22. Audrina
22
AUDRINA
Cold, hard steel and the smell of diesel permeates my nostrils. I look around the cell, unsure how I got here or what happened after that asshole grabbed me. My hands are bound behind me, and my feet are tied at the ankles. And they gagged me. Gagged me!
Am I in a basement? Or some kind of holding cell? It has bars... but I can’t see any windows.
I do a quick mental body scan to check that everything’s working.
I’m not going to cry. Nope, tears are for later.
I have no idea who that man was, what he wanted, or why I’m here.
The ropes burn my skin as I try to wrestle and free myself, but it’s no use. I’m completely screwed.
What if they never find me?
What if I’m stuck here forever?
What if that man or other men come back?
Tears prick my eyes, and my chest heaves when I think about those vile words he said to me before he knocked me out and dragged me out of the shelter. West! Asher! My dog!
What must they all be thinking?
I groan, thinking about poor Kylie and what she would’ve thought when coming back in the building to find blood smeared on the floor and me missing. I can’t even imagine what my son and West are going through right now. I can only hope that the entire club is out looking for me, because if there’s one thing the club is renowned for, it’s protecting their women.
I might even pity the men that did this because I’ve seen and heard what the club is capable of, and it isn’t pretty. Still, I’m kidding myself. The bastard who did this to me deserves all he gets. I wince, feeling the after effects of his brutal attack. I try to sit up since I’m lying on my side, but all I see around me is darkness. I can’t hear any traffic, voices, or noise at all. Silence fills the area, making it even more eerie than it already was.
The MC are coming. West and Asher are coming; I have to believe that. They will find me, they’ll find a way.
Then I remember the snake tattoo. West had talked about how uneasy he was about his attack and the potential that it could’ve been a gang. I know that he researched but came to a dead end. Still, I’ve no clue what this is all about. West wouldn’t lie to me. If he was in some kind of trouble, he would have said. He would also never have put me in danger. I know that for a fact. What I don’t know is how long I’ve been tied up in this hell hole, but my throat is burning and I need water.
Then panic hit me. What would I do if someone came in? What do they want with me?
Breathe, Audrina. Just as I think it, I hear noise. A door opening, then footsteps on the stairs, two lots. So I’m in some kind of basement; that’s a given. I’m struck for a moment; do I play dead? Or sit up and face my attackers? Since I’m bound, and gagged, I decide to lay back down and pretend I’m still unconscious. It’s not like I can put up a fight anyway tied up like this. My heart beats so fast, I’m sure you’d be able to hear it in the next county. I try to slow my breathing and not wince, but the pain of having my hands and feet bound is taking its toll. I want to scream, yell, punch, or kick, but I can’t do any of those things, and now I’m at their mercy.
“She awake yet?” the first man says.
“Only one way to find out,” says his friend.
I hear rustling, then the cage door opens.
Please, God, please don’t let them hurt me…
I barely get the thought out when a hand reaches my shoulder and shakes me. “Nah, I think she’s still?—”
I feel a blow to my ribs, and I don’t know how I stay lying there, pretending to be unaffected. He kicks me in the side near my ribs, and his friend laughs. “Easy, boss wanted her as unharmed as possible.”
“Think we should fuck her? Not like she’s gonna know if she’s half dead.”
Oh, my God.
I want to break free and make a run for it, but I won’t get anywhere.
“She was pretty, until you fucked up her face.”
“Bitch only had one head slam against the floor, she should think herself lucky.”
So he’s still here. The man who kidnapped me, but they have a boss.
The other man snorts. “Prefer it when they put up a fight, we’ll wait until she wakes up.”
“Goin’ against boss' rules? I like that.”
“Gotta be somethin’ else in it for us, right?”
“She is pretty.”
“I don’t know, Hustler’s gonna be pretty fuckin’ pissed, but it’s the only way to draw him out.”
“You’re right, if we’re gonna have any chance of gettin’ to Priest, then this is the easiest way, his old man will do anythin’ for his family.”
Priest? What has Priest got to do with any of this?
“That stupid bitch of his always has her fuckin’ brothers around her,” the other man grumbles. “But I think snoopin’ around the redhead’s house and takin’ her shit kinda messed with her head.”
Oh, God. So they’ve been in my house? I think back to when I lost my keys, then I kept finding some of my things missing.
“Got that right, I can’t wait to have The Boss’s seconds if this is what it looks like.”
“Boss knows Hustler and Priest won’t show up if we don’t have proof of life, so it looks like we’ve gotta keep her pretty for a bit longer, and boss wants her picture as proof.”
My kidnapper snorts. “Want me to do the honors, or you?”
“I’ll pose with her.” He yanks my head upright, and I try my hardest to appear limp as he holds me by the hair.
“Say cheese.” I hate that his voice is high-pitched and happy-sounding; it grates on me. He really thinks this is some kind of fun joke.
“Cheese!”
“Sooner we get this over with, the better it’ll be for everyone. Then The Boss can put this shit to rest.”
“Not before puttin’ the NOLA Rebels to rest,” the other man retorts. “Be good when the lot of ‘em are six feet under, then this city can go back to what it does best; illegal activity.”
