Jackson and two of our newest brothers walk out of the elevator and head toward us. Jackson speaks up as soon as they’re standing in front of us. “Cops can’t tell us much of anything. Sounds like whoever it was has some serious IT people in their corner ‘cause the feeds that are in the area where Madison was were magically all turned off for five minutes before and after everything happened.”
Jonah, ever the one in charge, speaks up. “I think our best bet is to get to speak with that doctor lady before the cops do. We need to find out what she saw and if there’s anything we need to ask her tonotdivulge to the officers. I know she knows my boys and Shane pretty well. Do you think one of them is the best bet to speak to her?” Ben shockingly speaks up, saying he will go speak with her. It sounds like there’s something going on with him and the doctor. I zone out while they head over to the nurse’s station. The elevator opens again, and Grant walks in with Jon, Juan, Saxon, and Jeremiah. Grant sits next to me and the urge to grab his hand is almost overwhelming. I feel like I need his calming presence at this moment. Jonah fills them all in, and as I listen to him quietly rehash everything that we know, a finger brushes against my hand. He links his pinky with mine for a moment before letting go. Just that little touch helped more than he could possibly know.
Grant
When Mick left the shop to go meet Madison at her appointment, we had no fucking clue that some seriously fucked up shit was going down at the hospital. As soon as I got to the hospital, I knew I needed to find Erik. I know he’d be internally losing his shit. I mean, Mick is like another son to him, and he’s always been close to Madison, being her uncle and all.
As soon as I sit down next to him and get an update from Jonah, I touch him in the only way I know that won’t get attention. Not that I want to hide, but I respect Erik’s wishes, and this ain’t the fucking place for that kinda announcement anyway.
As soon as Jonah finishes catching us up, Mike and Ben come over to the group, and I can see they both look ready to explode with rage. Mike’s the one to speak up as he looks at Jonah and Jon. “You’re gonna wanna call church as soon as you fucking can. Our old club is involved.” Ben adds in. “Not the guys we were brothers to, but the new generation that fucking retired us. It was them and something about looking for some fucking box.” My eyes go straight to Erik. Could it be? He looks surprised and immediately full of guilt, as if this whole thing is his fault. Jonah and Jon start making plans, so I lean into Erik, so no one else can hear. “Even if this is about the box you have, you had no fucking way of knowing that club knew anything about it or thatany of this would happen. So don’t you feel one ounce of guilt for one fucking second.” He looks at me, and I can tell that’s exactly what he was starting to do. “Yeah, but I kept it from everyone. They’re gonna be pissed about that, even if I had no way of knowing this would happen.” I must give him a glare. “They might be mad for a little bit, but they’re gonna see that you had no reason to share it and had no fucking clue anyone else knew about it.” He shrugs his shoulders and must decide to rip that Band-Aid off because he stands up and walks over to where Jonah and Jon are standing, quietly talking to each other. I don’t know exactly what he says, but I can see it on Jonah’s face the second he realizes what Erik’s saying. The rage that comes over his face makes me get up without thinking and go stand by Erik, willing to fight my best friend to protect my man. Jon, for once, is the voice of reason. He puts a hand on Jonah’s shoulder and speaks calmly and so others in the waiting room can’t overhear. “Pa. You know Uncle Erik wouldn’t have hidden shit if he at all thought this would happen. You know he’d protect both Madison and Mick with his life. Should he have sharedeverythingthat was in that box? Yes. Is his not sharing the box the cause of all this? No. You and I both know this.” I swear if he could, Jonah would have smoke coming out of his nose like those cartoon bulls. He gets in Erik’s face. “I know he didn’t fucking cause all of this, it’s just I’m fucking tired ofeverythinghe’s hidden all of these years.” He gets to where he’s almost noseto nose with Erik, and somehow, I think this has been years in the making. “We’re brothers. Even more than club brothers, we’re fucking family, and still you keep shit bottled up. One of these days, you’re going to realize that I’m here for you no matter what, and I don’t judge you.”
