White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5) (22 page)

Half the time, I close my eyes, I swear I actually feel her soft little body against mine. Then I come fully awake and remember where I am and that she’s not here.

That’s the worst.

I haven’t allowed myself to think about the future, or plan anything. Construction on our house has halted. Our entire lives have just
stopped
.

My fingers flex prickling with the need to... ride... no destination in mind. Just free.

Wind in my face and Hope at my back.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“I’m doing everything I can to get bail set for you, Rock.”

“I know you are.”

Rock’s more forgiving about the situation than I would be. Hell, I struggled not to choke Glassman the second I saw him today. Worthless fucking lawyers taking a shit ton of money and not doing a fucking thing.

Rock pins me with a look. Like he knows exactly what’s going through my head. Knowing him, he probably does. “How’s my girl?”

I almost snort. Fucker’s sitting in jail and of course the only thing he’s worried about’s his ol’ lady. “She’s good.”

He slides his gaze to Glassman, who’s suddenly fascinated with his cellphone. As if he’s trying to give us privacy in our ten by twelve foot room.

Whatthefuckever.

“She getting out of bed? Keeping busy?” Rock asks.

“Yeah. Even took her on a road trip yesterday.”

Rock raises an eyebrow at that. “Want to elaborate?”

“I can’t. It’s a secret. She’ll be pissed if I tell you. But yeah, she’s doing okay.”

That, more than anything else we’ve told him today, seems to cheer him up. “Thanks, brother. Appreciate it.”

“She and Trinity are working on some stuff together today. Z’s with them.”

“Good. Trin’s okay?”

Is she? I don’t know. Except for yesterday, she’s quiet and I feel like I almost never see her. “Yeah, she’s okay.”

“Rest of the guys okay? Z, Teller and Murphy, pulling their weight?” he asks with a smirk. He knows the answer.

“Yup.”

“Anyone checking up on Sparky?”

Now it’s my turn to snort. “Yeah, man.” He’s higher than fuck, worse than usual, but I don’t say that in front of Glassman. “He misses you too.” For once, I’m not trying to be a dick. It’s the God’s honest truth.

Rock swallows hard and nods. “Keep an eye on him.”

Glassman must have decided we’ve had enough time for small talk. “DA still won’t hand over the name of the witness. Do you have any ideas?”

“No fucking clue.”

“Could it be one of the dancers from your club?”

Rock glances at me before answering. “I can’t imagine why one of them would lie.”

“We did have an issue with the one, remember?” I float. Rock glares at me. He wants to handle this internally.

I
want to get him out of jail any way we can.

Heidi flat-out refused any sort of celebration for her graduation. She felt it was wrong to have a party while Rock was in jail. I couldn’t argue with her there. It seems like every moment, even the ones that should be happy, are outlined in bitterness because Rock should be here too.

When Heidi threatened not to even go to the ceremony, the club banded together and fought her on that one.

She did have one request. “The only thing I want for graduation is for you guys to let me see Uncle Rock. Please?”

I don’t think it’s especially healthy for her to see him in jail.

But I’ve seen plenty of children in there visiting family members, so it’s not like it never happens. Still, I feel strange about it. But she’s so determined and earnest, I end up making the arrangements.

Teller and Murphy drive us to the jail the morning of her graduation. She has to be at the school at noon to get ready for the ceremony. So we have a couple hours to spend with Rock.

Teller escorts us inside. As her legal guardian, I need him here to get her into the visitation area.

“North,” I inform the guard at the window. He raises an eyebrow at Heidi. “His god daughter. Her brother is,” I point at Teller. “Her legal guardian.” Teller steps up and passes over court documents and identification. This visit finally motivated Heidi to get her driver’s permit and she proudly passes it over with her school identification.

“Purses, cell phones, jewelry goes in the locker.” The officer points across the room and passes us a key.

We’re escorted into a lesser controlled visiting area. Since Rock’s stayed out of trouble, we’re allowed a contact visit, so Heidi’s able to give him a hug. Some of her excitement over the visit diminishes when she gets a look at the surroundings. But she puts on a brave smile for Rock’s benefit. It’s Teller who seems to be having the most trouble. It takes him a few seconds to get any words out.

“Hey, Rock.”

The four of us settle down at a table and Heidi talks Rock’s ear off about her learner’s permit, graduation, the ceremony, the classes she’s signed up to take over the summer and anything else in her universe. Rock’s smiles are genuine and I think her visit cheers him a little more than my solemn ones usually do. After almost an hour, she winds down. Rock’s gaze slides to me and a wry smile twists his mouth up. He turns back to Teller.

“You handling all this okay, big brother?” He lifts his chin at Heidi, but I think Rock’s referring to more than just Heidi growing up.

“Best I can,” Teller answers.

After they chat for a minute, Teller taps Heidi on the arm. “Let’s give them a few minutes.”

