Red (Hell’s Jury MC #5)

11. Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

Stella

I’m nervous as I sit in the meeting room at family services. Lachlan is leaning against the wall looking like a brooding Thor. He’s wearing clean jeans and a white henley that shows his pecs in all their glory. His hair is brushed and pulled back into a ponytail. His beard and moustache are trimmed.

I opted for the only pair of dress pants I own, bought for a wedding I didn’t attend. I paired it with a pale blue T-shirt under a beige sweater. A little make-up and a hair band to help tame my curls and I no longer look like I’ve just returned from a six-week hot-air balloon ride. I don’t have shoes that are particularly formal, so I’m wearing black high-tops, hoping they’ll blend with the pants.

When Lachlan picked me up this morning, his greeting was terse and few words were exchanged as we travelled to the meeting. I get it. I’m essentially a stranger barging in on something very personal to him. Even so, as we headed towards family services, the guilt I was feeling was quickly replaced by the awe of riding in his classic Mustang. It’s as immaculate inside as it is outside. I so wanted to ask him if I could drive it, but sensed it was not the time nor place.

I watch Lachlan for a few minutes as he crosses his arms and stares unseeing across the room, then I walk over to him, touch him on the arm. “Are you okay?”

He looks down at me with such vulnerability I choke up. “Yeah,” he lies.

“I’m truly sorry about this.”

He places his hands on my shoulders, then rubs them up and down my arms. “What’s done is done.”

I’m fully aware that now’s not the time to get turned on, but my body disagrees. My nipples peak and heat rises in my belly as goosebumps break out on my arms.

I take a deep breath, then step back out of reach.

His eyes flick over me and the tension falls from his face as he grins. “You’re too easy, Stella.”

“I’m not easy,” I protest. “Except around you.”

We get distracted as two women enter the room. One is older than the other by at least 10 years. She’s carrying a briefcase and based on her expression, an attitude. Can’t be anyone but Trula.

The other woman is Lachlan’s ex-wife, Erin. I flat-line when I see her. She’s everything I’m not. Petite and curvy with silky long black hair that flows neatly over her shoulders, and brown skin that’s translucent and flawless. And her eyes, dark and soulful, seek out Lachlan. I almost start to cry. No wonder Lachlan was in love with her.

Don’t be insecure, Stella. Or shallow. You don’t fall in love with looks, you fall in love with depth. Besides, you could bench press that woman, and literally run circles around her, though that wouldn’t take long.

Erin’s gaze moves to me, assessing me but trying not to look like she is. She’s clearly puzzled by my presence. I smile, which she doesn’t return, but at least she nods in acknowledgement.

Lachlan clears his throat. “Meredith isn’t here yet.”

“Yes. I see that,” Trula replies dryly. “While we’re waiting, perhaps you could introduce us to your girlfriend.” Her tone isn’t exactly hostile, but it’s also not friendly. She reminds me of lame teachers who think a domineering attitude will get respect.

“Right. This is Stella…” he pauses, looking at me helplessly.

“Leith-Procter. Lachlan is always getting the name mixed up... which comes first – the Leith or the Proctor. Leith isn’t my mom’s last name, I mean before she was married to my dad. He’s the one with the hyphens.”

You’re babbling, Stella.

Red seems to think so, too. He discreetly elbows me, then says, “Stella, this is Gabby’s mom, Erin, and Gabby’s caseworker, Trula Hyack.”

That moment, Meredith bustles in. “Sorry I’m late. Have a nightmare of a case and all the bloody shit that goes with it.” She sounds and looks like a formidable woman. Her voice, her words imply that no bullshit will be tolerated and she’s dressed not to impress, but to look like she means business. She’s short and bulky, middle-aged with slightly greying hair that’s short and kinda spiky. And her presence shrinks the room.

She glances briefly at me like we’re well-acquainted, then heaves herself into a chair. “Shall we get to it?” She looks at her sports watch, tinkers with it. “Look at that. It’s only 2 o’clock and I’ve already got more than 5000 steps in. I might reach my goal for a change.”

She holds my eyes and pats the chair next to her. It’s clear she wants to set a scene though I can’t figure out the reason for it. Whatever the case, I obediently sit down. Red sits on the other side of me. Erin and Trula take seats across the table from us.

“So what’s all this nonsense?” Meredith asks as she opens a file.

