money, Sundance would force me to do illegal things for him. I can’t go to jail. I’m the only family Mabel has left.”
I tucked my gun back into my waistband before reaching into my inside cut pocket, causing Ken to flinch. “Relax. I’m not gonna kill you,” I said taking out a folded piece of paper and handing it to him.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the contact number of a doctor.”
Ken looked at the paper and then back at me.
“This is from the offices of Dr. Emily Larsen,” he said blankly.
“She’s one of the leading Hepatologists in the country and she’s here in Denver,” I replied.
“I know who Doctor Larsen is, she’s a miracle worker and impossible to see.”
“Not according to that piece of paper she isn’t. Not for Mabel. In fact, it says there Mabel has an appointment with Doctor Larsen first thing Monday morning,” I said.
“I don’t understand,” Ken said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
“What you don’t understand is loyalty, but fortunately for you, the Primal Howlers do.”
Ken continued to stare at me, puzzled.
“When Sundance told me to investigate the missing money, it didn’t take me long to piece together what the fuck was going on here. He left it up to me on how to handle the situation, so rather than leave your kid an orphan, I used one of Sundance’s contacts at the medical center to hook you up with Doctor Larsen.”
“But why?”
“This location has always been the club’s highest earning shop and that’s because of you. I also believe you only did what you did to save your daughter’s life. I don’t have a kid myself, but if I did, I can’t imagine there’s anything I wouldn’t do to keep them alive.”
“I still can’t afford any of this,” Ken said.
“Don’t worry about the bills. The club is going to take care of Mabel. And don’t worry about the thirty thousand either. Stick it in her college fund.”
“I’m on the hook with the club, now aren’t I?” Ken asked.
“For the rest of your natural-born life, bubba. We say jump and your only question will be, ‘In what pile of shit?’ You got me?”
I finished up with Ken before returning home. I was scheduled to connect with Sundance at two o’ clock to let him know how the meeting went and hoped that he would approve of how I handled the situation. If not, I suppose I’d be returning later with a bullet with Ken’s name on it.
* * *
One week later, I walked into Sundance’s office and filled him in on what went down with Ken. The prez wanted me to wait until we were face-to-face, and I swear I’d never understand how he could wait for that kind of information.
“He really onboard, or is he hedgin’?” Sundance asked as I took a seat.
“He’s onboard,” I said. “Mabel’s already seen the specialist and I called Rabbit in Savannah to help me put some tracking software on his computer. He’ll see every stroke and report anything suspicious. Also installed a nanny cam in the thermostat. So far, he’s complyin’.” I cocked my head. “Do you think he’ll be a problem?”
“You never know, brother. Keep an eye on that.”
“I will,” I promised.
Sundance smiled. “You did good, Aero. With all of it. Proud of you.”
I grinned. “Thanks.”
“Beer?”
“Hell, yeah.”
Sundance clapped my shoulder and we headed to the great room for a beer.
Violet
Present Day…
MY PHONE BUZZED and I grinned as I answered it. “Hi, honey.”
“How goes the sister sitting?” Aero asked.
Aero and I were watching baby Reagan, Dad and Wyatt’s one-year-old, at their place for the weekend, so that Dad could sweep Wyatt away for a surprise birthday trip to Breckenridge. Raquel was pregnant and not having an easy time of it, so I volunteered Aero and myself to watch the baby the whole time instead of trading off. It was a good excuse to get some quality time in with my new sister who was currently on my hip, playing with my necklace.
“She’s perfect,” I said, the grinned at Reagan. “Aren’t you, sweet girl?”
“Lala,” she babbled.
“Are you on your way?” I asked.
“Yeah, baby. Want me to pick up food?”
“Yes, please.”
“Tacos?”
I grinned. “You read my mind.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
“Thanks, honey.”
I hung up and carried Reagan into the family room, setting her in her baby bouncer and pouring some Cheerios on the little tray. She grabbed a handful and shoved them into her mouth, gumming them with vigor.
I took advantage of her moment of distraction and loaded the dishwasher, closing it just as I