Chapter 74
Reaper
I watch as Lark leaves Church, torn about the decision I just made. While I want her by my side so I can make sure nothing happens to her, I also know that here at the clubhouse is the safest place for her right now.
When the door clicks shut behind her, I turn to Devil, waiting expectantly for him to explain his connection to Sara. If she’s important to him, we’ll protect her, but if she’s just an acquaintance or even an ex, I need to know about it.
His eyes take on a vacant look as he stares down at his clenched fists.
“I met her at a dive bar, but she wasn’t living in Fox River at the time, she was living in Iowa.
I met her when I was helping the Oak Ridge chapter out with a run.
One thing led to another and I took her back to my hotel room.
We just clicked, almost instantly. Spent every free minute with her for two weeks, and then bam.
I can’t find her anywhere. Checked her apartment multiple times.
Finally, right before I had to leave, the old lady that was her neighbor and the manager of the building apparently, took pity on me.
Told me there was a family emergency and she was needed back home.
Her brother came to pack up her apartment and turned in her key.
Never heard from her again even though she has my number.
Every message I sent said it wouldn’t go through.
Neither would my calls, they just went to voicemail.
And here I thought she might be the one. ”
He pauses and shakes his head.
“I’d thought about asking Python to look for her, but each time I chickened out. I figured if she left like that, maybe she didn’t feel the connection like I did. Now though… Now with this information and seeing how Justin was treating her makes me wish I would have had him look into her.”
I swallow thickly. The way my best friend looks now is eerily similar to how he looked after finding out the truth behind Becky’s disappearance our senior year.
Becky and a few of her girlfriends hung out with our crowd a lot in high school.
It started mainly with Devil, Punisher, Becky, her girlfriends and myself.
During our junior year, Beast and Python joined our group.
I know they both liked her as well, but as far as I knew, Becky only had a thing for Devil.
Shortly after we started our senior year, Becky and Devil finally gave in and started seeing each other.
After a couple of months, suddenly Becky was gone.
It took a while to dig up the truth, but it turns out Becky’s dad, Mike Lannister, didn’t like that his little girl was slumming it with Devil.
It’s not like Devil’s family was from the wrong side of the tracks, his mom runs her own store and his stepdad has his own garage.
They make good money and have a nice acreage outside of town.
No, Mike’s problem was that he’s a pretentious dick, just like his daddy before him, and his daddy before him.
Devil didn’t come from old money, not that there was much left in the Lannister accounts with how Mike was spending money left and right.
But as soon as Mike found out about Becky and Devil’s relationship, he yanked her out of school.
His excuse was that he shipped her off boarding school but really, he married her off to one of his business partners.
However, that devastation pales in comparison to how distraught and panicked Devil is right now.
“Isaac,” I start, and wait for him to look at me.
“I need to know that you’ll be able to keep your head when you leave this room.
If Sara is now happily married, I need you to let that go.
To let her go. Find a way to get her fucking brother and those other three out of there, but make sure she doesn’t say a word about it edgewise.
From the sound of things, I don’t think she’d be too upset to have Justin out of her life.
But,” I say, pausing purposefully again.
“But, if she is in need of an escape route, she has our protection.”
Devil’s shoulders tense even more for a moment before they loosen slightly and he dips his chin in thanks.
“If she does come back here, I need you to remember something, Isaac.”
“What?” he asks me hesitantly.
“We don’t know what all went down after she disappeared. We don’t know what she’s had to endure. If she really is the one for you, then you need to take everything at her pace. Don’t rush her.”
He gives me an incredulous look as if to say he would never and I shake my head.
“You forget that I know you, Isaac. You have a tendency to steam roll things when people you care about are in danger. It’s not always a bad trait, but you need to be careful otherwise you could very well end up pushing Sara away.
And keep in mind, depending on what all Sara sees you guys do, she may still decide to walk away. ”
His shoulders slump and I can tell he wants to drag her back here where she’ll be safe, but if what I think may have happened is true, then it’s time for Sara to take the reins back in her own life. Even if that means I have to help my best friend while his broken heart heals again.
“I hear ya, Tony.”
“Good. Now go grab your gear. Be safe and keep me posted.”
