22. Izzy
22
IZZY
L aina’s close.
All this time. All this effort, and every second we’re closer to rescuing her.
The early morning air is cool and damp, the scent of rain still lingering. The rhythmic hum of the engine is almost soothing, but my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I press closer to Hawk, my arms wrapped around his solid frame.
I can’t even think about what hell she's been through.
She’s alive. That’s what matters.
Tank rides beside us. He’d downed several Excedrin and proclaimed he’d never felt better before hopping on his bike after our four hour break at the hideout. Time is not on our side right now, and Reynolds could be anywhere by now.
Vance raises his hand, motioning to head off the road as he follows the GPS.
“Hang tight, darling!” Hawk shouts. I squeeze, securing myself to him.
Sure enough, the warehouse looms ahead, its silhouette dark and foreboding against the early morning sky. The GPS on Vance’s phone confirms it—this is the place.
Hawk slows the bike to a crawl as we near the entrance, the gravel crunching beneath the tires. Tank pulls up behind us, his headlights casting long shadows across the ground.
Hawk cuts the engine, and the sudden silence is almost deafening. He turns his head slightly, his voice low and steady. “You ready?”
I nod, even though my stomach is in knots. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”
He helps me off the bike, and I reluctantly let go of him, my legs shaky but determined. Vance and Tank are already moving, their expressions grim and focused. We gather near the entrance, a rusted metal door hanging slightly ajar. The smell of damp and decay wafts from within, adding to the sense of unease.
Hawk takes the lead, pushing the door open with a creak that echoes through the stillness. “Stay close,” he murmurs, his eyes scanning the darkness.
I follow, my heart pounding in my chest. The interior of the warehouse is a maze of old machinery and crates, the shadows playing tricks on my eyes.
The deeper we go, the more I shiver. It’s not just the cold air—it’s the feeling that we’re being watched.
“Jesus Christ, this guy’s a sick fuck,” Tank murmurs. I look over, and my stomach twists. He’s standing in front of a wall covered with photos—graphic, disturbing images of women in various states of distress. Some are gagged and bound, their eyes wide with fear. I follow his gaze to a row of empty cages, their bars rusted with age and... something else. Bile rises in my throat, but I force it down. I can’t lose it now.
Vance’s hand lands on my shoulder firmly.
“You good, Izzy?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Suddenly, we hear the sound of frantic movement up ahead. Hawk signals for us to spread out and approach cautiously. The tension in the air is thick, every step bringing us closer to the source of the noise.
We round a corner and there he is—Reynolds! He’s frantically shoving papers and photographs into an incinerator, the flames hungrily licking at the edges of the documents, threatening to consume the evidence.
Nothing is said.
In that split second, everything happens at once. Vance and Hawk charge him with a burst of speed and fury.
The force of their impact sends Reynolds sprawling to the ground, papers flying in a chaotic flurry around them. Reynolds struggles, kicking and clawing like a cornered animal, but Hawk and Vance are relentless, their combined strength overpowering him.
Vance snarls, his grip tightening on Reynolds’ arm. The raw anger in his voice is palpable. “You sick bastard.”
“Get the hell off me!” Reynolds screams in a blind fury. It’s too late. He was taken completely off guard. He squirms and writhes underneath him, but Hawk has no mercy, beating his face in with a hard punch, knocking his front tooth right out.
The sound of Tank’s voice cuts through the chaos as he moves to the incinerator, quickly pulling the remaining documents away from the flames. “We’ve got the evidence,” he says, relief and triumph mingling in his tone. “Everything we need to bury this son of a bitch.”
“Where’s Laina?” I cry out.
Reynolds spits out a mouthful of blood, dazed and confused.
“Shut up, you slut.”
With that, Hawk’s fist lands a solid smack and Reynolds falls unconscious.
“I should kill this asshole,” he growls.
Tank glances back at me. “Over here, Izzy.” My breath catches in my throat as we approach a set of stairs leading down to a lower level.
“She has to be here,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.
Vance pulls out his phone. “I’m going to call the cops now, alright. This will be proof enough of what the hell this little pervert’s been up to.”
“Vance, watch this fucker for us, will ya?” Hawk asks, moving to stand by my side.
“Oh, I’ll be the best company he’s ever had.”
We descend the stairs, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step. The lower level is dimly lit, the faint hum of electrical equipment the only sound. My pulse quickens as we navigate the narrow corridors. Finally, we reach a heavy metal door at the end of the hallway. It’s slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling into the corridor. Hawk holds up a hand, signaling us to stop. He listens for a moment, then nods, pushing the door open.
