Cocky Secrets (Cocker Brothers #29)

25. Bear

TWENTY-FIVE

Bear

I ’m dressed in a slick black suit and tie, and I washed my truck, for the date with my woman. Feeling like I could conquer the world right about now.

When I arrive at The Ciphers’ gate and press the button, a staticky voice comes through that I recognize as Honey Badger’s. “You bring flowers?”

A smirk tugs at my mouth. “I did.”

“Then you can come in.”

The gate swings open and I drive the long distance under shadowy oak trees, thinking once more to myself, as I did the last time I was here, that they sure have hidden themselves well from society. Only now I have more of an idea how well.

About five feet from the porch’s front steps I park and jump out of my truck, adjusting my jeans for comfort and grabbing the red roses from the seat. My gaze slashes left and right of the mansion, scanning windows for what, I don’t know. The paint is peeling and not just in places, but everywhere. Taking the stairs two at a time, the boards creak under my shiny black shoes. What is this place? Who are the enigmas that live within?

Honey Badger opens the door, Margaret at his side. They both give me the once over, her eyes lighting up with crinkles at the corners, his darkening as he grumbles, “A suit? I don’t even own a suit.”

I hesitate, my mind on what I’ve found out about The Ciphers as I survey his rugged face, the salt-and-peppered long hair. “Wanted to show my best side to your daughter.”

“You showed her that when you kicked The Spiders’ asses!”

Margaret sighs, tucking a red lock of hair behind her ear, “Antonio, let the man in!” She offers me a smile. “I think you look very handsome, Bear.”

They step back and I enter the foyer, the only part of the house I’ve been in. There are enormous paintings of people from another era, along with an old chandelier. One accent table with an antique vase centered on it.

Honey Badger jerks his chin to the roses, grunts, “Good choice.”

“Thanks,” I smile.

Jett walks in, dressed like his friend in jeans and a clean white T-shirt. He thrusts out his hand. “Bear. Good to see you again.”

“Jett. How’s it goin’?”

“Good, good. We were wondering if there’s any news on when The Spiders will be released.”

Subconsciously I hit my thigh with the bouquet, tapping out my thoughts as I explain, “Preliminary hearing this week. Trial will be some time after that. Their leader might stay in custody, but the others may be released and have to return for their trial.” I glance to the flowers as one loses a petal, pull them up to safety as I finish, “I called the judge today and asked him to ensure that Briar would be out before the others. Give him a head start.”

Honey Badger and Jett cock their heads like they’re suddenly seeing a different person than the man they were just staring at. Honey Badger takes a step back, blinking rapidly. “You did what?”

“Figured I owed him for keeping Sage safe.”

The two men exchange a look as Margaret watches them. She raises her voice to say, “That was very thoughtful of you.”

“I saw his record. I know what he’s capable of. That he stuck his neck out for Sage against his club, I believe that means something.”

I glance to the right at movement in my peripheral vision, and see Sage through the doorway, descending a staircase. A flash of red beauty, she momentarily disappears and I wait until she enters the foyer wearing a beautiful ruby dress with thin straps, the length to just above her knees. In high heels, with her red hair piled up on her head, she knocks the wind out of me. “Wow,” I rasp, taking a step to meet her.

Sage takes the offered roses, lowers her beautiful face to smell them, closing her eyes and breathing in. “They’re beautiful,” she smiles and I feel it from head to toe.

“You’re breathtaking.”

Jett is squinting at me like he’s got so many thoughts in his head they hurt. “Judge went for it?”

Sage asks, “What’re you all talking about?”

“I called the judge and asked for the man who helped you to be let out before his club. So he could have a head start. Not be a sitting duck for their vengeance.” Focusing on Jett and Honey Badger, I confirm, “The judge is going to move the other Spiders to Tuesday and keep just his case on the docket for Monday, releasing him a day early.”

Honey Badger grunts, “The other ones should never be released.”

“Don’t have a say over that,” I admit.

“You wish you did?”

“Honey Badger,” Jett says with warning in his tone.