My kidnapper snorts a laugh as his buddy lets go of me. “Can say that again, we won’t be bottom dwellers for much longer.”
I pray for all things holy that this is the end of it, that they leave me alone so I can think and try to get my bearings and find a way out of these ropes. They may be a gang, but that doesn’t mean they’re smart. Why they would bind me even though I’m locked in a cell is ridiculous. Where do they think I’m going to go?
“Let me see the photo.” The man that posed with me says, and a few moments later he says, “Nice. Though Hustler won’t be happy about all that blood.”
“I’m not cleanin’ the bitch up, fuck that shit.”
“Let’s go before they send someone down to check. Goodnight, sweet princess,” the man says. “We’ll be back for you later.”
They both laugh as they stomp back up the stairs. As soon as the door clicks shut, I sag farther into the concrete floor, hoping it will swallow me whole. I don’t even have tears, I can’t. If I cry, then that means it’s the end. I may be desperate, but I’m not going to give them the satisfaction of witnessing my downfall. They may be coming back, but I can’t think about that right now. All I can think about is my life thus far. How much I’ve achieved and what an amazing son I have. Now that I’ve found West, we can build proper bonds and be a real family. I love Star, she’s been amazing for my son, and I couldn’t wish for anyone better for him. I just wish I’d had more time with West. Wait. This isn’t the end! But yet I’ll beg them to end me before I suffer at their disgusting suggestions. I can’t live with that.
Please, West. Please find me. I squint, looking around for something, anything, to help me. There’s nothing. I have to sit here pathetic and alone, waiting for them to come back and decide my fate? No. I’m not going to do that. I shuffle my ass along the floor and move toward the bars. Maybe if I rub the ropes long enough against them, they’ll loosen? I could give it a try; I’ve got nothing to lose at this point. My hunger for living far outweighs my dehydrated state, and my foggy brain from being hit. It’s when I move that I feel just how sore I am. My arms feel like they’re going to fall off, and the burning from the rope cuts into my skin with every movement. No. Screw them. I’m not going down like that. I’m not. I refuse. If they want to come back, I’ll be ready for them. I don’t know how, and I don’t know when, but I’m going to get out of here. This isn’t the end of my story, I refuse to let this be it. I’ve got so much to live for — so much I haven’t yet discovered with West. I want to live to see my grandbabies and watch my son and Star tie the knot. I choose life.
With determination, I move slowly but surely to the edge of the cell, trying to find any sharp edge to help my cause. It may be a long shot, but I have to take it. I don’t know how long I have until they come back, and when they do, I at least want a fighting chance.
I won’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. I couldn’t fall much more than I already have, but they won’t take my dignity. That, as well as my soul, are not for sale.
I belong to West, and it’ll be his name that I whisper if my life is cut short. Nobody else can have my last breath or my heart; only he has that privilege.
Come for me, West. I’m here.
West
We didn’t wait for Big Papa to answer; we drove across town to his office and barged our way in. It didn’t matter that he was in a meeting — he is a used car salesman by day, after all — and needless to say he was surprised to see us.
“Gentleman,” he says, even though he doesn’t look too happy at our intrusion. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Cash gives him a brief rundown, and the fact the Irish haven’t heard shit about the Cut City Boys, but now they’re on his radar, that ain’t gonna be pretty. “We figure they’re vigilantes with some vendetta against the club, or Hustler specifically. He was jumped a few weeks ago, and the two attackers had the same snake tattoos on their hands. I figured it was just a posse, out to rob the Whiskey Shack, but it seems a little calculated now, since Audrina was snatched.”
Big Papa listens on, rubbing his beard as he thinks. Looking at me, he says, “You got any enemies? Think back, it could be from some time ago. Why else would they target you and use your ol’ lady?”
“I don’t have any enemies,” I maintain. “The only thing I can think of is the family of the asshole I stabbed in a home invasion, he bein’ the intruder. I didn’t kill him, but he did have an overdose about a year later. I didn’t ruffle many feathers in prison because I wasn’t in the joint that long.”
“Gotta be somethin’ to do with that,” Cash mutters. “But why all this time? And it doesn’t explain the Cut City Boys.”
“Maybe he ran with the gang,” Bronco says. “Probably the case, then when they heard you were in town, settled, makin’ a life for yourself, they pounced.”
I don’t wanna hear any of that, of course, but it makes sense. “I still don’t get why the family would target me. I didn’t put a needle in his arm and make him overdose from it.”
“Who knows, could’ve been someone important to someone.” Ryder shrugs.
“Can’t say I’ve heard too much about Cut City Boys movin’ in on any turf, but stranger things have happened. If they are planning on moving in on any kind of territory, I’ll get to the bottom of it,” Big Papa says. “Meanwhile, I’m sure the next question on your lips is, how do you find them?”
That has been a slight issue. They’re not exactly advertising their whereabouts, nor do they have a turf or clubhouse that we can find. They don’t want to be found, which makes things harder for us.
“Got it in one,” I mutter. “Been tryin’ to trace any sign of them, but it’s like they don’t exist. Got Brew and Haze askin’ their contacts, they’re also comin’ up blank.”
