Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
MALICE
The day doesn’t go as planned. I’m only able to check in on Monroe twice, and even then, I only had seconds before I had to focus.
The road stretches out in front of us as Wrath, Noose, and a few trusted prospects and I drive to scope out a location where the Kingsnakes MC may be hiding out.
Wrath reached out to other clubs in Washington for more info on them, but we only got one hit.
Either everyone is too scared to speak up and negatively impact their relationships for snitching, or the Kingsnakes really are sneaky sons of bitches.
After a two-hour ride, we pull over to grab a bite at a small diner in a town I’ve never heard of—Autumn Bay.
I take a seat at the closest table to the windows in front of our bikes so I can keep an eye on them.
You never know. Sometimes people see a group of bikers and suddenly get ballsy.
I much prefer it when they cower and stay clear of us. It’s quieter that way.
A waitress drops a few menus, and I pick up the sticky plastic, making a face before dropping it back to the table.
I haven’t had much of an appetite since Rolo died, so I order a water and relax in the booth, pulling out my phone to check on Monroe.
To my disappointment, she’s not in the preparation room, and I wrack my brain with how to get more cameras to follow her everywhere she goes.
I definitely need one in her bedroom. Especially after the other night when I got to watch her touch her pussy.
Even if she didn’t climax. My poor, sweet girl.
I’ll take care of her soon enough, and I plan on making up for all her missed orgasms.
“What do you keep doing on your phone? You’re never on your phone,” Wrath asks. I quickly pocket it.
“Where do we go next? They’re not hiding in an actual snake den; someone has to know where they are or who the fuck the Kingsnakes are,” I say, changing the topic. I’m not going to answer to anyone. Not about Monroe.
A soft, timid voice breaks our conversation.
“Sorry for intruding, but did you say Kingsnakes, like the motorcycle club?” I look up as the waitress sets our drinks down on the table, her eyes looking at our cuts.
I hadn’t noticed her before now, but she looks scared shitless.
The side of her neck is covered in deep scars, and when she sees me looking, she adjusts her collar, looking like she’d rather the floor open up right now so she could disappear.
She has the most unique, near-white, blonde hair I’ve ever seen, and I recognize the look in her eyes. Fear.
“You know ’em?” Noose asks her. The girl’s eyes dart around the long room of the diner. “We won’t hurt you, but we need to find them.”
“I-I, I don’t know. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry, I don’t know anything.”
Wrath reaches out and touches the top of her shaking hand that’s crossed at her front.
“Why don’t you take a break, huh? Head to the restroom.
I’ll knock twice, and then you’ll let me in, okay?
I won’t hurt you, have never hurt a woman in my life, but you know something, and I can tell you’re scared.
They hurt someone close to us. Our brother.
I need you to tell me what you know. Nod once if you understand, sweetheart.
” I roll my eyes as much as I’m impressed.
Wrath is a smooth asshole. His calm demeanor has always made women relax around him.
Probably helps that he’s pretty to look at, too.
Especially sitting here with me and Noose.
Noose is an ugly fucker. I glance over at him and bristle. Yeah, he’s an ugly fucker.
The woman holds Wrath’s stare for a few silent moments, and my eyes dart around, before she finally nods her head once and then quickly returns behind the counter.
Wrath raps his fingers on the tabletop several times. “I’ll be right back, boys,” he tells us. Noose snorts.
“How about I go?” I suggest. I’ll get the information out of her. Wrath may be smooth with women, but I know how to get what we need.
Wrath and Noose both laugh. “Absolutely the fuck not. No offense, Mal, but you’re probably one of the reasons she looks terrified. You look like Death himself.”
I run my fingers through my hair and screw my face up. “I do not.” Even if I know he’s right. “Whatever. Just get the information. I want to get the fuck out of here if we aren’t bringing bodies back with us today.”
Wrath nods and then stands, adjusting his leather cut as he heads toward the restroom, while I stay rooted to my spot, sipping on my water.
The diner is nice for being on the outskirts of town.
The coast isn’t far from here, and I could smell the salt air as we rode in.
It’s no Amberwood, but I can see the appeal.
Wrath is back within ten minutes, giving me a subtle head nod that tells me it’s time to leave. Wrath drops a few hundred onto the table, and Noose and I both widen our eyes.
