Friends Forever
Morgan
Victor was a super chill guy. He offered me a brownie that looked amazing, but I turned it down. I figured he was chill for a reason, and I didn’t want to be that chill. I met a young woman named Fiona that was a mechanic, but she lived in the compound. Then I met Bella, Jade, Santana, and Emberly. They answered phones, scheduled maintenance for people who bought their bikes from Creed, and did some book keeping. It seemed to be a legit business, but it was all still as suspicious as hell. Not the shop, but the compound. I left his shop in my replacement rental, which was a Range Rover, with more questions than answers.
When I returned home, I got the third degree from my dad until I told him I was with Creed. I had no idea what it was about Creed, but my dad respected him. I laid in bed that night after spending a great deal of time brushing out knots in my hair, and thought about Creed. He was a pain in my ass, but being so close to him did something to me. Of course, the fact that he was gorgeous was obvious, but he stirred stuff inside me and made me feel weird. I spent my life around beautiful men, but none of them stirred things inside me the way Creed did. I was tempted to Google him, but unlike a lot of people, I respected one’s privacy and what I’d read wouldn’t matter. Nothing about people on the internet was ever true. I’d respect him the way I hoped people would respect me.
My phone rang, so I reached for it and a smile formed on my face. “Hey there.” I answered.
“How’s my girl tonight?” Jake asked.
I sighed. “I still haven’t seen Callie or Addie. I’m so scared, Jake.”
“Do you want me to come? I’m free and my grandpa is due for a visit anyway.”
I shrugged although he couldn’t see it. I knew he wasn’t all that thrilled about visiting Indiana. “That’s up to you. I’m fine and my dad and uncle are helping so don’t come here just for me.” I had my suspicions that Jake didn’t like visiting Indiana as much as he did as a kid.
“Have you heard anything from Nicole or Jonathan?” He asked.
“Nope, and if they did call I’d never answer. I have no plans to ever work with them again.”
He was quiet for just a moment. “My dad is buying the farm from my grandpa. My parents can’t be there all the time, but they’ll be close starting next week for about a month if you need them. Shit between dad and Jonathan is even worse now. Nicole is throwing a fit about dad buying it and of course starting her drama. She hasn’t been home to visit my grandpa as long as I’ve been alive, so she really doesn’t care about it. She just wants to start stuff to make it hard on everyone. Just be aware she might get a wild hair up her crazy ass and visit her dad. If she visits with Jonathan, don’t be surprised if they show up on your doorstep. Mom and dad are building a place on the farm so they can be closer as my grandparents grow older.”
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “Let me guess, Jonathan and Nicole will bring your cousins and dangle a relationship with them in front of your grandpa to get their way.”
He gave a sarcastic laugh. “Oh yeah, and Nicole knows grandpa has missed her oldest son, Alis. He tried to reach out to him, his dad died so that number didn’t work, so he had no luck in finding him. My dad told him it was too late, the damage was done, and grandpa still uses a rotary phone. The internet would probably give him a stroke.”
I giggled. “A guy is named Alice?”
“Its Alistair, so its not even spelled the same. Nicole abandoned him and my parents saw him several years ago, but he doesn’t want anything to do with us. I can’t say I blame him. Imagine Nicole being your mom.”
I rolled my eyes again. “No thank you.”
He was quiet for a moment then sighed. “Okay, so I’m used to you being away, so why I am I worried this is permanent? God, LA sucks so much without you.”
“Then come out here and visit me and your grandpa. You don’t start shooting for another month, do you?”
“Yeah, that’s if production gets their shit together. Who knows at this point. I’ll let you know when I can come. You’re coming home for the wrap up interview in a few weeks, right? Oh shit, you also have a premier coming up. I almost forgot about Saints and Sinners.”
I groaned. “Do I have to?”
He chuckled. “Its in the contract.”
I sighed. “I could live the rest of my life without hearing the word contract and be very happy. I’m so over it, Jake.”
“Well, you have to do what you have to do for your own happiness, but damn life will suck out here without you.”
I laughed just a little. “You could always move here and become a dairy farmer like your grandpa.”
My phone beeped, alerting me of another incoming call. I wondered who would call me so late, so I looked and saw Callie’s name on the screen. “Jake, I have to go, Callie is calling, and I can’t miss it. Love you and we’ll talk later.” I didn’t give him a chance to reply and switched over to Callie. “Callie, where are you?”
“Morgan, I need you.” She was obviously crying.
“Callie, what’s wrong?” I sat up quickly.
“I left Shane, Addie and I are at the Starlight Motel off I-65. We are in room seven. How fast can you get here?” She sounded like she was hyperventilating.
