Chapter 2

With the laptop and burner phone from Uncle Rick tucked away in my mind, I headed into Walmart, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead as I navigated the crowded aisles. I grabbed the essentials, food, coffee, some basics for the apartment, and a stack of new towels since mine were mysteriously missing. If they’re upstairs with Mom and the boys, good luck getting them back; those three are like vultures with anything I own.

I paid at the self-checkout, juggling bags until the cashier handed me a couple of empty boxes to make it easier. Back in the parking lot, I strapped everything to my Harley, the boxes wedged securely behind me. It took some Tetris-level maneuvering, but I made it work.

I wasn’t ready to head back to the house yet — too much tension waiting for me there. Instead, I rode to a local diner called Crescent Moon, its neon sign flickering in the afternoon light. The place had a cozy, lived-in vibe that most spots lack, with checkered tablecloths and the faint smell of fried onions and coffee in the air. I parked my bike, grabbed my sketchpad, and walked inside, the bell above the door jingling as I stepped in.

A blonde girl, about my age and barely five feet tall, bounced over with a bright smile. “Hi, I’m Lisa, your server today,” she said, handing me a menu. “I recommend the chicken parmesan — it’s really good. What can I get you to drink while you look through the menu?”

Her blue eyes sparkled with freckles dotting her face. “Can I have a Dr Pepper, please?” I said, settling into a booth. “And I’ll go with your recommendation for the food. Next time, I’ll try something new. Thanks, Lisa. I’m Layla.”

“Nice to meet you, Layla,” she said with a smile. “I’ll be back with your Dr Pepper in a few.”

I pulled out my sketchpad and pencils, flipping to a fresh page. Drawing tattoos is my escape, and I sell the designs to my godfather’s tattoo artist at Spirit MC. They deposit the money into an account my godfather oversees, locked away so no one can touch it. I’d learn later how wrong I was about that. My godfather, Deacon, says it’s his job to look after me now that Dad’s gone, and I trust him, but something about Uncle Rick’s cryptic warning in the parking lot has me second-guessing everything. I started sketching a tattoo for my upcoming birthday: six dragonflies, one larger than the rest with my dad’s name and “Montgomery” scripted beneath it. Tats, the artist at Spirit MC, promised to ink it for me. I can’t wait to carry Dad with me like that, etched into my skin.

Lisa returned with my Dr Pepper, setting it down with a clink. “Your food’ll be out soon,” she said before turning to another table.

I nodded, sipping the soda and losing myself in the sketch. The diner’s hum faded into the background. That is, until the bell jingled again, and a group from Wolf MC strode in: the president, the VP, the sergeant-at-arms, and three women trailing behind them. I kept my head down, focusing on my food as it arrived, the chicken parmesan steaming and golden. “Thanks, Lisa,” I said, setting my sketchpad aside. She left the check on the table and moved on.

I was halfway through my meal when I overheard one of the women mutter, “Why is she everywhere?” My jaw tightened, but I didn’t look up. No point engaging with people who’ve already decided I’m trouble based on whatever lies Mom’s been spreading.

I finished eating, closed my sketchpad, and slapped a $50 bill on the table, more than enough to cover the meal and a tip for Lisa. Without a glance at the Wolf MC crew, I grabbed my stuff, walked out to my Harley, and roared back to the house, the wind cutting through the knot in my chest.

When I got home, I unloaded my groceries and towels, stashing everything in the basement apartment. I grabbed a bag of food I’d bought for Mom and the boys — because apparently, I’m the only one who thinks about keeping the fridge stocked — and headed upstairs to the main house.

A note was stuck to the counter: Went to a welcome BBQ. See you tomorrow.

I stared at it, my lips curling. It wasn’t even 3 p.m., and they’d already ditched me for some Wolf MC party across the street. No invite, no surprise. I shrugged it off, though it stung more than I’d admit. Whatever. I wasn’t exactly dying to hang out with people who treat me like an outsider in my own family.

