Loki (Sin City MC New Orleans Chapter)

1. Chapter One

Chapter One

Dominique “Nikki” Honoré

“What the hell do you mean, you’re not going?” Cadence said, her face contorting into a deep frown as she spoke.

As we sat at our usual table waiting for our food, the sounds of people going about their daily lives and the gentle hum of city traffic became distant, while the throbbing in my head intensified. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. I knew they wouldn’t be too happy about this news.

A heavy silence settled among us as I locked eyes with my three best friends, their expressions reflecting a mix of anger, disappointment, and fear. Like an unwelcome blanket on a sweltering summer day, guilt draped over me. I would love to go, but unfortunately, there was no way around it. I needed to get this story. It was too important.

We had just sat down outside our favorite hangout spot, Bistro Chic . The weather wasn’t too warm or too cool. It was perfect. One of the many reasons I loved California and after graduating, I made this my home. And my friends were the only people I had left in my life. I couldn’t see myself living without them.

“I can’t go. Something came up.”

Tomorrow was supposed to be the start of our yearly girls’ trip to the Bahamas, but I couldn’t resist the intriguing story I’d been investigating coming out of my home state—Louisiana.

Once my source got in touch with me about an auction being held every six months by wealthy and influential men in the country, I couldn’t resist the urge to find out more about it. After reaching out to members of the community, I suspected a link between the exclusive invite only auction and the disappearances of women around Louisiana. Specifically, the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. A sex trafficking ring, orchestrated by one of the country’s most influential individuals, catering exclusively to those with the highest bids. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write this story.

No matter what it cost.

I savored another sip of refreshing iced tea, feeling the cool liquid soothe my parched mouth. I prayed they’d just let it go because I couldn’t get into why I couldn’t go with them and telling them work had interfered with our yearly girl’s trip would not cut it. They would want details—details that I couldn’t give.

“Nikki, if this is about money…”

I quickly raised my hand in the air, signaling Sarah to stop, and let out a sigh of frustration. I loved her but sometimes she worried too much, especially when it came to me and money. It got exhausting.

She was not only my college roommate, but also the first person I met when I moved onto campus. We became close friends even though we were nothing alike. She was a sophomore, studying interior design, who was also filthy rich. I was a freshman, studying journalism, from Harvey in Jefferson Parish. Although we had unique life experiences—very different life experiences—she was like family to me.

She was the mother figure in our tight-knit group, constantly worrying about me more than Cadence or Raven. They were all well off, including being married to extremely possessive, rich men, but this wasn’t a money issue for me. Of course, they would think that. Although I didn’t have the bank accounts they had, I could afford the trip. But I had a job to do.

“It’s not about money, Sarah. I may not have as much as y’all have in the bank, but I can afford to go on vacation.”

It was a challenge to conceal my frustration in my tone. But they sometimes treated me like I was one poor decision away from being on the streets and spreading my legs to make ends meet. I lived a very good, comfortable life by pursuing my passion.

“Then what’s the issue?” Raven asked. “We take this trip every year.”

“Plans change.” I sighed, placing my glass of tea on the table, then leaning back in my chair.

“That’s not a good enough reason, Nikki,” Cadence said, calling me by my nickname. “We know you look forward to this trip every year just as much as we do. We want to know what’s so important that you can’t make it this year? If it doesn’t involve money, then it must be a man.”

I rolled my eyes in response. I knew they wouldn’t let it drop.

“I wish to hell it were a man,” I said. “When’s the last time you’ve seen me with someone?”

It had been a long time, months, in fact. Other than the occasional fuck with Dylan, I haven’t had time to date. But I planned to use this vacation to have a little companionship. Unfortunately, I’d have to wait. I wasn’t happy about it, but I wouldn’t be changing my mind about heading home. People’s lives may depend on what I find out. There was no way I could enjoy a vacation.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you with someone,” Cadence said. “I thought maybe that’s what you’d use this trip for. We all just want to see you happy.”

