5. Izzy
5
IZZY
“ Y ou’re not listening to me!”
I grasp Detective Reynold’s shoulder hard, forcing him to stop then turn to face me, at least acknowledge my presence.
“Isabella!” he almost snaps, though his temper never wavers. He removes his glasses, wiping them with a thin microfiber then returns them to spot on his sharp nose. “I thought I made it clear that you are suspended.”
“That’s not what—” I bite my tongue before I say something I might later regret, but oh man—do I want to light this guy up.
The evening sun dips below the horizon, spreading golden light over the parking lot. Several other employees shuffle out of the police station as their day comes to an end. I try to shift my posture to avoid their lingering eyes, but they all have probably heard the gossip by now.
Reynolds kicked me out.
Coming back is risky and not the best look, but I don’t have a lot of choices.
Actually, I have zero.
If the information Laina collected ended up in the wrong hands, we’d be screwed. I need him to know about what Laina’s found and the fact, she might be in terrible danger.
“I don’t care if I’m suspended or not, Reynolds. Laina’s life is at stake!”
He sighs and glances around before opening his car door, leaning against the Audi’s black door. “I’ll give you five minutes.” He passively looks at the watch on his wrist.
“Laina found something big, about the Hellfire Riders.”
“That’s not hard to do. They’re one of the most notorious criminal organizations running around our city. Everything they do is big.”
I fight back a scowl.
“No!” God, he’s making me get angry and lose my train of thought. I had practiced over and over what I was going to say to him, and now I’m buckling under the pressure. I straighten my posture and keep my gaze on his still eyes. “It’s about the Puppeteer.”
That stops him then. It’s faint, but I catch it before he hides the tiniest amount of reaction.
Reynolds might be a sergeant detective but I’ve been in the field long enough. I’m not the young, silly twenty-something he thinks is standing in front of him. I catch the glimmer of interest that passes as soon as he blinks. His dark eyes flick down to the file in my hands. He doesn’t say anything, instead he merely tilts his head. He’s waiting.
“Laina’s gone missing,” I say then, going back to the script I’d planned. “I found her phone, keys, wallet, everything a sane person would take with them if they left. They were all in her apartment along with this file.”
“When was the last time you spoke to her?” he asks.
“Yesterday morning.”
He nods, running his finger along his clean-shaven jaw. I imagine if it was grown in, it’d be mostly silver.
“She has a running theory that there’s a connection between the Hellfire Riders and the Puppeteer. She’s been collecting data on them for a while now and the killer. It’s all been stored here.”
His eyes narrow.
“I don’t know how serious I can take this Izzy. It sounds like a rather outlandish idea.”
“Reynolds. Please.” The look he gives me is the same an impatient parent gives their toddler. “I know how it sounds. But even so... bare with me please.”
He lets out a long sigh and leans back. I’m losing him.
“Two more minutes.”
“I think she went to their clubhouse or put herself in harm’s way. I’m not sure but I think she’s in serious danger, Reynolds. I need your help.”
He holds up his hand.
“Izzy, I’m trying to be empathic here, but it’s hard. You’ve both already pissed me off this week. But here’s the deal, okay? I really doubt there’s a connection between the biker gang and our most wanted serial killer. I mean we’re dealing with two completely different criminal profiles. Secondly, I can’t just go and start a war because your friend decided to go digging where she shouldn’t, and that’s if she’s even with them.”
I grind my teeth.
“I know something’s happened to her.”
“Maybe. But Laina is a photojournalist, and a damn nosy one at that. She’s probably stuck herself in a spot that was risky and maybe she’s in trouble, or not. I don’t know, but I cannot charge into the Hellfire headquarters because my suspended employee has a bad feeling.”
His words hit me like a sledgehammer to the chest.
“Fine. I get it. You don’t want to help.”
“I never said that, and you know damn well there’s protocol involved. But this is too much to ask. If you’re that worried,” he sighs. “Let’s just say. I won’t try and stop you, alright?”
I curl my fingers around the files.
“This is bullshit.”
“I know. But until I have something concrete, I can’t jeopardize the department or my badge for a hunch. You know how it works.”
He slides into the driver seat of his car, shutting the door and revving his engine.
“Listen, Izzy. Go take a look, okay, and if you happen to find anything, call me. You got that? Otherwise, I’ve got nothing else for you.”
“At least take the files!”
