Chapter Eighteen
Homicide
P ULLING INTO THE parking lot of the gym, I park in line with the rest of the members from my club. We’re just getting back from a run we’ve been on for the last few days and it’s fight night. I talked to Melissa last night and she was going to try to make it here to watch me, but wasn’t sure about the kids. She doesn’t trust just anyone to watch them and I don’t blame her. There are too many idiots out there who wouldn’t pay attention to them. Plus, she doesn’t know anyone in town yet and won’t let just anyone take care of our kids. Still, I’m. holding out hope she’ll show up. Marie said she’d watch the kids and I trust her with my life. I’m just not sure if Melissa does or not.
Walking into the gym, I make my way downstairs to the basement where our fight nights are held. People are milling about everywhere and I have to fight my way through the crowd to get to where the club hangs out. The first person I see is Grudge. He’s talking to Marie which tells me she won’t be watching the kids tonight. Making my way over to them, I get stopped by a sight that has me seeing red. Standing just outside the group of women by the club is Brenda. Her appearance normally wouldn’t make me look at her twice. However, tonight it’s a different story. She’s wearing a fucking rag with ‘Property of Homicide’ on the back. Changing direction, I make my way over to her.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doin’?” I bark out, startling several women as Brenda turns to face me with a smile on her face.
“Baby, you’re back. I’m here to watch you fight. Where else would I be? I haven’t ever missed one of your nights in the cage,” she says, not reading the anger rolling off of me.
“Where the fuck did you get a rag with my name on it?” I question her as we gain the attention of several people standing close to us.
“Don’t play games, Homicide. I don’t know what you’re trying to do here, but you gave this to me just before you left for your run,” Brenda lies as Marie, Grudge, and Rooster make their way over to us.
“I didn’t give you shit. The only rag I have ordered isn’t ready yet. And it sure as fuck ain’t goin’ to you. Take that shit the fuck off. You’re not my ol’ lady and never will be. I don’t know what fuckin’ game you’re playin’ but it’s not one you’re gonna win. I want nothing to do with you, Brenda. You’re a manipulative bitch who can’t take a hint and leave me the fuck alone,” I growl as the crowd around us goes silent. “Not only are you fuckin’ with me right now, but you’re fuckin’ with the club. And weren’t you just warned a few weeks ago not to fuck around again or you’d be out on your ass and not allowed back again? This is really what you wanna do?” I question her, Rooster and Marie stepping up closer to me.
“Homicide, you’re the one playing games here. You gave this to me when I told you about our baby. Just like you gave me this ring. You want us to be a family and made everything official before leaving,” Brenda tries again as she looks around at everyone surrounding us.
If there’s one thing Brenda’s good at, it’s manipulating the situation to always ensure she looks like the victim in whatever is going on. It’s not going to work this time because I haven’t even been around the clubhouse unless Melissa was busy or I got done with something too late to head over there.
“And where did this conversation and everything take place, Brenda? What day?” Marie asks, stepping in front of me.
Brenda’s face pales as she looks to me for help. I’m not about to help her for any reason. She made her bed and now she can lay in it. Folding my arms across my chest, I wait to see what her response will be.
“It was Monday night. We were in your room at the clubhouse, Homicide. The second you showed up, you pulled me in there all excited before I even told you about the baby,” Brenda lies once again.
Everyone starts laughing their asses off. First of all, I left for the run on Monday afternoon so I wasn’t around that night. Second of all, everyone knows I’m having a rag made for Melissa. They all voted on her becoming my ol’ lady. That’s how our club does things. We can’t just make a decision and forge ahead without getting the approval of everyone there.
“They left on the run Monday afternoon. You weren’t at the clubhouse Monday at all,” Marie begins, stepping even closer to Brenda. “I’ve also heard the pregnancy rumor you’re using. We all know Homicide hasn’t touched you in the entire time he’s been with the club. I can name the guys who have on one hand and still have fingers left over. Homicide’s name isn’t on that list. Now, I suggest you take the fucking rag off since it’s a rip-off and you’re not his ol’ lady. If you don’t, I have no fucking problem helping you get it off. I won’t hurt you in case you really are pregnant. The baby just doesn’t belong to anyone in the Dirty Slayers.”
Brenda doesn’t even try to argue with Marie. She takes the rag off and hands it over. Marie takes it from her and looks behind the group of women to where a few guys are standing. They immediately move forward and surround Brenda at her back.
