Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Hannibal
I watch her go, but I don’t follow her, knowing she needs a moment alone to process everything.
Instead, I turn slowly and face Havoc, Nevaeh, Circus, and a bleeding Kruger.
“Does someone want to tell us what the fuck is going on?” Circus cusses.
I wait to see if Havoc will say anything.
When he just stares at the ground in front of him blankly, I fist my hands at my sides.
“Maybe just let Havoc absorb everything first. It was a lot to take in. I know she didn’t mean to, but Lola blindsided him about the baby. He had no idea,” Nevaeh says softly, her eyes asking me to understand.
But my anger is too close to the surface to push down.
“And you didn’t blindside Lola today, coming here barely a week after she gave birth and laying out her darkest moments for the world to see? You think you had the right to decide when or if she spoke about it? You just violated her again.”
Nevaeh flinches, her eyes filling with tears.
“Oh god, I didn’t think. I just couldn’t let Havoc keep thinking the worst of her. I didn’t mean for it to play out like this.”
“I know. That’s the only reason I’m not losing my shit at you right now.”
I shift my gaze from Nevaeh to Havoc, who lifts his head.
His expression can only be described as haunted.
“I didn’t know she was pregnant.”
“You lost a whole lot more than just a baby.”
“You think I don’t know that?” he snarls.
I step forward, watching Kruger and Circus tense, ready to defend their president.
“You never spoke to her? Never asked her for her side or to explain? You never once questioned if what you were being told sounded so completely out of character of the woman you claimed to love. I’ve known Lola for a fraction of the length of time you have, and I already know she’s not that kind of woman.”
“I was sent down, Hannibal. I wasn’t exactly in a position to fact-check.”
I walk over to him, and before he can blink, I pull back my fist and punch him square in the face.
“You weren’t sent down. You willingly walked into that cell, knowing you were leaving your old lady behind without a word.”
I hold my hand up when he tries to say something.
At this point, I don’t give a fuck if it’s excuses or an apology.
“He beat, raped, gaslit, threatened, and isolated her over and over again until the only person she had left in her corner was herself. And I don’t know if you bothered to fucking notice, but she doesn’t like herself much either. She probably blames herself, thinking she should have told someone, even knowing they wouldn’t believe her. Maybe she thinks she should have fought harder, knowing she couldn’t win, or screamed louder when nobody was even listening. Truth is, she did the only thing she could do without a single fucking ally at her back, and that’s survive.”
He swallows but says nothing as Kruger and Circus start to put the pieces together, their heads turning to take us all in.
“She didn’t jump from Havoc to Driller,” Circus states with a sense of dread in his voice.
“No, she was dragged kicking and screaming.”
“Holy fuck. How? Didn’t anyone here notice anything?”
“If they did, they said nothing. Worse, they did nothing. And now here I am. President of a club who somehow watched Lola fade away, and they never even questioned it. Seems there was a lot of that, right Havoc?” I snap sarcastically.
He shakes his head, his shoulders slumped.
“I’ll go talk to her.”
“Not today, you won’t. She’s had enough. If and when she wants to talk to you, I’ll call.”
“Why drag it out? Nothing will get better if?—”
“You don’t get it, Havoc. It won’t get better. Nothing you say or do will erase the past. You owe her everything, but there's nothing you can do to repay her.”
“He’s right,” Nevaeh says quietly. “I know you’re hurt, and you feel guilty. And as much as I love you, Havoc, you deserve to feel those things. You fucked up. She paid the price and now it’s your turn to carry the burden. She had all her power stripped from her. We’re not going to take anything else by demanding her compliance or forgiveness.”
I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Take him home, Tink. Knowing Lola, she won’t make him wait too long. But I won’t be forcing her to do anything until she’s ready.”
She squeezes my arm. “Take care of her, okay?” She looks at Havoc. “Everything I have is because of her. And you’re right, I’ll never be able to repay her for that. But that doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying.”
I step back as Havoc sighs. “I’m really good at fixing things, Hannibal. But I can’t fix this. I broke her, and then I just kept stepping on all the pieces, grinding them down to dust.”