“Alright. Hand them to me,” he says, reaching an open palm. I slide the manilla envelope into a wide grip. He sets them gently down on his passenger seat and gives me a tight smile.
“Don’t do anything too stupid, okay, Izzy. I want you back on the force when you’re ready.”
“Sure thing, boss.” I don’t watch his fancy car peel out of the parking lot. If Laina’s wrong about this then she might have risked her life for a dead end. I push the thought away.
A sinking feeling settles in my gut. I think stupid might be the only option I have left here, and I’m completely on my own with this one.
When I make it back home, I stare at my closet.
Maybe Laina really is just off doing her own thing like Reynolds suggested. But I doubt it. She would’ve at least texted me to let me know she’d be unreachable for a few days.
“Well, Laina…I guess I’m just going to have to find out for myself,” I mutter, sorting through different shirts I have buried in the back of my closet. Well, I can’t just rush into the clubhouse, demanding someone tell me where Laina is being kept. I’ll have to play this smart and am going to need clearance.
What would Laina do?
She’d probably be able to seduce her way. I know how these men are with their women. It’s a game of property. God.
I pull out a pair of short jeans she’d given me last year.
Black, thigh-high boots,
Gotta look the part.
And a tight, black shirt that hugs my breasts. I add some makeup, curling my long hair.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I don’t even recognize myself.
I hope this works.
Reynolds basically suggested I go poke around and find something. I’m not sure this is what he meant, but I have to know what my advantages are, play at their level and the game these guys I understand.
If I have to suck a dick or something, so be it. Why am I worried that I’m out of practice? I start aimlessly pacing in the entrance to my home, shaking the worry.
I work through some bull shit reason for being there, settling on being a runaway ex of their current rival gang. I’m seeking protection. My heart hammers in my chest.
This is insane. I’m insane.
There’s no time for second guessing or panic.
I just need to get in without drawing too much attention, look for any clues then leave. If I can find some evidence to prove Laina’s been taken, then the police have to get involved. They must’ve known Laina was on to them and maybe tracked her down to her apartment. That idea makes me sick.
I know she didn’t say anything because I wouldn’t have let her walk out that door. Well, Laina. Now you’ve got us both dragged in.
The drive takes a few hours and I do everything I can to push any fear down my throat. This is not the time to let doubt take over or start to panic.
These guys will smell something’s up before I even utter a single word. I have to be calm, cool like I belong there and want to be there.
I park at a campground parking lot not too far from the coordinates Laina wrote down then plug them into my phone. It’s a thirty-minute walk from here, but I can’t risk them catching my license plate.
I tilt my head back and let out a sigh, until my nerves settle ever so slightly.
If Laina can do this, then I can too.
I decided to leave my little pistol in the locked glove box of my car. If they happen to find a weapon on me, it’ll be a dead giveaway I’m trouble.
With one last deep breath, I step out of my car. I’ve never prayed harder than I have at this moment.
The temperature has dropped a few degrees since I left the city, and the breeze whips through the treetops as I make my way into the dense forest. The giant redwoods loom over my head casting strange shadows and shapes around me.
I follow the GPS until I spot it.
A large, abandoned looking warehouse surrounded by huge steel gates. I curse under my breath. The place is more like a sprawling compound than a hang out spot. I imagine it's the main hub of their operations.
The gleam of a long line of motorcycles is undeniable.
Laina could be anywhere in there.
I breathe in and walk up the driveway, ignoring the eyes I feel on me. I make sure to keep my head held high, shoulders back as if I belong here.
A burly guy with tattoos on every visible part of his body stands at the gate, leaning against the iron. He eyes me up and down for a long moment. My heart thuds so heavy in my chest, I wonder if he can see the pulse in my neck.
He doesn’t say anything, and I walk past, not daring to breathe until I’m on the other side of the gate.
I’m in! It’s a small victory, but at this rate, I’ll take it!
The inside of the warehouse is dimly lit, music blares from speakers hidden in the walls. The whole place is packed, and I lose track counting how many flaming skulls sewn in leather vests stare at me with hollow eyes. The smell of pot, leather and alcohol sifts through the air.
Now what? This is part of the problem without having a plan or a team.
I spot a bar in the corner and head towards it. My gaze darting around the room, my senses on high alert. At least, in a dark place like this with so many bodies crammed in like sardines in a can, I won’t stick out.
The bartender, a large man with a goatee and biceps the size of both of my thighs, sets a full double shot in front of me.