We all just want to see you happy was code for we want you married like us. I had no intention of finding a husband. My focus was on my career. While I didn’t mind having some fun with someone, it would have to wait until I finished this story.

“That was the plan, but things change.” I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “I’m not lonely guys. I understand y’all are happily married to gorgeous, rich men, that would burn the world down for you. And you would like to see me with someone who would do the same for me, but that’s not what I’m looking for right now. Maybe in the future, but I’m happy with my life.”

Raven scoffed. “You’re happy being alone?” she asked, with her eyebrow arched.

“I’m not alone. I get dick when I want it. And I still have my own space. Yes, I’m incredibly happy with my life.”

“So, tell us again why you’re canceling on us?” Raven asked.

She didn’t look convinced by my statement, but it was the truth. I wasn’t lonely. I had them. And whenever I needed companionship, I called Dylan and he would come right over, fuck my brains out, then go home after we hung out for a little while and talked about random shit. Just like I liked it.

“If it’s not money, and it’s not a man, what is it?” Sarah asked.

“I’m chasing a story and I’ve got to go home.”

“A story?” Raven asked. “And this story can’t wait a week until you get back?”

“Unfortunately, it can’t.”

According to my source, this person, or people, auction off women to the highest bidder once every six months and it was time for it to happen again, this time in New Orleans. I needed to be there to find out when and where to get the information I needed to find out when and where.

“Is it dangerous?” Sarah asked, breaking into my thoughts.

“Maybe,” I said, shrugging. “Anytime you’re dealing with powerful people, there’s always that possibility.”

I didn’t really care if it was dangerous. Unlike certain journalists, I did not avoid covering dodgy stories. Anytime you dealt with someone who was doing illegal shit and as rich and powerful as this man was, it was definitely going to be dangerous. But if I took the proper precautions, I would be fine.

Despite the worry on all their faces, I would not allow it to stop me. Right now, I might be the only help for these women. I had to expose to the world what this man had been doing to these women, especially because of who he was.

“What’s the story about?” Cadence asked with genuine curiosity.

Among all my friends, she stood out as the one who offered unwavering support and sincere interest in my work. Cadence was the last one to join our circle. She hailed from the bustling city of Chicago and found herself married to one of the wealthiest men in the country. Interestingly enough, her husband, Brian Hamm, also happened to be the owner of an exclusive BDSM establishment in California, as well as the owner of an international cyber security firm.

Although supportive and interested in my work, this was a story I couldn’t share the details of until I confirmed it was true, because some immensely powerful people were involved. I didn’t want to put anyone in any danger, especially them. My source was already risking their necks sharing this information with me.

“I can’t say, but it will put me on the map if I can break it. I’m sorry you guys, I would love to go, but I can’t put this off. I have to go home.”

“I don’t like it,” Sarah said, crossing her arms over her lithe body. “What if something happens to you?”

“I don’t either,” Cadence chimed in before I could respond. “But if you think it’s what you need to do, who are we to stop you?” She looked at both Raven and Sarah, then turned her attention back to me. “I support you. We support you. Just please make sure you’re careful.”

“I promise, all of you, I’ll be careful. And if you haven’t heard from me in a week, then call in the calvary,” I said, chuckling trying to calm their fears.

I understood why they were worried, but I was a big girl and could take care of myself. I would be fine.

What was the reason for doing this again, especially right before my vacation? In this weather?

It was the millionth time I had asked myself that same question. I was already anxious about coming to the city, and for good reason. It had been years since I had been home. And I had vowed once I left, I wasn’t coming back. There was nothing left for me in New Orleans. Now the weather made me dread coming back even more.

Ever since I was a kid, my dream was to move away from the neighborhood I grew up in, in New Orleans.

Dream big if you’re going to dream at all, Nikki. And if you work hard, trust in Bondye’s plan, and let the ancestors guide you, everything you want will come true.

That was my mammaw’s mantra. Following my brother’s deployment and subsequent death overseas fighting in Afghanistan, and after her death, I left the city and pursued my dream of becoming a journalist. I took a leap of faith and went after what I wanted. I had no immediate family left in New Orleans, so there wasn’t anything keeping me from leaving.

