Make It Right (14 page)

“If I could, I would.” He leaned down, kissed her. “Just trust me. And keep the doors and windows locked.”

“Be careful,” Amelia said, because there was no way to articulate what she wanted to say. She scooted back on the bed, reached for her discarded shirt. “It'd be nice if you came back.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Don't.” She slid the shirt on and shook her head. “Don't promise what you can't. Please. Just be careful and pay attention.”

“Alright.” He smiled as he fixed his belt. “I can handle that. And I mean it about the doors and windows.”

He was gone seconds later. Amelia remained on the bed, her body still tingling from their encounter until long after the sound of his bike had faded. If he'd meant to ease her mind by seeing her before he went who knows where to do who knows what, he hadn't succeeded. Sure, there was still a warmth through her whole body, but it didn't reach her mind. The neverending stream of thoughts and worries was back, the loudest one screaming that Danny was scared.

If he was scared, she should be absolutely terrified, and she was.

Chapter Eleven

Danny was uncomfortable, very uncomfortable, with all the changes in the routine that they'd established for the drops. First off, they'd never been to this location before. The fact that it was an abandoned church didn't bring him any comfort. In fact, it made the discomfort worse because former church or not, it was a decaying building on the edge of a town that seemed to be tucked in for the night. There would be no one to hear if things went sour.

He didn't like that it was only three of them tonight; he was riding with Royal and Buster while the rest of Nightshade held down the fort at the bar. They'd cause enough ruckus to keep the attention of the police outside but hopefully not too much attention. The change to the routine that bothered Danny the most was the fact that Joseph and Mark Miller were there to personally receive the merchandise instead of sending one of their minions to do it. All of these things added together were just a recipe for disaster.

Mark approached them first. “Where is it?” He demanded in a tone that suggested he was more keyed up than he had been the last few times they'd met, which was saying something.

“Relax Mark, we've got every last bit of it. And we're all friends, right?” Royal kept his voice even, but Danny knew that he was on edge, too.

The question hung heavily in air until Joseph came forward. “Yes, we are friends. And you've come through for us when it mattered.” He gave Mark a sharp look which clearly said he needed to shut up, but he didn't.

“They're not all here. Where are the others? This isn't what we agreed to.” Mark's voice rose with every word until he was shouting.

Danny's hand went to his gun. He saw that Buster had done the same, but Royal shook his head. “We had to change some things around. We've still got a bit of attention from the police, but that's not important. The important thing is we did what we said we would. You have your merchandise as promised. That is all that should matter.”

“He's right.” Joseph nodded. “What's important is that the job was completed as required. Royal, you've done well considering the trying circumstances you are under.” Danny felt like he could relax, but the feeling was short lived. “I also have a favor to ask. We have something that needs to go back into the states and be delivered, this evening, to an address in Detroit.”

“Not a problem.” Royal spoke in a smooth and confident tone, but Danny knew that he also felt uneasy. He didn't even look over at Buster because he could only imagine his expression. “Let's get on with it. Time is money, right?”

“Right.” Mark replied. “If anything goes...”

“Enough!” Joseph wasn't known for losing his temper, so Mark stopped speaking; he even took a step back. Joseph handed Royal a sheet of paper. “That's the address. The package is rather small. It's also delicate, so use proper caution.”

<#<#<#

The second drop-off spot was just outside of Detroit. It had been easy to cross the border; they were familiar faces, so the guards didn't give them much shit. Things could always turn, though; it didn't pay to get complacent. They were one heightened threat level away from getting caught, and everyone knew it.

The house didn't look like a drop spot. In fact, Danny noticed toys strewn over the front lawn and a swing set on the side of the house. He exchanged a look with Buster, who moved forward to check the perimeter of the house.

“You need to take a breath, Danny, relax.” Royal advised. “Tonight was a success. We've still got our heads attached. Now we get to go home to our wives.” He let out a laugh that had nothing to do with humor. “I've got a feeling all this is going to be the highlight of my night. I'm sorry for whatever shit Amelia gets from her because of this.”