I walk over to him as he stands and clasp his shoulder, hoping that he’ll get his chance either for closure or at a second chance with Sara.
Walking out into the main room, I cross the room but stop when Odin steps up and clasps my shoulder. He tilts his chin toward Devil and the look he gives me has me dipping my chin in silent thanks.
He’ll have Devil’s back for me since I’ll be chasing my own vengeance.
With that thought in mind, I take the stairs up to my room and dig out both of my go bags.
Between the two of them, I’ll have everything I need for about a week in case this takes longer than tonight.
I double check my weapons and throw in an extra box of ammo.
We have no idea what kind of a wild goose chase Zac will lead us on or how long it will take.
I also have no idea what we’ll find when we catch up with Zac, but I’d rather be prepared.
Bags packed, I head downstairs and out to my truck, throwing my gear in the bed.
I look toward the townhouses, wanting to seek out Lark before we leave, but I’m itching to get on the road.
Zac already has a little over an hour head start on us.
The need to get my hands on him so Lark doesn’t have to keep looking over her shoulder has me turning on my heel and sliding behind the wheel.
“Position?” I ask Python as I start my truck.
“They turned off the interstate an hour north of us around Sloane and headed west. They’re still moving.”
Cursing, I pull out after the gate opens and head through town toward the interstate.
Taking advantage of the late-night hour, and Python’s radar detector, we pull up behind Nathan’s truck forty minutes later. Thankfully, about ten minutes after we’d left the clubhouse, Nathan’s tracker stopped moving which let us close the gap quickly.
Putting the truck in park, I check my gun, making sure the silencer is secure before looking closer at our surroundings.
Nathan’s tracker led us to a two-story farmhouse, and as an added plus, there’s no neighbors in sight.
We’re in the middle of fucking nowhere with just corn fields and cows surrounding us.
I look over at Python’s computer and note that Nathan’s tracker is on the east side of the house.
“Alright, let’s head out.”
We get out of the truck and wait for Axe and Patch to get out of the van behind us. My fingers twitch at the thought of having Zac trussed up and thrown on the floor of the converted van, but first, we need to find the fucker.
I give the signal and we quietly trek up the road toward Nathan. At least out here, there is barely any snow on the ground. We don’t have to worry as much about leaving tracks.
After a few minutes, I hear a bird call up ahead of us and head toward the sound. Nathan’s squatting behind a hedge bush and with his position, he has a clear shot at the living room windows. Damn near every light is on downstairs, which makes watching Zac’s movements that much easier.
“Have you seen anyone else here?” I ask him and he shakes his head.
“No. House was completely dark when he got here. Not sure if he owns this place or not, but he had a key to get in.”
We observe Zac for a few more minutes, but other than getting up to get a beer out of the fridge, his ass has been planted in front of the TV.
“Is there a backdoor?”
“Yes, but I tried the handle when he was in the bathroom, it’s locked. Unless someone knows how to pick the lock, we’re stuck with going in the front door. Last I checked, which was about ten minutes before you guys got here, the front door is still unlocked. He hasn’t touched it since.”
I turn toward Gunner, knowing he’s one of the few Ryder taught to pick locks as a backup. “See if you can pick the lock. Axe, Patch, go with him. Once the lock is picked, I’ll give the signal and we’ll move.”
Gunner gives me a chin lift and they quietly slip around the back of the house.
“We’ll move closer once they have the lock picked,” I whisper and Punisher and Loki both dip their chins silently. With guns ready, we watch Zac for any sign he suspects we’re here, but he’s too focused on the show he’s watching.
“Lock is picked and we’re in position,” Gunner says a few minutes later and I give the signal to creep closer to the house. Loki grips the doorknob with one hand and has his gun ready in the other, waiting for my signal.
“We’re in position.”
Loki looks at me and at my nod, he silently turns the handle.
“Ready in three, two, one, now!” I hiss and Loki throws the door open.
Punisher and I storm through with Loki right at our heels, guns pointed at Zac while Axe, Gunner, and Patch enter through the kitchen.
Zac jumps out of his armchair, turning toward us as we come to an abrupt halt.
“What the fuck,” I hiss, fuming at the asshole in front of me who has the fucking nerve to smirk at me.