The room beyond is a warped imitation of a bedroom. A dirty mattress sits in the center of the space, and my stomach lurches at the sight of the restraints affixed to its four corners.
Laina’s weak, but familiar voice pierces the darkness, sending chills down my spine. My knees almost buckle with relief. I take a deep breath and step inside, not even caring if it’s a trap. In the center of the small room, Laina’s frail form is huddled in the corner, her eyes widening with disbelief as she sees me.
“Izzy?” she whispers, as if she can’t quite believe I’m real.
Tears blur my vision as I rush to her side. “It’s me,” I say, tears welling up. “We’re here. You’re safe now.”
Hawk and Tank work quickly to untie her.
As the ropes fall away, Laina slumps forward, and I catch her, holding her close.
“We’ve got you,” I murmur, stroking her hair. “You’re going to be okay.”
She nods weakly, her grip tightening on my arm. “I knew you’d come,” she says
Hawk steps forward and gently lifts Laina into his arms, cradling her as if she weighs nothing. Her brows pull together and her mouth hangs open in confusion.
“Hellfire Riders?” she squeaks out.
I nod as tears continue to fall down my cheek, my trembling voice breaks out into laughter.
“We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
“Yeah, we do,” she mumbles, looking up at Hawk in disbelief.
He carries her out of the hellhole with Tank and I following close behind. The morning air hits us, and the drizzle has turned to a light mist. Tank grabs a blanket off the back of his bike and wraps it around Laina’s shoulders.
“I’ve called the police and ambulances. They’re on their way, but it’s going to take a while,” Vance says, leaning in the doorway.
Hawk nods, his jaw set with determination. “Vance, take Laina to meet the ambulances halfway. We’ll stay here to meet with the police. Make sure Reynold’s gets locked up for good.”
Vance carefully positions Laina on his bike, ensuring she’s secure.
“I’ll see you as soon as I can,” I tell her.
She gives me a half smile.
“Don’t let that fucker get away, Izzy.”
“I won’t.”
Vance wraps his arms around her. “I’ll take care of her, I promise,” he assures me, reading my mind. They pull away from us, and the bike's engine hums to life, the tires kicking up gravel as they speed off.
The three of us stand in the empty warehouse Reynolds lays on the earth, tied up choking and coughing as he fights to come back to consciousness. I walk over to him, hovering over him.
“Reynolds,” I start, my voice steady but filled with a cold fury. “You thought you could play God, pulling strings and controlling lives like we’re all just puppets in your sick little game. You thought you could manipulate, deceive, and destroy without facing any consequences.”
He glares up at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and defiance. I crouch down, getting closer so he can see the determination in my eyes.
“You used me, you used Laina, and you tried to destroy the Hellfire Riders to cover your tracks. But you underestimated us. You underestimated me. You thought I was just another piece on your board, but you were wrong.”
I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You see, we’re not just victims in your twisted story. We’re stronger than you ever imagined. And now, you’re going to face the consequences of your actions. You’re going to pay for every life you’ve destroyed, every lie you’ve told, and every bit of suffering you’ve caused.”
Reynolds starts to sputter, but I cut him off, my voice rising with conviction. “This is the end of your reign of terror. You’re done hurting people. You’re done manipulating and controlling. You’re going to spend the rest of your miserable life paying for what you’ve done.” I stand up, looking down at him with a final, resolute gaze. “And I hope you rot in fucking hell.”
I step back, feeling the weight of my words settle in the air.
We all stand in silence, listening to the rambles of the bound Reynolds from behind us. All I can do is watch the man I used to respect be the absolute worm he is.
“You two alright?” Hawk asks, looking at Tank and I.
Tank’s sighs, scratching the scruff growing on his jaw. “This has been the absolutely craziest week of my life.”
“Tell me about,” I mutter, sinking down on the ground.
“Do you want me to take you to the clubhouse?” Hawk asks me.
“No. I’m fine. I’m seeing this through.”
“Damn right you are,” Tank says, squatting down in front of me. He brushes a strand of sweaty hair off my face. “You’re a fucking badass.”
“Thanks, but I owe you both my life.”
Hawk shrugs. “I’d do it again for you.”
Tank nods in agreement. “I’d do anything for you, Izzy. Take as many bullets as I need to.”
Hawk shoots Tank a look I can’t decipher. They both sit down on either side of me. Hawk puts an arm around my shoulders, and Tank takes my hand.