Sage bites her lip, eyes wider.

I slice a glance between them, wondering what that was about, and decide to answer the question. “Been thinking about that for years now. Wish I could do more than I do. But the laws bind us. People have rights, even if they’re criminals.” I exhale, rubbing my face in my own frustration. “Even if they’re monsters.”

The flowers Sage was holding at her chest slide down to her side. She exchanges a glance with her mother who shakes her head. It’s almost imperceptible but I spotted it.

“Okay, what am I missing here?” I ask, shifting my stance.

“Nothin’.” Jett says. “What restaurant are you going to?”

I blink at him. “You’re changing the subject.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Just bein’ polite.”

“Look, I’ll be honest with you, since there’s a lot of secrecy going on here with you all.” I hold Sage’s gaze. She’s practically squirming she’s so uncomfortable. “I know we’ve got a reservation but I have to say this.” She inhales sharply, and I address Jett and Honey Badger as I confess, “I did some digging and found out that you’re not just a motorcycle club. You’re some sort of Robin Hoods of MCs or something. Heard about a human trafficking ring you broke up where you gave the blood money to the victims to start over their lives. Pay for college, even.”

The frowns that pierce the men’s foreheads — it’s like they don’t know whether to fight me or force me out of their home. Or both.

At their silence I continue, “And I have a feeling that’s only scratching the surface. What I wanna know is, why is everything so hidden?”

Jett asks, “ On the record?”

“What?”

“You’re a cop, Bear. You interrogating us? Do we need a lawyer?”

Honey Badger grunts, “You tellin’ your Captain everything we tell you… because we ain’t talkin’!”

“I’m not telling anyone.” I slash a glance across the four. “They know of a case where some of you captured a pedophile. It’s on the books but a decade old. Other than that…”

Jett asks, “The human trafficking ring?” trying to understand how I know about it if it’s not on the books.

“Found a woman on the web who was one of the victims. She helps people find you. So you can help them.”

The two men exchange a look.

I stare at them, wondering aloud, “What’s the issue here? Why are you hiding doing good work?”

Sage beseeches her father, “Dad, you can trust him.”

Honey Badger scowls.

Jett says, “I don’t think we have a choice. What I want to know is why you’re searching. Is it to get to know who Sage is associated with?”

I blink at him, unsure if I even know the answer to that question. “That has something to do with it. But I just felt… when we were searching for Sage… this kind of energy like you’d done it before. It felt professional. Can’t explain it better than that.”

Honey Badger asks, “Are you serious about my daughter?”

“Dead serious.”

He looks at his wife, then at Sage, finally at Jett, “He’s going to be part of the family.”

Luna walks in. “Can’t keep secrets from family. Especially when he’s digging around like that.”

Jett casts a sideways look at his wife. “You were listening.”

“Everyone’s listening.” She gives a subtle motion with her hand toward the other room, or rooms, I haven’t been in yet. And can’t see from here. “We’re just giving you space.”

Honey Badger grits his teeth. “What do we do, Jett?”

Jett inhales. “I think we tell him. He already knows and, if we don’t, he’ll just keep digging to satisfy that curiosity he’s given in to.”

Sage holds my gaze as she steps closer to me, her voice almost intimate. “The Ciphers help the innocent. People who don’t have anywhere else to turn. Many who’ve found the police, the system, to not be able to save them. Or they’re too scared to go to the police.”

“Why keep it a secret that they help the innocent?”

“Because…” Sage glances to Jett.

He fills in the blank. “You could say that we don’t follow the Law.”

There’s a heavy pause that fills the air. “That’s what the woman on the phone said to me. Something along those lines.”

“So you know this?” Jett asks, cocking one eyebrow. “But you didn’t turn us in.”

“Why would I?” I drag a hand down my face, aware that two sides of me are suddenly at war. “Look, there’s a part of me that vowed to uphold the Law. And there’s another part that’s been burned by it. Because I’ve seen some really bad guys back on the streets over a technicality. Even if I knew the full extent of what The Ciphers have done, I still don’t think I’d want to do anything but thank you.”

