Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Red
T orch, Tiny, Dagger and I roll into the Clubhouse thirty minutes later, after leaving Nolan at the races with his thumb up his fucking ass. Capone is waiting outside for us pissed off and I know I’m going to get my ass handed to me for fighting Nolan-fucking-Ryan. He immediately approaches me once I get my kickstand down. His fist rears back and punches me square in the jaw. My head whips back and blood fills my mouth.
“Fuck.” That’s twice in less than an hour someone has hit me in the jaw. I spit out the blood pooling in my mouth.
“If you ever do something stupid like that again, Red, I will put you to ground. Are we clear?” Capone spits out, fury in his voice.
“Clear, Prez,” I grumble in my response. Capone has worked hard for an alliance with Krimson and her crew and my actions tonight could have severely hurt it. But the fucker pissed me off and I’m dealing with emotions I’m not used to having.
“Good, now get your face cleaned up. Grab your laptop and meet us in Church. We have a lot to discuss and plan.” Capone turns on his boots and goes back inside, dismissing me.
Tiny snickers, “Bro, you got off easy.” Torch and Dagger laugh with him. I don’t respond, only climb off my bike and flip all the assholes off.
“Red must like this woman to pull that shit.” Torch says to my retreating back. I stop dead in my tracks and turn to glare at Torch. The fucker has a huge smile on his face, itching to egg me on. Waiting for my reaction.
“What’d you expect?” Tiny goads. “It’s his first woman.”
“Our baby isn’t a virgin anymore. We need to celebrate,” Torch cheers.
“Fuck yes! Women, beer and more women. I’m down.” Dagger chimes in. I walk into the garage attached to the Clubhouse, ignoring the three stooges following behind me.
I open the door to my room and flip the lights on. Closing the door, I remove my cut, wallet and gun, setting them on my nightstand next to the head of my bed. I strip my bloody shirt over my head and toss it in the corner. Next, I remove my boots and jeans until I’m down to my boxer briefs. Walking into the bathroom, I take a long hard look at myself in the mirror.
Am I worth all the trouble?
Will Nadia even want me after she finds out who I am?
Will this last once I have her here?
She deserves so much better than me. Should I let her go?
Will she want to go?
My eyes land on the purple butterfly on my right pec. Nadia asked me about it once but I refused to answer her. She didn’t need to know it was a representation of my dead girlfriend, Tanya. Purple was her favorite color and she loved butterflies. She died before she could spread her wings, so I got the tattoo to remember her. Even though Tanya haunted all my headspace until Nadia came into my life, I still got the tattoo. I shouldn’t have been a dick and told Nadia about it. She means something to me and I should have told her everything. Should have, could have, but didn’t.
I clean up the cuts on my face and get into the shower. The hot water washes away the dried blood and relaxes my muscles. Nolan gave as good as he got. I have a black eye and busted lip, but it was worth it to honor the woman I care for. Images of Nadia in the shower at the hotel flash through my mind in full force. Her full chest, small waist and glistening core soaking wet as I fill her. Her sweet moans bounce off the walls as I plunge inside of her heat, clamping around me as she comes. I lean my head against the cool tiles and calm myself down. I’m rock hard, wanting a release. I won’t relieve myself until Nadia is back home safe in my arms. I need to keep feeding the anger and aggression so I can do my job and find her.
Turning off the water, I grab a towel and dry myself off. I’m still painfully hard but I do everything I can to make it go down. Once I have control of myself again, I get dressed and head to my communications room. I grab my laptop and lock up behind me.
When Monica, Blayze’s Ol’ Lady and Daisy, who is now Torch’s Ol’ Lady, got it in their heads to search for Danyella when she was missing, I didn’t lock up this room and they broke in. Not used to having anyone here except the patch bunnies, I didn’t think about it. Well, because of my mistake, Daisy was shot and almost died. Capone came down on me pretty hard but didn’t put me to ground because Danyella was home safe. That was my saving grace. Since then, I have made sure to lock up this room and set an alarm that alerts my phone if anyone steps foot in here without me knowing.
I put my phone in the glittery box that Rose, Nina and Aerial made and enter the Chapel. Everyone’s already here and Capone signals for me to take my seat. I do and as I fire up my laptop, Capone slams his gavel on the table and speaks.
