Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Noelle
It’s been two days since the incident, when Torin received a phone call in the middle of the night, slipped out of bed, and left the house shortly after. After he left the house, I got up, went to the living room, and peeked through the curtain to find one of his men sitting in his truck in the driveway. I knew Torin had him there to watch over me and Zack. Everywhere we go or when Zack is out with Torin’s mom, one of the guys is with us. I know it’s for protection because Torin explained that to me. However, there hasn’t been a peep from him about his little disappearing act in the middle of the night.
For a split second after he left that night, I got a sickening feeling that perhaps he would meet up with another woman, but as quickly as that thought entered my mind, it was gone. I trust Torin. My gut tells me the phone call that night had everything to do with Zack and me and the shitstorm we left behind in Texas.
I fear my troubles have followed me to Ember Falls.
Now Torin and his club are taking it on. That thought alone has guilt eating at me. Torin and his club barely know me, yet they are willing to clean up my mess.
This morning, I finally worked up the nerve to ask Torin what had happened the other night and if everything was all right. He simply kissed me and assured me the situation was being dealt with. After his vague response, I felt the topic was not up for discussion, so I left it alone. But as each day passes, my worries intensify.
The coffee pot beeps, making me jump. I take a deep breath and try to clear the fog from my brain. Torin left twenty minutes ago and said he’d be back to give me a ride to the bar later today. With my mug in hand, I pad over to the living room and snag the blanket from the back of the sofa before making my way to the chair adjacent to the fireplace. Torin said he’s only used the fireplace a few times since he’s lived here. Still, after I made the comment of how I always wanted one and how waking up in the mornings and sitting next to a warm fire while curled up in a cozy blanket with a cup of coffee sounded like a dream, he went out of his way to make sure there is a fire going every morning the past few days.
I don’t know how long I sit and stare at the flames, lost in my own little world, but I allow the warm fire and the crackle of the wood logs to fill me with a sense of calmness and peace. For a brief moment, I let all my worries drift away as the orange and yellow flames put me in a trance.
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, I’m awakened by a rattling noise. My spine stiffens, and I sit up to find Zack in the kitchen. “Morning, buddy.” I slip out from under the blanket and stand. “What are you doing?” I walk into the kitchen just as Zack pulls the milk out of the refrigerator.
“I’m going to make some cereal.”
“I see that.” I smile. “Instead of cereal, how about I make pancakes for us?”
“Okay!” Zack beams up at me through the tousled hair hanging over his forehead.
“Well, you already got the milk. Why don’t you grab the eggs for me too.”
“Can I help?” he asks.
“Of course. I need my expert egg cracker, don’t I?”
While Zack grabs the eggs, I gather the other ingredients from the cabinet, a mixing bowl, and a whisk. As I place the dry ingredients into the bowl, I notice a forlorn look on my brother’s face. “Hey, bud, why the long face?”
His nose scrunches. “My face isn’t long.”
“Oh no, bud.” I laugh. “I don’t mean your face looks long. That’s just a metaphor. It means you look sad.”
“Oh,” he replies but doesn’t immediately answer my question.
Knowing my brother, I give him a second to open up.
“I was just wondering if I’ll return to school after Christmas break.”
Zack struggled in school back in Texas, not because of his grades but because some kids were not very nice. I had to meet with his teachers and principal on several occasions due to bullying because, lord knows, his dad didn’t give a crap. He’s the kind of person who believes bullying makes kids tougher and more resilient. I had mulled over the thought of home-schooling in the past, but unfortunately, his dad shot the idea down, and second, I simply didn’t have the time due to my job. So, knowing how sensitive the topic can be, I tread carefully to see where his head is. “Is that something you want?”
Zack nods, and his face perks up. “Shaun is my age and in the same grade. I met him when Ms. June took me to town the other day. We sat next to each other at bingo.”
“Really!”
“He invited me to his birthday party, too,” Zack exclaims.
“That’s awesome, buddy. I’ll be sure to ask Ms. June who his mom is and get her number. After Christmas, I’ll see about getting you enrolled in school.”
After breakfast, Zack disappears into his room to play while I get cleaned up and ready for work. Torin’s mom will be with Zack again today and has decided she’s on babysitting duty indefinitely. When I return to the living room, June walks through the front door with Brewer trailing behind. I smile. “Hi.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” she returns my greeting.
“Zack is playing in his room,” I tell her.
Looking down at my watch, I note Torin is late picking me up. “Have either of you heard from Torin? He was supposed to pick me up by now.”
“Actually, that’s why I’m here,” Brewer says. “Torin texted and asked if I’d take you to the bar. He said he’d be along shortly.”
“Oh.” My mood deflates. “Let me grab my coat and purse then, and I’ll be ready to go.” I retrieve my coat from the hook by the door and slip it on. “Call me if you or Zack need anything,” I tell June.
She waves a hand at me. “We’ll be fine. I might take him into town later for some fresh air.”
“Okay. Let me give you some money.” I start to dig around in my purse for my wallet.
“Absolutely not.” June stops me by placing her hand on my arm.
“Are you sure? You already do so much,” I try to insist.
“I’m sure.” She shoos me out the door. “Now, you two get out of here before you’re late, and Torin starts worrying about where you are.”
Nodding, I look at Zack. “See you later, buddy.” Then I follow Brewer out the door and down the porch steps to his truck. I’m about to climb into the passenger seat when a sports car pulls up. “Nice car,” I say after getting into the truck and turning to Brewer. “Do you know what kind it is?”
“A 1973 Ferrari Daytona.” He takes off down the driveway.
I watch one of Torin’s men get out of the car, but his name has slipped my mind. “Who is that again?” I ask.