Ry, ever the one to use comedy to diffuse a situation, speaks up. “Don’t get too mad at Uncle Erik, Pa. I think he’s been spending too much time with Saxon and Juan. Their tendency to be a couple of dipshidiots has worn off on him.” Jon looks at Ry like he’s an idiot. “What in the ever-loving fuck is that?” Ry, rolling his eyes so far that I’m surprised they don’t get stuck that way, explains. “That’s when someone is a dipshit and an idiot all rolled into one. Ya gotta admit that fits both of them to a tee. “
Jon glares at him for a moment longer. “I swear you’re an idiot a lot of the time. Back to the matter at hand. Let’s plan to meet for church tonight at six.” He looks at Erik and continues, “Bring that box so we all can see everything in it. There might be something in it with a name that Mike, Ben, or Tripp could recognize, but we wouldn’t. We need to figure this shit out, because you better believe it’s not gonna go unanswered.”
I couldn’t agree more. Time for some people to learn that we mean what we say. We’re fucking knights in shining armor till someone hurts our family, then we release the wrath of Valhalla on those who dare to do us harm.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I love how you like your routines. Long phone conversations with Kinsley on Sundays, game night with your boys on Monday night, and your coffee first thing in the morning-always in the same mug for the last twenty-something years.
~Text from Erik to Grant
Erik
It’s been a couple of months since I brought the box to the clubhouse. Everyone saw what was inside, except for theLarvikitestones that I gave out right after I opened the box for the first time. I showed all the papers to Jonah first, and I think his head almost exploded with the one that shocked the shit out of me. We shared the names listed with the brothers, and one of them made Mike, Ben, and Tripp think it could be connected, but not for sure. They’re doing some digging and looking into some contacts to see what they can find out. We’re having church again tonight to discuss.
It’s been way longer than the week that we were threatened with, yet not one peep outta that club.
It was decided to not leave any box where the fucker demanded. Jon said if we did leave one, it would have just pissed him off more because we wouldn’t have included everything, though if we did, it still wouldn’t be what they were hoping for. We haven’t heard anything through the grapevine of clubs we have relationships with. Not one of us is dumb enough to think something’s not coming. The question is where and when.
Tripp and Ben rode out to see a few more of their brothers who were “retired” by the current leadership of the club. They all say that the guys running it now are nothing like the guys who ran it when they were part of it. Mike admitted that they weren’t as clean as we are but that they even drew the line when it came to human trafficking and selling drugs to kids. He told our club, “We may have been doin’ some illegal shit from time to time, but even we had some morals. It was always no women and children. Hell, we almost came to blows when we opened a strip joint, and those women were there because they wanted to be.” Hopefully, they’ll have some information for us tonight.
Jonah, the fucker, as we finished discussing everything in church, pointed at me and glared. “Linnea has a right to know this shit, and you’re gonna be the one to tell her, got me?” I knew it had to be me, but fuck if I didn’t pause before I nodded backat him. She’s gonna shit when she sees what Mamma and Father did.
I’ve put this shit off long enough, so I agreed to go over and have lunch with Sis. She’s gonna be busy putting together stuff for tomorrow’s family day. It’s gonna be the first one that little Mikayla is gonna attend. She’s gonna get her first introduction to our loud and crass family. I’ve spent quite a few days over at Mick and Madison’s getting to know my goddaughter. She’s so curious, and I think she thinks I’m alright, as she actually listens to me when I share my thoughts. Jonah gets grumpy because his voice puts her to sleep. Cracks me up every damn time.
It’s nice enough today that I’m gonna ride my bike over to Sis’s place. Grant laughed at me when I told him what I was gonna do today. Okay, he chuckled and kissed me breathless. He also reminded me that my sister ain’t killed me yet, so it’s likely I’ll be fine. He wasn’t reassuring at all this morning. Fucker. Makes me rethink that blow job I gave him in the shower.