“Brothers, we have a lead on where Nadia is. According to Red’s intel, she’s being held in a motel next to the strip club Slammer Joint. Allura, the president of our sister chapter Royal Harlots, has agreed to help. She will be here in an hour with Calypso and Iris." Capone levels me with a glare as he speaks the next part. “Nolan, Krimson and their crews will help too. No thanks to you, Red.”
Relief washes over me, and I breathe easier. But Capone isn’t done yet. “You will tell Nolan everything about Nadia. You fucked up today, Red, so now you have to fix it. They’ll be here in ten minutes. Once they get here, we’ll continue. Until then, do we have any other pressing issues, concerns, problems or comments we need to have?”
Capone opens the floor for everyone to speak but I tune them out as I think about what I’ll say to Nolan-fucking-Ryan. How can I make him see why I was so pissed? Thankfully, he is helping but I’d still do this without him. So, fuck him. If this works out with Nadia, Nolan-fucking-Ryan will become my brother-in-law. Holy fuck, where the hell did that come from? I’m not ready to be married or make Nadia my Ol’ Lady. As soon as the thought enters my head, I know I’m lying to myself. I would do everything to make Nadia mine. She will be my Ol’ Lady wearing my patch and my brand. My body comes alive thinking about her delicate bronze skin marked with my brand, being my Ol’ Lady. Nothing or no one will stop that from happening. Nadia is mine.
A knock on the Chapel doors echoes through the room snapping me out of my thoughts of Nadia. Tiny opens the door to Seth, Jezebelle’s son, who is one of the prospects, on the other side. Krimson and Nolan are behind him.
“Sorry, Tiny. They said they have business with Capone.” Seth chucks a thumb behind him at the duo.
Tiny growls low in his throat making Seth swallow hard. We give the prospects shit and a tough time to make sure they can handle whatever is thrown at them. We do this to build up their character and make sure they will always have our backs and we can trust them implacably. “Move.” One menacing word has Seth scurrying away fast.
Nolan and Krimson come into the room and Tiny shuts the door behind them. They’ve been here before so they know the drill.
Satisfaction settles through me seeing Nolan-fucking-Ryan’s face. His lip is split and his left eye is black and blue, making me smirk. He narrows his eyes at me but I don’t waver in my stare. I’m not scared of Nolan-fucking-Ryan, even if others are.
Capone stands addressing Nolan and Krimson. “Are you in?” Those three little words have us all holding our breaths for an answer.
Nolan tosses the picture of Nadia and their dad on the table. “Is this real?”
“Yeah, it is,” I respond through clenched teeth. Capone knocks on the table as a warning for me to explain further. The tension in the room is at explosive levels. Releasing a huff, I fire up my laptop and pull Nadia’s information up. I know it by heart but, it still seems like the first time as I read it aloud.
“Nadia Louise Ryan, born August sixteenth, nineteen ninety-eight to Andrew Ryan and Renee Lopez in Venice Beach, California. Renee Lopez died when Nadia turned eighteen due to a drug and alcohol overdose. Nadia took a trip across the US after her mother died and ended up in Michigan for a little while. Then she came back to Los Angeles and stayed hidden from her father for years. She entered the racing circuit and was pretty damn good. Good enough to gain your crew’s attention, Krimson. Only no one knew who she was because she used a fake name, Tatianna.” I turn my laptop toward Nolan and Krimson, showing Nadia standing next to a purple Supra with Rush standing next to her. They’re in a deep conversation. “Did she find you when she went to Michigan?” I ask Nolan.
He shakes his head, no. “That’s the time Xavier and Izzy had that stalker and I was focused on helping them and not some girl hanging around the track.” Krimson is shocked and walks out the door. We let her go because we know she is looking for answers.
“Well, she knew who you two were, which is probably why she gave Rush a fake name and turned down his offer to drive for them. She didn’t want to expose who she was. She was probably afraid you were just like your old man. An arrogant asshole who mentally abused her her whole life. See, Nolan, I went to her school and found some kids she graduated with. Every single one of them said Nadia’s father, your father, was abusive toward her. Always made her feel less than worthless. When she told some of her classmates she was leaving and not coming back, they were relieved she’d be out of that house.”
“Fuck,” Nolan runs his hands through his blond hair. “Why didn’t she come to me? Why did she stay away?”
Sympathizing with Nolan, which is something I don’t want to do, but the look on his face is devastating, I turn my laptop around. “Help us get her back and ask her yourself.”
“I’m in. What do I need to do?” Nolan responds with no hesitation.
“Good,” Capone says as Krimson comes back in.
