Chapter Sixteen
Eli
“Over here is where I’ll have my cut designs,” Abby says, guiding me toward a corner of her shop. “There’s only one biker club in this area, but the club’s been growing. More members means more business.”
Spike only agreed to this trip after a ridiculous amount of convincing. And maybe a few tears from his sister. He didn’t like it mostly because almost all the officers, minus Knuckles, are all tied up in meetings with Maverick’s people about something Cortéz-related.
They don’t tell us much when it comes to club business, and honestly? I’m okay with that. Skip promised they’ll always tell us enough to keep us safe. That’s all I need.
“The men all wear the same cut,” Abby continues. “Always black. Non-negotiable. But Spike doesn’t mind if the old ladies wear theirs in whatever color they want. Bones bought Sunny one in every color.”
I nod. I’ve seen Sunny show up in a pink one day, lime green the next. She has the confidence for it.
“Riley has a black one and just ordered a red one,” Abby says.
“Do you make all of them?” I ask.
She brightens. “Yeah! I used to order pre-made cuts and just add patches, but then I found a company that sells insanely high-quality leather. So I bought a ton of it and made about fifty cuts. Now I just add patches when a new member needs one. Lila has a black one too. She doesn’t want any other color. ”
“What about yours?” I ask.
Abby’s entire face softens, sadness tugging at her smile. “I’m not an old lady.”
“But you’re still a member, right?”
“Sort of.” She nods. “I have one that says Property of the Iron Shadows MC. Spike gave it to me because I’m his sister.
A club princess.” Her voice wavers. “I’m supposed to wear it every time I leave the compound.
But… all I can think about is how much I want it to say Property of Tank instead. And that’s… depressing.”
“Can I ask something that might upset you?”
She hesitates, then nods.
“If your feelings for Tank weren’t in the picture… would wearing your cut still bother you?”
She thinks for a long time. Long enough that I think she’s not going to answer.
Finally, she exhales. “No. I don’t think it would.” She laughs once, but there’s no humor in it. “It’s pathetic, right? Wanting something so simple. Just… wanting him.”
“It’s not pathetic,” I say gently. “You can’t help who you love.”
“Maybe.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “But I’m tired of my heart hurting. I just want to be happy.”
“You always seem happy, Abby,” Riley says as she and Sunny wrestle a big box from the back corner.
“I know,” Abby murmurs. “I just… want to feel happy.”
God… do I understand that.
“Anyway,” she says, forcing brightness into her tone.
“Tour. Shop. Let’s go.” She waves her hand, trying to reset the mood.
“This side will be for dresses, and here’s where I’ll keep jewelry and hair accessories.
All my equipment goes in the back. Lila’s going to run the front so I can focus on creating. ”
“Hey, I’m heading out to get lunch,” Knuckles calls from the doorway. “Four Shadows are out here keeping an eye on things, but don’t leave ’til I get back. Pizza work for everyone?”
“Can you bring sweet tea?” Abby asks.
“Sure thing,” he nods before disappearing.
“This is really something,” I tell her honestly as I look around the shop. “When do you think you’ll open?”
“Next month,” Abby says, brushing her fingers over the counter like she’s grounding herself. “As long as everything settles down with Cortéz. It just feels like… my past and my wants keep holding me back from actually living my life.”
“Maybe it’s not just them holding you back,” I say, even though I’m not totally sure she wants to hear it. “Maybe you’re holding yourself back, too.”
Abby lets out a single, tired laugh. “Yeah. I’ve had that same thought.”
“Okay, so start from there,” Sunny says, as if she’s been waiting for that opening.
“It might not fix everything, but you won’t know until you try.
Just…let things go, Abby. Let the past go.
And let Tank go, too. I know you love him, and you probably always will, but give yourself a chance to see if there’s someone else out there who will love you back. ”
“You deserve that,” Riley adds softly.
Abby smiles, but it’s the saddest smile I’ve ever seen.
It hurts to look at.
I don’t know Tank all that well, but I don’t think I like him very much.
“Do you think… do you really think there’s someone out there who could love me?” she whispers. “I’m damaged goods, guys. I’m broken. What man wants a broken woman?”