“They’re either newly established or regaining their presence in New Orleans,” Big Papa says. “Both of which I would’ve heard about. Then again, it’s possible that they may be working from another state, they could have lesions all over. My guess would be Mississippi.”
Cash gives Harlem a look. “I’ll ring Bane,” Harlem says. Bane is the Prez of the Ridgehaven Hellions, Mississippi. He and the Hellions have an alliance with the Rebels, and we call on them from time to time.
“Fuck sakes.” Cash runs both hands through his hair. “We need to find her today . The more time we waste, the more danger we leave Audrina in.”
I swallow hard, and it’s like a bitter pill, lodged in the back of my throat. I will never forgive myself for this. I won’t allow it. Nevada went with Tag and Hawk to talk to the Irish after Ryder’s phone call. Not that he had anything to tell us, but he did express his concern and offered support should we need it. It’s always good having friends in low places when something like this happens.
My Peaches.
I try not to think about what she’s doing and how she’s being treated. If that haunting footage was anything to go by, then my brain may just very well explode.
“I get that,” Big Papa says, his face genuinely concerned. Despite the fact he’s not exactly legit in all his business practices, the man has never failed on his promise to help the club out when Cash didn’t rat him out years ago. Big Papa is also the only one who knows about the club’s involvement with taking down the Italian mob. “But something still doesn’t sit right. Why not go straight for Hustler?”
“What if it’s not Hustler?” Bronco says out of nowhere.
We all turn to him.
“Talk,” Cash barks.
“Well, think about it. They’ve been targetin’ both Hustler, and Bella, then Audrina got snatched. What if they’re tryin’ to get to Hustler because of Priest?”
Priest balks. “What the fuck did I do?”
“Wait,” Riot chips in. “When we were in prison together, a lot of shit went down.”
“No kiddin’, and we survived it, that was a long time ago.”
Riot taps his chin as he thinks. “Remember The Brute?”
Priest stays completely still. “Yeah, of course I remember. I gutted him like a fish when he jumped me. Everyone was happy that day, Big Apple, even the guards and that fucker, Fat Harry...”
A few snickers go around at the dumb names before everyone sobers because of the gravity of the situation.
“What the fuck happened with The Brute? Aside from you killin’ him?” Cash is the most agitated I’ve ever seen him. It’s no fuckin’ picnic, but when you’re the head of the MC with this on your shoulders, it’s fuckin’ heavy.
“Nothin’ that I remember. Everyone was rejoicin’. I got away with it because nobody was gonna pin it on another inmate after that,” Priest says. “He’d had the majority vote on everythin’ until I took him out, people were happy.”
“Need to do some checks, see if he had any family,” Bronco says. “Gotta be some connection. What if he’s got family and they’re goin’ after Hustler for revenge against you?”
Priest looks blankly for a moment, trying to comprehend his words. “I don’t know,” he says honestly. “Why now?”
“I agree, it seems pretty far-fetched.” I palm the back of my head.
“But it’s somethin', and if he is tryin’ to get to Priest, that would explain the alarms at the studio the other day. Bella said it was an attempted break in. Then Audrina lost her keys, and then found them again...” Bronco goes on.
“What are you gettin’ at?” I bark.
Bronco flicks his eyes to mine. “What if someone was targetin’ the women? Think about it. Bella isn’t easy to get to because her brothers are always around, but Audrina? Easiest way to get to you would be to grab her.”
I don’t like his words, in fact, I want to punch him in the throat, but maybe he makes a little sense. “I don’t know...”
“Seems a little suspect,” Ryder puts in. “Need to check the surveillance cameras at Nevada’s. If these assholes stole Audrina’s keys, then they had a plan to get into the house. The question is why?”
My blood runs cold. Audrina had complained about several things missing, but she thought she’d just misplaced them. What if... what if the house was being watched?
Cash’s phone rings; he picks it up, stepping away for a few moments while we throw ideas around. All of it seems like wasting time while my baby is out there somewhere, hurt and confused. I pinch the bridge of my nose. I’ve never felt so helpless. Nevada returns looking pale, Cash’s arm around his shoulders as he talks to him. Nevada nods, listening intently to what he’s saying. He’s devastated, his shoulders slumped, his eyes red and puffy — I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it before. I know Nevada can knock skulls like the rest of the boys. He’s tough and brawny, and he can fight, but this is his mom. They’re close. I swallow hard, wondering if I should ask the question if he’s told his dad. I guess he’s gonna have to know at some point what’s going on.
“Rock’s gonna put every resource into breaking into the county's prisoner records, he’ll keep me informed. He and Jett are workin’ on it now, as well as Linc from Bracken Ridge and anyone else who can find information fast.”
Linc is a computer hacker who works with Hutch and the boys from time to time, and he’s helped us out in the past.
“We need somethin’!” Nevada says, the anger in his tone about to explode. “We need fuckin’ answers.
“And we’ll get ‘em,” Cash reassures us all. “We’re gonna find her, boys, if it’s the last fuckin’ thing we do. We’re gonna find Audrina, and when we do, nobody is gonna be left alive for takin’ one of our own, that I can promise you.”