Chapter 10 #2
“That’s how we discovered that there was no credit card on file.
The shop lady got the owner when Kimera asked her to.
The owner claimed she had never seen the person.
This is where it gets interesting. It seems that when the owner came in last Thursday, she found that an envelope had been dropped into the dropbox outside the building.
Inside was the note detailing what the person wanted for flowers, the message, and the instructions for the delivery person to read it to Elle.
There was more than enough cash inside to cover the cost and a nice tip. ”
This news made the men swear. Kimera and I exchanged grimaces of disappointment.
“What about cameras? Do they have any there?” Shadow asked.
“They do, and that was where my mind went. I knew we couldn’t ask the owner directly, so I had to find a workaround to gain access. That’s when I discovered I was in luck. You know Mack, who works at our storage units.” When he paused, the rest of the guys and I nodded.
“Well, I helped him with a problem a while back. His brother took out a fraudulent loan in Mack’s name.
He needed help proving it. I assisted him in finding the proof.
Anyway, Mack works a second job for a local security monitoring company—the one that monitors the flower shop.
I asked him to get me the footage from the night before the envelope was found.
“Now, here’s the thing. The video shows a man sneaking up to the shop’s door at twelve thirty-seven a.m. He dropped the envelope in the dropbox.
No surprise, he wore a dark hoodie that partially hid his face.
He was a big guy on foot. I took what I could see of his face and used regenerative software to reconstruct what it should look like, based on the markers it could find.
“It’s what police departments use to create suspect facial models. I took it, and now, I have it running through various facial recognition systems. It can take weeks or months to get a hit, so I don’t want you to get impatient, but it’s something. That’s more than we had before,” Shadow concluded.
It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but he was right. It was more than we had. Shadow slid his hand across the table. Spawn shook it.
“Thanks, brother, I’ll take it. It’s more than we had. Do you have a picture of the sketch?” my man asked.
“I do. I planned to bring it to you tomorrow so the two of you could see it. Here, let me bring it up on my phone,” Spawn said.
It only took a few taps for him to have it.
When he handed Shadow his phone, he stared at the face.
My old man studied the rendering for a long time.
Unfortunately, he didn’t recognize the guy.
He gave it to me after shaking his head.
I took my time studying the stranger’s face before shaking my head and sighing.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t recall seeing this man before,” I admitted.
“No need to apologize. It was a long shot. I’ll keep searching,” Spawn assured us. He let the others see it. I knew on Monday he’d pass out the picture in church in case anyone knew who it was, or if they ran into the guy, he’d be recognized.
After that, the conversation turned to what I had faced at the college on my last day. No surprise, his club brothers and Kimera were upset. Kimera volunteered to help me slap the hell out of Cleo and Vickie, while leaving Danny and Nate to the guys.
I was angry about it, but I was glad that it seemed I had formed a friendship with Leigh. The more I was around Leigh, the more I liked her. I wanted to have as many friends as I could. I deserved it.
Time flew. Eventually, we excused ourselves so I could get ready for my final dance.
Kimera came with us. She hadn’t been in the dressing room in a long time.
When we entered, those who recognized her called out, " Hello.
" The old ladies had been here more than once since Mayhem had met Astrid. They did their ladies’ night out here every few months.
When it was time to go on stage, Kimera hung back in the darkness at the rear of the stage with Shadow.
As usual, I danced my heart out, then collected my money and rejoined the two of them. Another night done.
???
Time was becoming a blur. Work, time with Shadow, time spent at the compound, and repeat.
I was due to start my computer class soon.
Tonight, we were at the compound. I was hanging out in the clubhouse’s common room, talking to the women gathered there.
It was Monday night, time for church and a night off for me.
As time passed, while the guys were in church, all the old ladies and their children came to join me. I held Moon for Alisse. I’d been trading off between her, Shaw, and Ryan. There was nothing like snuggling with a baby. At the moment, she was sound asleep against my chest.
“You’re so good with them. Did you babysit growing up?” Alisse asked.
“A little, but my dad didn’t like me to do it for just anyone. I was forced to babysit if he held a meeting for some reason or was holding a party for people he wanted to impress or keep under his thumb,” I confessed.
“God, I wish I could beat the shit out of your dad and the rest of your family. I remember Whitney. That woman needs her attitude adjusted the old-fashioned way,” Astrid growled. There were murmurs of agreement from around the table.
“Sometimes, I pity her. She had no support, like I didn’t,” I admitted.
