“Yeah, Layla said Evelyn told her he was mixed up with drugs and had been in and out of jail many times over the years. I’ve already got Spazz checking into him, but you know how it goes with small rural towns.”
He chuckled. “That I do. You want me to give Sheriff Simmons a call and see if he knows anything?”
“Thanks, but no. I’d like to have a word with him myself before handing him over to the police,” I said.
“Understood.”
With that, we ended the call, and I tilted my head back and closed my eyes. I needed a vacation.
14
Iwas in bed, but not asleep, when I heard a light knock on the door. Copper was the only person it could be, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to see him. I had been lost in my thoughts the entire day, and I studiously avoided thinking about him, which turned out to be much more difficult than I anticipated.
I stayed perfectly still, hoping he would think I was asleep and leave, but I should have known better. When the man wanted something, he got it. I was all too aware of this when I heard the door creak open. I hadn’t bothered with locking it since that hadn’t stopped him from entering before.
“Layla,” he whispered.
I wanted to keep pretending I was asleep, but that wasn’t the mature thing to do. Sighing in exasperation, I forced myself to act like an adult and rolled to my side to face him, “Yes?”
He slowly came closer. “You doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” I replied flatly and waited for him to say or do something. When he didn’t, I asked, “Did you need something?”
He blinked and nodded, “Uh, yeah. I wanted to let you know I talked to Badger earlier this afternoon. He’s going to work on getting a phone number or address for the rehab place where Evelyn is recuperating.”
“Thank you.” I felt a small sense of relief knowing I was one step closer to finding Evelyn.
“Also, I spoke with my cousin, Phoenix, earlier today. He thought it would be best to wait to tell Annabelle about you until after she has delivered the twins. She would want to meet you right away, and he doesn’t want her traveling this late in the game. Plus, he thought the excitement of the news might not be good for the babies. I hope you’re okay with that decision.”
“Of course, I am. I certainly don’t want anything to happen to her or her babies…” I trailed off, unsure of how to bring up the rest of my concerns.
“What is it?” he asked.
I pushed myself to a sitting position and started fidgeting with my hands. “You mentioned she was due in a few weeks. What happens between now and then?” I asked carefully.
“The club will make sure you have everything you need until then,” he stated.
“Excuse me?” I asked incredulously.
“The club will make sure you have a place to stay, food to eat, clothes to wear, and anything else you need,” he said.
“No,” I stated vehemently. “Absolutely not.” I could feel the anger building with each second that passed.
“It’s not up for discussion,” he informed me.
And that did it. I was on my feet and in his face. “You listen to me, you motherfucker. You can’t come in here and tell me the club will take care of me. You will not turn me into a club whore!” I screamed.
He took a step back, confusion evident on his face, “What in the hell are you talking about?”
I took a step forward and jabbed my finger into his chest. “Does the club take care of the club whores? Provide them with food, shelter, clothing, and whatever else they need?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“But nothing. That is not, never has been, and never will be,me!”
He circled my wrist and gently pulled my finger from his chest. “Locks,” he said, in a patronizing tone I decidedly did not care for.
“Get out!” I yelled and damn near stomped my foot to punctuate it.