Shotgun
“They find anything?”
“No,” Viper answered. “They didn’t find shit, but they certainly tried. Fuckers ransacked the entire clubhouse and did the same damn thing at the strip club.”
“Any idea what they were looking for?”
“They said they were there about the girl, but I’m not buying it. I think they were after something else.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” Viper glanced behind him at Ada’s front door as he asked, “The girl doing okay with all this?”
“As well as can be expected.” She hadn’t said a word when the guys showed up to get some of our things out of the locker. Instead, she just sat there watching as their SUVs drove by the living room window. I knew she was curious about what was going on, but she kept her questions to herself. I took that as a sign that I’d finally gotten through to her, or at least I hoped I had. “She has questions, which anyone in her shoes would, but she seems to be taking things in stride.”
“Good. Hopefully, we can get a handle on this thing and have her back home where she belongs.”
Viper’s words brought a strange twinge of irritation to the pit of my stomach, and I had no idea why. I should’ve been eager to get Remington back home and out of my fucking hair, but I wasn’t. In fact, I wasn’t eager at all. Instead, I found myself wanting to find a way to keep her around longer. I cleared my throat, hoping it would help shake the unwelcomed feeling, and said, “I’ll get with Menace when we’re back and have him track down Abernathy and McKinney. Maybe then we can finally learn some real answers.”
“Menace was working on that.”
“He get anywhere?”
“Not sure. He and Country were going to see if they could track them down, but I haven’t heard from them since they left.”
“Any idea where they were going?”
“Some joint downtown.” Viper tugged at his beard as he said, “They’d been holed up there for most of the day, and Menace was hoping they could get their hands on them before they left.”
“Damn. Wish I’d fucking known. I’d have gone along with them.”
“I know you would, but they can handle this one.” He turned and started towards Ada’s door. “I better go in and say hello, or Ada will have my hide.”
I followed Viper inside, and I wasn’t surprised when Ada came rushing over to him with a big smile. “Well, look who da cat drug in.”
“How you making it, Ada?”
“Doin’ just fine. Tryin’ to stay busy.” She walked over to the stove and pulled out the cornbread she’d been baking. “I just made a mess of greens, some black-eyed peas, a big ol’ tenderloin, and some cornbread. Sit down and have ya some.”
“Can’t today, doll” Viper replied. “Gotta get back to the clubhouse.”
“Ya gotta eat, don’t ya?” Ada motioned him over to the table. “Now get over here and sit yourself down so I can feed ya.”
“Ada—”
“I don’t wanna hear it, mister.” She started filling a plate full of food.
Viper looked over to me, hoping for an out, but I simply shook my head. “Don’t look at me, Prez. I was still full from breakfast when Ada got after me. Only reason Remington got out of it was ’cause she was asleep.”
“Well, it does smell pretty damn good,” Viper admitted.
“That it does.”
As he walked over to the table and sat down, he told me, “I’ll meet you back at the clubhouse as soon as I get done.”
“Sounds good.” I walked over to Ada at the stove and gave her a hug as I said, “Thanks for letting us crash here for a bit.”
“You knows you’re welcome here any time.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that.”
“You better.”
I stepped over to Remington, who was napping on the sofa, and woke her up. On our way out, Ada came over and said her goodbyes to Remington, and then we continued out to the SUV. As I helped her inside, I couldn’t help but notice she felt a bit warm, and even with her bruises, it seemed like her coloring was a little off. She didn’t say a word as she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes once again. I got in the truck next to her, and as we headed to the clubhouse, I started to get a little concerned as to why she was so out of it. I gave her little nudge. “You doing okay over there?”
“Hmm...I’m just really tired and achy.”
“Been a long day.”
“Um-hmm.”
I turned my focus back to the road as I told her, “I’ll grab you some fresh clothes, maybe some that actually fit, and if Doc gives the okay, you can finally get that shower you were wanting.”
Without opening her eyes, she mumbled, “I already told you that I like these clothes.”