Chapter 13 #2
After we all said our goodbyes, Fallon gave Axel a brotherly pat on the bicep as he said, “You boys have a safe trip home.”
“You, too, brother.”
Rafe and I followed Menace and Axel back over to the truck and got inside.
None of us spoke as Axel eased out of the old parking lot and started back home.
We talked a little about how well everything had gone, and I had no doubt that Viper would be pleased with how everything went down.
I hoped the same would hold true for Lynch and Hawk with their run to Atlanta to meet up with the South Carolina chapter.
They had a farther distance to travel, so I wasn’t surprised that they weren’t there when we made it back to the clubhouse.
We met briefly with Viper, then Menace announced, “I’m going to head over to Stilettos to see how things are going there. ”
“I’ll head over there with you.” Rafe glanced over at me as he asked, “You coming with?”
I nodded, then followed them both out to the parking lot.
Once we were on our bikes, Rafe and I followed Menace out the gate and towards Stilettos.
While the two strip clubs did exceptionally well on their own, we made a small fortune by having our girls sell coke to some of our more wealthy regulars.
Our girls were good—not only at stripping but also at moving goods.
Marijuana was a hot commodity in Tennessee, so I had no doubt that they’d do well with our latest endeavor.
As soon as we got to the club, Menace went over to make sure things were running smoothly with the girls while Rafe and I went over to the bar and sat down next to Locke and Bear.
They were talking with Marlowe while she took a break from bartending.
As soon as we sat down, she asked, ”What are you doing here? ”
“Damn, Lowe. Don’t gotta sound so disappointed to see us,” I teased.
“You know I’m not. I just wasn’t expecting you guys to be back so soon.” As usual, she was practically beaming as she turned her attention to Rafe. “I’m glad y’all made it back okay. Did everything go the way you hoped?”
“It went fine.”
“Good. Glad to hear it.” Even though Marlowe worked for the club and was Rafe’s ol’ lady, she didn’t know all the ins and outs of the club. None of the women did. All she knew was what she needed to know—that we had a run and would be gone for the day. “Can I get you guys something to drink?”
“I’m good,” Rafe answered.
“Yeah, I’m good, too.” I turned to Locke as I asked, “How have things been going here?”
“There haven’t been any major blowups since the last rumble with Lynch and those rowdy assholes, so I’d say they’ve been alright.”
“You realize you just jinxed us, right?”
“Suits me fine.” A mischievous grin crossed his face as he said, “I don’t know about you, but I could use a little excitement around here.”
“I’m just fine without it, thanks.”
“You know, the girls are moving the new product fast. I wouldn’t be surprised if we needed more by the end of the month.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, I was just as surprised as you are. It’s looking like going into business with her was the right move.”
He hadn’t finished his sentence when Menace came up behind us. He seemed more than pleased when he said, “Locke is right. I just checked in with Candy and the others, and they haven’t had any problem moving it. In fact, they’ve had several clients come back for more.”
“I’m sure she will be glad to hear that.”
“Viper, too.”
The next couple of days seemed to drag by.
I tried to keep myself busy with the brothers and taking on extra shifts at the club, but it did little to keep me from thinking about Kiersten.
I was tempted to just go and see her but knew she was studying for her midterms and didn’t want to distract her.
Besides, I knew I would be seeing her soon.
We’d made plans to get together for the weekend.
She was going to come down and hang out at the club with me, and then we’d head back to the Manor together. Only that’s not the way it played out.
After a long shift at Stilettos, I was completely wiped and ready to call it a night. I decided to skip going home and headed over to the clubhouse to crash for the night. I’d barely made it through the front door when Menace came rushing down the hall to meet me. “Have you checked your phone?”
“No? Why?” I asked as I pulled it out and looked down at the screen. When I didn’t have any messages, I asked, “What’s going on?”
“I got an alert on my phone. Looks like there’s a fire at the Manor.
” Per Viper’s request, Menace had been given access to all the security at Kiersten’s place, so we would also be notified if there were any security breaches.
Menace seemed concerned when he said, “Riggs called and they got the same alert, but haven’t been able to get a hold of Braylon or Kiersten. ”
“Where?” Without waiting for him to answer, I called Kiersten’s phone but didn’t get an answer. I called a second and third time, but still no answer. Frantic, I looked back to Menace and asked, “Where’s the fucking fire, brother?”
“That’s just it. We’re not sure. On my end, it looks like the whole damn place is up in flames, but when I checked the cameras, I’m not seeing a damn thing. No smoke. No flames. So, maybe it’s just a glitch or something.”
“Maybe, but I’m not taking any chances.” I turned and started back outside. “I’m heading over there.”
“Hold up... I’m going, too. Need to let Viper know and get Hawk or whoever else is here to tag along. Better to be safe than sorry.”
I nodded, then waited as Menace contacted Viper.
Once he’d got the go ahead, we rounded up Lynch and Hawk, then gathered what artillery we had there at the clubhouse and jumped into the SUV.
Moments later, we were through the clubhouse gates and speeding towards the Manor.
I’d never been what I would consider to be a fearful man.
No matter what was going on with the club, I’d always faced whatever came our way without giving it a second thought, but the mere idea of Kiersten being in danger terrified me.
I prayed that there was nothing to be worried about.
But if that wasn’t the case, if Kiersten really was in danger, then nothing would standing in my way of protecting her.
Absolutely nothing.