Back in my apartment, I set up the crockpot on the counter, tossing in a roast with beef broth, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion. I cranked it to high, the savory aroma already filling the small space. Sinking into a chair with a cup of coffee, I pulled out my sketchpad again, working on a few tattoo designs to sell. The faint thump of music and laughter from the BBQ across the street drifted through my open windows, a reminder of my exclusion. Not one of them had bothered to ask if I was coming. Typical.

My phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with “Godfather” so I picked it up. “Hello?”

“Hey, sweetheart,” Deacon’s warm voice came through. “You want me to bring your wolves today or tomorrow?”

“Today, please!” I said, my excitement bubbling over. I love my dogs who’ve been with me through everything.

“I’ll be there in twenty. Tats, Rock, and Star are coming with me. Star’s bringing the wolves in her truck. Tanner’ll probably show up later.”

“Okay, see you soon.” I hung up, my mood lifting. Then I remembered the laptop and burner phone from Uncle Rick. He hadn’t said who could see them, and with Mom’s new boyfriend and the Wolf MC sniffing around, I wasn’t taking chances. I crossed to the desk, unlocked the fireproof safe built into the bottom drawer, and stashed them inside, the lock clicking shut.

Just as I stood to check the roast, I heard tires crunching outside. Through the window, I saw Star’s truck pull up, Zero and Lady’s furry heads poking out the back.

But before I could head out, I caught sight of Mom marching across the street toward Deacon, her face tight with irritation. “What are you doing here?” she snapped. “We just left today. Do you always have to follow her?”

Star, never one to back down, matched Mom’s attitude. “We’re bringing the wolves to Layla to protect her,” she said, her voice sharp. “We know you and that MC across the street will let her get hurt without even checking on her. Get used to the visits. We don’t leave our own to fight their battles alone. You might want to learn from it.”

I stepped outside just as Star turned to me, her face softening. “Hey, bestie. How you doing? Let’s go check out your apartment.”

Before we could head down, the Wolf MC president, Tank, swaggered over, eyeing Deacon. “Deacon, why you here with this troublemaker? Come join the party and forget her.”

Deacon’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold. “Tank, if you believe everything you hear about this girl without checking into her family yourself, you’re one stupid son of a bitch. I was planning to talk about an alliance, but that comment tells me you’ve got some growing up to do. Bye now.” He turned to Rock. “Grab the bag of goodies we got for Zero and Lady — and the one for our princess.”

We headed down to my apartment, the dogs bounding in behind us, their tails wagging like crazy. Deacon glanced at the note on my counter as I set out food and water for Zero and Lady and started chopping potatoes at the island.

“So, you weren’t invited?” he asked. “After that conversation, I can see why you wouldn’t go, even if they asked.”

I shrugged, focusing on the knife in my hand. “I didn't know if I was or wasn't my towels were missing or stolen by them so I went to get more food and sheets of mine were cut to hell they wanted me to go to the store. I'm sure they were trying to find the paperwork that you gave me of dads but that won't happen. No one knows how to find where I put them. When I left they were upstairs. When I came back and put the food away I got for them I found the note. It's ok I don't like their president, he is judging me and he doesn't know me. I think they listen to whatever bs they spout and don't do background checks which is bad for any MC.”

Deacon nodded, his jaw tight, while Rock swept the apartment for bugs. He found ten — ten — and smirked as he headed upstairs to plant them in the main house. “Let them listen to themselves for a change,” he muttered. We were settling in, talking over the hum of the crockpot, when I heard another vehicle pull up. Tanner’s voice cut through the open window, loud and pissed. “What the fuck? Why wouldn’t you invite her? She’s your VP’s girlfriend’s daughter, and the rest of her family’s here!”

I stifled a laugh. Well, hell, someone recognized him and decided to ask something stupid. Tanner has a mouth on him since his dad is the President of a club that dumb ass acts like he was untouchable.“Kid’s got a mouth on him,” he said. “But he’s not wrong.”

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