Shadow and Skulls (Rebel Skull MC Series Book 6)

10. Chapter Ten

My dad called early this morning to let us know he was on the way home. Mom didn’t give any indication that he’d murdered anyone, but then again, would he tell her? I guess if Tank isn’t with them, I’ll know JD told him everything.

I drop my head onto my steering wheel, trying to pep talk myself into facing JD. Thank god there was a stupid assembly today, and I was able to slip away without anyone noticing. As embarrassing as this is, I have to do it.

The little tune that raps on my window puts a smile on my face. It’s JD. I don’t know why I was worried. Yesterday isn’t going to change anything between us. I trust him. I lift my head as he opens my car door.

“Everything okay?”

I stare out the windshield, letting my head fall back against the seat. “Yeah, sure. You know, besides the fact that my mom’s best friend caught me completely naked. Not to mention getting off over the phone with the VP of the NorCal Chapter. Besides that, everything is fine.”

Sighing, I cover my face with my hands. It sounds so much worse when I say it out loud.

He reaches for my hand to pull me out of the car, and I can feel his gaze bouncing over my face as I continue to hide from him.

“You said he was helping you,” he fires off right away.

“Yeah, helping me get over Jason.” The lie rolls easily off my tongue. He doesn’t know that I’ve been over Jason for a long time.

“Kelsie,” he groans, pulling my hands away from my face.

“This is embarrassing, okay? It was nothing. I’m nineteen, and only two months away from being twenty. Can we just let it go?”

“He’s a club member and like, what, twenty years older than you?” His voice gets louder with each word that leaves his mouth.

“He’s not twenty years older than me.” Is he?

“If you don’t tell your mom you’re messing around with him, then I will.” The way his eye twitches tells me he’s bluffing.

“Then tell her,” I challenge, jutting out my chin. I’m not sure where my bravado is coming from, but I should have known it would be short lived. I just don’t have it in me to defy authority. It’s been my downfall for my entire life.

JD grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Kelsie, I’m going to tell Dan. I don’t want to humiliate you, but it’s better than letting Tank get away with disrespecting you.”

“He’s not disrespecting me. He’s helping me!” I yank my face away from him, stomping my foot.

The rumble of Kat’s engine draws our attention to the end of the driveway as she pulls in.

“Fine, you win. I’ll tell Mom and Dad myself,” I say quickly, not wanting him to bring Kat into our conversation.

“I mean it, Kelsie. Do not test me on this.”

His right eyebrow is cocked high to let me know how serious he is. He lowers it before he waves to Kat. This is definitely a side of JD I’ve never seen. He’s usually laid back and quiet.

Kat rolls up beside us, and we both turn to smile at her.

“Hey guys, what’s up?” Her gaze falls to her watch. “Why aren’t you in school?” she asks as it returns to me.

“Oh, there was an assembly today. I hate them. It was for all grades too, so even the little kids were going. Way too peoplely for me. I cut out of there early.” I tell myself to shut up, remembering how Dad always says it takes longer to tell a lie than the truth.

“I don’t remember Charlotte talking about an assembly. What was it about?”

Rolling my eyes, I lean against the car. “It wasn’t even on the school’s schedule. It’s just some boring senator … wait, no, congressman, giving a speech or something, but I wasn’t in the mood to suffer through it. I feel bad Charlotte had to go.”

How easily I slip back into my normal teenager persona.

Kat suddenly looks concerned.

“I was just getting ready to go back to the school,” I add quickly.

She starts her bike and turns it around. Something’s wrong. I don’t think she’s concerned I’m not in school. It’s something else … something much more serious.

“What’s wrong?” I yell as she guns out of the driveway.

“Get in,” JD says, pushing me toward the back of my car.

I run around and slide into the passenger seat. As soon as my door closes, JD whips around, spraying gravel over the yard.

“Call your mom and tell her we’ll be there in five,” he says, pulling out his own phone and putting it to his ear.

When she answers, I tell her exactly what he told me to say.

“I’ll be ready,” she says, hanging up without saying goodbye.

“Fuck!” he yells when whoever he’s called doesn’t answer.

“What’s happening?” I ask nervously.

“We’re going into lockdown.”

“What? Why?”

He glances at me before turning his attention back to the road. “I think Charlotte’s in trouble.”

My heart falls right into the pit of my stomach. I left her at school. All alone.

The second we pull up in front of Junkyard Creations, my mom comes running out with Jesse. JD fills them in as my mom slides in behind him, plopping down in the backseat of my car.

“Get to the warehouse. The guys should be pulling in any minute. Keep trying Jackson!” Jesse yells as she rushes across the street to her bike. “Tell Dirk I’m going to the school!”

“Goddammit,” JD says as he pulls away. “What the fuck is going on?”

I bite my lip, keeping quiet. This is all my fault. I should have stayed at school today. If I was at the assembly, I would have gone over and sat with Charlotte. We always sit together when the high school and elementary have combined activities. She probably wondered where I was at.

My mom reaches over the seat and squeezes my shoulder. “Everything’s going to be okay,” she reassures me.