“It’s hardly nonsense,” Trula replies.

Meredith flips a page in the folder, scans it, then locks eyes with Trula. “And it better be good because you are violating my client’s rights to visit his daughter.”

“It is good,” Trula says, trying and failing to regain her authority.

Meredith checks her watch again. “This is Lachlan’s day to visit Gabby and you cancelled it because of what? Because he got arrested over a misunderstanding. You do realize the charges were dropped.”

Trula clears her throat. “We thought it best to meet and hear what happened before we resume visits between Gabby and Lachlan.”

“Why?” Meredith demands.

“Two things,” Trula replies tersely. “One. I’m Gabby’s case worker and responsible for her well-being. I’d rather be cautious then to find out later that Lachlan is misdirecting his anger towards Gabby.”

“What the hell—” Lachlan starts but Meredith holds up her hand to stop him.

“That accusation is bullshit and everyone in this room knows it. Lachlan went to prison for stealing a car, not for beating up the owner. It was a victimless crime.”

“Nonetheless—” Trula starts.

“No. If you continue down this vein, Trula, you’ll find yourself in court for slander.” The tension in the room is oppressive. Lachlan is glaring at Erin, Erin’s eyes are lowered to her hands, and Meredith and Trula look like they’re about to attack each other.

I feel like the only neutral person in the room, which of course isn’t true given my mad attraction to Lachlan. I don’t believe for one minute that Lachlan would hurt anyone. I’ve seen him furious at me, but he’s kept his composure. I channel the Stella who faced down both her mom and her coach this week. “I’m interested in hearing the other reason. You know, other than the unfounded accusations of Lachlan’s violence.”

Meredith looks over at me with a frown on her lips, but her eyes are dancing. “Stella’s right. We’re off track.”

I lap up her approval like a happy puppy.

Trula seems reluctant to state the second reason and I kinda don’t blame her given the dressing down Meredith’s already given her.

Erin gives me an unfriendly look as she sits up straighter in her chair. “The second reason is because I want to know why Lachlan was arrested. Just because the charges were dropped doesn’t mean the crime wasn’t committed.”

Lachlan explodes. “What the fuck are you playing at, Erin? Thought we were on the same team.”

“We are,” Erin snaps back. “But I have Gabby’s best interests in mind.”

“And you’re saying I fuckin’ don’t?”

I reach under the table and squeeze his hand, trying to get him to calm down. “You don’t seem afraid of Lachlan. Has he ever hurt you?”

Erin’s face reddens. “No, but that doesn’t mean I trust him.”

I think back to the conversation Lachlan and I had about Erin. “Lachlan speaks highly of you.”

That’s all I say, but it’s blunt enough to make her lower her eyes again.

Meredith squeezes my hand the same way I’m squeezing Red’s. I feel like we’re having a seance.

“Lachlan and Stella are going to explain what happened. Then they’ll answer your questions. Then you’ll set up a home visit for Lachlan and Gabby this week.”

Trula thins her lips and nods.

“Take it away Lachlan, Stella,” Meredith says. “Whoever wants to explain.”

“I’ll start,” I say. “I’ve known Lachlan since he moved into the neighborhood.”

“And how long is that?” Trula asks.

I turn to Lachlan. “A month?”

“Six weeks,” he corrects.

“Right.” I smile at him. “Time gets murky for me because I’ve got a lot on my plate.”

“Don’t we all,” Trula deadpans. “What on earth could keep a teenager so busy she forgets how long she’s known her neighbor?”

Meredith answers for me. “She’s a Div 1 NCAA basketball player and working towards her BA at the University of Nevada. And she’s an adult who can vote, so stop with the undermining bullshit, Trula.”

Trula sniffs in distain, then says to Lachlan, “Carry on.”

“She was at my house when her mother drove up.” Lachlan directs his explanation to Erin. “Stella wanted me to meet her.” He explains what happened with me adding information here and there.

When we’re done there’s silence. Trula is staring at us with disbelief and Erin is almost smiling.

“Any questions?” Meredith asks.

Trula addresses Lachlan. “Why haven’t you met Stella’s mother before then?”

I realize Lachlan and I are still holding hands and I get a little thrill as I gently squeeze his. I lean towards Trula and say, “Because she can be judgey.”

My arrow hits its target as Erin flinches and Trula glowers.