“It’s confirmed. She gave Rush the name Tatianna back when she won that race a few years ago. After that race, she stayed away from our racing circuit.”
“She went into stripping,” Aftermath growls. “Because she was afraid of running into you guys again.”
“We can’t assume that Aftermath,” Nolan states pissed off.
“Like fuck I can’t. She’s my Ol’ Lady’s best friend outside of this club.” Aftermath’s nostrils flare. “You failed her like so many others in her life. Now’s the time to fix it.”
“Is that why the Royal Bastards are involved?” Krimson asks.
“No,” I respond sharply, so my voice is clear and my intentions are heard loud as day. “We’re involved because of me and my past. Nadia and I were seeing each other for a few months until she disappeared.” I tell them the whole story, minus the intimate details they don’t need to know, and how I found out she was missing. “I failed to protect her. Once we get her back, I will do everything I can to make it up to her and make her mine.” The finality in my voice doesn’t let anyone question my motives. I fucked up and I will fix it.
“What’s the plan?” Nolan asks.
Capone goes through the plan with all of us from start to finish. He also tells us how Allure and the Royal Harlots will fit in.
“I think that will work. When are we rolling out?” I ask.
“Red, you’re not going anywhere,” Capone responds.
“But...” I protest.
“But nothing.” Capone interrupts. “I need you here checking every single security detail on this. Let us do our job and you do yours. I need you here to make sure everyone else is safe.” Capone doesn’t let me get a word in otherwise. “Wheels up at six a.m.” He slams the gavel onto the table, ending the meeting and any chance I can change his mind. There is no room for argument about what Capone says. His word is law.
“Fuck.” I scrub my hands down my scruffy face wishing things were different. Wishing I’m the first person Nadia sees. I push away from the table and storm out of the Chapel. I stop at the bar, grab a shot of whiskey and slam it back. Striding into my communications room, I slam the door shut and let out a frustrated yell. This is bullshit. I should be there, boots on the ground, rescuing my woman.
A soft knock on the door shuts my tirade up before I punch a hole in the wall in frustration. “What?” I bark.
Kensi pops her head in and enters when she sees I’m a wreck. “You good?”
“What the hell do you think? Would you be good sitting back if Aftermath were in trouble?” I spit out. I know I’m being an asshole and she doesn’t deserve my wrath, but fuck, how much can a man take?
Kensi crosses her arms over her chest, cocks an eyebrow and gives me a perplexed look. It’s the look she gives Aftermath when he’s being a cumquat. “I’ll let that tone slide, Red. Only because you’re dealing with a lot right now. But if you talk to Nadia that way, she will walk so fast your head will spin.”
Releasing a defeated sigh, I sit on my chair with an ungraceful plop. I ignore Kensi because she is right and I’m too stubborn to tell her that at the moment. I need to get my shit together fast. Spinning around in my chair, I unlock my computer and all eight monitors come alive. Four are of the Clubhouse. Capone, Blayze and Derange along with Iris and Allura from the Royal Harlots and Krimson and the youngest kid in her crew, I think his name is Noah, are standing together at the bar. On another screen Torch is with Nolan-fucking-Ryan, Rush and Calypso, also from the Royal Harlots. Bones, my prospect, Dagger and Tiny are on the third camera getting the van ready. The fourth is outside at the gates which is quiet at the moment with one prospect, Pretty Boy and a Royal Harlot with him. There are more cameras but I limited them so I can watch the strip club, hotel and all the roads leading to it. I hacked into LAPD’s camera pods and took them over. The speakers are muted so there aren’t a million voices distracting me. I look back to the first screen when the rest are quiet and see Capone’s hands moving wildly around and Krimson looks pissed. I shouldn’t listen, but curiosity gets the best of me and I unmute that screen.
Krimson’s voice filters through the speakers plain as day. “What the hell, Capone? I thought you wanted our help.”
“I do, but this won’t work. They’ll know who you are the moment you step foot in there and Nadia will be dead.” Capone responds. “And that won’t happen on my watch.”
“What do you propose then?”
Capone turns to the kid, “Noah goes in with Iris. She’s the Harlots tech expert and since I can’t send in Red, she’s my next best option. Red will guide you two into the hotel safely. Iris can open any door with her skills and won’t trip any alarms. Iris and Noah go in, gets Nadia and whoever else is in the room and get the fuck out. Blayze, Torch, Tiny and Trigger will go in after they clear out and end anyone else.” Capone explains the change in plans and it’s pretty solid.
