Hellion (Southern Rebels MC)

“And we want to find him because he killed Ronnie and took her little girl?”

“Yep.”

“It isn’t dangerous?” She questioned. “I mean this guy probably doesn’t want a cop snooping around his place.”

“I wouldn’t bring you if I thought it was dangerous,” I chided and she rolled her eyes. “But, yeah, I wouldn’t show up unannounced. This guy doesn’t like cops. These are special circumstances.”

“Because of Johnny,” Cadence stated and I nodded. “He has a lot of pull in this town.” She took a small bite of her sandwich, chewing slowly, before washing it down with her coffee, a little wrinkle creasing her forehead.

“Johnny is this town.” She tilted her head curiously so I elaborated. “The Rebels saved Friendly, kept it from disappearing like a lot of small towns do. Johnny and Cash are legends in this town.” A startled look crossed her face and I paused, but she didn’t say anything. “He’s definitely not law abiding, but he has a code, and people here respect him for it.”

“Interesting fellow,” she mused, finishing her sandwich as Nico pranced along the counter, his back to her. “Nico,” she called and he hopped further down the counter away from her. “Nico, I didn’t mean to call you a mean birdie. You’re not a mean birdie.”

“Liar,” he squawked, loudly enough to make me wince.

“I’m sorry,” Cadence tried again and Nico tucked his head under his wing. I watched as she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “One hour,” she finally said and Nico’s head popped up. “Your choice.”

I stared at them in confusion as Nico flapped his wings excitedly, his head bobbing up and down, and Cadence shook her head in defeat. “One. Hour,” she repeated, stressing each word.

“I missed something,” I mumbled, stuffing the last of my sandwich in my mouth as Nico started jiving across the table. “What exactly does he get one hour of?”

Cadence crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pressed together, but finally muttered, “A music channel.”

“And that’s bad?” I guessed and she narrowed her eyes at me.

“Ever listened to parrot karaoke?”

“No,” I answered definitively. “I didn’t know it was a thing.”

“It’s not.” She rolled her shoulders. “It shouldn’t be.”

“But you just promised him an hour of….,” I struggled to keep a straight face as I continued, “Parrot karaoke?”

“Basically.” She grimaced. “Forgiveness doesn’t come cheap.”

“I’m still trying to wrap my brain around parrot karaoke.”

“Oh, it’s something you’ll never forget,” she promised, widening her eyes wildly. “Not for as long as you live.” I took a step back, suddenly not sure I wanted to witness this event. “Nico, we’re leaving,” she stated and he stopped long enough to make kissing noises and croak, “Miss you already.”

We went out the door and I asked, “What does he sing along to?”

“Anything.” She stopped by the car, her expression resigned. “Just hope he doesn’t pick Disney.”

“Disney parrot karaoke,” I murmured under my breath, shaking my head as I tried to reconcile the fact that those words were now a part of my life. “Johnny was right.”

“Right about what?” Cadence asked, glancing over at me curiously as I slid into the car.

“Nothing,” I answered hastily, definitely not ready to bring up the old lady conversation. “Is there a reason Johnny referred to you as a hellion?” One corner of my mouth curled up. “Besides the obvious ones.”

Cadence sniffed. “No clue. Clearly he has some very strange opinions of women.”

I laughed. “Johnny is a softie when it comes to women. Just ask Jailbait.”

“Who?”

“Sloan,” I corrected. “Her real name is Sloan. She’s Creed’s old lady. She was underage when he first brought her to the club, hence the nickname, Jailbait.”

“You know how bad that sounds, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but really it wasn’t. He took care of her when her mom died. She’s feisty. Goes toe to toe with all of them.”

“You respect her.”

“I do. You would too if you met her.” I smiled ruefully, flipping the blinker on as I turned onto the highway. “And you’ll meet her. I have no doubt about that. I’m sure she’s trying to figure out a way to accidentally bump into you.”

“Ok-ay,” Cadence drawled before taking a sip of her coffee.

I glanced at her. “It’s not as weird as it sounds. I’m sure she’s gotten the scoop from Drea already.”

“Clearly, there are no secrets in this town,” Cadence grumbled and I dipped my head in acknowledgement.

“Very few,” I replied, keeping my focus on the road as I tried to remember the directions Johnny had written in the note. “When we get there,” I stopped, not sure how to ask.

“Keep my mouth shut?” She finished dryly.

“Something like that,” I answered apologetically and she nodded.

“I get it.” She twirled a lock of hair around her finger and gave me a wide eyed stare. “I can be the dumb girlfriend.”

“A dangerous thought,” I mumbled, giving her a sideways glance as I turned onto a pitted dirt road. A pothole knocked my teeth together and I saw Cadence curl her hands protectively around the coffee thermos. “Bumpy.”