“You’re not alone.” Cord grasped the back of my neck and shook me. “You don’t have to do this alone. We’ve got you, brother.”
“Nothing can happen to her.” I looked at Cord. “Nothing can happen to her. You understand that, right?”
He nodded, his gaze understanding. “I do and I swear, on the brotherhood, nothing will.”
“How do I fix this?” I mumbled to myself, guilt hitting me hard for putting Cadence in harm’s way.
“If you’re asking me, which it doesn’t sound like you are, but I’ll tell you anyway,” Cord quipped, crossing his arms as he stared at me. “Call in a few of those favors you’re owed.”
I shook my head questioningly. “Favors?”
“Yeah, you’ve helped almost every person in this town, one way or another. They owe you.”
“No,” I denied automatically.
“Yes,” Cord corrected me. “They do and they would be happy to help. You’re the ultimate nice guy.” I started to shake my head and Cord cut me off. “Look, you’re going to have to start dealing in favors, you know that right?” I didn’t, clearly, and Cord sighed. “Your uncle…he’s done. Who’s going to take his place, hmm?” I had a feeling I knew where this was going. “Your Gramps,” Cord paused as if he knew I wasn’t going to like what he said next. “He had his fingers in everything. He dealt in favors.” I frowned and Cord added hastily, “He was fair. But he knew how the game was played and if you’re honest with yourself, so do you.”
“You think I can replace Uncle Cal? Be like Gramps? Work with the Rebels.”
“Yeah. I hope so. That’s what this town needs.” Cord pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, you’re already doing it. Now,” he shrugged, “Now we make it official.”
“Shit,” I muttered, spinning away from him. He was right. I’d known this day would come. Hell, I was pretty sure Gramps had paved the way for me. “I need to get eyes on the property,” I murmured, thinking out loud. “Uncle Cal will come back.”
“I can get some guys out here,” Cord offered.
I shook my head, “No, the Rebels are already spread thin.” I looked at him. “You’re right. It’s time I called in some favors.” I exhaled, scanning the property. “And do the job I was born to do.”
***
“Dwayne.”
“And to what do I owe the pleasure of the police calling me?” He asked roughly. “That pretty lady of yours dump you already?”
“No,” I said shortly and he chuckled.
“Only a matter of time.”
“Can you send Riley over to my place?”
“Whatcha want the kid for?”
“I need him to keep an eye on the place when I’m not here.”
“This ain’t some lame ass excuse to get him away from his daddy, is it?” Dwayne griped. “Cause I took care of the situation.” He paused, “Which reminds me, I need a small favor.”
“Yeah, sure,” I agreed, not even caring what the favor involved if it meant Dale got his ass beat. “I still need Riley out here though.”
“What for? What does a cop need a lookout for?”
“Cal.”
There a long beat of silence. “Damn.”
“Yeah, he’s taken an interest in Cadence.”
“That’s not good,” Dwayne muttered, the line growing scratchy for a second. “I’ll send the kid, but only if he’s packing. I won’t leave him defenseless.”
“That’s fine, but I don’t want him taking any risks. Cop killing is an ugly business.”
“Then make sure he doesn’t have to,” Dwayne barked, the line going dead.
The phone started ringing before I could slide it in my pocket, Mom flashing on the screen. “Hey, everything okay?”
“I found something I think you should see,” Mom answered, her voice sounding weird. “I’m at Cal’s.”
“What? Why did you go over there?” I got in the car and the phone switched to Bluetooth. “Are you okay? Is he there?”
“Buttercup,” she said and I relaxed at hearing our code word. “He’s not here and there’s a very polite officer named Paul stationed outside. You should give him a promotion, Noah. He’s very sweet.”
“It’s not really in my ability to give him a promotion, Mom,” I reminded her.
She didn’t say anything for a moment. “You’re going to take the job when they offer it.” It wasn’t exactly a question, leaving me unsure how to respond. “It’s not urgent,” she said abruptly. “I know you’re busy.”
“Mom, if you think it’s important….” I trailed off, not sure what she’d found. “If you think it’ll help us find him.”
“It won’t,” she conceded. “It’s more important you keep looking for Cal. Make sure he doesn’t find Cadence.”
“Okay, I will.” The entire conversation felt off to me, and I grasped for some normalcy. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, baby,” she murmured, her tone comfortingly familiar. “Stay safe for me.”
“I will.”
I hung up the phone and not five seconds later it rang again. “For Christ’s sake,” I muttered when the number for the club came up. “Hello.”