“Poet,” Brewer informs me. “He’s hangin’ with June and your brother today.” He doesn’t offer any further information as he settles behind the wheel.
On the ride into town, I can’t help but wonder what kept Torin from coming back home to pick me up. I chew on the inside of my cheek, wondering if I should question Brewer for answers.
“You gonna spit it out?”
I startle at the question. “What?”
Brewer side-eyes me. “You obviously got somethin’ on your mind, so spit it out.”
I sigh. “Did Torin happen to say why he couldn’t pick me up?”
“Yeah.” That’s it! That is Brewer’s one-word answer.
I stare at the side of his face, waiting for him to elaborate.
“Club business,” he grunts.
“Does this club business have anything to do with Zacks’s father?” I ask.
Brewer shrugs. “It’s not my place to say.”
“Whose place is it to say?”
Brewer takes his eyes off the road and looks at me. “Prez.”
Feeling defeated, I fall silent and stare at the window. A moment of silence stretches between Brewer and me before he speaks again, “You don’t have anything to worry about with Prez. He’s as loyal as they come. And he doesn’t play around when it comes to the safety of those he cares about. Eazy has decided you and your brother belong to him, which means you belong to the club.”
“And what does that mean?” I ask.
“It means your troubles become our troubles, and that shit gets handled.”
“How is it handled?”
“That again falls under club business.”
A short while later, we arrive at the bar. “I’ll go take stock until Torin gets here,” I say as soon as Brewer unlocks the door and lets me in. Torin usually takes stock before we open, but I’ve watched him do it enough times to know how it’s done.
Brewer gives me a chin jerk. “All right. I need to make a call. Don’t let anyone in. Come get me when Charlie shows up.”
“You got it.” I grab the stock clipboard from behind the bar while Brewer disappears down the hall toward the office. Once I’m done counting what we have on the floor, I head to the stockroom at the end of the hallway, just past the office. As I’m counting through how many bottles of bourbon we have, I can’t help but think about what Brewer said in the truck about belonging to Torin. I will admit most women would cringe at a man saying she belongs to him because we don’t like to be viewed as property. But there was something about the way Brewer said it that made me feel… I don’t know … cherished. I guess I have a lot to learn about club life, and if I’m going to be with Torin, I have to accept not being privy to things that are happening, even when it’s something that has to do with me or my brother. I’ll admit my brother is an area where I draw the line. I’ve spent his entire life looking out for him. I’m his sister, but sometimes I’m like a mom.
Regarding Zack, I insist on knowing if he’s safe. So, the next time I’m alone with Torin, I intend to talk with him. I understand the club has a way of doing things, and there are things they will not share outside their circle, but I can’t be left entirely in the dark regarding my brother. And right now, I can’t shake the uneasy feeling in my stomach that the situation Torin has been dealing with concerns Zack’s father.
“You good in here?” Brewer calls out, startling me.
I was so lost inside my head that I didn’t hear him come in. “Yep. I just need to take these empty boxes to the dumpster.”
“No worries. I got it.” Brewer goes to gather the boxes when his cell phone rings. He looks down at the screen. “I got to take this,” he says, then disappears out of the storage room.
I wait a few minutes for Brewer to return, but when I note the time, I realize Charlie will be here any minute, and we open soon. After another five minutes, I decide to take the boxes to the trash myself.
Gathering up the boxes, I make my way to the back exit that leads to the alley behind the bar. I poke my head out the door to ensure I’m alone before quickly walking to the dumpster. I go to pry open the side latch of the dumpster, but it won’t budge. “Come on.” I grit my teeth and yank on the lever, yet it still doesn’t open. Finally, after much fiddling, the door slides open, and I chuck the boxes inside. When I turn to go back inside, something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention. A black van is barreling around the corner of the building. I think something must be wrong for a split second because of how fast the van is going. Worry turns to dread when the van stops, the back door flies open, and three men wielding guns jump out.
A scream lodges in my throat before managing to speak, “Oh God, no!” I cry. Inside the van, with a gun to his head and tears running down his frightened face, is Zack. I don’t think twice. I jump into the van with him. The door slams shut behind me, and the van lurches forward as the tires squeal against the snow-covered pavement.
“Zack.” I throw myself at my brother and wrap my arms around his trembling body.
“Noelle.” Zack sobs against my cheek.
“It’s going to be okay, buddy. I promise.”
“Torin will save us, won’t he?” Zack whispers.
I wipe away the tears streaming down my brother’s face. “Yes, he’ll come for us. Just hang on.”
It’s not until then that I see Torin’s mom, bound and gagged at the far end of the van. No! “June.” I move toward her, but I’m forcefully pushed away.
I turn, looking at the men in the back of the van with us. Three of them are wearing black masks, but one is not. He has jet-black hair, a long nose, a sharp jawline, and cold, dark eyes. I know without a doubt that man is pure evil. A chill runs down my spine when he smiles at me.
“I have to give you credit.” He lights a cigarette. “You’re one smart bitch for coming up here and hooking up with Devil’s Punishers. You spread your legs, and now you got them eatin’ out the palm of your hand.”
I sneer at the asshole, and he chuckles. “What do you want with us?”
The guy takes a long drag from the cigarette. “Your dumb as fuck stepfather thought he could fuck with the wrong people. He promised my boss something but then failed to deliver.”
“Is it money?” I ask. “If he owes you money, I can get you the money. Just please let me, my brother, and June go.” The truth is, I don’t have any money. At this point, I’m desperate enough to promise anything.
The jerk laughs and shakes his head. “Money. That numb nuts don’t have money. He knew he couldn’t pay back the fifty large he owes my boss, so he made another deal.”
Fear like I’ve never felt before washes over me. “Wha… what did he promise?”
A sinister grin spreads across the guy’s face. “You.”