Page 52 of Papa's Beloved

“This is amazing,” I say in between bites.”

“It’s always good, but you must be hungry,” Stormy says.

“I am. Healing takes extra energy. Anyone want some of my tots?”

“Yes,” Tully says, immediately.

I pass him the plate. “Take as much as you want. I have plenty, but couldn’t pass them up.”

Tully flags down the server and gets a to-go box for the rest of his meal.

“I’ll eat this outside and let Mayhem come in and eat while his food is still warm.”

“You’re a kind soul, Tully.” He smiles and takes his food to go.

“Isn’t it time to patch him in?” Lucia asks.

“Four more months,” Stormy replies.

“It seems like he and Teagan have always been a part of the Kings,” I say.

Mayhem slides into Tully’s empty seat.

“Hello ladies.”

We all greet him and give him a few minutes to eat. He ordered the Trifecta. It comes with two different eggs benedict, one with braised pork belly, the other a buttermilk fried chicken breast. Both on top buttermilk biscuits instead of English muffins. And gulf shrimp with cheesy grits.

Chapter 39

Papa

My mind is whirling with possibilities, as I cannot reach anyone on the phone. I’ve called every prospect and ol’ lady, including mine. No one is answering. I’m not the only one. Gambit and the other married brothers are close to losing their shit, too.

We’re an hour into the drive and have shaved an estimated minutes off our trip. A mile until we hit Metairie, a call comes in.

“I still can’t get Stormy.”

“No luck with...”

My connection goes dead. I called him back. Nothing. Gambit pulls up beside me we exchange looks and decide to hall balls to the wall to the clubhouse. Neither of us know where the women are. They planned on shopping some time today for the party. I don’t know what they’re making, so I don’t know where to start.

Havoc is at the clubhouse today, restocking the bar. He’s been trying to get us to hire this little bartender from town to work at Lagniappe for parties, if nothing else. The club’s bar needs a good tender since we patched Everest in. He’s the best damn bartender the club’s ever had.

Fuck! I’m letting myself get distracted so I don’t think the worst. But being distracted can get you killed. Gambit signals for us to pull over. Decker roars past us. I know our road captain is searching for a place to fit all our bikes.

Not a half mile down the road, he signals us. We follow him into a strip mall and park on the far end. I pull off my helmet and take out my phone. I try using it. Nothing. I don’t have a signal.

“Anyone have a signal?”

I hear no’s all around.

“Wizard!” Gambit yells.

“Nothing Prez. Someone’s jamming the signal.”

“I say we split off into two teams,” Gambit says. “Half of us will head to the clubhouse, the other half toward that new food market not far from Jackson Square.”

“Ruby’s isn’t far from there, Prez,” Everest says. “You know Stormy craves it like crazy when she’s expecting.”