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“Yes. Deposition with those nice ladies, Kari and Maggie. Until then, Luke and Cam said we should stay here. When it’s all done, we’ll be able to start a new life somewhere.”
“What will you do?” smiled Grace.
“We want to become teachers,” said Fawn. “Mary is helping us to study for our GED. Once we have that, we can apply to a college.”
“I think that’s wonderful. What about you three? Cassandra, Delphine, and Imara.”
“My daughter and I came here because we were living on the streets and were constantly in danger. These two sweet older men found us and told us they had a safe place for us,” said Imara.
“Really? What were their names?” asked Grace, sure that it was most likely Matthew.
“Teddy and Jake. I’ve seen them around here, so they must live close. We were so scared, but they got us in the truck, wrapped us in blankets, gave us food, and then brought us here. They saved our lives.”
“It was the same for me,” said Delphine. “I have two little girls, ten and twelve. Jake and George picked us up. A man was trying to force the girls into his car. That big man, Jake, he was really amazing. I’ve never seen an old man move like that.”
“Jake,” whispered Alexandra, shaking her head. “It seems we’ve really missed the mark, girls.”
“Same for you, Cassandra?” asked Faith.
“Not quite. I was working at the Pig and Whistle, that little pub near Wills Point, downriver. It closed, and I couldn’t find work that would let me bring my daughter. Mr. Joe, he used to let her sleep upstairs in the store room while I worked the bar in the evenings. I had no one I trusted to watch her.
“So, I was sitting in the café on the River Road down there, and crying in my coffee, when this white-haired man, Sven, came over and started talking to me. A minute later, this man named Matthew came in and sat down. An hour after that, we were here. Safe, clean, and already in training for a new job. I’m going to be the new waitress and assistant manager at the café.” She smiled at the women, and they all nodded, laughing.
After speaking with the women for another hour, they left the dormitory and walked back toward the main cottages of Belle Fleur.
“Anyone else feel like a real bitch?” asked Alexandra.
“Yep,” said Grace. “But I’m so proud of all of them.”
“We’re very lucky women,” smiled Erin. “And this lucky woman can’t wait for her husband to get home tonight. I know just what I’ll be wearing when he walks in the door.”
“Me too!”
“Let’s do this, ladies!”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ghost, Ian, Nine, and Gaspar rode their customized Harley-Davidson Fat Boys along the River Road. It was cold as fuck, but the biting wind and frigid temperatures told them they were alive. All four of the men had black face coverings, warm clothes, and leather on their legs, hands, feet, and torso.
Ghost nodded toward a bar with a dozen motorcycles sitting outside. They pulled in and stepped off the bikes as two men stared at them. Nine could tell that they were admiring the motorcycles, but he also saw the vests they were wearing. This was a club hangout. The Krewe.
Stepping inside, they could smell the grease from French fries and burgers. Taking a seat, the waiter asked what they wanted, and they all ordered beers and burgers with fries.
“That was fucking awesome,” smiled Ian. “It’s been ages since we all went riding.”
“I have to say, I missed it more than I thought,” said Ghost, nodding at them. “I’m not sure if this will get us anywhere, but I’d do that again, all day, every day.”
“Sorry to bother you, fellas,” said a middle-aged man standing near the table. “Those your bikes out there?”
“They are,” said Ghost.
“Mind if I ask who did all the customizing? That’s some fucking amazing work,” he said admiringly.
“Steel Patriots Cycles,” smiled Ghost.
“Man, they’re the best right now. It’s a year’s wait to get your bike in there.” Ghost nodded, staring at Nine and the others.
“I tell you what, you help us with something, and I can guarantee your bike will get in there next week.”