“Don’t write her off, Havoc. She’s stronger than the best of us.”
He nods before Nevaeh slides her hand into his. “Let’s go home.”
He mummers his agreement, his eyes still on mine. “Tell her I’m sorry and that I’ll wait for however long she needs me to.”
I nod as Nevaeh leads him over to the truck.
“Get his bike in the back. I’m sure he’s fine to ride, but I don’t want him to take the risk with Nevaeh on the back, not with the frame of mind he’s in.”
“Tell us exactly what we’re dealing with here, Hannibal. I feel like we’re still missing something,” Kruger wipes his lip.
“Lola and Driller were never in a consensual relationship. He hurt her and beat her when she was pregnant with Havoc’s kid, causing a miscarriage. He made her a prisoner in her own home, and everyone here became her wardens.”
He scrubs his hand down his face. “Something doesn’t add up here, Hannibal.” Circus shakes his head.
I grit my teeth. “Are you calling her a liar? Because if you are, you can save your fucking breath. Driller admitted to Nevaeh what he did.”
“I wasn’t going to say that. I was talking about this club. I don’t believe for a second that someone didn’t know something.”
I contemplate his words and nod. “I’ll find out one way or another, even if I have to slaughter everyone here and start over.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you’re right. I don’t think Havoc can fix her, but you could. You’re the shield she needs right now. She doesn’t just need someone to fight for her. She needs someone to protect her.”
They both leave and head to the truck. I don’t waste time watching them go. I head out to find my woman.
I find her sitting near the kennels, both dogs on either side of her. They growl at my approach, their bodies tense and ready to attack, until Lola calls them off. They move to the fence and sit in a guard position. I know one command from Lola, and they eat my face off.
“Do I even want to know how you have them eating out of the palm of your hand?”
“It’s not hard to gain their loyalty. They’re like any creature. They just want to be loved.”
I sit down on the grass behind her and bracket her legs with mine. I slide my arms around her chest and hold her to me.
We sit in silence for a little while before I break it. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why would I? Does it even matter anymore?”
“Of course, it fucking matters.”
“Why? Because I’m dirty now, tainted by Driller and?—”
Her words are cut off when, quick as a snap, I wrap one of my hands around her throat and squeeze. Placing my lips against the shell of her ear, I whisper words she had better take to heart. “You are not tainted, doll. You’re a diamond that hid her shine so others wouldn’t notice it, but that’s over now. No more fucking hiding. I refuse to let you wrap yourself in shadows any longer.”
I release the grip I have on her throat but keep my hand there, my fingers pressed lightly against the rapid fluttering of her pulse. “Tell me the rest. I’ll listen to every fucking word you say, I promise.”
She takes a shuddering breath and starts slowly. Once those floodgates open, she doesn’t stop, not until she passes out from exhaustion in my arms. I grab my cell from beside my leg and stop the recording.
The more she spoke, the more I could feel the cold seep into me as I shut down, trying to hold my anger at bay and stop my monster from taking over. Driller will pay for what he did to her. Havoc will just have to wait his turn.
Slipping the phone into my jeans pocket, I ease myself into a better position before I lift Lola in my arms. The dogs look at me, ready to follow. I decide, fuck it. I have nothing more precious that needs protecting than the woman in my arms.
“Come on boys.” I whistle softly and wait until they are beside me before heading to the clubhouse.
The backdoor is propped open as I approach so I walk right in and head up the stairs toward the bedrooms. A couple of club girls pass us, laughing and batting their eyes at me, but I’m immune to it all. As I pass one of the bedrooms, it opens, and Gunther walks out. He takes one look at Lola in my arms and freezes.
“Fuck, is she okay?”
I tilt my head and study him. His reaction seems genuine, but I still don’t know these guys well enough to be sure.
“She passed out from exhaustion. It’s been a long day.”
His jaw tenses. “Havoc gone?”
I nod.
“Good. I know he’s the head honcho now, but him being here hurts her.” He nods to Lola.
“There’s a lot of shit that hurts her, Gunther. Far as I can tell, this woman has been bleeding out for years, and not one fucker noticed.”
