A Family Man (5 page)

"Joe?"

"Yes, sugar?"

"You will still come and see me?"

"You just try keeping me away."

Sophia smiled as her son walked in and kissed her on the cheek. "Hey, Ma."

"Hey. Did Amy have fun?"

"Yeah." He took the coffee she offered and sat at the table. "Did you know Maria had a new guy?"

"Maria has a boyfriend? No I had no idea." She cocked her head. "Did Amy tell you?"

"Nah. I think Maria had told her to keep it quiet. Kid thought if I found out I'd bail."

"And will you?"

"Ma!"

"I'm sorry." She shook her head. "I really should have more faith in you."

He gave a short, humorless laugh. "Why change the habits of a lifetime?"

"Harsh, son." She grinned. "You going to eat before you leave?"

"Sure."

It was dark by the time he got back to Bay View and the clubhouse was practically empty. Only Mac and Long John, playing pool, and Spike with his face buried in the ample breasts of a buxom brunette. Long John looked up as he walked in. "Tiny!"

"Hey." He greeted his brothers and headed for the bar.

Spike looked up. "Did the kid like her bike?"

He grinned broadly. Something, Spike noticed, he only did when talking about Amy. "Kid fucking loved it."

Spike grabbed them both a beer and sent the woman on her way. Tiny was the most private of his brothers, but over the past couple of years had opened up a little to him about the kid. Spike felt he was getting a rare glimpse of the big nomad’s humanity. Something he felt privileged to witness.

EIGHT

Joe loved Vegas. The chapter clubhouse was just off the strip, and was by far the biggest and most palatial. The front of the building was a strip club, open to the general public while the patches entered through a door at the end of a dark alley, into the private part of the building. As far as he was concerned, it was an ideal setup. And as for the pussy, well they were just top class. He sat on the old leather sofa in a darkened corner of the clubhouse, a large Jack in his hand, as the leggy blonde straddled him, grinding her pussy onto his hardening cock. Yep, it was days like this when Tiny loved being a Freak. He looked over to where Long John and a Vegas son he didn't know slugged it out in the ring, and his eyes met those of Spike and he gave a nod. As soon as he'd fucked this blonde beauty, he would get in the ring and kick his favorite sparring partner's ass.

The party they were attending was to celebrate the fiftieth birthday of the chapter president, and it was good to be able to just kick back and have some fun. All too often Joe, as a nomad and go-to guy for any really unpleasant jobs that needed doing, only visited chapters on 'business'. He didn't mind, in fact he loved that he was able to do what he did for the club. But like all his brothers, what he loved best was to ride and to party. He frowned as his cell buzzed and, pushing the girl off him, he pulled it out of his pocket and checked the ID. "Ma?" He swallowed the feeling of dread; she never called out of the blue. "What's up?"

"Joe. You need to come home. It's Amy. She's disappeared."

"I'm on my way." He hung up. Right now he didn't need details and his throat was too dry to speak anyway.

Spike looked over as Joe hurried to the door. He could tell, even from that distance that something was very wrong. Getting to his feet, he followed his brother. "Tiny?"

Joe turned at the sound of his voice. "Gotta get to Cali. It's Amy. She's vanished."

Spike nodded and ran to his own bike. "I'm coming with. You shouldn't ride alone."

It took just over three hours to get to his ma's. Spike was surprised that one of them hadn't ended up getting scraped up off the asphalt. They pulled up outside Sophia's house, and Joe was off his bike and heading up the garden path as soon as he'd killed the engine.

As soon as she heard the bikes, Sophia opened the front door. "Oh, Joe." She threw her arms around his neck.

He returned the hug then pushed her away from him so he could look her in the eye. "What's going on?"

"She was upset and took off. We've looked everywhere. There's no sign of her."

“
Upset?  Why?”

"Does it matter? We need to find her. It's nearly midnight." She looked up as Spike followed Joe up the path. "It's Spike, right?"

He smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm flattered you remember me." He turned to Joe. "Why don't you go and talk to Amy's mom. I'll wait here and we can talk strategy when you get back."

He and Sophia went and sat in her cozy kitchen. She patted his hand. "Thank you for looking out for him."

"It's what we do. Tiny thinks the world of that little girl, an' he won't rest until he finds her." He frowned. "You gonna tell me why she was upset?"