“For me?” I ask in slight shock.
“Boss ordered it for you the moment you walked in here.”
Boss? I scan either side of me quickly and catch a pair of steel gray eyes watching me from the crowd. I know that face from the photos Laina showed me—from my dream.
My back stiffens. That one’s Vance. Jesus. I haven’t been in here more than three minutes, and I’ve already found out.
He walks over then, the dark t-shirt he has on hugs his lean frame, leaving very little to the imagination. The lines of tattoos trail over his carved forearms disappearing beneath the sleeves of his t-shirt.
“Come on, don’t leave me hanging,” he says with a slightly crooked grin. “Unless you don’t like tequila.”
“Where’s yours at?” I ask, pressing a sly smile to my lips.
These men take their hospitality seriously. I’d stick out if I denied his request, especially someone of his ranking.
I press the glass’ cold edge to my lips. Of all the ones to find me, it’s their president’s right hand man. Is he testing me? Found me out and is playing a game. He’s watching my mouth then, glancing up with a disturbing stillness.
I down the shot, holding back a cough as the liquor burns through me. Another dead give away that I do not belong here.
Vance quirks an eyebrow, before taking the glass from me and motions to the bartender to refill it.
“Now it’s my turn,” he says over the music. When he lifts the short glass, clear liquid overflows, running on his hand. He lefts it to his lips, licking it away. His eyes never leave my own.
Holy fuck me. I swallow hard.
He downs the shot, slamming it down on the bar top.
“Why are you here, doll face?” He moves closer to me then, tilting his head to show me he’s listening. Suddenly, I feel as though I’m the only thing in this bar.
“Just looking for trouble I guess,” I roll my shoulders, feigning nonchalance.
Vance moves behind me, one arm on either side of me, caging me in. Suddenly, I’ve become a cornered rabbit. A small, helpless creature studied by a big bad wolf. My breath quickens and every one of my senses turns on.
“What a brave thing to say in a place like this,” he replies, his voice a low growl in my ear. “You know what happens to pretty little things that wander into places like these?”
“They get eaten alive?” I finish, maintaining eye contact. He finds it amusing, but I’m not joking.
He chuckles lowly, tickling my ear with his breath. “Not always. It depends on who finds them first.”
The bartender slides two full shots over, he downs it just as fast as the one before.
Please, not another round.
Vance’s hand snakes behind my neck, holding me in place as he leans down to whisper in my ear. The music is blaring over the speakers, and I barely hear him when he tells me to dance with him.
“Come on,” he murmurs. “You look like someone who needs to relax a bit.”
Chills run down my spine as his warm breath caresses my ear, sending shivers through me.
I stare at him for a moment, weighing my options. I know the rules here, but then again, does he?
I want to say no, to push him away and run for the exit.
But I’m trapped, a rabbit cornered with a wolf at my heels. I can’t afford to make any sudden moves. Not yet.
But I don’t have time to dance the night away. I have Laina to worry about.
Before I can utter another word and make up some dumb ass excuse, his hand grasps my waist, pulling me out of the chair and against him.
”Oh, I’m not much of a dancer,” I stutter.
“I don’t believe you. Not with hips like those.”
The warmth of tequila is hitting my blood, numbing my nerves and fear. It’s making it easier to be here but lessening my guard. And I find myself enjoying the press of his palm onto the small of my back. Its skin is warm. It’s nice.
He leads me to the center of the clubhouse, where bodies grind and writhe on one another while music thuds in massive speakers overhead.
He spins me around, my back flush against his hard chest. His hand leaves my neck to settle on my waist. Heat crawls up my cheeks and I can’t tell if it was the alcohol or his proximity.
He guides my hips to his as he starts to move us both, grinding against me. My head falls back onto his chest, resting there.
”There, see? You know exactly what you’re doing,” he says, pressing his mouth to my ear.
“You make it easy.”
His fingers toy with the edge of my shorts, hiking them upward. The heat of his hands brush against the bare skin of my thighs, as he rocks me against him in the sea of these dangerous people.
“I’m flattered you think so.”
I laugh then. Mostly nervous giggle, because I can’t remember the last time I was this close to a man, let alone a Hellfire Rider. But some part of me is enjoying the danger. My adrenaline is pumping, mixing with the alcohol and the feeling of him.
He whips me around as the second song plays. His hands rest on my back, close to my ass.
