One woman leaned close to her and said, "I'm Dawn. This is Roxanne and Lisa. Do you want to come and meet the other ladies?"
She glanced at the woman at the pool table. Dawn grabbed her arm and shook her head. "That's no lady."
Understanding emerged, and she pulled Wyatt's head down to her level and said, "I'll be back."
He nodded and let her go. She followed the three ladies, ready to get the introductions made and meet everyone, so she could get back to Wyatt.
Chapter 22Wyatt
THE MINUTE JOEY WALKED off with the other women, Priest approached Wyatt and motioned him to follow. He understood the invite to tonight's party in the clubhouse came for a reason, and he was about to find out why the motorcycle club opened their doors to him.
He'd asked Tarkio for help twice in the past. Once to help find Travis, and again to hunt down Joey.
Agreeing to update them if Dean came around or contacted him apparently wasn't enough payback. They wanted something else from him.
He understood the unspoken rules, and if the same thing happened next week, next year, he wouldn't hesitate to ask for help again. His family came first, and he would do anything to make sure they stayed safe.
Taken to an empty room in the back of the clubhouse, he remained standing when Roddy followed them inside and shut the door. The quietness, after having the music blasting in his ears, pounded despite the seriousness of the meeting.
"How are you doing, Carr?" Priest stepped deeper into the room and leaned his back against the wall.
"I've got no complaints." He looked at Roddy. "Except that my woman is out there, and I'm in here. I can't say I'm enjoying not knowing what is happening to her when she's surrounded by strangers.
Priest held up his hand. "You have my word that no one will touch her. The ladies are getting to know her and doing what women do when they gather."
"When it comes to my family, I'm not willing to trust someone's pretty words."
"Smart." Priest dipped his chin. "I'll get right to the point of having you here tonight. Tarkio has spotted Dean in Missoula."
"When?"
"The night you called Roddy and asked for Tarkio's help in finding your woman." Priest took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Wyatt. "You'll find the make, model, color of the vehicle he's driving. It's not registered in his name."
"Who's vehicle?"
"Our sources have told us it's registered to a car dealership in Spokane. We're assuming Dean stole it, slapped on some Montana plates. That's not our concern, so we never dug deeper." Priest pushed himself off the wall. "He was parked across the street from Kingston Bar."
His body tensed. Dean could have easily gotten to Joey before he'd found her. She never would've known what was coming because she had no inkling of the destruction Dean could cause.
"What do you want from me?" Knowing Dean had crossed the line, he wanted him out of his life.
"I want to know why Dean Miller is after you," said Priest.
He shook his head. "It's anyone's guess. I've put up with him off and on over the last twelve years after he married the mother to my children. My problems were always centered on Claudia and how she needed to take responsibility for her kids and stay off drugs."
"While the drugs were in the house and her husband was her supplier..." Priest shook his head. "Do you think your kids would have information—"
"Back the fuck off." He stared Priest down. "My kids are off-limits. If anyone approaches them, questions them, or involves them...at all, I will come after you, and your brothers won't be able to stop me."
"We're looking at all angles, boss," said Roddy.
"I understand that, but my kids are fucking kids. I don't want them involved." He turned to leave, the conversation over with as far as he was concerned.
"Carr," said Priest.
"We're going to get Miller, it's only a matter of time. With you or without you." Priest stepped forward, the lines on the president of Tarkio's face more pronounced, the closer he got. "You're one man with your eyes on a lot of people you love. I'm extending an offer of help to you."
He had a feeling no one ever turned down help from Priest. It probably wasn't healthy.
"At what price?"
"Your silence." Priest held out his hand. "Whatever happens. Whatever you witness. I want your silence that you will never speak a word to anyone, including your woman. Including your kids when they're older and have families of their own and you're an old man rambling about the good ol' days."
Without hesitation, he shook, sealing the agreement. Priest was right. He was only one man, and he could use the help. If they were lucky enough to capture Dean, his silence was a cheap payment.
"Feel free to go out and enjoy the party with your woman." Priest opened the door. "From what I've heard, your children are also enjoying their time at Banks' house.
The reminder of where he'd allowed his children to go put him on edge after the meeting. He had the urge to gather Joey and pick up Jess and Travis, to take them back to the apartment, and make sure his decision tonight hadn't caused any harm.
Chapter 23Joey
JOEY CUPPED HER HANDS underneath the pipe in the bathroom of Apartment B2. It'd been several minutes, and no more waterdrops had fallen.
"I think that fixed the problem." She stood and shut off the faucet. "You must've caught the leak when it started."
Mrs. Danski smiled proudly, making her appear taller than five feet. "My hearing is still good, but my arthritis makes me slow."
She reached under the sink and grabbed the bucket Mrs. Danski had put inside the cabinet and dumped the inch of water down the drain. "Is there anything else you need me to look at while I'm here?"
"No, dear." Mrs. Danski waddled