"They're leaving. Maria's new boyfriend is moving them to Florida."

"Fuck! Tiny's gonna lose his shit."

They both looked up as Joe stormed in, slamming the door behind him. "Did you know about this?" He leaned over his mother.

She'd never been scared of her son, but right now Sophia was sure he was capable of killing her. "Of course not. If Amy hadn't taken off, I wouldn't know now."

He spun on his heel and marched outside, followed closely by Spike. "You know where she is?"

"I got a pretty good idea." He climbed on his bike and, as soon as Spike was mounted, he sped off.

Amy was cold, and if she was honest, a little afraid. The old forgotten orchard was a magical place in daylight when she was picking apples from the trees with Joe. She had remembered him telling her that it was here that he had hid out when he was a kid and he wanted to blow off school, and she’d known that no one would be able to find her. It was a secret place behind an old burned-out retirement home, only accessible by lifting a loose panel in the corrugated iron fence. She shivered and hugged her knees, trying to block out the strange noises that surrounded her. She didn't care how scary it was, she wasn't going back. They couldn't make her move to Florida. Away from Nana Sophie, away from her school friends, away from Joe. Suddenly, a familiar sound split the air. Amy smiled. Joe was here.

Spike scowled as Joe lifted the loose panel. "Couldn't you have just told them where she would be? Saved us the best part of a three-hundred-mile trip."

"To be honest, it never crossed my mind until Maria told me what had happened." He climbed through the gap. "Kid's hiding out. Don't wanna be found." He straightened up. "Amy! Get your skinny ass out here now!"

It was pitch black. Spike pulled out his lighter. "Fuck. Didn't it occur to you to bring a flashlight?"

Joe shrugged. "Amy! C'mon, sugar. I know you're here."

"Joe?" It was a tiny voice from the bushes. Spike lifted his lighter and she stepped forward. "I'm sorry. Are you mad at me?"

Joe crouched down and pulled her into his arms. "I'm fucking furious. Promise me you'll never pull a stunt like that again."

Sobbing loudly she threw her arms around his neck. "I don't wanna go to Florida."

"I know, sugar. Ain't too keen on the idea myself." He buried his face in his hair. "It don't mean you can go running off, scaring the shit outta everyone."

Spike shook his head and climbed back through the fence. "C'mon, bro. Let's get her home. It's late and the kid's gotta be freezing." He pulled off his hoodie and as she came through the fence, wrapped it round her. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm Spike."

Amy gave a tiny smile. “Hi, Mr. Spike.”

Joe chuckled and put his helmet on her head and tightened the strap, before sitting her on his bike and climbing on in front of her. "Hang on tight, sugar. Let's get you home."

Maria was pacing up and down Sophia's kitchen when her phone rang. "Hello?"

"M, I got her. Be there in five."

"Thank you." She sobbed as her knees buckled and she sank to her floor.

Sophia pulled out her cell. "I'll phone the cops, tell them she's turned up." She shook her head. "Just wait till I see that little madam. I'll tan her hide."

"No you won't. This is my fault. I handled it all wrong."

"Yes, you did. Joe isn't going to let you off lightly, you know that, don't you?"

"This has nothing to do with Joe. Amy ain’t his kid. This move will mean a promotion for Rob and the chance of a better life for me and Amy."

They both looked up as Joe, Amy and Spike walked in.

Maria swept her daughter into her arms. "Oh baby, you scared me so much. Don't ever do that again."

Amy stuck out her bottom lip, refusing to meet her mom's eyes. "I don't wanna go to Florida." Two fat tears rolled down her cheeks, and she turned to Joe. "Tell her, Joe."

Joe shook his head and picked her up, his eyes meeting Maria's. "How about I put you to bed here and Nana Sophie will bring you up some milk and a sandwich."

"Okay. Joe?"

"Yes, sugar."

"Will you stay tonight?"

"Sure."

"And Spike?"

"And Spike."

"Joe, where will he sleep if I stay here?"

"He can crash on the sofa."

"Okay." She buried her face into his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I think I might like Spike. He has kind eyes."

Joe shook his head as Spike gave a crazy ass grin. "Smart kid."

"Amy, sugar." He carried her upstairs. "Spike does not have kind eyes."

"Whatever." She yawned. "I love you, Joe."

"Love you too."

