Nodding, she pulled Matthew into her arms, rocking him as she tried to forget about the box and what she’d seen. If she could gouge out her eyes, she would.
It’s okay. Butch will fix everything. Whoever’s head it was, she hoped they didn’t suffer before it was taken from them. Bending over, she reached for the trash can and threw up inside it.
****
Butch knew who the head belonged to. He didn’t have time to lose his shit. Cheryl needed him now more than ever before. Closing the box, he pulled his cell phone out and dialed Tiny’s number.
“What do you want, Butch?” Tiny asked.
“A head has just been delivered to Cheryl’s place at the florist. I need you all here to take it away.”
“Fuck, seriously?”
“Yeah.” Butch glanced behind him, watching Cheryl vomit into the trash can behind her. Matthew stood up and rubbed her back. “Her son is here. I need to get them away.”
“This has nothing to do with us.”
Butch silently cursed. This was the kind of shit he didn’t want. The Skulls had the resources to move this, and he didn’t. Join them. “It’s Frederick’s work.”
Tiny paused, and silence filled the space.
“How do you know?” he asked.
“Remember me telling you about the doctor who helped me?”
“Yes.”
“Her head is here in the box. He’s moving up, Tiny. How do you know he won’t go after your women next or mine? Gonzalez is unpredictable.” Running a hand down his face, he tried to clear his thoughts.
“Fine. Alex and I will be there to get it, but you f**king owe us.”
He hung up the phone and hid the box underneath the counter. Hanging up the closed sign, he went back to his woman. Helping Matthew, he rubbed her back.
“What’s wrong with Mommy?”
“She’s just being a little sick.” Cheryl curled around him when she finished.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Don’t be sorry for feeling sick. It would be strange for you to not be feeling sick.” He kissed the top of her head.
You’ve got to go back to the club.
It’s not right asking them for help.
Gritting his teeth, he held Cheryl tighter against him. He didn’t know how much time had passed before the door was being banged on. Releasing her, he let Tiny and Alex inside. “I’m going to take Cheryl and Matthew home. I have the car today, and I’ll come back.”
Join them again. They’re your future and will always be your future.
“We’ll wait for you,” Tiny said.
Within half an hour, Butch was back on the road heading toward the shop. He didn’t know what the club expected him to do. When he pulled up outside of the shop he saw Nash’s and Murphy’s bikes parked outside the door.
Entering the shop, he saw they were all talking, and they stopped when he entered.
“Frederick used a reputable company. I saw the van and the guy who delivered. This was done as a message,” Butch said, folding his arms.
“Why? You’re not a Skull. Why is Frederick playing with you?” Nash asked.
“He’s going to tie up a loose end. I’m a loose end from his father’s day.” Butch let out a breath. “I want to come back. I need to come back,” he said.
The whole club paused as they looked at him.
“What?” Tiny asked.
“I can’t protect my woman alone. This was the biggest f**king mistake I made.” He ran a hand down his face, cursing. Ever since he left, he knew he should have come back. Stupidity, stubborn pride, and being a pain in the ass had stopped him from taking that next step.
“How do we know you’re not going to pull out again when we help you?” Nash asked. “You’re not exactly trustworthy right now.”
The knowledge of their doubt hurt, but Butch knew he couldn’t do anything about it. This is what I caused.
“Gonzalez is from my past. I don’t want you guys to end up like my father’s MC did. He took them all out as if they were nothing more than bugs. Gonzalez’s son is the same. I don’t know what he’s expecting, but I think it would be best if we’re all on guard and I come back to the club.” He was bringing danger to Cheryl and Matthew. Gritting his teeth, he tried to deny the truth, but all he could see was the trouble he caused. He couldn’t protect them alone. He needed The Skulls, now more than ever before. Butch was better at taking care of Cheryl and Matthew with The Skulls than on his own.
“What is your advice?” Tiny asked.
“Don’t go to the picnic.”
Alex shook his head. “You know we can’t do that. We spend a shitload of money and are expected to be there.”
“Eva’s already invited Cheryl. You’re not going to stop the women from enjoying their day,” Tiny said. “I’m not going to tell my woman to stop.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“We’re being investigated, Butch. Our money has been put on hold. The cash we’re getting is coming from Eva’s f**king father. He’s supporting us and the club right now. Do you f**king know what that feels like?” Tiny yelled the words, his face red. “I promised him I’d take care of his daughter, and so far, she’s been in nothing but pain. I’m pissed off.”
“Tiny, calm down,” he said.
“No, you don’t get to tell me to calm down, you little shit. You couldn’t even stick this life out.” Tiny threw his hand out. “All of us have social workers on our backs. The cops are checking everything out. I’m keeping Lash and Angel out of this, but they’re only going to stay in Italy for so long. I can’t let them come back to this life.”
The raw emotion in Tiny’s face was clear to see. He was hurting, and he was hurting bad.
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t need to hear that you’re sorry, Butch. I need a man with a f**king backbone, and right now that’s not you. You’re offering to come back, and yet how do we know you’re not going to bail on us again?”
Butch tightened his fists. What could he do to prove to them he was serious? He stared at the floor, seeing the box that had caused Cheryl to throw up. This flower shop had emptied out his account. He had enough money to get him by. If he went back to the life, she’d be exposed in more ways than one. Yes, he caused this, but what about the future? He wouldn’t always be the cause. Other brothers had problems, and over the years they’d all dealt with them. But she’d be surrounded by women who knew the danger they faced. Eva, Angel, Sophia, Prue, even Tate, knew what the life was like. Cheryl wouldn’t be alone anymore, and she’d have other women to be with.