Chapter 63
Lark
It’s only been a couple of days since Chris and Sway started living at my family’s house, but already, you can see the differences.
The color has returned to their skin now that they’re getting regular, nutritious meals.
The dark circles from under their eyes have started to fade, and they aren’t moving around like there’s a weight on their shoulders anymore.
They’re behaving just like teenagers should be.
Carefree and happy.
Today after school got out, I took both Chris and Sway with me to get the last of the things they needed and stalked up on groceries for Ma and Granny. They love having the kids there with them, and honestly, it seems to have lifted a cloud I hadn’t realized was hanging over them.
After learning everything the other day, the club has also been helping Lenny, Sway’s mom, deal with her ex-boyfriend.
They called in a tip about her ex violating his restraining order and he was carted off to jail.
While we wait to hear what the outcome of his violation will be, the club offered Lenny one of their low-income apartments for her to rent.
It’s a secured building so if her ex manages to get free, it will be harder for him to get to her.
If he does manage to force his way in, the club also outfitted her apartment with a couple of panic buttons that will let Python know if she needs help.
I also gave both Chris and Sway modified versions of Levi’s paracord bracelets.
They don’t have the hidden blades in them like ours, but they do have the trackers.
Python was able to figure out what Roger meant the other day about Chris when he said Chris should have died in the accident and saved Roger the hassle.
That Roger would then be set for life. Turns out, when Roger proposed to Julie two months before the accident, he also took an insurance policy for Chris.
The accident was Roger’s hope at making a quick buck.
Python had given all the information to Riggs at Anthony’s request and asked that he talk to Julie since she was still avoiding Anthony.
To say she didn’t take the news well would be an understatement.
She left, clutching the papers as she stormed off, but Riggs followed her to make sure she was okay.
He saw her confront Roger, who at first denied everything, but when she showed him the documents, the truth eventually came out.
Roger had targeted her because of her association with the club which he hates because his request to prospect with them was turned down.
At first, he had his sights set solely on hurting Julie.
However, when he saw how much the club loved and cared for Chris, he changed his focus to Chris and decided to try and make some money in the process.
Riggs recorded the whole conversation once he realized Roger was on the verge of cracking and he turned the recording over to the police.
The case surrounding Chris’ accident was reopened and now there’s a warrant out for Roger’s arrest. Something that his judge father is absolutely livid about.
I have no doubts that he’ll try to get it all swept under the rug again, but hopefully, justice will prevail this time.
Shaking off those thoughts, I put the last grocery bag in the van and shut the door.
Grabbing the cart, I return it to the nearby corral.
A second later, I feel a presence behind me and then the bite of metal that’s shoved into my back.
Instantly, I realize it’s a gun. I freeze, frantically looking around for Drake and Nathan, the Prospects that came with us today, but I can’t find them anywhere.
Where did they go? Fuck. Are they okay? Did they get hurt?
My gaze snaps to Chris and Sway, but both of them are chatting away inside the van still.
“Freeze and don’t say a fucking word or my partner will kill the boy and girl,” he pauses as he half chuckles, half wheezes. “Or better yet, scream. Me and my friends wouldn’t mind using the girl to within an inch of her life before she succumbs to the same fate.”
I swallow thickly as my mind races on how to get us all out of this.
There’s no way I’ll let them hurt Chris or Sway.
Scanning the parking lot, there’s still no sign of Drake or Nathan.
Where are they? Shit, did these assholes do something to them?
My gaze snaps back to the van, but I can Chris and Sway are still unaware of the danger they’re in.
“Don’t hurt them,” I hiss and then bite my tongue as he shoves the barrel of his gun harder into my back as he grips my arm painfully.
“I said not to say a word, bitch. Now you’re coming with me. If you behave, the brats will be spared, though I can’t say the same for your guard dogs.” He wheezes as he laughs and my stomach drops. He roughly takes my arm and digs the gun even harder into my back as he turns me away from the van.
The asshole then leads me over to a dark SUV and as he pulls open the door, Chris looks over and his eyes widen when he realizes what’s happening.
I subtly shake my head ‘no’ in an effort to keep him from coming after me.
I’m not wearing my cut, but I am wearing the paracord bracelets Levi made as well as the necklace and earrings I got from Python.
Not to mention there’s a tracker in my phone and purse.
I just hope that Chris gets ahold of Anthony or someone else in the club rather than coming after me himself.
“Get in,” the asshole hisses as he forcefully shoves me inside the SUV.
I stumble at his rough push but manage to catch myself before sliding across the leather seats to the far door. Laughter surrounds me when I try the door handle, even though I knew it would be locked. It was worth the shot.
My gaze snaps to the two men in the front seat, but I don’t recognize either of them. Both of them exude a dangerous aura and my skin crawls at the icy, cold looks they both give me. Noise from behind me has me spinning, but I’m not quick enough to pull away from the needle that jabs into my neck.
“Ah!” I cry out right as a bag is pulled down over my head.
Someone roughly grabs my hands and the bite of the plastic along with the tell-tale ‘zip’ sound lets me know they’ve zip tied my wrists together.
I try to stay awake, but whatever they gave me starts to win.
“Boss, we got her,” one of the goons says, and then I lose my battle against the darkness.