“So, tell me why you’re here?”
“I- I uh...” I stutter.
”Hm? It’s a simple question.”
“I already told you.” I finally manage to say.
“Right trouble,” he says, as his hand traces downward, falling on my ass, pushing me even harder against him. “You’re a bad liar.” he chuckles.
“And you’re a charmer.” I retort.
Heat flares in his silver eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got my guesses about you.”
I can’t believe I’m this close to him, inches from someone like him. I suck in a deep breath, studying his features. His jaw is hard and defined, covered by a five o'clock shadow that makes him look more intimidating than he already is.
There’s a wickedness to him, and I’m not sure if I should fear him or kiss him. But his eyes drop to my lips then with a longing that every part of me mirrors.
“Oh yeah, what’s that pretty boy,” I ask, hoping not to betray myself.
“Ah ah,” he clicks his tongue. “I won’t say, not yet.”
He trails his finger along my jaw. A shiver runs down my spine and I force myself not to react. Pull away, run, my mind is screaming over and over. I don’t know what the hell I thought was going to happen when I showed up here, but this is not what I planned on.
I’m just dancing with him, and I can feel my thong dampening as he makes me wet.
His grip on my waist tightens and he leans in further so the rich scent of him, like the woods and smoke on a fall day waft over me.
“What’s your name?”
“Izzy,” I say.
He gives me a half lazy smile then eyes me up and down as though he’s examining through a whole new set of eyes.
"Izzy, huh?" He hums, his deep voice sending vibrations through my core. "Well, Izzy, don't worry," His hand slides up my waist and he curls it around the nape of my neck, pulling me even closer. His body heat surrounds me.
My stomach tightens.
Just then a second pair of hands reaches behind me, hot and heavy drawing me away from Vance. I look back over my shoulder to see a set of deep brown eyes staring down at me.
“Come on, Vance,” he says with a crooked smile. “Don’t fucking scare her off," he says, looking me over. "She’ll be no fun then, now will she?”
I remember this one - Tank.
My heart hammers faster in my chest as he loops his arm around me, pulling me into him. My whole form is swallowed by his massive stature. This isn’t a man, it’s a wall—a giant.
“Has he been bothering you, miss?” He asks.
Vance smiles, feigning annoyance.
“He’s been fine,” I say. “Keeping me company.”
“Oh good, I would hate to find out your night was ruined because of one of our men,” he speaks into my ear and his breath is warm, tickling me. “And a girl like you deserves a good time.”
“A girl like me,” I meet his deep gaze and his still features warm as he studies me for a long while then winks letting go. He steps back.
“Come on Vance, we have some business to attend to,” he says. “Hawk needs us upstairs.”
“Come back tomorrow. I’m not done with you. Not yet,” Vance whispers in my ear.
“You better come back,” Tank adds on, looking me up and down like I’m sort of meal and he has been starving. I’m thankful it’s hot as hell in here because I know my cheeks are bright red.
I watch them disappear into the crowd where the drinking and dancing continues to rage on around me.
I rake my hands through my now knotted hair. I need some air and to come up with a plan. I slip out one of the side doors purposely avoiding any more gazes. The less people who talk to me here the better.
I have to come back here tomorrow - whatever the hell that even means.
They probably want to fuck me. I nervously chew on my bottom lip.
These aren’t your average guys, Izzy. They’re Hellfire Riders. Shit! But maybe tomorrow I’ll find where they took Laina - maybe I can find her. If I’m smart and keep my head on my shoulders. I can’t freak out and worry now. I need to find my best friend.
So, I’ll wait, and find out whatever the hell these guys want with me.
I don’t sleep.
How can I?
Every nerve under my skin is alive and racing. My fingers grip my bed sheets as I stare up at my ceiling fan.
I did it. No, I didn’t just do it. I walked in and out with an invitation back.
I’m giddy. Partly from the rush of it, but also from them. I can still feel Tank and Vance’s body heat against mine. I roll onto my side.
God. It was torture but in the best way. They had to know what they were doing. They had too! My finger slides down my stomach to find my clit.
I let fantasies of their eyes, their skin and lips pass through my mind. I want to know how their lips feel on mine, on my body. Let both devour me in any way they can.
“Oh, God.”
Is this wrong? To want them so badly, knowing who and what they are? Right now—I don’t care.
And maybe they want me too. I sigh. I guess I won’t know until tomorrow night.