Dirty Desires (Devil Kings MC #3) - Nicole James Page 0,42
don’t have a choice. Forget just living expenses, now I’ve got to come up with the rest of the money for my mom’s treatment.”
“You sure he’s even got that much?”
I shrug. “Mom seemed to think it was around fifty grand or something.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope.”
“Stuffed in a safe deposit box? Maybe he stashed it in the house. Maybe you’re looking at this all wrong.”
“I suppose it’s possible.” I frown. “But then why would Sylvia steal my mother’s purse?”
“Maybe she didn’t. Maybe your mom just can’t find it.”
I sigh, wondering if I’m going to have to start tearing up walls and floorboards to see if Hayley’s theory is right. My phone goes off, and I pull it from my pocket to see Gypsy calling. I smile and connect. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey, girl. How’s it going?”
“Good. Hayley’s here, and we just finished cleaning up.”
“That’s great. Uh, look, something just came up with the club, and I’ve got to go out of town to take care of it. I’m not gonna be able to take you to Rutledge.”
“Oh. Well, that’s okay. I understand. How long will you be gone?”
“A couple days. I’ll call you when I get back, okay?”
“Okay. You’ll be safe, won’t you?”
“Always. Talk to you soon, sweetheart.”
“Bye.”
I disconnect and look over at Hayley. “What?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing.”
I blow out a breath knowing what I have to do. “I need to go see my father.”
“Tess.”
“I need that money, Hayley. I’ve got the information he wants. I have to give it one more try to see if he’ll tell me where it is.”
“I think you’re crazy. You’re really gonna stab the club in the back like that?”
“What do I care about his damn club? When have I ever cared about it?”
“No, but you care about Gypsy, and don’t deny it. Betraying the club is betraying him, and you know it.”
I surge to my feet. “What fucking choice do I have?”
“You act like your back’s against the wall, and it’s not.”
“You don’t have a clue what this feels like. No matter what I do, it’s going to hurt someone.”
She stands and puts her arm around me as I burst into tears. “I’m sorry. You’re right, I don’t.”
I fall into her hug, and she pats my back, then grabs my shoulders and pushes me back until she can look in my eyes. “What time are we leaving for Columbus tomorrow?”
I wipe my cheeks and huff a surprised laugh. “You’ll take me?”
“That’s what friends are for, right? Besides, we haven’t had a road trip in forever.”
“I get to pick the tunes.”
“You also get to supply the snacks.”
“Thank you.”
She wraps her arm around me. “Come on, let’s see if your mom’s got any food in the house.”
***
At 10 a.m. the next morning, I’m sitting across from Growler. He’s pissed I blew him off, but I can see a new respect for me in his eyes. He rips open a bag of chips and eats one before finally speaking. “Maybe you’re more like your old man than I gave you credit for.”
“Indeed.”
“Don’t try that bullshit again,” he threatens quietly.
I smile. “Be nice and I won’t.”
He munches on another chip.
“Mom’s in treatment.”
He huffs out a laugh. “Has hell frozen over?”
“No, she OD’d.” That wipes the smugness off his face.
“She okay?”
“Yes, but I need that money to pay for it. You owe her that much if you’re going to divorce her.”
“I don’t owe her shit.”
“I have the info. You want it, we deal.”
“Depends on what you’ve got.”
“Tell me why you want it,” I counter.
He puts a finger to his mouth, picks up the deck of cards on the table, and spreads seven cards out.
“That’s a phone number. Remember it. Call and give Reload what you’ve got.”
I glance down at the numbers. It’s an easy sequence. I repeat it in my head a couple of times. “Where’s the key?”
“I’ll tell you after you do this. Come back tomorrow.”
I glare at him. “Tell me now.”
He stands. “See ya tomorrow, Tess.”
I stare daggers at his back. If the guards weren’t watching, I’d flip him off.
Fifteen minutes later, I climb in Hayley’s car and slam the door.
“How’d it go?”
“Just drive. We need to find a motel. I know a place.”
“What? Why?”
“I’ve got to come back tomorrow.”
“They have visiting hours on Sunday?”
“Yep. Make a left on the highway. There’s a motel a couple of blocks down.”
Half an hour later we’ve got a room and a couple of bags of fast food.
I sit on one bed and Hayley on the other. She munches on a fry and studies