“If Missy crosses the line again, if she lays hands on Amelia, I will deal with her.” Danny watched as Buster came around the other side of the house, obviously satisfied that it was safe enough for them all to approach the front door.

Personal matters were quickly put aside as they walked forward. Royal rang the bell, and they waited. A female voice called out that she'd be right there, and a moment later the door was opened by a suspicious looking brunette. “Did Joseph send you?”

“Yes.”

“Well, come on in, then.” She stepped to the side.

“You got a name, Sweetheart?” Buster questioned.

“Everyone has a name. I don't want to be rude, but I don't want you to know mine. And I don't want to know yours, but when Joseph asks, you tell him I did what he wanted.” She glanced up the stairs. “Give it to me now and go.”

“Who else is home?” Royal questioned.

The woman went visibly pale. “It's just me and my daughter here. She's thirteen and she's sleeping so please, I don't want any trouble.”

“We're not here to give you trouble, Darling.” Royal spoke softly. “Where do you want it?”

“Leave it on the table,” the woman replied. She shifted to cross her arms over her chest, but her robe slipped. Danny saw the bruises on her upper arm and knew that Royal did, too. He also knew him well enough to know that violence against women was a huge trigger for him. This night was just getting better and better.

“He do that to you?”

The woman noticed her robe, fixed it quickly. “Leave it on the table and just get out.”

Royal placed the bag on the table and took out his wallet. “This is my card. If you have trouble, use it.” Before the woman could say a word, his phone began to ring. “And we're leaving.” He answered the phone on the third ring, just as they were walking out the door. “What's going on?” Danny knew that it was bad by the way that Royal's step faltered. “We're twenty minutes out.”

“What now?” Buster demanded.

“Another fire.” Royal replied. “Or more accurately, fires. The Mason house is burning and someone torched the Jeep. I'm sorry Danny.”

“Amelia?” Danny clenched his hands into fists and truly expected to hear the worst.

“She's fine. Monroe is with her at your place.”

“Monroe?” Danny would rather have had Train at her side, but Monroe was a good second choice. Amelia would be more comfortable with him.

“I'm guessing it's a long story. You head there. We'll head back to house, see if there's anything that we can do.”

Danny didn't need to be told twice. Royal said that it would take them twenty minutes to get back. Normally it would, but Danny rode fast and hard. He had a couple close calls but he managed to get to his house in ten minutes. He wasn't prepared for the sight of the burned out Jeep or police tape. He had to sit there for a minute, find some sort of calm because he didn't need to upset Amelia any more than she already was.

The Jeep was a complete loss; the tires had even melted down to the driveway. Whatever had caused the blaze had been intense. He moved up the porch and through the front door. He found Monroe on the other side, gun in hand. “It's just me.”

“Didn't expect you for another ten minutes.” James tucked the gun into his waistband. “She's in the living room. Hasn't said much since she called me.”

“Did she say why she called you and not Nightshade? No offense.”

“None taken. She didn't call the bar because she knew that Train was in charge and she hates him.” James managed a smile. “In her defense, she told me to make sure that I called him.” The smile faded from his face. “There's something else, you probably didn't notice it because it was dark. Let me show you.”

Danny followed Monroe outside, down the driveway. He hadn't noticed the graffiti all over the front sidewalk. “Rat? Why would they think she's a rat?”

“I wondered that myself, so I did a little checking. Harris is going around telling anyone who will listen that Amelia is a cooperating witness.” Monroe sighed. “And people saw her when she went to the station the other day. People are talking.”

“You got something that you want to ask me, Monroe?”

“Nope. Figure whatever you're up to is above my pay grade, so to speak. Just pointing out that someone thinks that Amelia gave Harris the club on a silver plate. Word around is also that she's close for charges in Fiona and Taylor's death.”

“Did you tell Train all of this?”

“Yeah, he got the short version of it, though.” Monroe ran his hand over his head. “Don't take this the wrong way, but I think that it's probably best if I spend the night on your couch.”

Danny bristled for a moment but realized that Monroe wasn't trying to imply that he couldn't take care of Amelia. He was just worried, too, and honestly, another set of eyes and ears wasn't the worst idea ever. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“No need. Go on and see to Amelia. I'm going to take a look around, make sure everything is as it should be.”