Heidi gives Rock another hug and follows her brother out to the waiting room.

I slide my hands across the table over Rock’s and he squeezes them back. “Tell me the truth, you doing okay?” he asks.

“The truth? No. I miss you. And I’m furious at everyone involved in this.”

“Including me?”

“No. Everyone but you.”

His smile widens. “What do you have planned for Heidi?”

“Nothing. She refused. She asked for this visit. She said no parties until you’re out.”

He shakes his head. “That girl’s something.”

“Trinity made her a cake and I think we’ll grill some stuff out back.”

“Good. I appreciate her support. But she needs something special to mark the occasion.”

There’s not a lot to say after that.

“Better get going so she’s not late.”

“I know.” I don’t want to leave though.

“Come on, Baby Doll. I hate seeing you go, but I hate you being in here too.” He waves his hand at the austere visiting room. “You don’t belong here.”

“Neither do you,” I answer dryly.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll come this week.”

“Monday or Tuesday.”

Confused why he’s so adamant about those days, I open my mouth. Before I get the question out, he’s standing and signaling the guard that he’s ready to return.

I hate this.
Hate it.

Dear Rock,

After I left today, Teller and I drove Heidi to school. It was a cloudy, overcast day for an outdoor June graduation. Somehow it seemed fitting though.

Heidi was quiet the whole way. Her silence made me question whether it had been a good idea to bring her to the jail. But when we got to the school, she gave me a fierce hug and thanked me for letting her see you.

Everyone met us there. The club took up three rows of seats, which seemed to please Heidi.

During the ceremony, so much anger overwhelmed me. Anger that you were being denied this event with your family.

Afterward, Heidi couldn’t wait to leave. She very earnestly explained to me that two of the girls in her class had teased her about being an orphan for years, so having the club there meant so much to her. It took all my strength not to cry.

Now that she finally has her learner’s permit, the club (i.e. Murphy) got her a car. It’s a cute little thing, Murphy described as a mix of hatchback, SUV and sports car. I asked him why he didn’t get me one instead of my old lady Subaru and he got all flustered. I felt bad and spent a good ten minutes assuring him I was only kidding.

More family stuff you missed. And I got angry again.

Because of the weather we moved the “cookout” inside. Afterward, Heidi and Axel left to hang out with her friends. I actually think they left to be with each other, but I kept that hunch to myself. I think Teller’s given up hope that her virginity boat is still on dry land, and I’m keeping my nose out of it.

I went through a lot of emotions today. But there’s one thing I never was—lonely. And that’s because of you and the family you’ve given me. I don’t think I could survive this without them. The brotherhood that you and the others have fought so hard to create is vibrant and alive.

I miss you terribly and you’re in my every thought.

Love,

Hope

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

As usual, per Rock’s instructions, Wrath and I arrive at the jail promptly at eight. We’re so early the front door hasn’t been unlocked yet. The guard who opens it isn’t familiar to me, but waves us inside.

“Attorney Hope Kendall here to see my client, Rochlan North,” I pull out my identification and motion for Wrath to do the same.  One of the guards leaves to get Rock, while the other one studies my credentials.

“You ain’t his attorney. He’s got that high-priced suit.”

I’d been afraid of this. “Yes, I’m working
of counsel
to Mr. Glassman.” This isn’t a lie. I’ve provided Glassman with a lot of research and memos of law on a number of topics. None of those required me to visit with Rock, but that’s not something I need to share.

To my astonishment, he looks up Glassman’s number and
calls him
to verify my story. With wide eyes, I turn and stare at Wrath. His blank face does nothing to stop my palms from going slick.

Glassman—or someone at the firm—thankfully acknowledges that yes, I am of counsel to Mr. Glassman—not the firm, only Mr. Glassman. Only for this case.
Big help, thanks so much
.

The guard glares at me and I can’t fathom what I’ve done to irritate this man so much. It bothers me on a few levels. I’ve always tried to be kind and professional when interacting with anyone—law enforcement, client, adversary—until they give me a reason not to. Here, I’m not sure what will work and what might piss this guy off and bar me from seeing Rock. I work a casually flirtatious smile onto my face. “Is everything okay?”

“You’re clear to go. But he—” he says with a jab of his finger in Wrath’s direction while walking around to my side “—has to stay out here.”

A rush of fear burns beneath my skin. Somehow I manage to answer calmly and professionally. “Why, officer? He’s my assistant. He’s accompanied me before.”

His face transforms from asshole-blocking-me-from-seeing-my-man to something much more sinister. “Assistant my ass. I know you’re North’s bitch. That’s what those MC boys do. Get their ol’ ladies to do their dirty work. For a lawyer you’re awfully stupid,” he hisses in my ear.

My whole life I’ve tended to stick my foot in my mouth when I’m flustered. So it takes a second to bite back the “Can I speak to your supervisor?” request forming on my tongue.