Amy was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Joe kissed her forehead and made his way downstairs.

"Joe…”  Maria stood as soon as he walked into the living room.

"Not here. We'll have this conversation next door." Without checking whether or not she was following, he turned and marched outside.

Spike and Sofia exchanged a glance and Spike frowned. "You think he'll hurt her?"

Sophia shook her head. "Oh he'll yell, but he'll never lay hands on her."

He nodded. "They need to sort something out. Losing that kid is gonna kill him."

Maria followed Joe into her house and braced herself for the onslaught she knew was coming. "Joe. Please, before you say anything. You have to listen to me."

"I'm listening."

He was so calm. It was almost more terrifying than if he had been angry. She ran her fingers through her hair. "This move, it's good for us. A fresh start. Amy will make new friends. The school we're planning on sending her to has an excellent reputation and the house is in a good neighborhood, with lots of young families." She touched his chest. "I know she's scared, and maybe I shouldn't have sprung it on her like that. But change is always scary, but she'll get over it." She fell silent, waiting for him to say something. "Joe?"

"Sounds like you got it all sown up." He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. "Why you really doing this?"

"I told you."

"Yeah, fresh start, yada yada." He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled, forcing her head back, so she had no choice but to look in his eyes. "This man. You love him? Is that it?" His lips curled into a sneer as she closed her eyes. "Thought not. Must be his money, then." Abruptly he let go of her hair and turned away from her. "You can wrap this up however you want, Maria. Fresh start, good neighborhood, fancy school for Amy. But we both know that this is bullshit. You always were a selfish bitch."

"So I want a better life for me and Amy. What's wrong with that?"

"Amy. Ha! Since when have you wanted what was best for her? You'll never change."

"I love Amy."

"I don't doubt it. In your own twisted, selfish way you do. But you love yourself more. Whether it's sticking a needle in your arm or chasing some rich guy's money across the country. It's always been about you." He laughed. "I bet you got that sad fuck wrapped round your finger, just like you did with me. Poor little Maria, she can't help fucking up. But it's okay, there's always some sucker to pick up the pieces. What happens when he sees you for what you are? Cuz he will, M. An' I'm betting he ain't as dumb as me. It won't take him more than twenty years to see you for the selfish, manipulative bitch that you are."

She slapped him so hard, her hand stung. Maria gasped as, quick as a rattlesnake, his hand shot out and grabbed her throat. "I'll give you that one, a free pass. But I won't take back what I said." His hand dropped, and he sat heavily on the sofa. "Amy don't give a shit about fancy schools or good neighborhoods. If you had wanted to give her the best start in life, you wouldn't have done all the shit you did. I swear to you, Maria. If you take her away from me I will never forgive you."

"She ain't your kid, Joe. You don't get a say." She was pissed now. "How is hanging around with a criminal, a murderer, for fuck's sake, better than a new life in Florida?"

"You never had a problem with it before. I guess you don't need my money now." He stood back up and started to pace up and down the small living room. "She might not be my blood. But I couldn't love that kid more if she was my own. An' what about Ma? Or Beth. They love her too. Please Maria, for once in your life, do the right thing."

Maria watched as he walked slowly to the front door. She didn't think she'd ever seen him look so defeated. "It is for the best."

"You keep telling yourself that, sweetheart."

Spike was lounging on the sofa as Joe walked back in. He didn't need to ask how things went. "She still breathing, bro?"

Joe gave a shrug. "Probably be better if she weren't. I'm gonna head up to bed." With a heavy heart, he headed upstairs and lay on his narrow, childhood bed, trying and failing to get some sleep.

~ oOo ~

The rest of the house was still asleep when Joe snuck out of the house. He loved riding early in the morning; the only sound was the roar of his bike, no other traffic. Just him and his Harley in the early morning sun, heading downtown in the vague hope that there was something he could do to ease the pain of separation.

It would be a while until anything was open, but he needed this time to clear his head. He knew Amy was looking to him to make things right, and, not for the first time, he was going to let her down. As he sped along the deserted streets, he spotted a diner opening its doors. Maybe with coffee and food inside him, he would be better equipped to break her the bad news.

Amy was woken by the growling in her stomach and the delicious smell of bacon. She was surprised to find only Spike and Nana Sophie in the kitchen. "Where's Joe?"