I’m beyond grateful for them.
“You know, we make a good team,” Tank says, giving me a smirk.
I lean my head on his shoulder.
“Don’t start getting sappy with me right now.” I tease.
“I’m serious. You, me, Vance and Hawk... we’re like the four stupidest fucking musketeers.”
Hawk chuckles, and I can’t help but laugh.
Hawk leans back, his arms crossed. “Once we get this all sorted out with the cops, we need to lay low for a bit. Take care of the club.”
Tank shoots me a playful wink. “You know, we do have some unfinished business to tend to when we get back to the clubhouse.”
My cheeks flush immediately at what he’s playing at, but Hawk stands then brushing the dirt away from his jeans.
“I hear the sirens. Let’s get this over with.”
“I just want to make sure that bastard never sees the light of day again,” I whisper under my breath.
“We will,” Hawk says firmly. “The police will have everything they need to lock him up for good.”
Minutes stretch into what feels like hours as we wait. The distant sound of sirens grows louder, signaling the approach of the authorities. I stand up, my legs feeling like lead.
Finally, the police cars arrive, their lights flashing in the dim light of dawn. Officers pour out, weapons drawn and ready. The lead officer approaches us, his expression serious. Immediately, all three of us raise our arms.
“Who’s in charge here?” he asks.
Hawk steps forward. “I am. We’ve got Detective Reynolds secured. He’s the one behind all of this. The Puppeteer.”
The officer nods, motioning for his men to move in. He extends a hand to Hawk. “I’m Detective Mason. We’ll take it from here. Thank you for your cooperation.”
We watch as the officers enter the warehouse, their flashlights cutting through the gloom. Moments later, they emerge with Reynolds in tow, his hands cuffed behind his back.
His face is a twisted mask of rage and frustration, the realization of his defeat etched deeply into his swollen, red and bloodied features. As he approaches, he locks eyes with me, and for a moment, the world narrows to just the two of us.
“You think this is over?” Reynolds spits, his voice a venomous hiss. “You have no idea what’s coming. You’re all pawns in a game you don’t even understand.”
“It’s over.”
He laughs, a harsh, grating sound that echoes in the early morning air.
Detective Mason grabs Reynolds by the arm, steering him toward the police car. “That’s enough,” he says firmly. “Get him in the car.”
Reynolds stumbles, “I’ll have all of you fired after this! You don’t know who you’re fucking with!” He’s pushed into the backseat of the squad car. The door slams shut.
Detective Mason turns back to us, his expression softening slightly. “We’ll make sure he’s processed and charged with everything we’ve got. You’ve done a good thing here.”
Hawk nods, his arm still wrapped around my shoulders. The police officers take our statements. I feel a sense of closure starting to form.
Reynolds’ reign of terror is over.
As the squad car pulls away, sirens wailing, I let out a shaky breath. Adrenaline still courses through my veins, mingling with a growing sense of relief. It’s over. The Puppeteer has been caught, and I’m still here.
The familiar hum of the hospital fills my ears as I step through the automatic doors, the sterile smell of antiseptic and the faint beep of monitors.
As the doors slide open, I practically run down the hallway, my pulse pounding in my ears. Tank, Vance, and Hawk are somewhere behind me but I don’t care.
I need to see Laina.
After visiting the front desk, I find the right room and hesitate for just a moment before I push open the door.
Laina is sitting up in bed, looking tired but alert. The moment her eyes meet mine, a wave of emotion crashes over me, and I rush to her side. She looks pale and fragile, but she’s alive.
“Izzy!” she cries, her voice breaking as tears stream down her face.
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Don’t you ever pull that shit again. Do you understand me?”
Her weak laughter makes me smile, even as my eyes sting with tears. “I love you too, nerd.”
“I thought I’d lost you.” My voice catches. “I’ll never forgive myself if I ever put you in danger again.”
Laina gently pulls back, wiping away my tears. “Hey, hey. None of that. This wasn’t your fault. You did everything you could to save me, and—” Her voice stops as she sees my three shadows hovering in the doorway. They look both out of place in their leather vests contrasting sharply with the clinical white walls.
“And your new friends?” She leans close to my ear. “Izzy, what the hell happened?”
“It’s a long story,” I mutter.
“I’ll say.”
Hawk clears his throat, “Izzy’s been worried sick about you. Nearly got herself killed trying to find you.”