I pull up and park in front of their house. I grab both envelopes out of my saddlebag and head to the front door. I knock and open it, yelling my greeting. “Anyone home? Sis, you here?” I hear her voice from the kitchen. “Of course, I’m here. Get in here and help me with these potatoes.” I walk into the kitchen and see her stirring something on the stove. “What are ya making?” Without even turning around, she answers me. “I’m making the sauce for the au gratin potatoes for tomorrow, but I needtwo more pans filled with potatoes so help your sister and get started cutting them.” I go wash my hands and get to work. I’m about halfway done with the peeling of the potatoes and about to chop the ones I’ve got peeled when Linnea speaks up. “So, dear brother, I’ve got two questions for you. I’m gonna need an answer for both of them and not one of the vague answers that you like to give me. Actual answers.” I can’t help but roll my eyes at her. Some things never change.
“Well, if I knew the questions, dear sister, I would be able to answer them.” She turns around and glares at me as she walks to the table and sits across from me. “You know if I wanted smartass remarks, I’d invite some of my boys over. I think they might have learned too much from you.” I can’t help but roll my eyes again at her. She starts cutting the pile of peeled potatoes, so I continue on peeling instead of cutting. “First thing is when is your divorce going to be finalized so you can officially be done with the witch?” She’s refused to say Celeste’s name since I was hospitalized. She swears Celeste is the one who did something to make me end up there, and while I wouldn’t put it past her, without evidence, I don’t let it take up space in my mind. “Actually, it should be finalized on Monday. Colton said that her lawyer finally got her to understand that she wouldn’t get more really since I’m already giving her the house and half of what’s in our shared accounts. He said I was giving her too much, but I just want this over with. The house is paid off,so unless shedoesn’t pay property tax, she’ll have it forever.” Linnea stops cutting and looks at me. “I agree with your lawyer. You gave her more than she deserved during your marriage, and I still can’t believe you gave up the house, but it’s your decision. You gonna be okay for money now, or are you gonna have to work till you’re ninety?” I keep peeling but glance over at her. “I’m gonna be fine, and no, I don’t have to work till I die. I got some very wise legal advice from Max about some steps to take before I filed. Since Celeste has barely worked, her money always went into her own account for her to do whatever she wanted. I have a feeling she doesn’t have much saved in it. She knows about our joint checking and savings account but didn’t know about a few other accounts I had. Thanks to Max, they’re all included in my accounting business that he established for me since I do everyone’s taxes every year.”
Linnea nods and gives me a smile, which I know means she wants to go on about how I should’ve left Celeste years ago and all, but that she’s actually going to hold her tongue for once. Color me surprised. She gets up and moves the trays of potatoes to the counter, pouring over the cheese sauce. I know she’ll have to let them cool before she puts them up to bake tomorrow. She grabs the potholders and opens the oven. I can’t see what she’s getting out, so my curiosity wins out. “What are we having for lunch?” She turns around and sets the casserole dish on the trivet on the table. “I just whipped up some Chili cornbreadcasserole. I was gonna make Johnny Mazetti, but turns out I’m out of olives. Don’t worry, I’ll make it soon since I know you love it so much.” I nod as I get up to throw the peels in her compost bin and get plates out for lunch. “I do. It’s one of the more American-style dishes I remember Mamma making us. She always put extra olives in it when she made it when Father was out on the boat.” Linnea serves up lunch and hands me the basket of rolls to take one to put on my plate. “Now, the second part of what I wanted to ask you. I figured out that you came here with something to tell me and whatever it is, must be pretty big ‘‘cause Jonah cleared out to go have lunch with some of the guys at the diner, and he loves this casserole.”
