Page 61 of Devil's Queen
“You could leave town.”
“You know that’s not an option. There’s too much at stake right now.”
Maya joins us on the back porch as we watch Harlow help Mama carry a second load of groceries into the house. “Anything on Diaz?”
“I’ve got a couple of leads, but nothing solid yet.” Our backup plan may all be for naught if Rex is right and it’s Wolff behind all of this. I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep killing that asshole.
“Keep looking. Until we have confirmation that it’s Wolff, we have to keep moving forward with our backup plan.”
“I’m on it, Remy.”
Mama comes out a third time for groceries as an unfamiliar black SUV pulls up in the driveway behind her car.
“Remington!” She stops, calling my attention to the vehicle. I can see the silhouettes of two people in the front seat.
“Get in the house and lock the door,” I order her, running in her direction. I draw my gun as Mama moves back toward the house. I hear the click of the deadbolt when I pass the side door. Cheyenne and Maya aren’t far behind me.
The driver’s side door opens, and Rex steps out.
“It’s just me,” he answers with his hands in the air.
I lower my gun, relief washing over me like a tidal wave. “Jesus, Rex! You scared the shit out of me.” I holster my weapon and approach him cautiously.
“You knew I was coming here, Rem,” he reminds me.
“I was expecting your motorcycle. Not an SUV.”
“It would be a little hard to ride with the three of us on one bike.”
“Three of us?” I’d been expecting Rex and his daughter but not a third person. The passenger exits the vehicle, a familiar face I haven’t seen in years.
“You are a sight for sore eyes, Remington Lee.”
“Pike?” I ask, unable to hide the surprise in my voice. He had been one of my father’s closest friends in the club and pseudo-uncle to me. Out of all the people from that time in my life, he is one of the few I did miss seeing.
Pike approaches me with a wide grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “Well, well, Remington Lee. Look at you now. All grown up and looking more like your pretty mama every day. Give your uncle a hug.”
I can’t help but smile at Pike’s words, feeling a mix of nostalgia and relief that he’s here. I step forward and embrace him tightly, momentarily forgetting the tension and danger that surrounds us.
“Pike, what are you doing here?” I ask, pulling away from the hug. “Shouldn’t you be retired by now?”
“You wound me. An old dog like me will never retire.” He chuckles, his voice still carrying that familiar deep rasp. “I heard through the grapevine that you were in some trouble, so I thought I’d come and lend a hand.”
“More like he got into my SUV and refused to leave it,” Rex jokes from behind us.
“I’m a stubborn old man… what can I say?”
He glances over at Rex, who has shifted to the back seat of the SUV and is reaching inside. He returns to my view with a little girl. She’s a tiny little thing.
“And this is my Birdie,” Rex offers. “Can you say hello, sweetheart?”
Birdie peeks out from behind her father, her blue eyes wide with curiosity. She gives a small wave.
“Hello,” she says shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I crouch down to her level, a warm smile spreading across my face. “Hi there, Birdie,” I greet gently. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Her grip on Rex tightens as she looks up at me, her expression filled with uncertainty. “Are you a friend of Daddy’s?” she asks, her voice laced with innocence.