Laina leans back. “I am so sorry. I—I didn’t know—God. It’s all so much.”
“It’s okay. We got him because of you,” I reassure her, resting my hand on her. “He’s never going to hurt anyone again. That sick bastard.” She squeezes my palm.
“I just want to go home, Izzy. I just want to forget this ever happened and go back to our normal lives.”
“Laina, I don’t think we are ever going to live normal lives again.”
She looks down at her hands.
“No, probably not. Are you going to introduce me to your friends properly?”
“Hawk, Tank, Vance, this is my best friend, Laina. Laina, meet Hawk, Tank, and Vance.”
“I met you—” she says, pointing a finger toward Hawk. “I met you the night Reynolds got me.”
“What happened?” I ask, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, studying her face. She sighs, closing her eyes as the memories return to her.
“I told this story a hundred times to the cops, and some of them still don’t want to believe their precious lead detective could be the Puppeteer.”
“If I hadn’t seen it, I don't think I would have,” I whisper. “Reynolds was by the book always.”
“Well, looking back—it all makes sense,” she says. “He was just so far up in power, no one thought to question him. I wanted to find out if my hunch was right, so I went to the clubhouse by myself. Hawk sent me away, and that was when Reynolds showed up out of nowhere. He said he had been patrolling the area, working on a case against the Riders. Get this—he told me he thought they were the Puppeteers.”
“Jesus,” I mutter."
She rubs her temple, shaking her head.
“God, I feel like an idiot. All the information I had gathered on them. It was all sent by Reynolds. He’d been working to plant them as the bad guys this whole damn time. Here I was thinking that I’d been gathering all this information against the Hellfire Riders single-handedly. It was all him, leading me along like a puppet on a damn string.”
“You were doing your job, Laina,” I assure her. “You can’t control what he did with that information.”
“Yeah. I know, but still.” She sighs, picking at her fingernails. “He’d planned to kill me, hide me at the clubhouse. Then after he arrested them with his warrant. He and the other police would discover my body along with all the planted evidence in the clubhouse basement. I don’t think he ever thought you were going to show up, Izzy, but when you did—I think he decided to use you as well. Build a better case.”
“It was an elaborate plan,” I mutter, shaking my head in disbelief. The anger boils within me, and I work to push it down.
“I can only imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t shown up, Izzy.” Laina finally looks at me, her eyes haunted by the thought of what could have happened. “Thank you, for that,” she whispers.
As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow through the hospital windows, a nurse enters the room, her smile gentle. “It’s time for Laina to get some rest,” she says kindly. “Visiting hours are almost over.”
We all nod, understanding the need for her to recover. I lean in and hug Laina tightly, feeling the familiar warmth and comfort of her embrace. “Get some sleep, okay? We’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Promise?” she asks, her voice small and vulnerable.
“Promise,” I say, pulling back to look into her eyes. “You’re not getting rid of us that easily.”
“Good. Because I need details on what the hell’s going on with the four of you,” she whispers in my ear.
“All in due time,” I laugh, kissing her forehead.
“At least tell me which one you’re seeing.” I hesitate to answer, and she reads the look on my face and her mouth drops open. “No? All of them?”
I shrug. “Something like that.”
“Izzy, get the hell out of here!” she squeals, almost jumping right off the hospital bed. The nurse clears her throat and I take my cue to leave.
As we exit the hospital, a sense of calm settles over me.
Laina is safe. Reynolds is locked up.
"So, what's next?" Vance's deep voice startles me out of my thoughts. I turn to see him straddling his Harley, arms clutching the handlebars.
“We’ve got a huge mess on our hands to clean up,” Hawk says, glancing down at me. His intense blue eyes follow me for a long while. “You’re coming with us, right?”
I stop, looking at all three of them. I’m like a moth drawn to a flame, but I’d been so wrapped up in all the events, finding Laina, catching Reynolds I hadn’t ever stopped to think what happens once this all ends.
Hawk shifts the weight of his feet.
“Izzy, come on. There’s no discussion to be had here.” He extends a hand to me. “You’re coming home.”
Home. The word reverberates through my mind as I stare at his outstretched hand, the promise of a future I never thought possible waiting for me if I take it.
“It won’t be the same without you now,” Vance says.
Life with these three is going to be a wild ride, but after what I’d just been through, I was starting to think that maybe I don’t belong anywhere else either.
Suddenly, Tank revs his bike impatiently behind us. "Yeah, enough with the mushy crap! We got shit to do!" He yells over the roar of his engine.