I take a bite of food before I answer her because it smells too good not to. I do love that Linnea learned so much about cooking from Mamma, and I won’t admit this out loud, but she’s an even better cook than Mamma. “You remember when I brought over theLarvikiteto pass out to your kids?” She nods as she takes a sip of her iced tea. “Yeah, you said you found them in Mamma’s hiding spot when you guys went up there after Anna and Madison.” I finish the bite I just took before I speak again. “Yeah, I did, along with those pictures I brought over. Thing is that those weren’t the only things in the box. There were two manilla envelopes in there, too.” I pause to take a sip of my drink. Linnea, always impatient, speaks up. “Well, what was in the envelopes?” I tell her about the paperwork that shows that theland our cabin was on was in Mamma’s name only and how now I apparently own forty-ish acres up there. “I dunno what I’m gonna do with it because I’m almost certain the few people who are still up there can’t afford it, but I sure as hell don’t wanna keep it. I’m guessing you wouldn’t want it either.” Sis glares at me. “Of course, I don’t want it. Sell it. Someone is going to pay good money for it, and that could help with your retirement.” I shake my head. She’s always worrying about me. “You know we’d split whatever it is fifty-fifty. That shit is half yours.” I can see she’s physically restraining herself from arguing with me about splitting it. The only thing saving me from that argument is the fact that my little sister doesn’t like anything unknown. “Well, what’s in the other envelope?” Instead of telling her, I pick it up from the chair next to me and slide it across the table to her. I take a few more bites as I watch her read the first document, knowing that it’s the second one in the envelope that shocked the ever-loving shit out of me. I watch her move to the second set of papers. I can see the moment she gets to the details. Her eyebrows go higher than I’ve ever seen them. “What in the? I mean, what the?” I nod at her when she looks over at me. “I mean, holy fucking shit!” I nod in agreement. “I know. I had the same reaction. Mamma was way more business savvy than Father or Joseph gave her credit for. How do you think she got them to sign this? Hell, how do you think she figured out Joseph wasn’t his fucking legal name?” Linnea takes another minute tostudy the papers in front of her. “Well, for one thing, they would talk about anything just about in front of Mamma because they didn’t think she either understood or had anyone to tell anything to. Father always kept her pretty isolated, ya know. He also made her his errand runner and would have her deal with people for him. I bet she looked up some things when she was filing paperwork or overheard at some point that Joseph was an alias. She probably told them it was just another form for the bank or something that she needed them to sign, and why would they think she would do anything against them when she went up the mountain with them and everything.” She looks back at the second page of the document, letting out a sigh of disbelief. “I just…I mean of all the things we’ve learned about what really went on up there, and also how when we sold Mamma and Father’s house in town, that she was the only one on the deed, this shouldn’t be that big of a shock, but fuck…it still is.” She looks at me and asks a question that I’ve been too hesitant to even ask. “How much do you wanna bet Father’s name was different too? What’s ourreallast name?” We are so not going to go down that path. “Our birth certificates say Olsen, and that’s our name. If it’s not Father’s real name, who the fuck cares? Do we really want to carry on his legacy anyway? My boys carry my name. That’s all that matters. Kinda makes me glad we’ve never done that DNA ancestry thing. Sometimes, the past should stay in the past.”
Linnea nods but hits me with more reality than she realizes. “Our past seems to be coming back and affecting our current lives whether we want it to or not, dear brother. Maybe it’s time we deal with shit instead of just leaving it to rot up on that mountain. Maybe we need to see if Max knows a good estate attorney, or shit, at least one who is good with dealing with decades-old, complicated shit. If we really want to be able to wash our hands of everything up on that mountain for once and for all, we need to sell the land.” I rub my face with my napkin and lean back in my chair. I know she’s right, but fuck if the other part is gonna be easy to deal with. I look back over at my sister. She’s looking at me and tilting her head. Shit. That means she’s thinking and about to question me about who knows what. “I’m guessing Jonah knows about all of this, doesn’t he?” I nod because right now, I’m not sure where she’s going with this. If you’ve met my sister, you know when she gets going with her questions, she can be intimidating as fuck and just as effective as the best lawyers. It’s probably why she was so good at raising so many teenagers. Fuck, focus man.