The guys are just getting off their bikes when we pull into the warehouse parking lot. The second JD puts my car in park, I open my door and run toward my dad.

“Charlotte is in trouble,” I cry the second I’m within arm’s reach of him. He grabs me by my shoulders, holding me away from him so he can look me in the eye.

“Where is she?” he asks calmly.

I wave my hands around frantically, trying to tell him that I left her at school and how scared Kat looked when she tore out of the junkyard. Jackson rushes past us, heading over to Petey.

“Kelsie, take a deep breath,” my dad orders, looking over my shoulder at my mom.

Jackson whistles loudly, pulling everyone’s attention to him. “Black Rose Custom Bikes. Now. Roll in locked and loaded.”

My dad gives me a little shake before kissing me on the forehead. “Get inside with your mom. I’ll be back soon.”

He gently but firmly pushes me into my mom’s arms. She wraps herself around me, hurrying us toward the warehouse as bikes begin to pull onto the road behind us.

When I glance back, I notice one last biker who lingers by the gate. Our gazes lock briefly before my mom pulls me inside. As soon as she closes the door behind us, locking it, I rush upstairs to the window at the end of the hall. Tank waits until he’s sure we’ve made it safely inside. Then, he rolls out onto the road, following his club.

I back away from the window after he disappears.

Oh god. What if something’s happened to Charlotte. How will I live with myself?

“Hey,” Billie Rose says behind me. I turn to find her and her children. “It’s going to be okay.” She waves for me to follow her into the nursery.

“I think I’ll wait downstairs,” I tell her.

Aurelia tugs at her hand, ready to play.

“Momma’s coming,” she assures her. “The guys know what they’re doing. They’ll watch each other’s backs.”

“I know.” I offer her a smile.

As soon as she and her children disappear behind the door, I run down the stairs. Jesse has returned. She and my mom are speaking in hushed, worried tones by the back door.

I sit in the living room by the front door, tapping my foot as I wait for someone to tell me what’s going on. It seems like forever before Petey walks in with Charlotte in his arms.

Oh thank god.

I don’t get a chance to talk to her though, because Petey tells everyone he’s taking her down to their cabin. But at least I know she’s okay.

Soon after, club members begin trickling back to the warehouse. When Dirk and Jesse usher a battered Kat through the door, my hand flies to my mouth. She’s … oh god, she is hurt.

“Hey, it’s getting late, sweetheart. Why don’t you go upstairs? Jesse said you can stay in their room. They’re going to stay down at Petey’s tonight.”

My gaze follows the trio up the stairs as my brain begins to panic about the seriousness of the moment. Kat was hurt.

“Oh, okay. I just need … where’s Dad?”

Frantically, I pull away from her, searching for my dad amongst the crowd of bikers. He’s not here! A firm hand suddenly wraps around my bicep, tugging me to a stop.

My racing thoughts abruptly quiet and I still. Not because he’s physically holding me, but because of the intensity in his green eyes.

“Kelsie,” my mom pants, finally catching up to me. Tank continues to hold me by my arm. “Dad is okay, sweetie. He’s just taking care of some business. He’ll be here soon. There’s no need to worry.”

I tip my head back, staring up at Tank, searching for reassurance. I know he’ll tell me the truth.

“He’s making sure the cleanup crew doesn’t leave any fingers or toes behind.” He answers my question without me having to ask.

My mom blows out a short, unhappy breath. “Kelsie, go to bed. Dad is fine.” She brushes Tank’s hand off of my arm and gently nudges me toward the stairs.

Slowly, I back away from the two of them.

“Do you remember which room is Dirk and Jesse’s?” she asks, shoving a bag into my chest.

Tank’s gaze jerks toward the stairs, silently urging me to listen to her.

“Yeah. I’ll see you at breakfast,” I tell her, turning to leave.

When I get to Jesse and Dirk’s room, I press my back against the door, struggling to pull air into my lungs. Everything is okay, I tell myself as I count backward from ten. My gaze roams the room for something to ground me. I stare at a wind chime hanging in the window. The moonlight glints off the crystals.

Charlotte is okay. Kat is … I’m sure she’ll be okay. A few bumps and bruises won’t get her down.

I drop my gaze to the bag hanging from my hand. I’m sure it’s filled with everything I’ll need for the night. My mom keeps bug out bags everywhere. Here, her store, Dad’s shop, our house …

But Charlotte could have been hurt … kidnapped even …

The door pushes against my back, making me stumble farther into the dark room. “My mom said …” I begin to explain, thinking it’s Dirk. My sentence ends abruptly as Tank’s presence sucks the oxygen from the room.

He reaches for me, tugging me into the warmth of his body. His big hands cradle my head firmly against his chest. I wiggle in his grip, but he doesn’t release me.

“Charlotte is okay,” he says quietly.

She looked so scared when Petey brought her home.

“Say it,” Tank orders, pressing his lips to the top of my head.

“She’s okay.”

“Say it again.”

“She’s okay,” my voice cracks. “I should have been there.”

