"Sawyer is in the wind," he says, crossing his arms.
Hearing her name erases the dark eyes in front of me. I only see Sawyer's bright blue ones. I hear her raspy laugh. We haven't spoken since Kirk's funeral where she thanked me for coming. She thanked everyone for coming. I wasn't special. Not since I told her we were over.
"What does that mean?" I ask, shaking off my memories of Sawyer.
"Sawyer called last night to tell me she's in Texas. Says she can't live here anymore. I need someone to go get her."
When I don't offer immediately to go, Cooper crosses his arms tighter so the muscles flex angrily. I imitate him with the arms. My other brother-in-law Rafael is a retired assassin. He's told me a hundred times that the crossed arms move is a mistake. Not only does it imply aggression when I should want to keep my opponent guessing, the gesture also leaves my hands too far away from my weapons. Even knowing his speech by heart, I can't keep myself from imitating the men around me.
My silence goes on for a long time before Cooper speaks up in a tight voice. "You were friends, and I need you to go. I can't leave town. No one else in the club can talk to her. Bailey offered to go. With them both so emotional from Pop's death, they'll likely kill each other. I need it to be you."
Cooper is right about his sister Bailey not being a good choice. He's wrong about me going though.
"Sawyer and I aren't friends anymore," I say, avoiding the details.
"Look, Jace, I need to be here. I can't send anyone else. None of Sawyer's college friends can do it. Not with the McLaughlin family involved. I need someone I can trust to watch out for Sawyer, so she doesn't go off the deep end. The last thing I need is her joining a cult or marrying a hippy."
"A cult?"
Shrugging, Cooper adjusts in his chair. "Who knows? She's feeling lost, and I don't want her finding herself in a stupid or crazy way. I want her back here where she's safe. I can't protect her when she's in another state. I'm not sure the McLaughlins will protect her. I called the dad JJ McLaughlin, and he assured me he'd make sure she was taken care of. Hell, I couldn't even tell if he was threatening me. That's why I need you there."
Sawyer won't want to see me. Cooper must know this fact since his sister isn't the "suffer in silence" type. His plan is flawed as fuck, yet I'm aware he's not asking me to go. He's my president, so I can't say no.
"What if she refuses to return?" I ask rather than mentioning what I'm really thinking.
"I don't care if you bribe her, con her, or tie her up. Just get her back here. My mom is on a cruise, trying to deal with being on her own. If she finds out Sawyer's on the run, Mom will come back before she's ready. I expect you to do whatever you need to do to make sure Sawyer gets her ass back to Ellsberg."
The last month wears heavy on Cooper. His dark eyes are more tired than angry. He loves his little sister and wants her safe. Mostly, Cooper needs quiet for his family, club, and town.
Taking the Texas information, I promise him I'll be on the road once I get my Harley checked. We agree not to warn Sawyer, who might run again if she knows I'm coming. No doubt me showing up unannounced will piss her off, but also throw her off her game. If I plan to outmaneuver Sawyer Johansson, cheating is a must.
Chapter 3
Sawyer
Things Change
Last Dollar is a small town so completely unlike the one I've known all my life. The Hampton College brings in new people constantly, making Ellsberg feel bigger than a Podunk town. This place has no university, and I've only left the massive McLaughlin property twice on food runs.
My family's money mostly comes from illegal activities run by the Reapers. Our territory includes Kentucky and parts of Indiana and West Virginia. The McLaughlins started in oil like many Texans. These days, their assets include energy, tech, manufacturing, and real estate. The McLaughlins' arms manufacturing and the Reapers' need to defend our turf is how our families met years ago.
Technically, the twins are two sisters in a set of triplets. The girls are identical while their redheaded brother Zane is the third baby. Bodie and Colbie claim he's the lazy one. He agrees with this sentiment.
"I have no reason to know or do anything," he says, giving me a wink.
Zane has a rough voice, nearly growling even when talking normal. I love his voice, but he quickly annoys me the way most guys do. Luckily, he never makes eyes at me since I'm not even a tiny bit interested.
"I'm in love with a Mexican gal with fat lips and a fatter ass," he says.
After a minute, I realize he's complimenting his woman.
"Do you say that to her face?"
Zane gives me a grin that answers my question. I bet his woman loves his voice so much she doesn't care what the hell he's saying.