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If he said something after that, I didn’t hear what as more motorcycles pulled into the diner’s parking lot. The other members of the MC. And Mel.
Marley had also stopped talking, her eyes were wide like she had walked into a trap. Her assistant didn’t look any better.
“It’s a party in here,” called out Bou as she came into the diner. Wilde was on her heels. He seemed bigger, somehow. Or maybe this space was just closing in on us. On me.
Angel and Mel entered too, holding hands. I didn’t see them as the romantic types, but there was a definite show of connection, if not affection.
Mel used to work for the DA’s office, but she stood on a different side of the law now. Strange, though, how everyone here was still fighting for the same thing.
“Should we pull up some chairs?” asked Bou.
“No.” Celt stepped back. “You can have mine. We’re just heading out.”
Cook held out his hand to my sister, and she sank into the chair beside me. I should’ve expected it, though it still felt weird. I gave her a tight-lipped smile. I didn’t want to say much in front of Marley or her assistant.
“Perhaps we should go,” said Marley, forcing herself out of the booth. She almost knocked into Bou and then Celt. “This meeting was really just supposed to be the start, and Kyle and I are very busy. It’s a long ride back to LA.” She cleared her throat, and Kyle climbed out of the booth.
At the same time, Wilde and Angel crowded around with Cook and Celt. The bikers stood a head taller than even Kyle. He was a shrimp of a man, but not threatening in the slightest. In fact, I would much rather talk to him than his boss.
Marley turned back to Roni and me. “I’ll be in my office all day tomorrow, so any time you arrive...” She didn’t finish her sentence, just turned on her heel and left. Kyle, with a shrug, quickly followed her out. The bell over the door gave a strangled rattle as the door settled shut.
Cook started to laugh, and the others chortled too. They all chuckled like old friends, but I squirmed in the seat. Hellen Heels and her boy, Kyle, took off in their sleek new car. Dust hung in the air behind them.
“So how’s the new place, Bou?” asked Roni, smiling. I didn’t know how she did it.
Bou took Celt’s chair. “It was good. Wilde and I moved in this morning. We only have a bed and couch, but the other furniture will be delivered this afternoon.”
“Did you get it from Phoenix?” asked Mel.
My tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth as I sat there through the banter. Were we just having a normal conversation after talking about depositions against the Mafia? And all while they had a meeting to get to with a part of that very Mafia? I wasn’t sure this counted as normal, but this was better than before the suits left.
I would like it if I wasn’t completely startled.
“Yeah. They had the best shit,” said Bou. “We did try some thrift stores, but Wilde said they weren’t his style.”
Wilde grunted and landed a hand on her shoulder. “What I said is that we didn’t need that shit.”
Bou ran her hand down her bulging belly. “We do.”
Wilde let out a huff, but the light invaded his eyes. It was all in good fun, and suddenly I warmed to this group a little more. I liked Roni and was working my way toward a connection with my sister. Bou, as intimidating as she was, seemed nice at heart. Maybe I should let go of the notion that she was pushing Mel on me against my will.
When I glanced up for reassurance, Daddy gave me an easy smile and nod. Knots unfurled in my shoulders.
Bou leaned on the table. “How did this go?”
“Fine,” muttered Roni. “Kyle is always a joy to work with. Marley, well, she’s an acquired taste.”
My sister snorted. “Everyone in the office hated her.”
Angel wrapped his arm around Mel. “And Lanie’s boss said she had a better record in court than Hellen Heels.”
I lowered my gaze, smiling now that I got the nickname they’d given the staunchly dressed woman.
“What was that about LA?” asked Mel, words directed at me.
Daddy nodded again, urging me on.
“Roni and I are going tomorrow so I can give my deposition and support Roni in testifying at the trial,” I said.
