Chapter 25
Ace
The rain continues its relentless onslaught as we pull up to the graveyard where Eli said Chopper took Naomi.
Eli slumps against me on the back of my bike, barely hanging on.
There were a couple of times I thought he was going to fall off as he almost lost consciousness.
The journey here has been dangerous enough, the slick roads threatening to send wheels spinning and our bikes sliding out from under us.
I think it’s only sheer willpower that’s helped us arrive here unscathed.
We spot the car headlights parked deep in the graveyard, bathing a large tree in light. Its limbs hang skeletal, its leaves like flayed skin in the ominous glow. It’s too far and too dark to see anything else, but Eli confidently says, “That’s them, it’s right by our parents’ grave.”
I try to ride down the dirt path, but my wheels spin out underneath me, tires squealing in protest. The ground is too slick, the mud too slippery for my bike to get a grip.
“We’re going to have to get off and walk,” I admit with a defeated set of my jaw as I kill my engine and pull off my helmet.
At least this will quiet our approach, I think, straining to catch sight of Naomi in the distance.
Cash and Gage park beside us, having come to the same conclusion.
We left the others behind to take care of Chopper’s men, and just in case they came back while we were gone.
I wish Eli had stayed, too, but he was determined to come with us.
Saying that we needed him to help find the place as quickly as possible.
Silently, we pull out our weapons and head in the direction of the car.
The rain has soaked through my clothes, and they’re clinging to my skin.
It reminds me of the first time me and Naomi gave in to our mutual attraction, and I feel another surge of panic thinking of her and fearing that we’re too late.
Something doesn’t feel right. The only sound is the howling of the wind and the occasional clap of thunder.
I pray that it’s hiding anything quieter, that soon I’ll hear Naomi’s voice drifting my way.
But as we draw closer to the car, it becomes increasingly clear that no one is here.
Nearby, illuminated by the headlamps, is a freshly turned grave, with a clod of earth piled beside it and a discarded shovel nearby.
My heart jumps into my throat as I move closer to peer into the grave, fearing the worst, that Naomi is in there. That I’ve failed her.
Relief surges through me when I see it is empty. But then, where are they?
“Do you think they found the information and left?” Gage asks, confused as I am, furrowing his brow.
Eli shakes his head, crouching down beside the gravestone and placing his hand tenderly on top of the marble slab. “I doubt it. If they knew where to look, they wouldn’t have dug it up in the first place.”
We turn to him in confusion. “Isn’t this where you hid the information?” I curl my fists, inadvertently taking a step closer to Eli. If he lied to save his own skin and put Naomi in danger again, if they’ve hurt her, I’ll kill him. I don’t care if he’s her brother.
As if sensing my rage, Eli quickly explains, “It’s here, just not buried. I was hoping it could buy us some time if I didn’t tell them exactly where it was right away.”
“That’s a big fucking gamble, they might have just lashed out and killed Naomi,” Cash snarls, voicing my thoughts.
He has the decency to look embarrassed. “I know, stupid really, but they left before I could explain. I hoped Naomi would figure it out.”
“So, where is it? Could it help us now?” Gage asks.
Eli grins, proud of his subterfuge, forgetting for a moment that his sister is still missing. “It’s right here,” he says, tapping the back of the gravestone. We head around the back to look, peering closely.
I glower at him. “Is this some sort of joke? I don’t see anything.”
“I know, but watch this,” Eli says, pulling out his phone and turning on the camera flash.
It immediately reveals code hidden amongst the pattern on the stone.
It starts downloading, and Eli explains.
“It’s a type of QR software, only more advanced.
I created it myself. I also set this one up to send the information to the cops should anyone try to download it.
Chopper was meant to essentially turn himself in when he found it.
I should have known he was too stupid to figure it out,” he says ruefully.
“There’s even a clue engraved on the front of the tombstone, ‘See you on the other side’, get it?
” he asks, incredulous that no one worked it out.
Eli is a genius, but sometimes too smart for his own good. Relying on an idiot like Chopper or a terrified, panicked Naomi to solve a riddle in the heat of the moment was a stupid idea.
While we’ve been talking, Cash has walked away from us, inspecting footprints in the mud and the spade. “I think someone was hit with this; there’s blood on it,” he says grimly, pointing out a small amount of blood not yet washed away by the rain on the end of the shovel.