His shoulders drop. “It’s a whole complicated mess, but that’s not an excuse.”
“No, it’s not. I’m taking her upstairs, and then I’m calling church. I want everyone there, Gunther. There are no excuses, so you might as well go and warn them all now.”
“I’m on it, Prez.” He looks down at the dogs sitting patiently at my feet.
“Want me to take them back out?”
“No. There are dozens of bikers here capable of defending this place, but the only ones I can rely on to defend Lola, other than me, are them. They stay.”
“I won’t hurt her either, Hannibal. I swear it.”
“Funny how, as men, we always think it’s fists that hurt the worst, but it’s not. It’s knowing she’s been screaming at the top of her lungs and been surrounded by nothing but blind eyes and deaf ears.”
I adjust her in my arms and take her up the next flight of steps to the bedroom that used to be Khan’s. I had it stripped out and my furniture from back home brought in. Other than the night Lola and Millie crashed here, I’ve hardly used this space, preferring to spend my nights with Lola beside me.
I lay her on the bed and slip her shoes off before tugging the comforter up over her. Tucking her hair behind her ear, I stare down at her for a moment, trying to understand how a man could look at her and want to hurt her. I don’t get it. I’m not one to shy away from violence. Far from it, I bask in all its bloody glory. But the thought of hurting Lola's so abhorrent that it makes me want to strike a match and watch this place burn with each of its members inside it.
Leaning down, I kiss her shoulder before tapping the bed. The dogs, understanding what I’m asking, jump up and lie on either side of her, one resting their head on her thigh, the other on her calf.
“Guard,” I order them.
I take out my cell, call Jolene, and tell her what’s going on.
“That poor girl.” She sniffs.
“Take all the time you need, Hannibal. Lola expressed so I have plenty of milk for Evan. I’ll do some batch cooking with Millie and get you guys set up for the next few days so she can rest.”
“Thanks, Jolene.”
“Anytime, Hannibal.”
I hang up and take my leave, knowing she’ll be safe here with the dogs, and head downstairs.
It’s noisy down here and busy, telling me most, if not all, of the brothers are in attendance already, which makes my life easier.
Gunther spots me and walks over.
“I’ve called the ones that aren’t here and told them to get here ASAP for an emergency church meeting. Just gotta let this lot know.”
“That won’t be an issue.” Knowing the bedrooms are soundproofed, I pull out my gun and fire off a round into the floor.
The music cuts off immediately as most of those in the room spin and aim their guns my way.
“Now that I have your attention, we have church in ten minutes. If you’re not there for any reason, you’ll attend the next church meeting over Zoom via a hospital bed, understand?” I don’t hide the anger in my voice.
Everyone looks at me warily, but nobody protests.
Byte walks over with a frown on his face.
“What’s happened? Is it something to do with the missing girls?”
“You know it doesn’t surprise me that so many women fell through the cracks when you fuckers couldn’t even protect the ones right under your nose.” I head to the meeting room, leaving him with Gunther.
I shove the door open, take the seat reserved for the president, and rest my elbows on the table, head in my hands.
How did everyone get it so fucking wrong?
I try to get my shit in order and calm down a little before everyone starts floating in, but there's no soothing the embers of these flames. Nothing will do that other than Driller’s blood on my hands and his head on a spike outside the compound for the whole world to see.
I lift my head when Snoopy enters. He nods at me and takes his seat. He’s followed by Gunther and Byte. I keep my silence until every seat is taken and the door is closed to everyone else in the clubhouse.
“Havoc’s gone?” I ask Repo.
“Yeah, about an hour ago.”
I nod, pulling out my phone and setting it down in front of me. “Any of you know why he came today?”
“I figured it was about the missing girls?” Manny speaks up.
I shake my head. “Byte and G are still working on decoding the ledger.”
“We’re close, though,” Byte adds.
I rest my forearms on the table and lean forward. “Havoc came to talk to Lola because Driller spilled a few home truths when he made a grab for Nevaeh. I think it’s time you all learned the truth, too. It’s time you open your eyes so you can see what you let happen.”
