I nodded, though the doubt gnawed at the edges of my certainty. “Crane wouldn’t risk his reputation over something like this.”
Mitch put his fork down, his blue eyes sharpening. “Then someone else with access is gunning for you, and they’ve got the guts to go dirty. You need eyes on your new team, girl. Got love for Trip, but his reputation isn’t what it used to be. Trust is a luxury you can’t afford right now. Not with the racing season right around the corner.”
“It wasn’t Trip,” I stated.
“You willing to risk your life on that?”
Looking at a man I’d known my whole life, I asked, “What are you talking about?”
Mitch turned and said, “You need to ask him what really happened the day of the accident.”
Before I could ask more, the front screen door opened as the sounds of kids, women, and my aunties all rushed in.
Laughter rang out on the veranda as I found myself surrounded by the wives of the Sons of Hell Motorcycle Club, drinking mimosas and enjoying the late afternoon sun. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” Laurel, Banks’ wife, shook her head. “Our fearless leader literally jumped on the woman and started smashing her head on the ground. It was beautiful.”
Bailey, King’s wife, looked at her nails and muttered, “Bitch pissed me off.”
“When doesn’t she?” another woman named Phoebe replied. “From the moment she showed up at your wedding reception, you’ve had it out for her.”
“According to Jess”—Sarah chuckled to herself at the memory—“that feud started when Bailey walked into the kitchen and saw one of the club sluts naked from the waist up.”
“I’m not that bad,” Bailey scoffed. “Henley and Devlyn tag-teamed a cunt. I barely got a lick in.”
“Liar.” Phoebe snickered as she shuffled her tarot cards.
“Is it always like that at the clubhouse?” I asked curiously.
“No. It’s gotten boring since the kids arrived. King said we have to behave. Set a good example.” She groaned, rolling her eyes. “FYI, adulting sucks!”
“I heard Marlene moved out west,” Sarah informed.
“I thought she was shacking up with Mike’s new deputy?” Henley asked.
“Nope.” Sarah shook her head. “Dad nixed that shit real quick.”
“Hold up,” I butted in, looking at Sarah. “Your dad is the town sheriff?”
“Yep, and my mom runs the best coffee shop in town.”
Looking at my cousin, I snarked, “Sugar, why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
“Because I don’t gossip,” she replied, sticking her tongue out at me.
“Tap the deck, C.C.,” Phoebe instructed, placing the deck on the table.
Doing as she said, I barely looked and slapped it before asking the group, “So what do you all do for fun now?”
“Well, right now we’re waiting,” Bailey admitted as Henley giggled.
“For what?”
“Cameron,” all the women said at once.
Confused, I looked at the women who all had varying degrees of grins on their faces. “I don’t understand. Why are you waiting on a child?”
“Because Cameron isn’t just any child.”