“I will call Uncle Darren and see if one of his officers can reach you first.” I was up and throwing clothes on.
“No! Don’t call anyone. I’m in a lot of trouble and the last thing I need are the cops. Please don’t tell anyone you’re coming. I’m in room seven. Please just come alone or I swear I will leave.”
“I’m on my way.”
I threw on a pair of shorts and a random top that was on my dresser, then slipped into a pair of flip flops and grabbed my purse. “Callie, stay on the line with me.” I quietly opened my bedroom door and saw it was dark. I had to be quiet, if my dad saw me he would demand I stay home and let Uncle Darren deal with it. My heart was racing, and I quietly tiptoed downstairs and to the front door.
“Morgan, I have to go, but please hurry.”
“Callie, stay on this line.” I whispered as I quietly opened the door.
“I can’t, please hurry.” The call was dropped as I raced out to my car. I was shaking as I opened the door and when I pressed the start button. I looked at the clock and it was eleven thirty and it would take me at least thirty minutes to reach that motel. I knew exactly where it was since we went there after prom my senior year. It was a Motel, but it was clean from what I remembered. I couldn’t remember being grossed out, so maybe she wasn’t there with nasty bad people. I hoped I wouldn’t pass a cop, not just because I was speeding, but I was sure my dad updated my uncle, and he probably told his deputies to keep an eye out for me in a Range Rover. I passed Creed’s Lake and was tempted to call Creed, if I had his fucking number. I raced toward I-65 without passing one car until I got to the State Highway the motel sat on. So many scenarios played out in my mind. If Callie broke the law I would call Uncle Darren and my attorney for help. What the hell did Shane get her into this time? I swore to myself, if Callie backed out of the help I was offering her, I’d be done with it and try to help Addie. Callie had to know she deserved a better life than the one she and Shane were giving her.
My car pulled into the parking lot, and I didn’t see any motorcycles, which was a relief. Room seven was smack dab in the middle, so I parked in front of it and jumped out of my car quickly. I only knocked on the door one time before it opened, but it wasn’t Callie or Addie that opened the door.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite actress.” Shane peeked from behind the door. My eyes darted to Callie who was on the floor and that’s when I saw the handcuffs. My eyes rose and I gasped when I saw the swollen eye, bloody lip, and the slash on my best friend’s face.
“What the hell have you done?” I backed away but then he showed me the gun.
“Come on in, Morgan. Let’s have a little class reunion and I’ll fill you in on what my darling wife has been up to lately.”
“Let her go.” I slowly backed away until the bathroom door opened, and I saw the sweetest little girl hesitantly step out and into my view.
“Like I said, get in here.” Shane pointed the gun at Addie.
“Daddy, where’s mommy?” Addie cried.
I felt weak and scared until I saw Addie, and I knew there was no way I could leave. “Put the gun away, Shane.”
“I will, once you step inside.”
“Why? Just let Addie and Callie go with me. I’m sure they’re just in your way and…”
“Get the fuck in here!” Shane cut me off.
“Why? Why not let us..”
“To suck my fucking cock! Get your snobby ass in here now!” He looked desperate.
Callie cried. “I’m so sorry, Morgan.”
“Mommy!” Addie cried.
I stepped inside and Shane slammed the door shut then pointed the gun at me. “Addie, go back in the bathroom.” He then looked at me. “Get on the floor.”
I did as he said, and I also heard Addie cry then shut the bathroom door. I sat next to Callie, and she was hysterically crying. “What is wrong with you, Shane?”
He kept the gun pointed at me. “You! You fucking got that Creed asshole involved. I was finally getting my shit together with the Rejects, but now you’ve fucked it all up.” He then pointed the gun at Callie. “She fucked me over!” He paced as he pointed the gun at Callie. “All because I was a prospect and couldn’t claim her as mine. This bitch told her new fuck toy everything!” He started tapping the gun against his own head. “Do you fucking love him or something?” He was looking at Callie and she broke down and cried.
He then looked at me. “She was fucking Prez and telling him shit! All kinds of bullshit, like I hit my fucking kid! That I was stealing the drugs for myself. Then you, you fucking bitch. They heard about Creed and were going to give him my wife and fucking kid after they killed me!”
“You double crossed those traitors! You stole the drugs, then came back and told them Creed was involved! They want the drugs, Shane! They want you!” Callie yelled at him through her cries.
I looked at Shane and saw track marks up his arm.
“He was trying to clean up the MC, at least somewhat, but you were getting out of control! If you don’t tell the rogues where you put the drugs, they’re going to kill you!” Callie cried.
