Thursday evening, Storm called church after supper. Several were missing from around the table, like Hero and his crew. They were on the run to Canada.
I twiddled my thumbs, nervous as fuck—not only about this meeting, but about Emilee. I’d left her and Dante in the kitchen with Maddy and Tara. I hadn’t left her side since her last panic attack. She’d been doing great, all things considered, with Justin missing. Emilee was handling it as well as anyone would, but I worried about her constantly after her panic attack. Anything could trigger another one.
This afternoon, she got the first of several orders delivered. We’d spent most of Monday ordering clothes for Dante and her, and some things to personalize our new home. It was probably the most fun I’d had in a long time.
Eventually she’d asked how I could afford to buy so much. I’d simply replied, “Business has been good for the club.” I was relieved when she accepted my response and didn’t question further.
Storm hit the mallet on the table, and his stormy eyes darkened. “Justin’s been found.” He looked directly at me.
“Is he alive?” For Emilee’s sake, I hoped he was.
“Yes, but he was beaten nearly to death.” Storm exhaled. “He’s missing two fingers.”
Brothers growled and cursed, rage filling the air in the room.
“Fuck,” I muttered. My thoughts instantly went to Emilee. I wasn’t sure how she’d react hearing about her father’s condition.
“Where was he? Who found him?” Raul’s voice trembled.
“Garbage man found him behind the mall Tuesday morning. Justin had been unconscious until a few hours ago. Once he was able to give his name and it went into the system, it pinged Cobra’s informant, and they called him.”
“How bad is he? I mean, will he be okay?” No matter what Justin had done, I needed him to live for Emilee and Dante. I didn’t like him after he kept me from Emilee, but I hoped we could eventually forgive each other and be a real family.
“Not good. His hand was infected.” Storm dropped his head, shaking it. “They had to remove it to stop the infection from spreading. They’re keeping him for a week, possibly longer. All depends on his recovery.”
All eyes went to Raul as he pounded his fist on the table. His fury was palpable even for me. It was like we were waiting to see if Raul came unhinged. He wasn’t as hotheaded as he had been, in his twenties and thirties. He’d mellowed into his forties. But the beast within us never died, only falling dormant until awakened.
Raul slowly pushed his chair back and stood, bracing his hands on the wooden table. “I need to see him. He needs protection from the fuckers who did this.”
Storm’s jaw twitched, a murderous glint in his eyes. “I know, brother. Cobra has his guys standing guard. Tomorrow we’ll go so we can question him about what happened.”
“What about Emilee?” I wasn’t sure if I should tell her about Justin. I didn’t want to keep this from her, but holding off might be better for her emotionally. At least until we had more information on his condition.
“Do you think she can handle hearing about him?” Storm asked.
I shrugged. “Not sure. Sometimes she’s fine. Others she’s not.”
“I think she needs to know,” Raul said. “If Justin doesn’t make it, there will be backlash for not telling her sooner.”
“I agree with Raul. Emilee needs to know. I’ll leave it up to you when to tell her.” Storm hit the mallet on the table, ending church.
The meeting room cleared out. Before I told Emilee about Justin, I needed a drink.
I made my way into the bar, ignoring the usual activity of lewd behavior and drunkenness. I loved belonging to the club, but this scene wasn’t my thing.
Copper tossed a dishtowel on the bar and grinned. “Hey, haven’t seen much of you since Emilee arrived. How’s she doing?”
“She’s great. I’ll have a shot of tequila.”
“And the baby? Dante, right?”
“That’s right. We call him Little D.”
“Dude, that’s adorable. Can’t wait to meet, Little D.” Copper reached for the bottle behind him and filled the glass for me. I tossed it back and nodded for another.
“Is everything all right?”
I swallowed the clear liquid and shook my head as I leaned against the bar, relishing the burn in my throat.