I looked at Leroy, who was apparently my grandfather. “This is going to take some getting used to,” I muttered to myself.
“You and me both,” he grunted, draining his coffee. “I should have opted for something stronger.”
I picked up our plates. “Can you drop me off somewhere?”
He squinted at me. “You remember the Chief of Police is after you?”
“Yeah, but he won’t go where I want to go,” I assured Leroy.
***
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yep.”
“And you won’t tell me why?”
“Nope.”
“For the record, I don’t like this.”
“Noted.”
“I can stay and wait.”
“Leroy,” I sighed. “You know nothing will happen to me.”
“It still don’t feel right. If you’d just tell me…” His voice trailed off hopefully.
“I can’t.” The words came out sharper than I intended. “Not yet. I will.” I looked at him, seeing for the first time that he had my mom’s eyes. My eyes. “I need to do this first. Then I can tell you. Okay?”
He scowled but finally nodded begrudgingly. “You got my number in that thing.” He pointed to the phone Noah had given me. I nodded. “If you need me, I’ll be right around the corner.” I raised my eyebrow pointedly. “Around the corner at the shop,” he amended and I had to hold back a smile. “You sure you like Noah?”
My forehead wrinkled. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“A lot,” he said cryptically.
“Noah is important to me,” I admitted.
Leroy nodded to himself. “I thought you’d say that.”
“You like Noah.” It was almost, but not quite, a question. I didn’t want to admit to myself how much I wanted Leroy to accept Noah.
“He’s a good one,” Leroy allowed and the corner of my mouth tipped up. “Do what you need to do.” He shoo’ed me out of the car. “You know where to find us.”
I ducked my head back in the car. “Be good,” I stressed and Nico ruffled his feathers, giving me a haughty look. “I mean it.”
“Nico, good,” he croaked.
My eyes cut to Leroy. “You sure about this?”
“I can handle the damn bird. You take care of you.”
“I’ll see you in a little while.” Nico wouldn’t look at me. “Miss you,” I prompted and he tucked his head in his wing.
“Miss you already,” he crooned, forgiving me for leaving him with Leroy. I shut the car door and headed for the building. Gravel crunched behind me as Leroy left the parking lot and I had to take a deep breath so I wouldn’t run after the car.
I pushed on the door, half expecting it to be locked, but it creaked open.
“We’re closed for a private party,” a female voice called, as I paused, giving my eyes time to adjust to the dim light inside the clubhouse.
I didn’t leave, afraid I’d never find the guts to come back. “I’m looking for someone. He might be here,” I replied, cursing how soft my voice sounded. Nerves were threatening to overtake me. A man stood and I took a few steps forward, trying to discern his features. Light from the window blinded me for a moment and I heard him whisper, “Moira.” Hope flared in my chest.
“Moira was my mother,” I corrected, his face still in shadow.
“Was?” There was no mistaking the question in his voice.
“She died when I was fifteen,” I replied wearily, my gaze sweeping the area, but I could only see the outline of four men seated at the table. “I’m looking for Cash. Cash Hayes?” Suddenly, I wished I’d talked to Noah, asked him about Cash Hayes before I’d shown up here. My question had gotten the men’s attention and even in the shadows there was something about the guys at the table that seemed familiar.
“He’s not here,” the man answered gruffly. “Can I ask who’s inquiring? And why?” The words seemed oddly formal to me and I could swear I recognized the man’s voice.
“Of course.” I looked down, squeezing my hands tightly as I crossed the point of no return. “I’m Cadence.” I lifted my head, taking another step forward as my gaze swept over them. “Cash Hayes is my father.”
Instantly, there was chaos. The men at the table started shouting and it didn’t take me long to realize they were the Hayes brothers. My brothers? I didn’t know, but it didn’t sound like they were taking the news well.
The man who’d been speaking came closer and I felt rooted in place at the intensity of his stare. “Who are you?” I demanded and he gave a little snort. It dawned on me then and I stepped forward, tilting my head up slightly to meet his gaze. “You’re Johnny,” I accused and he gave me a crooked grin.
“Guilty.” He dipped his head. “Hellion.”
I frowned at the nickname and his smiled widened.
“I’ve got good news and bad news for you.” He cocked his head, giving me a considering stare. “Or possibly in your case, bad news and bad news.”