Page 41 of Tracked By Sasquatch

The tone was no longer anger but worry pouring off the old man. There was definitely a story there, but it was for a later time.

Squatch got on the road and rode like a madman toward Nebraska. Tapping his com, he called up Irish and gave him the likely area she’d be in.

A few hours later, he got a call from his Aunt Phoebe. She was at the clubhouse, and all was well. She told him she loved him and to stay safe, they’d talk when he returned. She sounded sad and teary, but before he could ask, she’d hung up. Prez contacted him immediately after.

“How is she really?” he answered instead of a hello.

“She’s good, man. I mean it. Emotional but none the worse for wear. She asked us not to burden you with details until you’re back with your woman. She wants to be the one to chat with you. You know me, Jasper, if it weren’t so, I would still spill my guts. You wouldn’t be my Enforcer if I didn’t think you could handle things, I’m just doing right by your aunt. She seems good, truthfully.”

Zombie using his legal name meant he was speaking level. He took a deep breath, probably his first one in a while. The two women he cared most about in the world in trouble at the same time was an impossible situation, but his brothers had his back and that meant everything to him.

Then it hit him. “Wait, she knows?” He didn’t have to specify, Zombie’s uproarious laughter confirmed he knew exactly what he’d meant.

“Oh, yeah, brother. She’s practically got her sandal in one hand, smacking against the other palm waiting on you. I don’t envy you when you get back. You’ll be sleeping in one of the junkers for sure.”

Everyone knew he’d claimed Devin except Devin herself. And his aunt finding out not from him, fuck he was definitely sleeping in one of the junkers. At least they’d gotten an old seventies shaggin’ wagon in last week. He could stretch out in there until they forgave him.

When he arrived at the hotel, he circled twice before pulling in next to the two Bastards from Omaha.

“She’s in 117. Shortly after she arrived, she walked over to the station for snacks and has been quiet since.”

“Thanks, brothers, tell Irish I owe him one.”

“Not a thing. Family. Just holler if you want backup tomorrow.”

With that, they pulled off. Squatch parked his bike around back in overflow in case Devin stepped out for something and headed to the front office.

He’d slipped the kid at the desk extra cash to get 119. As he entered his room, he looked back at her car parked smack dab in front of her door, he’d have to talk with her about giving away her exact location like that.

As soon as he was settled, he texted her.

SQUATCH: How was work today?

He needed to know if she’d directly lie to him. He didn’t think she would. As far as he knew, she was honest to a fault. When she did lie, she usually outed herself shortly after with an admission of guilt. It ate her up. That’s how he knew this burden she was carrying was poisoning her. That and the shit her mom did that Croon didn’t know about, the self-harm, and whatever else the old bitch did that Devin was dragging around like a fucking anchor. He couldn’t tell his brother, but he couldn’t not either.

MY OL’ LADY: I had a long day.

When the response came, it did something inside his soul. Right before he’d texted her, he’d changed her contact information and seeing it pop up like that felt right. It gave him a sensation of belonging and peace he hadn’t felt before. Sure, he had the kinship with his brothers and a sense of family with his aunt, but it was different when it was Devin.

“Hmm, skirting it I see my delectable ol’ lady,” he breathed into the room. Just then he heard and felt a thump by his head like someone dropping their head back against the mounted headboard in the next room. His woman was having an attack of conscience for edging the truth.

He smiled.

SQUATCH: Really? That busy at the office?

Another thump followed by what sounded like a curse.

MY OL’ LADY: I played hooky from work, but still a long day. I got up early after barely any sleep, remember?

Squatch’s smile grew so big it hurt and he fist pumped the air. He knew it, she couldn’t lie, not even in text. Then a thought hit him. He didn’t have to choose between loyalty to his brother and club or loyalty to his woman, he could maintain both.

He fired off a text to Croon.

SQUATCH: When we get back, sit Dev down and ask her directly what bad things your mommy dearest did or said to her. If you can remember certain incidents you have wondered about, ask about those. Any marks or anything, ask point blank what they’re from. Targeted questions. I am begging you not to question me any further about what I mean, brother. Please, I just know she won’t lie if it’s direct enough. Trust me.

He reread it a few times before hitting send. There was nothing in there that betrayed her, but Croon needed to know. He still gave that bitch money, and it made Squatch sick.

Three tones sounded on his phone one right after the other.