Page 29 of Coty

That’s not good. It’s not anything we can do anything about. I send a quick text to Nick. Hopefully, he can ID them.

“I don’t know their names. Unless something changed while I was gone, they’re not Mavericks. I’ve seen them at the races at The Field, but that was years ago.”

The party in the back starts singing Happy Birthday. I look over Angie’s head. Great. The Rhodes family is celebrating their oldest daughter, Daphene’s, birthday. The two men watch the party with interest. Their interest sends a chill down my spine.

“That’s another problem.” Angie hands me a glass of sweet tea. “Those two make Matthew Rhodes nervous.”

I take a sip of tea and casually search the party for Matthew. It looks like half the church members are with them tonight. Sure enough, Matthew is extremely uncomfortable.

“Well, Angie. I’m sure you know the Rhodes family really hates us right now. Whatever their beef is with Matthew isn’t our problem.” The preacher’s son is a jerk. I have no problem letting him get what’s coming to him. She should have called the cops, not us.

“I’m well aware, Rodeo.” She says, like I’m an idiot. “But this sure is.”

I follow her to the back dining room. She escorts me to a two-top table near the employee door to the kitchen. Customers rarely sit here. Vikings do when we’re here monitoring a situation for her, like tonight. One of those seats is already taken.

Angie pauses a few feet away, out of hearing range. ‘He showed up about half an hour ago.” She turns and places her hand on my arm. “He hates Matthew Rhodes. Please, don’t let him do anything stupid.”

“Don’t worry. I got him, “ I assure her.

“Both of your plates will be out shortly.” She relaxes a little and goes into the kitchen.

I consider calling Jack. His family’s still struggling and needs him. This wild-card McLeod might need him, too. Hopefully, I can handle this. If I can’t, I’ll call Hendrix. He’s closer.

I pull the chair out and sit down. “How’s it going, Jay?”

“I hate him.” Jay absent-mindedly stirs the straw around in his glass of tea. His eyes never leave the preacher’s son.

We seriously need to figure out what happened between these two. There was friction between them before Jack and I left. This is pure hate. Jay doesn’t go this dark on anyone without a good reason. From the sound of the knife flicking open and closed under the table, this isn’t the normal Jay McLeod. He’s Blade, a dark force I don’t recommend people meet. One wrong move, and Matthew Rhodes may die tonight.

Yeah. It’s a good thing Angie called Nick. Jack needs to know. I pull up his name and start typing.

Jay lays his hand over the phone screen. “Don’t call him. I’m fine.”

He’s not fine. Still, I stop typing and hold my phone below the table while Angie brings out our plates. She sees who I was trying to message and winks. Well, maybe I haven’t forgotten how to talk in code and hidden gestures.

“Can I get you boys anything else?”

“No, ma’am. We’re good.” I nudge Jay with my foot.

“No ma’am. This is great.” Jay gives her a tight smile. He would never intentionally be rude to Angie.

Finley notices us and leaves her date. Well, maybe she needs Angie. As long as Jay’s been here, I’m sure she’s seen him. Before she reaches us, Matthew grabs her arm.

“Don’t mess this up, Finley,” Matthew says.

“Just what am I messing up, Matthew?” Finley glares at her brother.

Jay slides to the edge of his chair, ready to pounce. He’s been waiting for a reason to go after Matthew. Being rude to your sister, or any woman, will have a Viking all over a man. Being the preacher’s son won’t save Matthew from Jay.

“You were told to stay away from them. Now, get back to your boyfriend before this one runs off, too.” Matthew slightly pushes Finley toward their table.

Jay’s on his feet. Angie and I move in front of him. If we weren’t in a public place, I’d let Jay loose on this jerk.

Finley pulls her arm away and steps back. “You get back to your girlfriend,” she snaps. Whoa. Good for her.

“Easy, Blade. Not here,” I whisper.

“I can drag him outside.” Jay doesn’t whisper.

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