“This isn’t your fault,” he assures me. “If you would have been there, you would have been in danger too. It’s probably better that you weren’t.”

After a few seconds, he walks us over to the window. “Why did you leave school today?” he asks as we stare down at the lake.

“I had to talk to JD.”

When club members begin to gather on the lawn below, he backs us into the shadows.

“He said he’s going to tell my dad about you if I don’t.”

“I’ll talk to JD. We’ll tell your parents about us when the time is right.”

“You don’t understand.”

He steps in front of me, making me look at him. “No one gets to force you into anything. Not even JD.”

“But …”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.” He steps away from me. “I’ll go run you a shower.”

He disappears into the bathroom, the light spilling over the bedroom carpet when he turns it on.

“There is no us,” I tell him, bouncing on my toes nervously.

He appears in the doorway, wiping his hand on a towel. He laughs. “Oh, there is definitely an us. We’ve been destined to cross paths. Do you remember that ice cream shop back home in Iowa? You know, the one across from the EconoFirst Motel?”

My heart slows, and I take a step back.

“We’ll have to take a road trip there sometime. Have you had one of their hot fudge sundaes?” he asks, resting his hands above the doorframe.

He knows I’m from Iowa?

My heart begins to race right before I scurry across the bed. We both look at the door when I stumble off the other side. There is no way I’ll reach it before him.

“Why did he send you?” I begin to panic, wondering why Dr. Williams sent him. I didn’t tell anyone about his part in my being trafficked.

“No one sent me.” His brows pull together, and he straightens. “What are you talking about?”

“I didn’t tell anyone about him. I promise.”

As soon as I rush for the door, he’s on me. His big arm wraps around me like a vice. The palm of his hand presses over my mouth.

“Who do you think sent me?”

I shake my head back and forth, struggling to breathe through my nose. I’ll never say his name out loud. Never.

“No one sent me, Kelsie. I know you’re from Iowa because I work for a team of private investigators. I had them do some digging on you. They told me your story. I grew up in the same town as you. I wasn’t trying to scare you. I was just trying to show you the invisible thread that runs between us.”

He gives me a few minutes to process what he’s said.

“I’m going to uncover your mouth now. Don’t scream.”

When I nod, he slowly moves his hand away. I tip my head back, staring up at him. He opens his mouth to explain further, but he snaps it shut when we’re interrupted by a knock at the door. He quickly releases me and hurries to the bathroom.

I take a deep breath before answering the door.

“Hey, baby girl. Mom said you were looking for me earlier. I just wanted to let you know that I’m back.”

My dad grabs me by my arms, marching me backward as he scans the room. His gaze narrows on the partially open bathroom door, the shower is still running.

I grab his hand and pull him to sit on the bed. “I was just getting ready to shower. I’m so glad you’re here. I was worried about you.”

He leans forward, kissing my forehead. “It’s all good.”

A loud crash comes from the bathroom. Our gazes lock briefly before he’s on his feet and shoving the door open. I rush after him, bumping into his backside as he bends over to retrieve Jesse’s curling iron from the floor.

I let out a little laugh. “Oh gosh, that scared me.”

He sets it on the counter, his brows pulling together. “You seem a little jumpy. Everything is okay. There’s no need to be frightened about the club going into lockdown. It was just a precaution. Okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I know. I guess I’m just a little anxious after seeing how scared Katie was today.”

He pulls me in for a hug. “Everyone is safe, so sleep well tonight. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I nod into his chest, hoping he doesn’t notice I’m holding my breath.

As soon as he leaves, I lock the door behind him. My mind races as I walk into the bathroom and pull the shower curtain back. Neither of us say anything as water drips from Tank”s hair.

“You had someone dig into my past?” I don’t even try to hide the hurt on my face.

He doesn’t try to deny or justify it. “Yes.”

My fingertips dance over my lips. Maybe I should have told my dad he was here. I don’t think anyone from the club knows who this guy really is.

“Why?”

“I wanted to know everything about you.”

“Um, I need a minute to think. I’m not sure how I feel about all of this.” I pull the curtain closed, staring at the giant skull painted on it. “You may as well shower while you’re in there. I’ll go see if I can find you something to put on.”

My chest squeezes as I close the door behind me. I don’t know why exactly, but it makes me happy that this man knows everything about my past. And because he’s still here … hiding in my shower. Reluctantly, I pull a scowl on my face. I shouldn’t be happy about this. I shouldn’t. He violated my privacy.

I allow myself one last smile before stomping back into the bathroom. “I found a robe. I’ll leave it here on the hook.”

His head pops out from behind the curtain, his hand running down his face. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll just …” I point over my shoulder and back out of the room.

A few minutes later, he comes out smelling way better than anyone should be allowed to.

“It’s all yours.” He nods behind him.

As I step around him, he grabs my arm gently. “I’m going to head back to my room. Text me if you want to talk after your shower.”

When I don’t say anything, he releases me and steps toward the door. I watch as his fingers graze the doorknob. I can’t let him leave.

“Please stay.”