I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my career just yet, but if I broke this story, I would be exactly where I wanted to be in my career, because this story had the potential to be the most explosive political revelation in decades.

Although I should be on the sandy beaches of the Bahama’s just living it up with my girls and with some random hot guy in my bed, I was working hard and going after what I wanted in life. There was no point in kidding myself. I knew why I was here. I had no other choice. If I wanted my dreams to come true, this was how to do it.

“All work and no play,” I mumbled, before I took in a deep breath and released it, gripping the wheel tighter. “Okay…okay. You got this, Nikki.”

The GPS showed I had approximately forty-five minutes remaining until I reached the hotel parking lot. It was there I would meet the whistleblower, who had a captivating claim about a senator who was predicted to run for President in 2028 and win. If I broke this story, it would be an enormous boost to my career.

“Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.”

As soon I as spoke it, the rain changed from a steady stream of heavy rainfall to relentless downpour.

“Fuck, it feels like I’m in Seattle with all this damn rain,” I grumbled, struggling to see the road ahead.

I turned on the radio, hoping to hear the weather forecast. I wasn’t used to driving in this type of weather and all the flights into New Orleans were delayed or either canceled, so I was currently driving instead of flying.

As I made my way slowly but steadily to my destination, I growled in frustration when the meteorologist’s report showed the possibility of hail and the probability of tornadoes would increase further into the day.

The interstate was practically empty, with only the occasional emergency vehicles passing. Me and the car behind me were the only two idiots out here driving in this mess who didn’t have to be.

The sound of the low fuel light chiming in my rental car caught my attention, showing that I needed to find a gas station. “Just great.” I shook my head. “I hope there’s at least one gas station open, or I’m screwed.”

I exited the freeway as the weather deteriorated quicker than the meteorologist had announced. As I pulled into the first gas station I found when I exited the interstate, my eyes went to the makeshift sign taped to the front door written in bold black sharpie, announcing the store was closed because of the weather.

“Shit!”

Pulling out of that gas station, I drove a little further down the road and got the same results. They were all lit up like they were open, but a sign was taped to the door, saying they were closed because of the weather.

With a tired sigh, I pulled into the parking lot of the rundown motel that seemed on the verge of collapsing. Its neighbor, another closed gas station, was brightly lit, but eerily silent, just like the others. There was no point in going any further. It looked like all the stores had closed their doors and there was no telling when I’d come across another motel.

I turned off the rental car’s engine, took out my phone, and quickly sent a text to the whistleblower that I wouldn’t make it to the meet because of the storm. And if the storm didn’t let up, I had no idea when we could, so we’d have to set a new time and a new place when the storm passed.

After shutting the phone off and stashing it in my pocket, I retrieved my suitcase from the backseat, locked the car doors, then made my way towards the motel’s office, battling the relentless rain and wind.

“Please let them be open,” I mumbled.

There was no way in hell I could drive in this. I might as well get a good night’s sleep if it was possible in a place like this and prepare to meet with the whistleblower after the storm.

A car door slammed in the distance, and footsteps matched mine against the cracked asphalt of the motel parking lot, but I kept my focus on trying to reach the office. I hadn’t been out of the car for one minute and my clothes and the hair I had just gotten done were already soaked.

“Dominique?” a familiar voice called out to me.

Swiftly turning around, I was surprised to hear someone calling my name. Nobody should know I was here.

My eyes widen as Dylan Smith, the man I’d been sleeping with for a few months, jogged towards me, soaked by the rain. We didn’t have anything serious, and I’d enjoyed our time together. He was easy to talk to, wasn’t looking for anything permanent, just like me, and could fuck with the best of them. We had a good vibe.

“Dylan, what are you doing here?” I asked as soon as he reached me.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

My brows drew together. “Sorry for what?”

“This.”

He moved so quickly. I didn’t have time to react. And even before I could scream, pain ricocheted through my skull before darkness quickly took over.