Chapter 66

Lug Nut

We are in our best form tonight for the concert. Lilly is blowing them away with her voice and dancing even her pregnant belly isn’t stopping the fans from fawning over her. We are playing at the fair grounds to the biggest audience we have ever played for. This place is packed. When Lilly had told us about playing here I had my doubts about it. I didn’t think we could fill a venue this large but I did have faith in Lilly. She told us it didn’t matter if we filled it or not. We had loyal fans that would come and the only thing that mattered was the cause we were performing for. We are participating in a school fundraiser to help sports and music programs. Several schools around the area have booths set up from food, arts and crafts, gaming booths and auction items to help raise money to keep these programs running.

Ailee even set a booth to help kids that could afford to pay for equipment for sports or instruments to get scholarships to help. The local ice rink is even offering the same thing for kids that want to play hockey or learn how to ice skate. But we were the main attraction. Lilly had arranged a meet and greet with fans before the show. We signed autographs and took photos. I was shocked by not only the amount of people that showed up for it but the age range of the people. There were teenagers lined up for Lilly mostly but some for the rest of us.

Some boys just wanted to check her out. It didn’t matter that her pregnant belly was visible, the boys were still looking. I thought it was cute. Tank was not so happy with the boys eyeing his wife and stayed very close to her if not glued to her hip. Then there were people from their twenties to their fifties lined up for pictures with all of us. We all got checked out several times. I had to hold back a laugh when Connor got hit on by a few ladies. He finally had enough and brought Neil over to help deflect the advances. A few looked even more intrigued.

I got hit on a few times myself but quickly told them I was taken and was getting married soon. When a few didn’t get the hit I just pointed at Ailee and her guards. That got them to back off. Connor, Lilly, Dez, Steve and Rick even offer lessons to anyone interested regardless of ability to pay. We went on at seven thirty and had the time of our lives. I’m used to the crowd cheering. But I never noticed them singing along to our cover songs and our originals. It was mesmerizing to see. When the concert was over I found out that not only did this event raise enough money to save the programs for this year but most of next year I was thrilled. And over fifty kids were able to get scholarships.

As we were packing up the show I was moving one of the amps into are travel trailer when I heard a very sexy accent say “ Hey cowboy. What’s a girl have to do to get an autograph?” I look around and see we are alone so I play along. I turn and see my gorgeous bride to be leaning against a pole in my favorite emerald green sundress. “ That depends. What are you going to do for me?” I asked. Ailee comes over to me swaying her hips that scream touch me. She runs her hand down my chest to my belt and yanks me forward. With my chest pressed against hers she kisses my neck then whispers in my ear “ For you. Anything you want.”

I can think over all kinds of things I want to do to Ailee but this isn’t the place. I wrap my arms around her waist, give her a quick kiss and tell her “ How about we take this up at your place with you naked. Then I’ll autograph anything you want.” Ailee wraps her arms around my neck pulling me in for another kiss. “ I like the way you think, cowboy.” she says before slamming her lips onto mine. Our tongues dance together when I feel a vibration in my pocket. Everyone knows I’m at this concert so it must be important for someone to call me.

I reluctantly pull away from Ailee and pull out my phone. I see Ace is calling and am confused. I swipe my screen and say “ Ace.” Ailee looks as confused as I feel. “ Lug you need to get to the club house. Now. And you better bring Ailee.” he says. “ Problem?” I ask. “ I’ll explain more when you get here. Viper is on his way as well. Just get here.” Ace says. His voice sounds urgent. He said Viper was on his way but nothing about the rest of the guys. What is going on? “ On our way.” I said and hung up. I explained what little I did know to Ailee then we were on our way to get answers.

We race over the clubhouse with Ailee on the back of my bike. Callen is following with her other two guards. With a big event Cormac wanted more but finally agreed three would be fine. Once at the club I see Goof standing at the door waiting for us. We hop off and rush in with Callen trailing behind us. It is pretty empty inside. I see Ace sitting at the bar and Viper is talking to a woman in a business suit. We go up to Ace “ Brother, what’s going on?” I asked. He motions his head to Viper and the woman. When Viper sees me he motions for us to go over to him.

I grab Ailee’s hand and go over ready to get to the bottom of this so I can get home and ravish my girl. “ Lug, this woman is here to see you.” Viper says. I look at her but don’t recognise her at all. I know I have never met her. “ Sir, are you Travis Leblanc?” she asks. “ That depends on who is asking?” I said. “ Lug.” Viper warns. What’s his problem? “ Mr. Leblanc, my name is Cheryl Reven. I’m from Child Protective Services.” she says. What’s that got to do with me? I don’t have any kids. Is she trying to go after some of the club kids? Over my dead body.

“ I have come from Louisiana to find you. Do you know Megan Leblanc?” she asks. “ She is my cousin. I haven’t spoken to her in over a year at least.” I said. My cousin was having some problems with drugs. I tried to help her many times. Even putting her in rehab several times. But she cut off contact after the last rehab stint. I tried to reach out several times but no luck. I figured she would call sooner or later. “ I’m sorry to inform you like this but Megan passed away two months ago.” Mrs. Reven says.

I take a deep breath and pinch my nose to compose myself. Megan was my last living relative. All that’s left of the Leblanc line is me. Ailee wraps her arm around me and pulls me close to her in comfort. “ How?” is all I’m able to get out. Please don’t let it be an overdose. Mrs. Reven says “ She got a staph infection that spread to her heart.” I nod. I’m going to have to take some time to wrap my head around this. Wait. “ Why is Child Protective Services telling me instead of the police? And why did it take so long?” I asked.

“ It took us a while to find you. We had to check with the rehab center where you were listed as an emergency contact. As for the reason I am here is.” Mrs. Reven’s words are cut off by a child’s cry. She turns around to the noise. Sitting in the booth behind her is a child’s car seat with a very upset baby in it. Mrs. Reven unbuckles the child and picks it up to try and soothe it. She turns around with the child close to her chest. “ Mr. Leblanc, this is Katrina. Meg’s daughter. That is why I’m here. You are her only remaining relative.” Before I can respond, Ailee steps forward “ I would like to see your credentials, please.”