I hit play, and for the next hour, everyone sits in transfixed horror, listening to Lola’s harrowing tale of rape, starvation, and torture. By the time the recording is finished, the room is so quiet you could hear a ghost fart.
Gunther stands up and walks out, slamming the door behind him. Snoopy stands up to follow but I stop him.
“Leave him.” Ferris bites out. “He was the one who reported shit to us before Hannibal took over. He knew something was up, Driller was getting reckless, and Gunther started putting two and two together. I don’t think he knew it was this bad, though. Nobody did.”
“She must fucking hate us,” Meek states, sounding choked.
Mud, who is sitting beside him, looks like he wants to throw up.
Elmo fists his hands. “I want ten minutes with the doc. He knew what was happening and said nothing.”
I look at Byte. “Pull up his info and find out what he has on Lola.”
“I’m on it,” he tells me quietly.
I turn to face the rest of the room. “This ends today. I know most of you have started to make amends with her, and for those that haven’t, fix it now or fuck off. This club is her fucking home, and by god, it’s about time you all started making her feel welcome.”
They all murmur their agreements.
I stand and tap the table. “Make it right,” I order one last time. “Dismissed.”
I wait as everyone but Byte files out.
“I’m gonna stay here and look into the doc. I’ll keep you updated. Go be with your old lady.”
I nod and head for the door.
“Hannibal?”
I turn back to look at him. “It’s not enough, I know, but for what it’s worth, I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Me too, Byte. Me too.”
I ignore everyone as I make my way upstairs to Lola. I strip out of my cut and boots before lying down next to her. As soon as I touch her, she rolls into me and lets out a small, contented sigh.
She might not be okay yet, but she’s getting there. Even though today was hard on her, she dealt with it with dignity and grace. She’s slowly healing, and it’s that thought that helps me relax enough to drift off to sleep with her safely cocooned in my arms.
I’m jolted awake hours later by frantic knocking.
Lola stirs beside me. As her eyes flutter open, knocking starts up again. “What the heck?”
I climb off the bed and stalk over to the door, yanking it open so hard, I almost pull it off its hinges.
A pissed-off Byte is standing on the other side with his laptop in his hand.
“What the fuck, Byte?”
“I found it.”
I stand up taller. “The doc’s location?”
“No. The key.”
“You’re not making any fucking sense, Byte.”
“The ledger, it has a key. Once I figured it out, I was able to run the software G made and decipher it.”
“Shit.” I turn to Lola. “I’ll be right back. Stay here.” She nods as I pull the door closed behind me.
I check the hallway but find it clear, so I turn back to Byte. “Tell me.”
“We were thinking sex trade, right? We were wrong.”
“So what happened to the girls then?”
“Khan was selling them, but not for their pussies. For their parts.”
I frown, confused until it clicks. “Black market organs.”
“Bingo.”
“Fuck me.” I rake my fingers through my hair.
“It gets worse.”
“How the fuck does it get worse than this, Byte?”
He blows out a deep breath. “Remember, I said the whole community got tested when Khan’s mom needed a transplant?”
I nod warily. “That included local friendly MCs like the Death Serpents.”
I freeze solid, my brain making the connections. “Please fucking tell me that the missing princess actually did run off with her boyfriend.”
“I wish I could. From what I’ve been able to piece together, the girl was a match for Khan’s mom, so he sent Driller in.”
“The older secret boyfriend…”
He nods. “The missing women were harvested for all usable organs, but all I can find on the kid was an order for her kidney. I did find an address mixed in with everything for a supplies store. I checked it out, and according to the guy I just spoke to, a young woman fitting the kid’s description works there.”
“You think she’s still alive?”
“I think she was young and in love, and Driller has already proven he can wield a lot of power with threats and fists.”
I swallow, imagining Millie in this girl’s place. “I need to talk to the Death Serpents.”
“Yeah, you do. Not just because of the girl, though, but because it’s not just medicine. Driller and Khan were moving through their territory.”
“They’re using the Fargo deal as a cover.”
And making Death Serpents an accessory to a fuck-ton of crimes they’re oblivious to.