“Hey, you talked to Paco lately?”

“Actually, no. Called him the other day and didn't hear shit back. Why?”

“Don't know. He just popped in my head. Reach out to him again. Let me know when you get ahold of him.”

“Even if it's tonight?”

“No, you can wait until the morning smart ass.” Danny headed back into the house. Amelia wasn't in the living room any longer. “Amelia?” On a hunch he headed upstairs, found her in the bathroom starting to fill the bathtub with water. “I'm sorry, Baby.”

“I am so fucking sick of hearing those words. So sick. You're sorry. Everyone is sorry, and that doesn't do a damn thing for me.” She glared at him as she sat down on the edge of the tub.

He recognized the anger in her eyes and quite simply was surprised that it had taken her so long to lose her temper. Danny had known it would happen eventually but worried that now was a really shitty time for it to happen. “Babe.”

“No, don't babe me. I'm tired of all this shit raining down on my head. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of it all and there's nothing that I can do about it. There's nothing that anyone can do about it because apparently this is life.”

“We're going to find who did this.” Danny leaned against the sink. He wanted to go over and hold her, but she wasn't ready for that yet. So he'd wait. He'd gotten pretty good at waiting lately.

“Yeah, sure we are. We'll find them just like we found the people who killed my family. We did great with that. Just great. Now Harris is telling everyone that I'm informing on the club? Seriously? I mean, seriously!”

“I thought that James didn't tell you.”

“I overheard him on the phone. I didn't tell him what I heard because I was so pissed I was
scared I'd slip up and tell him the truth. I'd tell him that I'm not a rat. I was doing what I was asked.”

“What can I do?” Danny hadn't had any luck coming up with something on his own. Maybe she could at least point him in the right direction.

“I don't know. I guess that isn't much help to you.”

“We'll figure it out, Amelia. We always do. It's kind of one of our things.” Danny pointed out. “How about we start with a bath?”

“You mean that you're staying?” She replied skeptically.

“You really thought that I was going to leave?” Danny was disappointed she did, not disappointed at her but at himself that he'd made her think that he was going to take off. She had every right to think that because since she'd been back that was pretty much all he'd done.

“If the club needed you, yeah you'd leave. And that's okay. I get it. But I'm glad that you're staying.” She offered him a small smile. “I already squirted some mango-scented oil in the tub. You're going to smell like a chick.”

Danny laughed. “I'll just have to be extra manly to make up for it.”

“Something tells me that won't be a problem.” She still smiled but it wasn't as wide. Her eyes were serious again.

“What's wrong?” Danny closed the distance between them. “What are you thinking about?”

“Something has been bothering me. And it's going to sound crazy, so I haven't said anything but I keep thinking it and I...”

“Baby,” Danny gripped her shoulders in his hands. “Just tell me.”

“I think that Missy knew about Fiona and Taylor.” She blurted the words out and looked to him for his reaction.

“What?” Danny felt himself frown. There was no way that was possible. Missy was a hothead. She wouldn't have been able to keep her mouth shut. “Babe, that's really unlikely. She's not the type to sit on information.”

“I said that it was going to sound crazy. Look, forget it. Forget I said anything.” She smiled again, but it didn't reach her eyes.

“Why do you think that she knew?” Danny questioned.

“When Harris dropped the bomb, she didn't react. At first I thought it was shock, but it wasn't. It was... recognition, and her eyes were so cold. Also, I figured that after the lot of you got hauled off by the police I was going to need an ambulance, but she didn't do anything. You could tell everyone was waiting for it. Sure, she talked a healthy amount of shit after the police were gone, even told me never to come back to the bar.” Amelia let out a small laugh. “As if she could decide that.”

“You're right, this does all sound a little crazy. I'm sorry, but this is Missy we're talking about. Missy. Do you remember when one of the pass-arounds bought back clear string lights when she wanted multicolored ones?” There was no way in the world she'd lose her mind over something so simple and just go about her life like nothing was wrong if she knew Royal was living a second life.