“I know you aren’t going to answer me in words, but I’m guessing the land bit wasn’t the part that’s the issue.” I shake my head because she’s right. I’m not gonna say it in words. Linnea stands up, taking our dishes to the sink. She grabs two coffee mugs from the cabinet and pours us each a cup of coffee. She goes to the fridge to get the creamer, but she stops andturns back toward me. “Those other papers…do those have any possible connection with what happened at the hospital?” I must show my answer in my eyes because I don’t even move my head to acknowledge her. She pours some creamer into our coffees and brings both mugs to the table, handing me mine. I know better than to speak up while she’s mulling over something. I’ve lived my whole life with my sister, well, all but eleven months, and I know when it’s best for my survival to shut up and wait her out, and this is most definitely one of those times.
Linnea sits down and takes a sip. Before she can speak, the front door opens. Jonah and Grant walk into the room. They both stop talking and look at us. Jonah speaks up. “Did we come back too early?” Linnea turns her glare over to him. “Nope. Both of you grab a cup of coffee and sit down.” Grant hesitates for a second, but my dear sister doesn’t. “That wasn’t an invitation, men.” You know, only she could speak to those two like that and get away with it. Not only get away with it but have them listen to her. They each grab a mug of coffee and sit down at the table. Grant sits next to me, and Jonah next to Linnea, turning in his chair to face her. “What exactly were you two discussing that we needed to be a part of?”
Linnea looks at the three of us, holds up the document, and asks us the question I’ve been asking myself for weeks now. “Is there any way for us to have known that taking this document off the mountain would have led to what happened at the hospital?How the fuck did they know about it to begin with?” Jonah, knowing just how to handle my sister, which I don’t want to think about anymore when it comes to a situation like this… becauseeww.Back to Jonah. He takes the papers from Linnea’s hands and sets them on the table. He reaches over and takes her hand in his. “Love, do you think your brother would be sitting at this table in one piece if what happened could have been prevented and his taking it off the mountain and not sharing it right away led to our little one being hurt? He may be your brother, but if we could’ve prevented that and he hadn’t shared it-” Grant shocks me by interrupting Jonah. “I told him to not share it.” I can see both Jonah and Sis look surprised. I glance over at Grant as he takes a sip of coffee, leans back in his chair, and lays his hand on the back of my chair. “I told him to hold off till the divorce was over because I didn’t want that bitch to get one more penny than he’s already giving her. I saw both envelopes, and if either of us had seenanythingthat we thought could bring that kind of trouble, you know we would’ve said something.” I don’t even think about it when I lean back in my chair to feel his arm behind me. “He’s right. If I saw any name on there that I thought would be cause for concern, I wouldn’t have waited to share it. Hell, as of right now, we still don’t know what they think is in that box or how they found out about it. I think Joseph promised them some shit and assumed the paperwork was what he thought it was, though if he had been smart, you’dthink he would’ve questioned it when he couldn’t sell any of the acreage that was in Mamma’s name.”
Linnea looks at both of us. “Fair enough. Now I have one question for the two of you.” She doesn’t even let us get a word out before she continues. “Have you two finally quit dancing around each other?” Well, fuck. I mean, I told Grant I wanted to wait till the divorce is final, and it basically is since Monday it’s all official. I feel Grant’s hand at my back. I glance over at him briefly but can see the tiniest of nods. “We’re together. It’s still relatively new and we haven’t told our boys or Kinsley yet, but yeah, we’re…dating. I guess that’s the right word?” Grant makes a scoffing sound. “Fuck dating. We’re together. In a relationship, a fucking exclusive one.” His hand moves from my back to around the back of my neck, and he pulls me to him, kissing me briefly. Clapping is all I hear. I turn and see Linnea with a big smile on her face. “I’m so happy for you two!” She gets up and comes over to our side, pulling us both in for a hug. “I’ll keep quiet till you share with everyone, but I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.” She gives Grant a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for making him so happy. I’ve seen him smile more in the last few months than I have in the last twenty years.” Jonah’s looking over at both of us with a grin. He nods toward Grant. “Now you can be part of the family without tryin’ to steal my wife.”
Grant