Margaret touches Honey Badger’s shoulder with what looks like hope in her eyes, and he grunts, “Thank us?”

I cross my arms. “And congratulate you. When that woman said she has her own business now because of the college education you paid for, with the traffickers’ money, all I could think was…that’s how it should be done!” A grin spreads on my face. “And you’re doing it! You’re actually righting wrongs in a way that lasts.”

Everyone is silent.

Sage sighs, “Don’t you see it?”

We all turn our focus toward her.

“See what?” Jett asks.

Looking resigned, Sage takes a deep breath. “He would make an excellent Cipher.”

Jett and Honey Badger stare at her for a couple of seconds, a wordless conversation occurring between the three.

Sage waves the roses, “That’s what you’re all thinking. That’s why everyone’s listening. You all want to offer it to him. And you should.” She holds up her forefinger. “On one condition. That I join The Ciphers too. If he’s out with you on missions, I’m going to be right beside him.”

Margaret gasps.

Luna grins.

Jett casts a sidelong look to Sage’s father and Honey Badger shouts, “Did you hear your sister?!”

Atlas and Luke stroll in, Luke muttering, “I owe you ten bucks.”

Atlas laughs, “I told you, the way she was training, it was just the beginning.”

The foyer quickly fills up with the Ciphers I met and fought alongside of, and with some I didn’t and have never met, everyone in suspense as Sage reminds them, “He hasn’t said yes yet.”

I frown, “Let me get this straight. You’re offering me a spot in your club?” They collectively stare at me, some nodding. “You want me to be a member of The Ciphers?”

With gravity, Jett warns, “You’d have to quit the force.”

Luna crosses her arms, standing beside her husband. “You can’t do both. You can’t be both.”

Jett continues, “You’d train here in everything we do. You’d help save people who call for our help.”

Honey Badger grunts, “You’d vow to uphold our secrets.”

“This is a big decision. I’ve spent years dedicating myself to the force.”

“Take time to make it.”

Sage has been staring at me, and she smiles, “You look very handsome in that suit. Should we go to dinner and you can clear your head? Make the decision later, when you’re ready?”

I take her hand, “That’s a good idea. And did I tell you already that you’re stunning?”

She beams at me, cheeks flushed, and we head for the door with everyone watching us.

“Have a good time,” Margaret calls after her daughter and I.

Sage hands her roses to Sofia Sol, who’s holding a little boy on her hip. “Would you put these in some water?”

“You got it. Have fun.” Sofia Sol murmurs, “No, Malakai, don’t bruise them.”

I open the door for Sage and she starts to walk out, but I take hold of her arm. “Wait.” She stops, and to my woman I confess, “Ever since I graduated from the Academy I’ve been more and more disappointed. Yes, there have been times when I’ve been able to help people, to serve our community. But the system is twisted with so many loopholes that set bad men free. I’ve been wanting a way to change things for years. I don’t need time. I feel it in my bones. I’m supposed to be here with you. I’m supposed to be a Cipher.”

Sage cups my face with both of her hands. “I’ve been having nightmares ever since they took me, where I’m helpless as people are being hurt.” She’s holding my gaze as if we’re the only ones here. “My brother was right, I’ve been training with a sense of purpose that I didn’t even know I had, until tonight when I heard you saying you would thank The Ciphers. And congratulate them for the good work they do. I know now, I’m supposed to help the helpless.” She drops her hands and turns to the group. “I’m supposed to be a Cipher.”

The foyer goes wild with cheering, everyone coming forward to hug us, welcome me, and some to meet me for the first time. With my chest feeling like it might explode, I laugh and kiss Sage, lifting her off the ground as The Ciphers applaud.

This is just the beginning.

There’s work to be done.

Life changes to be made.

Training to be accomplished.

Time spent transforming ourselves into something greater than we are.

But as we ditch the restaurant for dinner here with our fellow Ciphers, I realize deep down from my bones to my soul that I have just made the best decision of my life.

And it’s all gonna be up from here.