“Anything else?” Meredith asks as she looks at her watch again. “If not, I have to hustle.”

Trula checks with Erin, who shakes her head.

Meredith stands. “Good, you can arrange a mutually convenient time for Lachlan to visit Gabby sometime this week.”

“This week might not work,” Erin says. “How about next week?”

“Make it work,” Meredith orders. “Because if he doesn’t get to see his daughter by the end of this week, I will file a complaint, and I don’t have time for that shit, so I’ll be extra nasty when I do the paperwork. You’re interfering in Lachlan’s relationship with Gabby to the extent that Gabby might think he isn’t interested and we all know that’s bullshit.”

Meredith nods at Lachlan and me, then sweeps out of the room. Once she’s gone, the room seems to exhale in relief.

Erin looks past me to Lachlan. “If we could talk outside, we can set something up.” She glances at me. “Just us if you don’t mind.”

I shrug carelessly, like it doesn’t matter. Inside, I’m foaming at the mouth with jealousy. Especially when Lachlan follows Erin without a backward glance.

I feel like leaving myself, but then Trula says, “So Div 1 Wolf Pack. You must be very talented.” Her tone is friendly and interested and now that we’re talking basketball, I’m in my comfort zone.

“Good enough, I guess. I’m center; my sister’s point guard.” As much as Selma and I rub each other wrong, I’m proud of her. Point guard is the most important role on the team and she has it nailed hands down. “Are you a fan?”

“My ex-husband is so I’ve gone to a game here and there. Home games, obviously.”

“Yeah. There’s a lot of travel involved, but I don’t mind it. Gives me a break from classes.”

“How do you manage that? Being away and keeping up with your course work?”

“Most games are played on the weekend. Our instructors are aware of the schedule and make sure that we have everything we need to get the work done.”

“They go easy on you?”

I think of Dr. Wagner, my linguistics prof. “No. Expectations are higher for basketball prospects. Keeping up our grades shows commitment and discipline.”

Trula starts to reply, but Lachlan returns to the room. Erin’s nowhere in sight. “Ready to go?” he asks me.

“See you,” I say to Trula.

Trula nods. “Nice to meet you, Stella.”

“You makin’ friends with the enemy?” Lachlan asks as we head towards his car.

“I don’t think she’s the enemy. Just looking out for your daughter.”

“Sure,” Lachlan says as he takes out his phone. Then, “What the hell?” as he scrolls up and down.

A chill sweeps down my spine at his tone of voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t know yet, but Joker’s sent like ten texts.” He presses a number then holds the phone to his ear. A couple of rings later, it’s picked up.

“What’s going on?” he asks.

He listens, then his face goes slack. “Where is she?”

After a beat, he says, “What about Sorcha?” His tone is hollow and dead, like he’s been defeated before the game started.

He paces away, clutching at his chest where his heart is. “Tell Hayley to keep her there.”

He looks at me. “They’re in lockdown. She’s safe.”

I nod, not sure what he means, who Sorcha is, or what’s happened.

He turns his attention back to the phone. “Indefinitely. Let Hales know.”

He glances at me as he listens, then replies, “Yeah, even after lockdown. No one takes her anywhere. I just fucking got out of a hearing with Gabby’s caseworker. The last thing I need is that cunt sweeping in and taking Sorcha.”

He’s losing his composure. The grip on his phone is so tight, his knuckles are white. His pupils are blown and his face is flushed. “I’m on my way.”

When he hangs up, I say, “What’s wrong?”

He shoves his phone in the pocket of his jacket with shaking hands. “My mom’s just been shot. She’s in emergency surgery. Gotta get to the hospital.”

I freeze for a moment. Shot? By a gun? Of course, by a gun, Stella. How else do you get shot?

He pulls his keys from his pocket, drops them, then stoops to pick them up, but I get there before him. “You’re in shock. I’ll drive.” My heart is pounding and my hands are sweating, but it doesn’t feel like I’m in crisis. It feels like the same adrenaline rush I get before the start of a game.

Lachlan doesn’t argue. Just nods. I settle into the driver’s seat, reach over and pop the lock. As soon as Lachlan has his door closed, I squeal out of the parking lot.

I’m having trouble processing what happened. Lachlan’s mother’s been shot. I think of my own mother and how I would feel and my heart squeezes for him.