7

“ I just wanted to say how sorry I am.”

Standing at Jace’s door, I figured it was about time I came and apologized to him for what happened the other night. I haven’t made contact yet, mostly because I have been so caught up in other things. It isn’t right, though, and I know he deserves an apology.

“Didn’t think I was going to hear from you again, if I’m honest,” he murmurs, crossing his arms over his bare, beautiful chest.

“It has been a rough few days, but I promise you, you were on my mind. I know what happened was intense, and I’m incredibly sorry for that.”

“The biker pulled a gun on me, Mera. Want to tell me why you’re involved with that club?”

I exhale. No point in lying to him. “He’s helping me.”

His face flashes with something I can’t quite read, and his lips form a tight line. “You’re trusting criminals to help you?”

“I need to find that girl. I need to clear my name. I need answers. He’s the only person I know who can help me with all of that.”

“Why would you risk your life trying to find that girl? You had nothing to do with that.”

I shake my head, tired of explaining the same story over and over. “That’s not what everyone in the town thinks, and I need to prove to them all that I’m not my father.”

“It won’t matter what you do, they won’t change their mind. You’re wasting your time and getting caught up in dangerous things to do it.”

I am trying to keep calm, but it’s frustrating that he doesn’t understand where I’m coming from.

“Look, I know it’s probably a bad decision, but it is a decision I made and I’m sticking to it. I understand if you want nothing to do with me because of that choice, and I will respect it. But I couldn’t not come here and apologize to you.”

His face softens. “I don’t know you well enough to tell you what to do, Mera, but please be careful. That club is known for being involved in some pretty illegal shit, and I don’t want you getting caught up in that.”

I nod. “I promise I’ll be careful. If it isn’t too much to ask, I would love if we can still remain friends. You’re about the only person in this town that doesn’t hate me.”

He smiles now, and I exhale with relief.

“You know I can’t say no to that kind of offer.”

I laugh. “Thanks, I think.”

He chuckles. “We’ll catch up later for drinks?”

“I’d love that.”

Leaving his house, I feel a touch lighter. Like I have one less thing to worry about. I like Jace, and I’d hate to ruin a budding friendship by being dishonest with him. He might not like my choices, but at least I’m truthful about them.

Arriving back at the hotel, I make my way toward my room, desperate for a nap. I haven’t slept properly since I’ve been here, and it’s starting to take its toll. Unlocking the door, I step inside and notice something on the ground. There is a folded slip of paper just beneath my door. Frowning, I reach down and pick it up, opening it and reading the words inside.

Confusion washes over me.

Come find her, if you can.

He can help you, if you’re lucky.

Know this, though, everything you think you know ... is a lie.

The secrets this town holds will crush you.

I promise you that.

What the hell?

I flip the note over, but that’s all that’s written on it.

My heart skips a beat as I try to decipher the words.

Someone is messing with me, but why?

He wants me to come and find the girl? Is this some sort of game? Is he enjoying watching me being tormented? The question is, why? Why would anyone want to hurt me? I haven’t done a single thing wrong to deserve that.

I’m missing something here.

I know that for certain.

Frustrated, I pull out my phone and dial Wolfe. He agreed to help me, so he can start with trying to figure out who the hell is watching me and leaving notes.

“Why are you calling Rook?”

Esme’s voice comes across the line, and I want to slam the phone down and scream as loudly as I can, but, instead, I stay calm.

“I need to speak to him. Put him on the phone.”

“If you’re trying to worm your way in, know this, he’s going to make me his Old Lady, and I’m not letting anyone get in the way of that.”

My chest clenches.

“Put him on the phone, Esmerelda.”

“Do not—”

“Why the fuck are you answerin’ my phone?”

Wolfe’s angry voice can be heard in the background, and then scratching sounds come across the line before I hear him growl, “What?”

Breathe, Mera.

“I need to see you.”

“I agreed to help you, but I’m not your fuckin’ call boy.”

Stay calm.

“I got a note. Pushed under my door. Can I see you or should I take it to the cops?”

He growls.

“Five minutes. Don’t move.”

Then, the line disconnects.

“Sir, yes sir,” I mutter, tossing the phone down.

I sit and wait until the familiar rumbling sound of Wolfe’s bike can be heard out front. Less than a minute later, my door swings open and he walks inside followed by Talon. Seriously, he had to bring him? The one person who probably wants to see me dead. Talon’s eyes swing to me, and they are so intense I can’t help but look away. Freaks me out the way he stares.

“Show me,” Wolfe orders, stretching out a hand.

I give him the note, and he reads over it, his face darkening with the shadow of a secret. He knows something, something more than he is letting on.

“Someone is just messin’ with you,” he murmurs, shoving the note into his pocket.

“Oh, and you know that how? Did the handwriting give it away, or ...?”

“Don’t be fuckin’ smart,” he warns.

“Well, I’d like to know why you think it isn’t something to worry about.”

“Because people in this town can’t fuckin’ stand you and they want you out.”

I’m ready to throw down with this man right now.

I’ve had just about enough.

“Nowhere in that note did it tell me to leave,” I point out, my voice clipped.

“It told you that you will find out shit you don’t want, which I have already warned you about. In other words, get the fuck out of town.”

“You know what,” I snap, throwing up my hands, “talking to you is about as useful as talking to a fucking wall. I’ll deal with it on my own. You can leave now.”

Talon’s eyes move to Wolfe, as if he’s shocked that I’m being allowed to speak like that.

“Careful,” Wolfe growls.

“Yeah, I’ve heard it all before. Go. I will fucking figure it out myself.”

