Hellion (Southern Rebels MC)

“A nomad,” Cord stated, his gaze a little too observant for my liking. “Your dad. He’s the reason you’re here.”

My gaze flickered to Noah involuntarily. “Yes.”

“But not the only reason.” It wasn’t a question and Cord didn’t wait for an answer. “You do realize this is a small town and word gets around. You come poking your nose in the past, you might stir up a hornet’s nest.”

I met his stare. “I already have.”

“NOAH,” a loud voice called across the diner and I could see Noah flinch imperceptibly. “Noah. Yoohoo!”

Noah gave me an apologetic glance. “Excuse me one second.”

He left the booth and Cord muttered under his breath, “I don’t know why he doesn’t tell her to fuck off.”

“Probably because he’s not rude,” I retorted, my eyes straying to the woman who was very obviously flirting with Noah. “He wouldn’t tell someone when they’d worn out their welcome,” I added quietly, guilt over my own secrets increasing exponentially.

Cord snapped his fingers in front of my face, startling me. I blinked, focusing my gaze on his stern face. “Listen, Cadence,” the way he stressed my name made it sound like he thought I’d made it up, “Noah,” he paused, giving a little shake of his head, “He’s notorious for taking in strays, helping the helpless, and getting screwed in the process. I don’t want to see that happen again.” His mouth twisted in a faint grimace. “I won’t let it happen again. Get me?” He must have sensed I didn’t because he continued. “You fuck him over and I’ll personally escort you to the edge of town.”

His glare grew more violent if possible as a small smile crept across my face. “You love him,” I declared, a little surprised. “I can respect that.”

“We’re family,” Cord snarled and I leaned toward him.

“Have you told him that?”

He looked shocked at my question and I settled back against the faded red vinyl as a phone started to ring. It took me a second to realize it was the phone Noah had lent me. I stifled a sigh as I answered, “Hello?”

“Does that boy never answer his own phone?”

“Not when I have it,” I answered promptly and heard him sigh.

Ice clinked in the background. “One of these days I’m going to know what I did to deserve all these smart mouthed women in my life.”

“I think it’s a stretch to consider me a woman in your life,” I retorted and he snorted.

“I’m talking to you, aren’t I?”

“Not for long,” I replied and he laughed, surprising me.

“Tell him to call me,” he demanded, and I bristled at the order, but his next words stopped me from saying anything. “Clutch is coming home.”

“That’s good?” I questioned, remembering what Noah had told me about Clutch.

“Yes, very,” Johnny replied. “But I’m going to need interference run with certain members of the police department to keep him home….so he needs to call me.”

“Okay,” I answered, glancing across the room in time to see Noah ducking the woman’s roving hands. “Excuse me for a second while I go break someone’s fingers.”

Laughter roared over the line, “Have at it, Hellion.”

The phone went dead as I stood up, Tori and Cord giving me a perplexed stare as I stomped across the room. “Hello,” I cooed, wrapping an arm around Noah’s waist as I batted the pushy woman’s hand away. “I’m Cadence. Noah’s girlfriend.” The woman sputtered as I pulled Noah back toward the table. “Bye now.”

“I could get used to this,” Noah mentioned and I pinched his side. “Ow, not that.”

“You send those women packing, mister nice guy,” I grumbled, sliding back into the booth as Lydia arrived with another server. “Ahh, that does look good.” Piping hot cobbler with an indulgent scoop of vanilla ice cream was placed in front of me along with an extra-large mug of coffee. I quickly took a sip and deemed it drinkable. After everyone had gotten their food, I glanced at Cord, then did a double take. “Wait, that’s your usual?”

“It is,” he confirmed, drizzling some type of vinaigrette over his salad. “Let me guess, you thought it would be a steak.”

“Actually, a burger, but definitely beef and not lettuce.”

“I like salad,” he said blandly and his gaze cut to Tori. “She likes weird shit.”

“It’s not weird,” she argued, dipping her fried pickle into the strawberry milkshake.

“It’s weird,” we all replied at once and she shrugged, popping the dripping pickle into her mouth.

“Johnny called you.” I handed Noah the phone. “He said to call him. Clutch is coming back.”

“What?” Cord blasted, dropping his fork as he reached into his pocket. His phone appeared in his hand and he shook his head. “He didn’t call me.”

I lifted my shoulder. “Don’t know what to tell you, dude.”

Cord jerked his head at Noah. “Well, call.”

Noah showed him the phone that was already ringing. “Hey,” he answered. “What’s going on?” He was silent for a minute. “I’ve got everything I need to show reasonable doubt and prove Rob was in town before Ronnie died.” He listened, then made a humming sound. “Have him keep a low profile.” Cord drummed his fingers on the table, his eyes never leaving Noah. “You know what time he’s coming in?” Noah’s eyebrows arched, and he repeated, “Company?”