Page 46 of Brood

Chapter Thirty-Eight

It seems as though we drive forever on this desolate road though it’s only been an hour. When we reach the destination, the first truck is already there. Brook and Cammy have the kids out along with a couple of the other women and their kids. I try not to look them in the face, knowing full well that the only reason we are here is because of me. I hate it. Their men might not make it out alive, and that will be all my fault. “I know what you are thinking. You need to quit it. When the club votes, these women follow. It’s been that way since the beginning. We might not like it sometimes, but it’s what they agreed to when they chose their men.” Brook shifts her sleeping daughter in her arms and sighs. “I didn’t understand it at first, the club life, but when I fell in love with Sage? I knew deep down I had to embrace the club life if I wanted him. I’m all the happier for it too. I don’t know where I would be without him.” She smiles softly.

“I still can’t help but feel the guilt. They all hate me.”

“Doesn’t matter. You are the president’s old lady. They can hate you all they want, but they will show you respect.” I’m not sure what to do with her blunt honesty, so I just tell her thank you. “Let’s get inside and settled. This kid is getting heavy, I swear.”

I follow her inside the small trailer like home, finding all eyes on us when we enter. Some have already claimed a spot for themselves. A couple couches and larger spots on the floor. “There is a room in the back. Kasin is already back there.” A woman I have yet to meet stands up and points down the narrow hallway. “If you don’t want Cammy back there, just say something.”

“Thank you—”

“Flora. I’m Piner’s old lady.”

“It’s nice to meet you. And thank you.” I give Flora a smile and turn back to Brook, who is giving me that I told you so look. I shake my head slightly and motion for her to come with me. When we get to the back where the room is located, Cammy already has a sleeping Kasin tucked into the bed.

“Put Halley there too. I doubt any of us will sleep,” I tell Brook, who unloads her daughter into the bed, tucking her in next to Kasin.

“Either of you need anything?” Cammy asks, making her way to the door.

“We’re good,” Brook speaks for both of us. Cammy gives a quick nod and takes off out of the room. Even though I know how much she loves Kasin, I'm glad she left. Having her in the same room as me for the many hours to come isn’t something I think I will be able to handle. It’s bad enough we are going to be in the same house for who knows how long.

* * *

A whole day has come and gone, and there hasn’t been a word from Rhino. Absolute radio silence. “Anything today?” I ask Show again for probably the millionth time since getting here. He lets out his puff of smoke and flicks his cigarette.

“Nope. No news is good news.” It’s the same sentence he told me last time. I’m starting to get anxious.

“Why haven’t they said anything? Is there even service out here?”

“Plenty of service. They are keeping contact to zero. We don’t want anyone to intercept calls or texts, just in case we are found out here.” My stomach drops at that. Images of Butch burning this little safe house to the ground assaults me, and I suddenly have to force myself to back away. I don’t hear what Show says as I trek further away from the house, I don’t care anyway. All I know is that I can’t stay here. I just can’t. I put everyone at the clubhouse in harm’s way. If something were to happen to all of them, Butch would waste no time tracking this place down. I just need to wait for the right moment to make my escape. I can’t have another club taken out because of me.

Hours later, when everyone is crammed inside the small house eating dinner, I fake a stomach ache and head back to the bedroom. I took up a spot on the floor, giving Brook and the kids the run of the bed. I wouldn’t let a pregnant woman sleep on the floor. After a long argument, she finally gave in.

I scan the room for some type of padding that no one will notice missing when I come upon a few dusty pillows tucked away in the closet that we missed. Quickly I shape them to look like a person and toss my blanket over them, then I snatch a toy from the floor and arrange the hair on the doll to fan across the pillow, making my dummy look more realistic. I just hope the doll isn’t one Halley can’t live without. She has so many of them here, I doubt she will miss this one. I stand back and look at my handy work. It’s not perfect, but it will work in a pinch. I make sure the light is off as it will work better in the dark, and make my way out of the window. The drop to the ground isn’t too far, nor is the mad dash I make to the truck. It’s only when I get there do I realize my mistake. It’s pitch dark by now, and when I open the door to the truck, a light will turn on, alerting them of my presence outside. I know if Show isn’t out here one of the other guys will be. They are always patrolling the area. It’s when I see the very back window of the truck is open that I start to believe in small mercies. As quietly as I can, I climb up the back only to freeze when I hear the clearing of someone’s throat. “He keeps the keys on him.” My stomach bottoms out at Cammy’s voice as she sashays right up to me. I can just make out her features in the moonlight and when she brings the red-tipped cigarette to her mouth, the smell of smoke assaults my senses.

“Come to rat me out?” I sigh and let myself drop back down to the ground.

“Nope.” She looks down at her nails as if to examine them then reaches into her pocket. “I’m here to help.” She tosses something in the air, and by the grace of God I catch it.

A flashlight.

“Why?”

“Don’t think it isn’t for purely selfish reasons. The further you are from Kasin, the safer he is, and knowing you and your bleeding heart, you will go right back to Rhino. Just promise me one thing?”

“What is that?”

“That you won’t let Brood go after you a second time. If he’s still alive, that is.” This time I hear her sniff, realizing she is crying. “I swear if he is dead… you just better hope if he is I don’t see you again. Those women in there might have to be okay with you getting their men killed, but I won’t be.”

“I didn’t ask for any of this.” I defend myself, but it’s so hollow.

“Fuck,” she scoffs, “I know. That asshole always has to be saving someone. Go on and get the hell out of here. You saw that house, the last one on the road before we got here?” I nod, remembering the small ranch home. “It belongs to my grandparents. They have a car waiting there for you. There’s a gun in the glove box. Get in it and go.” With that, she takes off back to the house.

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