Chapter 34
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR
Haze
Of course, Clare or fucking Jane—whoever the fuck she is—ditched her phone. Seems like the woman has covered her tracks. My head spins when I think about what she could do to Willow. So this is some revenge attack because of Bolt? How the hell did any of us miss this?
Of course she has it in for Willow because she was part of that whole takedown.
Then Sawyer pipes up on speakerphone. “I’m goin’ through some texts and emails on her phone.
” Don’t ask me how he can do that, because I wouldn’t have a fucking clue.
“I can try to break down some of them that are encrypted. Several are blocked numbers, and those are the ones I’m most interested in, but it’ll take some doin’. The twins are takin’ half the load.”
“Good,” I say. “Any lead is better than nothin’, keep us updated.”
We drove to a nearby diner because we can’t stand on the side of the road all day waiting for Willow to magically pop up.
“I should’ve had more people watchin’ her,” I say, my head in my hands. “It wasn’t enough. There was a threat, and I let her just walk around like nothin’ bad was gonna happen.”
Did I get too big for my boots? Acting as if the world was still a good place because I thought I could protect her? A fat lot of good that did.
“Nothin’ happened for a long time,” Logan says. “It isn’t your fault. The prospects were fooled. We'll deal with them later, but right now, we need to think this through.”
“What’s to think about?” I bark. “We have no leads. My wife could be three states away by now, and there ain’t nothin’ I can do about it.”
“Let’s not get caught up in all of that,” Brew says. “Seriously, we have the best team lookin’ for her, Star included. If you let this take over you now, it means they win.”
I glare at him. “They’ll never win.”
“That’s the spirit.” Brew pats me on the back hard. “Also, this is Willow we’re talkin’ about and she’s tough. Even for a little woman, she packs one hell of a roundhouse kick.”
Brew is correct. While I’m not sure if I’ve met a stronger woman than I have her, that still doesn’t fix anything. There’s one of her, and none of us.
A few moments later, more straight pipes pull up outside the diner. There’s half a dozen bikes, including Cash’s. When he enters the diner, he heads straight to the table.
The owner—I’m assuming—greets him simultaneously and says, “Hey, guys, I don’t want any trouble.
” His eyes almost double in size when Tag and Harlem come to stand in line with Cash.
They’re two of the biggest dudes in the club, and I wouldn’t mess with either of them on a good day.
And today is definitely not a good day. When Hustler, Priest, Bronco, Stella and Riot join them, the owner waves his hands in the air.
“Just coffee, old man,” Cash says. “There won’t be any trouble out of us.”
“They’re with me,” Hally pipes up as the old man’s eyes flash to her. Along with every single biker standing and sitting around the table. She’s got some balls, I’ll give her that.
The old man scuttles away, and I check he’s not calling the cops. Instead, he begins to brew more coffee and loads extra mugs onto a tray.
“You brought five-o?” Tag grunts. “That a good move?”
“It’s a long story, but we were already en route. Let’s just say Hally knows what’s goin’ on, and she can give us the heads up on where the cops are headin’ before we do, right, Hal?” I meet her now worried gaze.
“Jesus fuckin’ Christ,” Tag mutters.
Harlem folds his arms over his chest. “Is she on the right side?”
“I trust her, if that’s what you’re askin’,” I say.
“Hally’s the woman who arrested me two years ago,” Max says. If I’m not mistaken, his eyes dance with amusement as he grins. “So I wouldn’t get on her bad side if I were you.”
She blinks rapidly, sitting between me and Brew, with Max opposite and a dozen other bikers standing around, it’s probably best she stays quiet.
Stella is cordial, leaning over the table to shake her hand. “Hi, I’m Stella, the first official patched-in female of the Rebels MC.”
“And the loudest,” Tag mutters, loud enough for us all to hear.
Several eye rolls and mutters go around the table. Except for Harlem, he smiles proudly.
They shake. “Hally Baltmore. I’m a newbie detective, moved over from, uh, well, Mississippi traffic—”
“Fresh meat, huh?” Nevada smirks. “Just what we need in the force, another set of eyes and ears.”
Hally begins to protest. “Uh, no, I’m not, this isn’t what this is.
” I do like that she has some backbone, it’s not easy sitting here facing the members of the Rebels, but she’s keeping her cool.
“I’m still an officer of the law, in fact, Haze over here smooth talked his way into getting a ride, which turned into a kind of kidnapping—then decided to give me the Spanish Inquisition on what I knew about…
certain stuff, anyway, that’s why I’m here. ”
“She’s a rookie,” Harlem observes. “Which means she won’t say shit because she still wants to keep her job, and findin’ Willow is more important than Haze kidnappin’ you.”
“It was only a mini-nap,” I say. “And let’s face it, you’re smarter than you look.”
“Gee, thanks, Haze,” Hally mutters. “And I was almost starting to like you.”
Max beams. “Isn’t she great?”
Jesus, I think the boy is in love.
Hustler piques a brow. “What’s good about sitting across from the woman who put you in jail?”
“She turned my life around,” Max says. “I owe everythin’ to her. Without her, I wouldn’t have met Radium, who introduced me to Hornet, then got in with the Hellions, finished my trade, yadda-yadda.”
“I-um-don’t know what to say,” Hally stammers. “You’re welcome seems a little lame.”