“Can I take care of any of the scumbags if I see them?” Iris asks. She sweeps her short blond hair out of her crystal blue eyes. Those eyes look familiar, but I push it to the back of my mind for now.
“If you see them.” Capone and Allura agree.
“But you don’t have to, Noah. You don’t even have to do this if you are unsure.” Krimson speaks up.
“She’s right, Noah. It’s your choice.” Capone confirms.
“I’m in. There’s no way in hell I’m missing this.” Noah speaks up. God, he looks like a little kid being thrown to the wolves. They all agree and leave the first camera, heading to Nolan, Rush, Torch and Calypso. I mute the first speaker.
“Holy shit! That is so cool!” Kensi exclaims, making me jump. She takes the empty seat beside me.
“Fuck, I forgot you were still here.” I place my palm over my chest, trying to calm my racing heart and cool down my face.
“Is it OK that I’m here?” Kensi asks.
“Yeah, it’s fine. Just stay out of the way. If I need your spot, you better move fast. Oh, and don’t touch anything unless I say to. Got it?”
“Got it, Captain.” Kensi salutes me. Any other time I’d laugh but there is no time for joking right now. She zips her lips and sits back in the chair watching the monitors with me. Everyone who is going on the rescue mission has left, leaving Capone, Derange, Aftermath, myself, Nolan and Krimson. The rest of their crew is following our club members for backup. All the Royal Harlots who made it besides Iris are here. Derange goes into the makeshift infirmary room with Calypso, Rebel and Sloan to get it ready for Nadia and anyone else they bring back.
Capone paces back and forth in the common room, his anxiety at an all-time high. He made Danyella, Monica, Daisy, Jezebelle and all the little Bastards stay in the back of the Clubhouse to stay safe. Nolan is sitting at the bar nursing a drink with Krimson next to him. The look of rage that crosses his face is something I’m getting familiar with. He’s just as concerned about his sister as I am. I should reach out an olive branch to him. I’m standing up to talk to Nolan when Kensi grabs my arm, pointing at the screens. “Red, look.”
A sleek black Town Car pulls up to the curb of the strip club with a non-distinct white van following close behind. I can’t see the plate on the car because the van is blocking the view and there is no plate on the van itself. Fuck, can’t run it that way. Lattimer steps out of the Town Car adjusting his jacket.
I never knew what someone meant when they said they literally see red until right this moment. My heart is pounding in my chest and my vision blurs at the sight of this man. Images of me ripping him limb from limb and beating him with his own body parts fill my mind. Cutting off his dick and shoving it down his throat wouldn’t satisfy my need for revenge against this asshole.
Lattimer speaks to the driver of the van. The driver nods his head and goes into the hotel with several men on his heels. I click on the driver’s face and take a screenshot. I run it through the facial recognition software I created. If he’s in the system, he will pop. Lattimer gets back into the car and his driver takes off like his ass is on fire.
I check our van’s location and see they’re about five minutes out. I click on a button on my laptop and insert an earpiece to talk to Noah, Iris and Blayze. “Watch your six. White men can’t jump and women have the ropes,” I speak. Kensi looks at me with confusion written all over her face. “Go tell Capone it’s show time,” I tell Kensi.
Kensi leaves and Blayze answers. “Fucking riddles man. Got it.” He laughs and I hear his bike speed up. He will take the lead and make sure it’s all clear for everyone else.
I look back to the van at the hotel as my door opens and Capone, Nolan, Krimson, Derange and Kensi pile inside. I’m too busy running codes and facial recognition on all the men who came out of the van to pay them any attention. Kensi takes her seat next to me. The air in my room is stifling with all these big bodies piled in here. “Fuck, can we fit anyone else in here?” I grumble looking around.
“I’m sure we can if you want to sit on Derange’s lap.” Capone jokes.
I roll my eyes and turn back to the screens. The men are escorting ten women out and taking off. Thankfully, Nadia isn’t with them. Only two men stayed behind. The creepy fucker from the club Nadia and Kensi worked at and a young kid. They go back inside.
“Show time,” I say into the mic. Our van pulls up to the curb and Noah climbs out. Iris waits a few minutes and follows him inside. Now we sit and wait with bated breath.
I pray they get Nadia out unharmed.
I pray she stays with me.
I pray to God, to give me faith over fear and that all my past sins be redeemed if He will give me Nadia back.