“Shit! Naomi could be lying injured somewhere while we’ve been wasting time chatting in riddles,” I snarl, stalking away in the direction of the footprints.
Further inspection reveals three sets, one large set, unmistakably male, and two smaller sets.
One I’m assuming is Naomi. The other is probably Cherri if we’re right about her involvement.
“I’ll go this way,” I bark, starting in the direction of the prints leading into the darkness.
“You two follow those,” I order Cash and Gage.
“What should I do?” Eli asks. I ignore him, stomping away. He’s done enough and would only get in the way. Still, he trails behind like a whipped dog.
It doesn’t take long for the paths of the footprints to coalesce. “Is it just me, or does it look like Chopper is limping?” Gage asks, pointing out the large gaps and slight drag of one foot in the bigger footprints.
If he is, that’s a good thing. It means he’s injured. For the first time, I feel hope that Naomi is okay, that the blood on the shovel isn’t hers. I remind myself how tough she is. I notice Naomi’s footprints suddenly come to a stop at the gravel floor in the area where the mausoleums are.
Atta girl, I think, there’s my smart cookie. She stands a better chance of hiding from them in here.
All of a sudden, the shrill sound of Cherri’s voice whips through the night like a buzzard. “Where the fuck are you, bitch?”
I grin at my brothers. Cherri has given away her location and that Naomi is, at least to her knowledge, alive and hiding.
This is the best news we could have hoped for.
With newfound determination, we head in the direction of Cherri’s voice.
We find her moments later, leaning against a mausoleum, staying dry and lighting a cigarette under the shelter it provides.
She’s clearly gotten bored with their little game of hide and seek.
I motion for the others to stay still and creep up behind her.
She doesn’t hear my approach until I’m right beside her, cocking my gun in her ear.
She freezes, eyes wide in shock as she glances without moving her head at the muzzle of the weapon.
“Don’t fucking move a muscle,” I hiss.
“Ace,” she says, the word coming out in a soft, loving exhale. A sound I once loved but now abhor.
“Where are they?” I ask, moving to stand before her, weapon still trained on her.
She shakes her head, stammering as she replies. “I don’t know. Naomi hit Chopper with the shovel and ran. We split up to look for her once we lost track of her footprints. Please, he made me—”
“Save it,” I snarl. I can’t bear to hear Cherri’s pathetic excuses and lies. I might not be able to control myself, and I need her right now. I grab her wrist, yanking her toward me to hold her in front of me, my gun pointed at her head. “Call out to Chopper and tell him you’ve found her.”
“Ace, it won’t work. He’ll know you won’t hurt me,” Cherri pleads, shaking.
“Your tricks won’t work on me anymore, Cherri.” My heart has turned to stone against her. “And don’t be so sure I won’t. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Naomi safe. Now, call out and tell him to come here.”
She must hear from my voice how serious I am. Trembling, she takes a deep breath and shouts, “Chopper, baby, I got her! Come here!” Her voice rings out clear and convincing. For once, her manipulative nature and her brilliance as an actress pay off.
Chopper doesn’t reply, but soon, I think I can hear the thud of his footsteps approaching.
However, when he steps into view, my heart plummets.
“Well, ain’t that funny, because so have I,” he says triumphantly.
Struggling in his grip, one meaty palm against her mouth to stop her from crying out, is Naomi.
“Nice try, Ace.” He grins at me. Naomi’s eyes are wild with fear as she struggles fruitlessly.
Despite his bleeding head wound, swollen face, and slurred voice from the blow of Naomi’s shovel to his face, Naomi is still no match for him.
He’s a mountain of a man compared to her.
If he wasn’t injured, she’d probably be dead already.
“Let her go, Chopper, it’s over,” I say, trying to convey to Naomi that I’m here. That I love her, and it’s going to be alright.
Chopper smiles, a lopsided grimace that makes me wonder how he’s still standing based on how badly injured he is. “It ain’t over until I say it is. And we both know you ain’t gonna shoot Cherri. Everyone knows the Road Renegades are a bunch of pussies.”
“Wanna bet?” I reply coolly. “In a choice between Naomi and anyone else, I’ll always choose Naomi.”
Chopper chuckles delightedly, stage-whispering into Naomi’s ear, loud enough for me to hear. “Wow, you Moore women really must have magical pussies. I can’t wait to fuck you like I fucked your mom.”