Walking into Spec's office, I take a seat and watch him for a few moments as he studies one of the businesses. Leaning forward, I see it’s Fox’s place, the furniture store. “What’s going on?” I ask as I lean even further forward to get a good look.
Pointing at the monitor, Specs grunts. “I reckon someone is casing the place. See here…” I follow his finger as he circles something on the camera image we are watching. “That Chaos I’m sure is someone standing in the shadows.”
“They are not looking at the store, Specs. The position says, whoever it is more than likely is watching the wood supply.”
We both watch for a while longer, and Specs flicks from one time to another through the camera feed recordings. “I’m going to get in touch with Herb at the wood supply because he’s the one who is in charge, mostly. I could drop it to Stu as well because you know he sees Herb more as a son than a nephew.”
“Bring it up in church if you think it is needed. I’ll speak to Delta and Bones when I see them. Mind you, if Lincoln or Arrow are around I’ll inform them. Any of them will take an interest and back you up on watching the place. Do you want me to ask about putting the place on the night detail?” I know it wouldn’t go amiss.
“Yeah, if you are going over there give them a heads-up. I’ll keep monitoring, and I’ll contact Herb.”
“Okay. How is the adoption coming along?” I ask and watch Specs' face intently. I’m looking for any sign of him being worried.
“I’ve got it all lined up, and the judge should sign off on it any day. I’ll let you know, but you need to make sure Corey is okay with it?”
“I’ll speak to him.” I leave the office and make my way into the kitchen where I am hoping to find Corey.
Oh yeah, Corey is here, and he’s covered in flour. “What are you doing?” I ask along with a chuckle.
“Making cupcakes,” Corey laughs and holds a box with cupcakes that are misshapen and have lopsided frosting. But the look on Corey’s face shows me he’s proud of his creations.
“Well, I hope they taste as good as they look. Are you ready to get back to the apartment? I want to talk to you about something.”
Corey gives Amelia and Bitty a hug, grabs the box of cupcakes and rushes over to me. I throw an arm around his shoulders and lead him outside to the truck where we quickly get inside and head out.
Pulling up to the apartment block, I’m not sure if I should be annoyed or amused. Victoria and Jack are polishing Jack’s hog. Now he’s doing a good job on that hog. It’s looking sharp. It still needs some work, but knowing what it looked like originally tells me he has spent some dime on it, and he’s cleaned every inch until there is no sign of rust or dirty oil.
Corey rushes over and shows Victoria the cupcakes, to which she gives him the right amount of being impressed. He is beaming, and it has taken little for this kid to settle into being away from his parents.
“Come on, Corey,” I shout, and he quickly rushes over to me carrying his cupcakes like a prize.
Inside the apartment with the cupcakes on the cake plate, I sit down and give Corey all my attention. I’m not going to fuck around. I am going to lay it out and wait for his reaction.
“Okay, Corey, you know I got your guardianship so you would stay with me permanently. As your uncle, which we both know was a lie, but it got what we wanted, and that was you not going into the system.”
“Yeah, I know that,” Corey replies before I can say more.
“Well, I’ve put things in motion to adopt you. Legally, of course. That means I’ll be your dad and not your uncle. What do you think of that?”
Corey surprises me when he bursts into tears. Jumps off his seat and throws himself at me. Sobs like nothing I’ve heard before rip from him. His small body shakes with the emotion he’s feeling. I wrap my arms tightly around him and hold on. I hope this will give him the security and warmth that he needs right now.
“So, you okay with that?” I ask after a while.
Corey steps away slightly, wipes his eyes with the sleeve of his jumper before looking at me. “Yeah, I’m okay with that, Dad.”
I feel a surge of something I can’t describe which has me rubbing my sternum. I give Corey a smile and nod as I respond, “Okay, son. You are Corey Styles now, and you are protected by the club. An official son of a member, and don’t you forget it.”
I explain what it’s like to be a part of the club. What, as a future brother will be expected of him. I can see the way he is soaking up every word, and the way he’s leaving the past behind and looking to the future.
The door opens and Victoria along with Jack walk into the apartment. Seeing the excitement on Corey’s face, she smiles at him. That is all he needs before he launches himself into telling them both about me being his father, what he’s going to do when he grows up, and the words fly out of him.
Jack is watching him closely, and it is so easy to see he understands what Corey is feeling. He shows no pity, just understanding the need to feel wanted. “You’ll have to be a prospect,” Jack says eventually, and that involves another conversation that Corey soaks up like a sponge that has been put in the back of a cabinet and has dried out.
I watch all of this and take particular notice that Victoria is showing no sign of worry regarding me being Corey’s dad, or if she realizes it will make her his mother. I’ve got to get to know Victoria more, and she’s got to know me. I’m going to do something about that.
The phone rings, and I quickly take the call once I see it’s Wings. “What’s up?”
“We have another tail. I’m nearly home, but I’m heading to Nell’s as she is closer to me. Once we are there, we can call ourselves safe and I’ll let you know we are here.”
“Okay, Wings. I had wondered if you were nearly home. If anything happens call, and I’ll make sure I have brothers to you fast.”
“Bethy is fine. She’s solid. No panicking, no tantrums, just calm and at the ready,” Wings chuckles. “She’s not happy with her brother, that’s a certainty.”
“I don’t suppose she is. Take care and let me know when you hit Nell's place.”
“Will do. Later, brother.”
Turning to Victoria I give her a nod. “Bethy is okay. Wings is heading to Nell’s as that is the closest place to them. Seems either her brother or the asshole has a tail on them, but Wings will do what’s needed if it comes to it. I’ve told him to let me know as soon as he hits Nell's.”
“Okay. As long as Bethy is safe that’s all that matters.” Victoria turns to Corey and Jack, and I watch her for any signs of stress, but she’s showing none. That tells me she trusts us, and that is a huge step forward.