“Boys, get her the fuck outta here. We don’t take kindly to bitches coming in here and lying about shit. Brenda, you’re no longer welcome at the clubhouse, any of the club’s businesses, or around any of our ally clubs. I see you around town and find out you’re not pregnant, I’ll beat your fucking ass to the point you can’t fucking walk for a month. Do you fucking understand me?” Marie promises Brenda as the skank’s face pales even more.
Brick and a few other guys follow Brenda from the basement and make sure she leaves the gym. They’ll hang out for a bit to make sure she doesn’t come back inside the second they turn their backs. Brick will also make sure the Prospects know not to let her back inside the gym and that she’s no longer allowed anywhere else we own or are associated with. This also includes Mia’s Diner. The club invested in it and therefore she won’t be allowed to eat in there any longer.
“Now, have any of you talked to Melissa? She’s not comin’ tonight?” I ask, looking between Marie and Grudge.
“I went over there to see if she wanted me to watch the kids, but her car wasn’t home. I waited there for a while and tried to call her,” Marie tells me, stepping closer to me. “She didn’t answer the phone and never showed up at the house either. I waited there for a half hour or longer.”
“What the fuck? If she were gonna head out of town or somethin’, she would have told me last night when we talked. As far as I know she was plannin’ on hangin’ out with the kids today and not doin’ much of anythin’. I’m sure that changed, but if she left Frostford, Melissa would have told someone,” I say, fear starting to fill me as I look between Grudge and Rooster. “Has anyone seen Mad Dog in town while we were gone?”
“No,” Rooster answers since Grudge was with me on the run. “We’ve been lookin’ for him when we’re out but haven’t seen a single sight of him. No one else has either.”
“Grudge, have you tried callin’ her?” I turn to the one other person I know Melissa is close to.
“I called repeatedly. She’s not answerin’,” he answers me, putting his phone to his ear once again.
“I’m not fightin’ tonight. I’m goin’ out to look for her,” I state, not giving a shit about some fight that can be postponed when Melissa and my kids could be in trouble.
“I’m goin’ with you,” Grudge says, hanging up his phone as we get ready to leave.
“I’ll send out a few more guys. We’ll comb the town and find them, Homicide. Check in on a regular basis and you two ride together. If this is Mad Dog’s doin’, I don’t want you guys on your own. Start on the side of town by her house and work your way outside of town. If you see anythin’, let me or Knuckle know. As soon as fight night is over, the rest of us will leave and help look for her,” Rooster orders us, not wanting to keep us here any longer than necessary.
Grudge and I push our way through the crowd, not giving a shit who we piss off along the way. The second we’re at the stairs, we race up them and through the main floor of the gym. It’s practically deserted right now since everyone is downstairs to watch the fights. We rush to our bikes and don’t hesitate to get on them before taking off. Grudge follows me toward Melissa’s house as we break multiple laws speeding through town. However, when we get close to the park, I slow down. Looking over toward the parking lot, I spot Melissa’s car there. Grudge and I pull in and directly next to her car.
My eyes scan the area around us for any sign of Melissa and the kids. Other than the ball I know belongs to them, I don’t immediately spot anything obvious. Grudge and I shut our bikes off and then search the park for any signs of what happened here. It’s more than obvious Melissa and the kids have been taken or something. If they weren’t, they’d still be here. Melissa doesn’t take chances when our kids are with her. She’ll protect them at all costs. Even if it means giving her life to ensure they’re safe and alive.
“I got her cell phone!” Grudge yells out, his voice making me shake with rage. “She was in the process of tryin’ to call you. You’re name’s on her screen but she wasn’t able to hit send or somethin’.”
“Motherfucker!” I yell out, walking up to where Grudge stands and holds her phone in front of him. “I’m callin’ Dom. We need to know if he’s the one behind this shit. I’ve only met the man once, but I know he’s friends with the club.”
Grudge nods his head and pulls out his own phone. I’m guessing he’ll call Rooster to let him know we found her car, phone, and the kids ball. I don’t even bother grabbing the ball right now because it’s not important. We can buy the kids a new one when I bring them home. And we will be bringing them home. There’s no other option for me. I’ve lost Melissa once and just got her back. I just started getting to know my kids and those three people are the most important people in my life. They’re the reason I get up every single day, the air I breathe, and the light to my darkness.