Shane kneeled down and put the gun up to Callie’s temple. “Do you love him enough to get me killed? I’m your fucking husband!”
“Yes! I love him!” She yelled back. “He would never hurt me or Addie!”
Suddenly, Shane was crying and stood up. “You fucking whore.” He grabbed her by her hair with one hand and held the gun up to her head and looked at me. “I want your keys and enough money to sustain me and Addie. We have to get out of here.”
“You can take what you want, just let Callie and Addie go!” I had never been so scared in my life. Shane was erratic and even twitching like he needed more drugs.
He laughed. “You think it’s that easy? Well honey, you’ve owed me for years and I’m getting my payback! You’ll never guess where I hid the drugs.”
“I don’t care where you hid the drugs!” I snapped at him.
He walked himself and Callie to the dresser then let go of her hair, only to grab a knife and put it to her neck then also point the gun at me.
I was sobbing and scared as I watched Shane's erratic behavior. “I don’t understand what you want from me! Take my car, my purse, anything you want but let Callie and Addie go!”
“I hid the drugs somewhere you would have hid them, and the real dedicated Rejects will want them. I left him enough clues to make him think you have them, and he will be coming for you. I hate that fucking bastard, and he’ll want Callie more than the fucking drugs. She won’t be going with us, you will. Prez will keep that asshole of an uncle of yours busy while we get away.”
I watched in horror as I screamed. The knife dug into Callie’s throat as he sliced it, as if he never cared or loved her.
“No!” I screamed as he let go of Callie and she fell to the floor. “He won’t have a reason to come looking for us now. He will go for your family instead. He wants those fucking drugs.”
I crawled over to Callie and pulled her into me as I cried. She was trying to talk as she bled out, but her windpipe was cut. “No!” I cried as I held her, and Shane put the knife down.
“Addie, it’s time to come out now. Mommy’s going to take a little nap and Auntie Morgan is taking a short trip with us.”
“Addie! Stay in there, do not come out!” I screamed.
Suddenly, I felt a blow to my face, and I fell over, dropping Callie’s head in the process.
“See, that’s your problem, Morgan. You don’t fucking listen.” He kicked me in the stomach. “I want your money, then I’m out of here. If you’re a good girl, I will let you and my brat go after I get what I want, but if you try any shit you’re dead.” He kicked me again and I cried out in pain. He stepped over me and I knew it was probably my only chance. I fought through the pain as he walked toward the bathroom. Quietly, I crawled over to the dresser and got the knife. Then quickly stood and charged toward him, driving the knife into his back. We both fell to the floor, and I did my best to crawl over him, but he grabbed my leg. I struggled with him, but as he held my leg with one hand and tried reaching for the gun, I kicked the heel of my foot into his nose. My flip flops were long gone from the struggle. I was able to grab the gun and point it at him as blood poured from his nose.
“You fucking bitch!” He was trying to pull the knife from his back as I crawled to the bathroom door. I pointed the gun straight at his head, but he started laughing like the crazy person he was. That laugh was sinister, and it would haunt me until the day I died. My shaky hand was holding the gun as he tried to get up, but he fell back down.
“Addie, please open the door.” My hands shook as I held the gun and had it pointed straight at him.
He tried to get up again, but fell. That was when he coughed, and I noticed blood spray from his mouth. “Stay back or I will shoot you.”
He stood on wobbly legs. “Do it, I dare you.”
He walked toward me, and I pulled the trigger, but there was nothing but a clicking noise. He laughed. “They say never keep loaded guns around children.”
Addie opened the door just as he started laughing again. I slipped inside and quickly locked it. I looked down and saw a crying Addie, then looked up to see a very small window. I quickly opened it then looked at Addie and whispered. “Go out this window and run. Run until you find help.”
She was still crying and shaking as Shane banged on the door. The window was too small for me, but Addie could escape. I opened the window and quickly lifted Addie up to it.
“You fucking bitch!” Shane was banging on the door, but I didn’t stop. I heard him coughing and I knew that knife went into his lungs. “Get help, Addie.” I helped her through the window and held on to her until I couldn’t fit through. “Run, Addie!” I dropped her and she fell, but I knew she could run. I sat on the floor, knowing Shane would find a way to reach me.
“I’m fucking dying, you bitch!” He gasped for air, and I prayed he would just die. “That’s okay, I had a plan.” I heard him and it sounded like he was crawling. “I’ll kill you just the way I was going to kill my whore of a wife.” He coughed again.
I shut my eyes and cried. I knew I was going to die when I smelled gas, but at least Addie had a chance to live.