“Hey,” I say, stepping in and pulling her into my arms before she can shove herself any further down that hole. “We’re all a little broken. Some more than others. And your broken pieces don’t make you unlovable.”
Abby leans into me, shaking just a little, and Sunny wraps her arms around both of us. Riley joins a second later, turning it into a three-woman, one-Eli sandwich.
“And anyway,” I add, rubbing Abby’s back, “if we’re using the ‘broken’ meter, I win that contest by a landslide. And guess what? Skip loves me so much it’s actually becoming a public safety concern.”
Sunny snorts. Riley snickers. Abby lets out a wet laugh against my shoulder.
“A special man would treat your broken pieces like art,” Sunny says to Abby. “You just have to let someone try.”
“And maybe Tank isn’t your someone,” Riley adds gently. “Maybe he never was.”
Abby nods into my shirt, a small, painful sound slipping out. “I just… want to be loved back.”
“You will be,” I promise. “Someone out there is going to look at you like you hung the moon.”
“I hate that Lila couldn’t come with us,” Abby says once everyone pulls out of the group hug. “And I’m sorry you keep getting stuck with all of us girls, Eli.”
“Hey, I don’t mind,” I grin. “Every time I’ve been in a room with more than one Shadow, it’s too intense for my body. Being with you ladies is like a spa day by comparison.”
They laugh, and we go back to pulling inventory from the back room to help Abby set up her shop.
Twenty minutes later, Knuckles’ voice cuts through the space.
“Pizza’s here,” he calls. “Hey, Eli…got a minute? Meet me outside.”
I send the girls a smile and head out front.
But the second I step outside, my stomach drops.
Knuckles is pale and slouching. He’s in pain.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”
“Something’s wrong,” he says quietly. His voice… doesn’t sound like him. “I feel my body shutting down, buddy.”
My heart rockets. I immediately pull out my phone. “I’m calling an ambulance.”
“No, Eli.” He grabs my wrist weakly. “If this is the day I die, I’m not doing it in a fucking hospital. I brought you out here so I wouldn’t scare the girls.”
His breath hitches…then a violent cough rips through him, and he nearly collapses. My eyes widen in horror as he pulls his hand away from his mouth.
It’s covered in thick, dark clots of blood.
“Knuckles,” I whisper. “Please…please let me call someone.”
“No.” He swallows hard, fighting another cough. “Listen. In my house…my bedroom…top drawer of the nightstand. There’s a notarized copy of my will. It explains how I want my assets handled after I die.”
“Knuckles…”
“Just…listen,” he gasps, another fit hitting him. More blood. So much more. “I was gonna talk to Spike about it, but all this shit went down and… Eli, please.”
My tears start before I can stop them. Knuckles pulls me tight against him, arms shaking.
“Sweetheart,” he murmurs gently. Nothing like the loud-mouthed menace I’m used to. “Don’t cry for me. I’ve lived a fun life.”
“Well, well, well,” a voice purrs behind us. “If it isn’t my lucky day.”
Knuckles goes still.
Then his whole body shifts. Rage, swallowing the weakness, turning him sharp and lethal. He steps in front of me, shielding me completely.
“What’re you hiding back there, hermano?”
“I’m not your fucking brother, Cortéz,” Knuckles snarls. Not a trace of the dying man from seconds ago.
Cortéz chuckles, amused. “So touchy. Imagine my surprise when I get out of my car and see you delivering pizza to this cute little shop. Then your boy toy strolls out, and you pull him into your arms. Very romantic. Very adorable. Very stupid.”
Knuckles moves back until my chest hits his spine. Shielding me tighter.
“Tell your goons to back the fuck off,” Knuckles growls.
“Oh, I wouldn’t count on help,” Cortéz replies. “The man your President sent to watch over your little plaything?” He clicks his tongue. “Dead. On the pavement. So don’t be expecting backup.”
I grip Knuckles’ cut with trembling fingers. The thought crosses my mind that I shouldn’t touch his cut, but I can’t help it.
“What do you want?” Knuckles asks.
Cortéz gives a lazy shrug. “I was on my way to see your President, actually. But when opportunity knocks?” He spreads his arms as his men close in, forming a deadly circle. “I answer. You’re both coming with me.”