“I’m sure you can make it up to me once we find my sister, in any case, Bane and Shadow, the MC’s VP, are on standby if we need backup,” Max says.
“How do you get your biker names?” Hally ponders. “Do you pick them out of a hat, or Google it or something?”
Tag facepalms himself.
Nevada laughs.
Bronco shakes his head.
Priest gives her a soft smile, because he’s literally the only one here—besides Stella—who’s tolerant of most people.
“Jesus,” Cash mutters.
“Sweet child, you have so much to learn,” Riot says.
“I chose to keep my own name,” Stella tells her. “I wanted to go with Spitfire, but everyone decided it was too much of a mouthful, plus, I like being the odd one out.”
“You’re certainly that,” Nevada laughs, then dodges a punch on the arm from Stella.
“Funny fucker,” she says. “So, what are we doing standing around here?”
“We’re waitin’ to find a trace of where the van may have taken Willow,” Logan explains. “The trail went cold when we found the police car.”
“It’s gonna be okay, Haze.” Stella gives me a small smile. “Willow’s tough, plus, the MC has always come through before, and we’ve all been through some pretty crazy shit.”
I know she’s trying to make me feel better, but I won’t settle until we’re back on the road, racing toward her, and she’s in my arms.
“The boys are workin’ hard,” Brew says. “Just sit tight, and as soon as we have a lead, you’ll be the first to know.”
Except I can’t sit still. “I need some air,” I say, just as the server comes back with the tray of coffees. I stand and make my way outside. This feels completely futile sitting here, waiting for the phone to ring.
I try not to let my mind run wild, but it’s a little hard not to let myself go there.
A few moments later, Cash steps out. “You good, son?”
I shake my head. “Not even one percent.”
“The one thing I know about you in all the years I’ve known you is you will do whatever it takes for the people you love.
People say that all the time, but when it comes to the crunch, they waver.
They don’t have the stomach to do what we have to do, but not you.
You or your brothers. I admire that.” He leans against the window as I try to compose myself.
“I’ve seen some pretty rough shit over the years, but the Nomad Brothers always show up. ”
“Yeah, and where was I when Willow needed me?” I throw back. “You don’t have to pep talk me into feelin’ better, Prez, it’s not gonna work.”
“No? What about all the times you put your neck on the line for complete strangers? We rescued more than a hundred women and children from those shippin’ containers in the raid.
We stopped the ship leavin’ port, and you were part of that, because you’re a decent man,” he says.
“So don’t ever question your own dedication, because I don’t wanna hear it. ”
“I left the prospects to watch her…” I shake my head, ready to throttle Rip and Wheels. “I thought they’d be on top of it, but I should’ve done more.”
“The prospects shouldn’t have lost her, I agree, and you can beat them later, but we both know Willow would never have let you put her in a box, Haze, she’s not that kinda woman.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You don’t understand—”
“Don’t I? That day when Deanna was almost abducted and Pipes saved her life, it came to me in a flash.
Nothin’ else mattered except keepin’ her safe, trust me, I get it.
But Deanna is the same. As much as I wanted to bubble wrap her, I couldn’t do that.
She’s her own woman and capable of makin’ her own decisions.
Now, I’m not glad this happened by any means, but you gotta trust in the process. ”
“I’m tryin’, boss,” I say. “But we were fightin’ right before. We both said some things, and well, she fuckin’ hates me because I lied to her. It was only to keep her safe.” My throat feels like it’s gonna close up, and I can’t breathe.
“Steady,” Cash says. “Just take a beat..” His arm comes across my shoulders and he pulls me toward him, resting my body against the window. I feel lightheaded, like I might pass out. “You’re havin’ a panic attack, and you just need to sit down and breathe.”
I don’t fight it when I slump down onto the ground, Cash following suit, and I bring my knees up.
“Deep breaths,” he tells me. “Just keep breathin’.”
“It feels like I’m dyin’,” I say, unable to catch my breath. “Feels like an elephant sat on my chest.”
“You’re gonna be fine. In through the nose, out through the mouth, that’s it.”
“I love her,” I say out of nowhere. “I can’t live without her.”
“I know, son, I know.”
“I’m nothin’ without her. All these years… I should’ve stopped bein’ a coward…”
“Everythin’ happens for a reason,” he says. “You and I both know that. And wherever Willow is, she won’t be goin’ anywhere without a fight. That I can promise. She’s one tough cookie.”
A few seconds later, Brew comes marching out of the diner, his eyes dipping when he spots us on the ground. “You good?”
“We’re good,” Cash says. “What’s up?”
“Sawyer got a ping on a burner phone connected to this Jane bitch’s phone. A couple of miles from here.”
I look up at him, and suddenly all the hope in the world fills my chest, my heart. “We’re gonna go get her, and bring her home.”
Brew nods. “We are, brother. Time to pull up those big girl pants and get movin’.”
“No rest for the wicked,” Cash chuckles. “You good to ride with Hally?”
I nod as they both help me up. “Cash?” I say, as he turns back to the diner. “I’m sorry… about that—”
He holds up a hand. “Don’t ever be sorry to me, Haze. I know you love her, and we’ll do anything for our women.”
“Ride or die,” the three of us say in unison.
Ride or die.
That’s all there is to it.