“Get your shit, you’re comin’ with us.”

I blink.

What in the ever loving?

“No,” I respond, shocked.

His eyes darken as he takes a step closer. “I said, get your fuckin’ things, you’re comin’ with us.”

“Why the hell would I do that?”

“Because you’re throwin’ down about me not takin’ this note seriously. You want me to take it seriously, you want my help, then you will come where we can keep eyes on you.”

I grit my teeth.

The air grows thick with silence.

“You want me to stay at a biker club?”

“You’ll have your own room, and you’ll be safe. Don’t tell me you’re attached to this place?”

I purse my lips, still willing to fight, even though I already know I’ll likely go with him.

“What are the rules? You’re not going to follow me around everywhere, are you? What if I want someone over?”

His mouth twitches. “You mean that fuckwit boyfriend of yours?”

“He’s not my boyfriend, nor is he a fuckwit.”

He grins now. Talon does, too.

Damn them.

“Yes, or no?” I snap.

“Do what you want, Kitten.”

I want to punch him.

“Fine. Then I will come with you.”

“Five minutes. Pack your shit.”

They leave the room, and I flip them off as they do.

“Put your finger down,” Wolfe yells, not once turning back to look at me.

That asshole. How did he know?

Cursing under my breath, I pack my things and then go to reception to let them know I’m checking out. The man behind the desk hardly seems upset about my departure. The only good thing that will come out of this is that I won’t have to keep paying to stay here.

But a biker club?

Things are about to get interesting.

“WHERE DID SHE GO MISSING ?”

I’m sitting across from Wolfe, Talon, Zane and Kael. From what I’ve been told, they have their roles in the club which are Vice President belonging to Talon, Sergeant at Arms belonging to Zane, and Road Captain belonging to Kael. I’m still learning what each of these positions mean, not to mention the fact that there are more. I’m losing track, but it seems these four are tight.

They speak about another member who is away at the moment, and his name is Knox but they call him Havoc. He is the Secretary, and I have no doubt I’m going to meet him when he returns. So far, those are the only names I remember. I have been introduced to so many bikers in the last few hours, it’s going to take me so long to remember them all.

Back to Zane’s question.

“As far as I know, she was walkin’ back from a friend’s house when she was taken,” Kael explains. “Nobody saw anythin’, and the police are runnin’ out of suspects. Other than our girl here. They’ll no doubt be around askin’ questions again when they can’t find anythin’ else.”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

“Well, we know it wasn’t me, so that doesn’t leave many options,” I point out.

“Your father have any enemies, people he fucked over?” Kael asks.

“I have no idea,” I admit. “I don’t know anything about the ‘other’ side to him.”

Wolfe is weirdly quiet, leaning back in his chair, watching the interaction with an expression on his face I can’t quite read.

“Best bet is to assume it is someone who wants some kind of revenge and is usin’ you to get it,” Zane murmurs, crossing his arms. “Not much else makes sense.”

“Copycat?” I offer.

Talon nods, sharply. “Seems like it.”

He’s right.

Plus the note.

Someone is messing with me.

“Where do we start looking then?” I go on, glancing between them.

“Start with findin’ out as much as we can about this girl, pray to fuck that it wasn’t random, and hope we can find a way to link her to all of this somehow,” Kael grunts.

“I’ll handle it,” Wolfe finally speaks. “The club has plenty of other shit to be dealin’ with. Find out what you can, but I’ll lead the search with Mera.”

Mera?

Not Kitten.

I mean, I loathe Kitten, but still. It feels strange to hear him call me by my first name.

The guys nod, and then we’re all dismissed and Kael is given the job of finding a clean room for me. All I can say is that I’m thankful for the dorms in this place, because it means more chance of actually having a space to myself.

“Come on, girly.” Kael grins. “I’ll get you a room right next to mine.”

I can’t help the small giggle that comes out. I’m immediately horrified and give him a sheepish grin.

I need to get laid. Yesterday.

“She goes as close to me as you can get her,” Wolfe orders, not even looking up from his phone.

Seriously?

Fantastic.

“I’d love nothing more than to listen to you and Esmerelda fucking all night long.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not all night,” he murmurs.

I glance at Kael, who shoots me another grin. “If they’re too loud, you can always stay with me.”

“I might just take you up on that offer.”

Wolfe glares at him, but we’re turning toward the door before Kael even notices.

That’ll teach him.

Bloody overbearing biker.

I follow Kael out toward the dorms, and he has one of the old ladies give him a list of the ones that are taken and the ones that aren’t. She advises that there are only two that are free, and one of them just so happens to be right next to Wolfe’s large office slash bedroom slash fuckpad. Amazing. I guess nobody wants to be that close to the President.

Kael, listening to his boss, makes sure I’m in the one right next to Wolfe.

The room itself is surprisingly neat. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly isn’t the quaint little space with a double bed, a small kitchen area and a sofa by a built-in window. The bed is cleanly made, and the kitchen has a small kettle, a microwave, and a few things to be able to make basic meals, such as cups, plates, and bowls.

“It’s close to Rook, but it’s the best room, trust me,” Kael assures me as he stands by the door.

“Where do we, ah, shower?”

He grins. “Got one in mine, if you need.”

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. It’s hard not to like Kael. “Are you inviting me to your room, sir?”

He chuckles. “Door’s always open, darlin’. I got shit to do, but if you need, it’s there.”

“Thanks.”

He leaves, and I close the door, sitting on the end of the bed and letting my shoulders slump.

Well, here goes.

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