”

“Yes, SWAT team already went to the cabin they were staying at. No trace of Vera. We’ve put colleagues on stakeout around the cabin in case she comes back. Sandler’s reason for turning himself in was because of Vera’s obsession for vengeance. He helped her escape because the idiot thought they were in love. She told him she wanted to see her kid, make sure his father wasn’t hurting him. The idiot finally came to his senses when he saw a glimpse of Vera’s true identity when she lashed out at Nixie. Apparently, Vera’s jealousy is overriding her sanity and makes her as dangerous as before she landed her ass in that jail cell. Not only is she determined to be successful to take Leon from you this time, she wants to kill Nixie as well.”

“Nixie?” I echo, processing the fact he just mentioned there’s a solid threat on my son’s life. “You mean me, right? Vera wants me and Leon dead.”

Sebastian slowly shakes his head. “No. Nixie and Leon. Sandler clearly stated Vera wants you alive to suffer alone in your misery and grief when she kills off Leon and Nixie. She’s completely obsessed and saw you touching Nixie, kissing, you know the shit lovers do.”

The shit lovers do. Fucking hell, I’m the one who put Nixie at risk. My own selfish ways put a bullseye on her back. I knew Vera was twisted, but to sidestep me and go for the ones I care about? What the fuck is her problem?

“I’m going to place an officer down the road to keep an eye out,” Sebastian starts.

Shaking my head, I tell him, “No need. We have the clubhouse secure. We have a team rotating around the clock to keep an eye on the security cameras. There’s no way Vera is getting near the building without us knowing it.”

“I’m going to place an officer anyway. I don’t want any vigilante shit, Zale, you need to let the authorities handle it.” His voice is stern, and he shifts on his feet before he adds, “Doesn’t mean you don’t have a right to defend yourself.”

“We both want the same thing, Sebastian,” I grit, getting annoyed and frustrated by this fucked-up situation.

Sebastian gives a tight nod. “For it to end as soon as possible.”

“Right.” Preferably with the bitch six feet under, but I don’t voice those words and instead add, “Vera’s ass in jail.”

Sebastian surprises me when he grumbles, “In this case it would be better for all involved if she’s dead. I mean, she already tried to kill her own kid once and now she managed to slip out of jail and the first thing she heads for is Leon. Some people are really twisted in their head, and in Vera’s case? I don’t believe in second chances. Anyway.” He clears his throat. “I guess what I’m saying is…keep a clear head while taking care of your family, okay?”

Sebastian and I might go head-to-head most of the time, but in this moment, I appreciate the fucker.

Holding out my hand I tell him, “Thanks, man. You know I will.”

Sebastian shakes my hand, nods, and stalks back to his patrol car. Releasing a deep sigh, I turn to face the clubhouse and stare at it for a few heartbeats. It’s been almost three weeks since Nixie and I crossed paths.

Fuck. If it wasn’t for Vera trying to get to Leon, and my kid jumping into Nixie’s garden, we would probably still living alongside one another. Never knowing what could have been. It’s not like I was looking for a relationship, or so much as thought about one with a woman who’s almost ten years older than me. Yet, we fit perfectly.

Leon likes having her around and spending time with her. The kid even threatened me multiple times not to fuck it up. I admit, there’s a fair chance I will. Especially since I’ve never had a relationship. Not even with Vera, what we had could be more described as ‘we tolerated one another.’ Maybe it’s why I never dated women, brought them home, or so much as thought of starting something with someone.

Until Nixie. The woman has a stable outlook on life, handles shit with an iron grip, and has a heart of gold. I haven’t even mentioned the way Leon adores her and how she is with him. These past two weeks where we’ve been together for safety reasons, having her in my bed every day, has made one thing very clear; she belongs by my side.

Maybe I’m still in the blissful phase of my first ever committed relationship, who knows. Point is, I like where this is going, and I’m fully dedicated to make this work.

Nixie’s daughter is moving to our town within a few days. Meave’s already started the long drive and will stay at a few hotels along the way. Reef is still texting with Meave, even when he gets the side-eye from Nixie. The man in question saunters out of the clubhouse.

“What did Sebastian want?” he asks when he’s standing in front of me.

“Joel Sandler turned himself in this morning. He gave all the information he had, but they haven’t been able to catch Vera yet.”