“She needs it more than we do. Let’s go.”
We follow him outside to our bikes, the prospects flanking the three of us.
“What’d you find out?”
“The Kingsnakes MC used to be respected. She said they took care of the town and its people, loved everyone. Rolo’s brother had just gotten out of jail, was just a member, then he killed the former president in his sleep, took over the position by force with a few other assholes that had his back, and has been slowly dismantling and destroying everything the club had built. ”
“Fucking shit,” Noose mutters.
“Any info on Rolo’s brother?”
“He’s a real piece of shit. But get this, his road name? Cain.”
Noose snorts, and my eyes narrow. Kind of a weird fucking road name.
“Cane? Like he needs one to walk? How the fuck old is this guy?”
“It’s biblical, Mal. He’s considered the world’s first murderer. He killed his own brother.” How very poetic of him to take that name and then commit the same act.
“How does she know all this?”
“Her brother is a member.”
“What’s her brother’s name? Is he our in?”
“Saint. He’s gonna help us.”
After gathering our information from the waitress, we went back to Amberwood to get a plan together.
Wrath left the waitress, Sienna, with the number to his burner phone.
We just have to hope like hell she doesn’t get too spooked to talk to us any further.
We need to connect with her brother if he can get us information on where the fuck Garrett is.
Finding out the hit came from a club president—Rolo’s own brother, no less—changes things and makes them a bit trickier than just going in guns blazing.
After checking in at the clubhouse, I snuck back out, needing to get my eyes on Monroe. My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for her to leave the mortuary. I’m angsty, anticipating getting my eyes on her. I thought about her all day, wishing like hell she knew who I was.
Monroe leaves the building, a smile on her face as the sun shines down on her like it’s been waiting all day to touch her with its rays.
I watch her from my spot in the alleyway, her petite, pale legs, lithe and so thin.
She’s wearing one of those dresses again, and I realize I’ve never seen her in jeans.
Which is fine, I like the dresses, and she must like them, too.
This one is black from the waist up with a pretty satin-looking bow tied around her dainty throat and buttons that descend down the front.
The skirt poofs out slightly at her waist, the hem stopping just past her knees.
It blooms in nude tulle, scattered with black butterfly appliqués that seem to dance in flight as she sways.
If only I could get her to strap my gift to the outside of her thigh, she’d complete the entire look flawlessly.
Me: She looks so pretty right now
Wrath: Who does?
Sin: Where are you?
Me: In the alley between the library and Daily Rise
Chaos: For fuck’s sake, what do I gotta do to get control over you all?
Chaos: Mal stop following her
Sin: Where was that rule when he was stalking me?
Chaos: You’re a big boy
Me: And she’s a queen. She can handle herself
Wrath: Against you?
Me: Yeah if need be. I got her a present
Chaos: Mal. What kind of fucking present?
Me: The fun kind!
Wrath: Shit. That could be anything from a butt plug to a flower
Sin: Hopefully it’s the latter?
Wrath: Why are you phrasing that as a question?
Sin: Some women like butt plugs?
Wrath: Again, make a definitive statement
Sin: Nah
Chaos: Shut the fuck up
Chaos: Malice what did you get her?
Me: ….
Chaos: Malice
Me: ….
Chaos: Crew I swear to fucking God
Sin: You don’t believe in God
Chaos: I’m about to put a bullet in all three of your heads to find out
Sin: But how would you know if we’re all dead? We’d be the only ones to know
Chaos: I hate you all
Chaos has left the chat
Wrath: Mal buddy, is it safe?
Me: Yeah it’s safe
Wrath: Good man. Let me know if you need anything
Me: You think she’ll like it?
Sin: We don’t know what it is buddy, but if you put your heart into it, I’m sure she’ll love it. Women like sweet gestures
Me: K. I shall keep you updated my brothers from other mothers!
Monroe crosses the street, her low-heeled sandals tapping against the pavement as she lightly jogs to quickly get out of the way of an oncoming car.
I can’t rip my eyes away. Look at her, so innocent and sweet, all goodness and light.
Her pink hair shines in the sunlight, her skin glowing ethereally.
My hands itch at my sides, wanting to run my fingers through her silky hair, over her soft skin. I want to count her freckles. Bask in her warmth.