“True, but she could’ve broken free and done what you’re doing. She has to fight for what she wants, like you are,” Cheyenne said. I knew she was right.
We didn’t linger on that topic for long.
Reluctantly, I handed Moon over to another set of arms. I got caught up in what was happening with each of them and their various jobs.
Cheyenne and Alisse worked in a clinic with Dr. Simpson.
Kimera was an OR nurse. Lark ran the Fortress of Bravery Outreach program while Haven had her interior design studio.
Astrid flew for a group called the Dark Patriots.
I’d heard about them. I was about to ask for more details when I was asked what I was getting my degree in.
Even though I had known them for a couple of years, I hadn’t talked about what I was going to college for. I answered.
“I’m getting my degree in English with a focus in writing.”
“Wait, English? Do you want to be an author or do something else with it, like editing?” Troian asked. I heard a note of excitement in her voice.
Shyly, I told them the truth. “I know realistically it’ll be something like an editor or a copywriter, or something along those lines. But my dream is to write actual novels. I know it’s hard to make a living doing that, but maybe I can at least do it for pleasure.”
Troian’s smile spread wide. She clapped her hands. “Elle, do you know what I do for work?” she asked.
At that moment, I realized I’d never heard what Troian did for work. “No, now that I think about it, I don’t, which is weird.”
“I’m an editor. I mainly work with independently published authors, Indie authors.
I could totally help you on your path in the editing world, or if you want to be an author, then go for it.
I have contacts. I can ask the authors I work with for tips and the like.
God, I had no idea—finally, someone who speaks my language.
No snub intended to the rest of you, but this is huge,” Troian said gleefully.
Discovering this was like finding a hidden treasure.
The rest of the old ladies sat back and let the two of us indulge.
They’d occasionally ask a question. I lost track of time, which meant I was startled when the guys came streaming into the room.
Church was over. I smiled when I noted Shadow coming toward me.
Before I could say a word, he bent over me and captured my mouth.
It was a kiss not of raw passion, but of loving commitment. When he moved away, he smiled.
“Did you have a good time while we were in church?”
“I had the best. You won’t believe what Troian offered to do,” I breathlessly told him.
“What?” Shadow asked.
“I had no idea she’s an editor and works with authors. She’s willing to help me find a job and, if I want, to get me connected with some of the authors she works with to give me guidance on how to go about writing and publishing my own work,” I gushed.
“Damn, I forgot that’s what you do, Troian. Duh. That’s incredible. Shit, I’m sorry, Dazzler. I totally forgot,” he apologized.
“No need to be sorry. We’ve been talking and boring the others to death. They’re glad you guys are here,” I told him.
The other ladies protested that they weren’t bored. We let the guys’ chatter mix with ours. Shadow got him and me a drink and joined the circle. We’d been there for at least half an hour when I excused myself to go to the bathroom. I was on my way back when Astrid stopped me in the hallway.
“I need you to trust me,” she said.
“I always trust you, Astrid,” I assured her.
“Good, then close your eyes and don’t open them until I say so. Here, take my hand.”
I tried to get her to tell me what was up, but she refused.
Giving in, I took her hand, then closed my eyes.
It was weird and awkward to walk without eyesight and to rely on someone to guide you.
However, somehow we made it back to the common room.
The conversations had died down since I left, but when they saw us, the room became even quieter.
“Astrid, can I open my eyes? What’re you up to?” I asked.
She let go of my hand. Then a couple of seconds passed before I got an answer. It wasn’t Astrid who spoke, though. It was Shadow.
“Open your eyes, Ellie.” His voice was gruff.
Slowly, I peeled my eyelids open. He was five feet in front of me. I blinked, then blinked again before I gasped. In Shadow’s hand hung a leather cut. It was smaller than his. The back faced me. I read the words Iron Punishers MC and then Property of Shadowrider. I choked back a cry.
“I need you to accept this and make it absolutely official that you’re mine, Dazzler,” Shadow said. I saw his love in his gaze.
I rushed the few feet between us and spread my arms. The weight of the leather as it settled on my shoulders felt perfect.
I ran my hands down the soft leather. As I did, the others cheered and shouted congratulations.
My hand paused as it reached the left upper chest. Stitched over my heart was Dazzler. Tears pricked in my eyes.
Suddenly, I was twirled round, and Shadow kissed me. This time, it was full of passion and possession. I gave as good as I got. I was now without a doubt a part of the Iron Punishers club.