Moving on, our next stop is the Mitchell home. The cousins hooked up with sisters from our known information. Pulling up, we park at the house next door, which has recently been put on the market. Hearing voices from the back yard, I tap Doll’s leg to get her to climb off.

Following my lead, we walk around the vacant home as if we’re potential buyers. Peeking over the fence I see a very pregnant woman, another woman who is obviously her sister, and a toddler running around. Peeking through the fence cracks, Doll gasps. Her reaction alone tells me she knows these people. Connection made, now why do these women and whatever they know about Doll interest Delatorre?

Backing away from the fence, Doll tugs on my shirt. Looking over at her, I ask, “Well?”

“Rachel, I know Rachel. She must’ve married one of the cousins. We were dorm roommates in college. When Caroline, Sass, and I moved to the apartment, she came with us originally. Eventually she met a guy named Tim. They were in love, so she moved in with him. I haven’t seen her in years. Tim took over her life, and she didn’t have time for us anymore.”

Guiding her back around front, I motion to Rex to come over. Doll fills Sass in with who’s in the backyard next door.

“Rachel wouldn’t set us up, Doll. Yeah, she knows our dads are bikers but she wouldn’t tie in the transports.” Sass says defending their friend.

“Look ladies, the only connection we have between Doll and Amy Mitchell is your college roommate. Who knows what simple detail your friend gave out, think about it? Her husband works for a shipping yard, one Delatorre may or may not use. We don’t have details, but this is another piece to the puzzle.” Rex says making the girls understand that Rachel’s involvement may be unintentional. I step away to call in this detail to Roundman.

After catching him up, I hang up and walk back over to Doll. She’s animatedly talking to Sass.

“She looks happy, Sass. She’s got a little girl. Her sister is pregnant. It’s so domestic. One day, Sass, that’ll be us, swollen bellies in the back yard, chasing little hellions.” Doll is saying to Sass as they both laugh and hug at the thought.

My chest tightens. Doll wants the happily ever after bullshit. I can’t give her that. Little hellions… not happening. I need to walk away now before I hurt her. The things she wants I sure as hell can’t give her.

We spend the night outside of St. Louis in a different hotel. Holding Doll fills me with mixed emotions. She feels so right being with me, beside me, and behind me. Yet, she wants things I’m not capable of giving her. I can’t get comfortable with this. Roundman’s gonna cut my dick off when he finds out. We want different things and we have two different lives.

18