“Motherfucker,” Reef grumbles. “Well, at least the bitch doesn’t have any backup if the asshole who helped her turned himself in. On the other hand, she might become more reckless than she already is.”

“That’s what I’m thinking. Surprisingly, Sebastian is on the same page when it comes to Vera. He’d rather see her dead than back in jail.”

Reef glances over his shoulder before he says, “The bitch needs to stop breathing and soon. It’s not fair others have to put their life on hold just because a lunatic is on the loose who wants to see them dead. That shit aside? It’s given you an opportunity to pull Nixie into a Zale crash course.”

“Zale crash course?” I slowly shake my head.

He shrugs. “You wouldn’t have hung any Christmas lights if she’d knocked on your door before she showed you how fierce she is when she protected your kid. Admit it, your eyes were opened to possibilities after you knew her. You’d walk right past her in the street or, like I said, ignored her if she knocked on your door all neighborly.”

He’s right and I hate the thought of it. So, instead of admitting to anything, I change the subject. “Where is she?”

Reef smiles, the fucker knows I deliberately change the subject. “She’s in the garage with Leon.”

I snort. “He finally convinced her to help out with his bike, eh?”

“Amos is in there too, making sure they have his help if needed.” His eyes go to something over my shoulder. “It’s nice for the kid to have a caring woman who listens to him and interacts with open honesty.”

“I know she’s a rare one, believe me. I’m not going to fuck this up, VP. You made your point.”

By no means am I a lovesick fool, but I’m no plain fool either. I wouldn’t have asked her on a date if I wasn’t interested in more. Even if my kid was the one making sure I made that first date.

“Good, ’cause I’m kinda liking her daughter and it would suck if Nixie was pissed at you.”

I don’t have time to respond when a car honks and Reef snaps, “What the hell is Adette doing here? I thought Amos mentioned he would talk to her and make sure she wouldn’t show her face around here no more.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I notice she’s in her father’s work van. “Maybe she’s delivering parts?”

Reef releases a curse. “Well, go ask. I’m not going to talk to her, I made sure the last time I’m not interested in anything she has to offer. Do you know what she said?” I don’t have to answer ’cause he continues, “I’ll keep trying until you change your mind.”

“Women are weird,” I state, and feel the need to add, “Except for my old lady.”

Reef snaps his fingers and points in my direction. “Which is why I’m interested in her daughter. You know, good genes and all.”

A bark of laughter rips from me. “You’re insane if you think it’s healthy to start a relationship based on those thoughts.”

The fucker shrugs. “We’ve been texting for the past two weeks, I’d say we already established a relationship, it’s called friendship. She’s pregnant and moving from one state to the other. I’m sane enough to know what’s healthy for her and what’s not. Like I said, I’m interested.” He jerks his chin in the direction of the honking van. “And I’m definitely not interested in that over there.”

“I’ll handle it,” I tell him and smack his shoulder. “You know I have your back no matter what, right?”

“As I have yours,” Reef rumbles and jogs back inside the clubhouse.

I saunter in the direction of the gate and ask Adette, “What’s up?”

Adette is hanging out the window. She’s wearing a hoodie with her father’s company logo on it. “I have some parts in the back, shall I dump them here or would you like me to drop them in the garage.”

“Does Amos know?” I raise one of my eyebrows to see if she’s showing up for the hell of it or if she’s really only here to deliver parts.

She purses her lips. “Call if you don’t believe me.”

I already have my phone in hand and tap the screen to dial Amos’s number. “Hey, man, it’s me. Did you ask your sister to drop off some parts?”

“Dammit, why the hell is she here?” Amos grumbles in a frustrated tone. “Sorry, Prez. I needed some parts and asked my dad to swing by. Adette knows not to show her face around here.”

I release a deep sigh. “Okay, I’ll let her through but get those parts out and make sure she leaves the premises when you’re done unloading.”

“Sure thing, Prez,” Amos vows and I hit the button to open the gate.

I end the call and switch to Reef, he answers on the second ring. “Amos asked his father to swing by and bring him some parts. Adette showed up instead.”

“Might sound legit, but I still don’t like it,” Reef grumbles.

I watch as Amos opens the door of the garage and Adette pulls the van into the garage. Unease fills my chest. Leon is in there and so is Nixie.

I have no solid reason why, but I still tell Reef, “Meet me in the garage.”

“On my way,” he instantly replies.