“Homicide, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?” Dom answers his phone.
“I heard that you were in the market for a virgin. A deal was made with Venom a few years ago but it never went through. Venom got the money, but the girl never made it to you. Now, she’s missin’ and I’m wonderin’ if you’re behind her disappearance,” I state, not holding back the reason for my call or playing nice.
“I haven’t bought any girl. The deal you’re talking about was done through my father. He’s no longer alive and I have no interest in pursuing this matter. It was something he thought I needed despite my telling him I had no interest in purchasing someone to breed,” Dom informs me, his voice laced with anger. “I take it this woman is special to you?”
“She’s gonna be my ol’ lady. Right now, she’s the mother of my twins. All three of them are missin’. Grudge found her cell phone at the park she takes our kids to on a regular basis. And her car’s here in the parkin’ lot. No one’s here though. My kids and woman are just fuckin’ gone as if they vanished into thin air. I got rid of Venom and everyone else in that fuckin’ club with the exception of Mad Dog. So, if you’re not behind this shit, then I have to assume it’s Mad Dog. Thanks for the information, Dom,” I say, getting ready to hang up the phone as anger roars through my veins even more.
“Homicide, let me know when you find her. I’ll put some of my contacts on finding them as well. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know,” Dom says, his voice losing some of the anger. “And congratulations on your kids.”
Dom hangs up before I can as Grudge still talks on his phone. I scour the parking lot of the park for any other signs of who took my woman and kids. Other than used cigarette butts littering the parking lot, there’s not a single other possible sign anyone else was here. Melissa has never smoked a day in her life, but I can’t say the same thing about anyone else who might have taken them.
Grudge finally hangs up and looks at me.
“Rooster said they’re callin’ fight night early. No one wants to be there when Melissa is missin’. They’re all ready to be out searchin’ for her. Where do you wanna head now?” he questions me, shoving his phone back in his pocket.
To anyone else looking at Grudge, they’d believe he’s calm and collected right now. I know him and can see the rage filling him. His entire body is tight and vibrating with the anger coursing through him. He cares about Melissa and my kids. If something has happened to them, he’s going to be almost as pissed as I am. He’ll never be as pissed as me or feel the way I do because it’s not his family.
“I don’t give a shit. I’m tryin’ to think of anythin’ in town or the surroundin’ area where a person would take a kidnap victim. Or three in this case. Grudge, they got my fuckin’ family. Every person I love and need have been taken from me. Again. What the fuck am I supposed to do if somethin’ . . .,” I begin, not being able to finish my sentence.
“Nothin’ will happen to your family. Melissa is smart as fuck and knows how to protect herself and the twins. Whoever fuckin’ took her has no clue what they’re gonna get. She’s a fuckin’ hell cat when you piss her off and threaten her kids. This goes beyond that shit. We’re gonna find them, get them back, and you’ll move on with your lives. Together as a family the way it should be,” Grudge tells me as if he truly believes the words coming out of his mouth.
Grudge and I get back on our bikes and head toward the warehouse district. That’s just one possible place my family could be. We get off our bikes and walk through each warehouse from top to bottom. When we don’t find them there, we head out again. As we ride from one possible location to another, I see others out searching for my family as well. This is just one of the many reasons I love my club and want them at my back for anything going on in my life.
The only reason I’m not losing my shit and destroying everything in my path right now is because it won’t help bring my family home. I need to focus on finding and saving them. Once they’re out of harm’s way, I can take all this anger, pain, and fear filling me out on the stupid fucks who thought it would be okay to touch what’s mine. I know other guys would have lost their shit the second they even felt as if something was wrong. I can’t afford to do that. We don’t know when my family was taken, who has them, or where they are. Destroying shit is only going to prolong saving them and making sure they’re all safe, healthy, and no one’s hurt them to the point I can’t save them.
That doesn’t mean my entire body isn’t vibrating with rage, I want to pound the shit out of everyone around me, and that my heart isn’t beating out of my chest as I ride my bike through town on the hunt for anyone that seems out of place. One thought after another races through my mind about what’s being done to them, who has them, and where they are. Of ways we can track them or anything. The only shot I know for sure about would have been Melissa’s cell phone. Since it’s in my pocket, that’s not going to give us her location. So, I’ll ride around searching until we get any leads.