Suddenly, the three men walk closer until we’re completely trapped. My breath stutters. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to calm the rising panic.
“Take me,” Knuckles says immediately. “Let him go. He’s not important enough to get what you want.”
The words hit hard. They sting. Ouch doesn’t even cover it.
But… his voice cracks just barely at the end.
He’s lying. For me. To protect me.
“Oh, no, no, no.” Cortéz tuts. “I am not estúpido. Family is a ridiculous thing with you Shadows. Your President will give me what I want for your release.”
“Spike will not save two men at the risk of losing his entire club,” Knuckles says. “You truly are estúpido.”
Cortéz laughs.
And the sound is ice.
“He doesn’t have to give up his club,” Cortéz laughs. “Just himself. Once I have him, everyone else will fall in line.”
“Don’t fucking touch him,” Knuckles growls as someone jerks me away from his back. “If he has so much as one bruise, I’ll kill you slowly.”
The man holding me laughs, shoves me forward like I’m nothing, and my feet stumble across the gravel.
Please don’t let the girls walk out here. Please, God. Keep them inside. Keep them safe.
As we’re dragged toward a black van, something snaps into place in my head.
Cortéz said the man was dead. Singular. He said "the man," not “the men.”
But Knuckles had four Shadows outside with him. Four trained guardians. Four men Spike and Bones trusted with the safety of their women.
If they’re doing their jobs, which I know they are, they’re watching all of this. They didn’t intervene because protecting the girls is priority one…but they sure as hell would’ve called Spike.
They toss us into the back of the van like sacks of laundry. Knuckles immediately shoves me into the corner and plants himself between me and the men piling in behind us.
His body is shaking, but his voice is steady…furious…strong.
“How you doing?” he whispers. “Feel like passing out?”
I shake my head even though my heart is trying to blast out of my ribs.
“Won’t happen until my heart rate and blood pressure start to settle down,” I explain quietly.
“Fuck,” he mutters. “Then I need you to stay fucking scared, babe.”
“Not gonna be a problem,” I whisper back.
Knuckles huffs a broken little laugh, then leans his shoulder into mine like he’s anchoring me to the world.
“How are you?” I ask.
“Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. My body’s ready to go, sure…but I don’t give a fuck. I’m not dying until I get you out of here and back in my brother’s arms.”
He squeezes my hand.
“Stop fucking talking,” someone snaps.
“Suck my fucking dick,” Knuckles fires back without missing a beat. Then louder, toward the men crammed in with us, “Where the hell are you taking us?”
A slow, amused chuckle drifts from the front of the van.
Cortéz.
“I was hoping you’d ask,” he says, voice smooth like oiled poison. A moment later, he leans back between the seats, eyes glinting like a snake making conversation with its prey. His gaze travels lazily over Knuckles… then lands on me.
And stays.
“Well now,” he purrs. “Aren’t you a pretty little thing?”
My stomach lurches. Knuckles goes rigid in front of me.
Cortéz tilts his head, studying me like he’s selecting a dessert. “Big eyes, soft mouth… very, very cute. You’ve got good taste, Shadow.” His smile turns sharp. “Lucky man.”
Knuckles’ jaw flexes hard enough to crack teeth, but he doesn’t correct him. Doesn’t deny it. Just slides subtly more in front of me, breath shuddering with rage.
“Relax, hermano,” Cortéz laughs. “I’m merely appreciating beauty. No harm in that.”
His gaze flicks back to me, slower this time. Lingering. “If I’d known you Shadows kept such adorable toys hidden away, I would’ve raided your compound ages ago.”
Knuckles surges forward, and three men grab him, forcing him back.
“Touch him, and I’ll rip your fucking spine out through your mouth!” Knuckles roars.
Cortéz’s grin widens, delighted. “Ay, ay… passion. I like it.” Then he settles back into his seat like he’s watching a movie. “Don’t worry. I take very good care of things that belong to me. Well…sometimes.”
Knuckles growls like something feral.
I swallow hard, heart pounding in my ears.
Cortéz only laughs again. Soft, chilling, and way too entertained.
“Relax, both of you,” he says. “You’ll find out where we’re going soon enough.”