Chapter Eleven.
Drew
I was torn between leaving Amy alone and investigation whatever was outside the clubhouse. But I had no choice; the best thing I could do was ensure Amy was locked away safely. As I neared the scene, I could smell the copper scent of blood, and I prayed this wasn’t a body.
Hand on my gun, I approached cautiously and relaxed when I saw it was another scarecrow. It was dressed in jeans and a tee with a mock Unwanted Bastard MC cut. Around the neck was a pool of blood, and a knife was stabbed into it. The warning was clear, as was the message pinned to it. ‘Murderers.’
Shit, the mystery asshole had returned. Last time he’d hung an effigy from the Hanging Tree. Now this. It hadn’t been there an hour ago. I needed to return to Nanci. I yanked my phone out to dial RCPD when I saw flames from the car park.
Fuck, now what?
I grabbed an extinguisher from outside the clubhouse and ran over.
The fire grew bigger as I ran, and I wondered what the hell was on fire.
As I jogged around the corner, I was surprised to see that Amy’s car was burning.
I aimed the extinguisher and began putting out the blaze.
Was this the same person or Amy’s stalker? I didn’t know, but planned to find out.
Amy
Drew had been gone about ten minutes when I heard the first noise. Watching out for his return, I ignored it. I sat at the reception desk, ready to bolt into Drew’s office, which was unlocked, if I needed to. The second scratching noise made me sit up. Was someone outside?
A bang on the walls caused me to jump, and I shrieked.
That sound originated from the jail section.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and my skin crawled.
I quietly rose and shifted around the desk.
Another thud had me heading to the entrance.
Louder scratching sounds echoed, and fear took hold.
Silently, I unlatched the door just as a shadow appeared in the entrance leading to the cells.
I shrieked and fled into the night, hearing footsteps. Without a second thought, I raced for the clubhouse and yelped when I spotted the creepy thing sitting there. A glance over my shoulder showed a tall figure, all in black, chasing me, and I screamed again.
“Amy!” Drew yelled. His voice came from in front of me, so I ran forward. Strong arms caught me up, and I began fighting whoever it was.
“Amy! Amy! It’s Drew!” he shouted, and I paused, gazed at him, and collapsed into his embrace.
“Somebody was inside the sheriff’s office,” I gasped, panting for breath as I clung to him.
“Fuck!” Drew exclaimed.
“What’s going on?” Monroe bellowed as he and Sully approached. Behind them came several more men.
“Someone chased Amy. We’ve got an intruder. Can you get people to search?” Drew asked.
Sully turned around and snapped some orders.
Monroe sniffed the air. “What’s burning?”
“A car was on fire. Let’s hit the clubhouse, and I’ll tell you what’s happening,” Drew replied.
Monroe agreed as Sully rejoined us. I kept clutching Drew. I knew him, kind of, and he was safe.
“Amy, did you pass the clubhouse?” Drew asked.
I nodded. “Okay, you’ve already seen what’s there. Let’s go,” Drew said. We headed back, and Drew unlocked the doors and slid them back. We shoved through the saloon doors, and Drew hit the lights. As soon as they turned on, I relaxed. I felt safe here.
“I’m going to get Amy a drink, and then we’ll talk.”
Monroe and Sully nodded. “We’ve got men out searching for anyone who doesn’t belong. What the fuck is that outside?” Sully said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder.
Drew handed me a glass of whiskey, and I took a sip. I listened carefully as he explained what had happened, and the cold fear in my belly began to ease. Whether that was due to the alcohol or feeling safe, I didn’t know.
“How much damage has been done to my car?” I asked Drew.
“Couldn’t tell Amy; it’s too dark.”
“Who was the target? Me, the club, or both?”
Drew shrugged.
Great, just what I needed. I dropped my head and sighed deeply. Did fate want to throw anything else at me?
“Amy, what happened?” Sully asked gently, and I realised my hands were still shaking. I put the glass down and shoved them under my knees.
I explained the person in the jail, and Drew’s jaw tightened when he realised he’d placed me in harm’s way.
“Fuck, I can’t remember if the office was locked or open when I took Amy there,” he cursed.
“You’ve got cameras there?” Monroe asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ll have someone pull the footage,” Sully said.
“You can’t; it’s password-locked. I’ll fetch it when the club returns. I’m not leaving Amy again.”
“We’ll stay with her,” Monroe offered, and Drew shook his head.
“Thanks, but no. I left Amy, and look what happened. I’m staying put until Vortex gets back.”
“We’ll wait with you.”
◆◆◆
To say Vortex wasn’t amused was an understatement. First, he ranted that I’d been left alone. Then he raved about the scarecrow, followed up with the fact that my car had been set on fire. Vortex went nuclear when he heard someone had chased me through town.
Inglorious sent him down to the gym with Tracker to let off some steam. Apparently, that was code for Vortex would be punching a bag for a while.
In the meantime, Inglorious called a guy named Chance to pick up my car and see if it could be repaired. Guess I needed to call my insurance. That could be done in the morning. All I wanted was my bed. Sometime in the night, I sleepily felt Vortex crawl under the covers with me and snuggle up.
Wrapped up tight in his arms, I knew nobody would hurt me; Vortex wouldn’t allow it.
Vortex
I wasn’t in a better mood the next morning. Leaving Amy snuggly asleep, I stomped down to the rec room and discovered everyone there, including Drew. I offered Drew a dire glare, but the fucker ignored me.
“This is why we need a deputy,” Nanci was arguing.
“I can’t magic one up out of thin air,” Drew argued.
“No, I get that, but we have to find one,” Nanci’s gaze turned to Tracker, who stared back before he realised where her mind had gone.
“Forget it, I ain’t no cop,” Tracker argued.
“But…”
“No, Nanci. You got me home; don’t push me into being a deputy. Although…” Tracker looked thoughtful.
“Spit it out,” I ordered, not in the mood this morning.
“Bow,” Tracker said.
“Funny, I don’t see Bow anywhere,” I retorted.
“Don’t start with me,” Tracker snapped, squaring up. Still angry, I stepped right into his space, come at me, bro.
Inglorious shoved us away from each other.
“I know you’re stressed over last night, but tearing into a brother isn’t going to help. Back the fuck down,” he ordered.
“Who’s Bow?” Drew asked.
“Tracker’s biological brother and a club brother. Or Bow was, he walked the same time as those assholes,” Lasher said, waving at Hercules and me.
Now it was Hercules’ turn to take offence. “Got a fuckin’ issue?” he snarled.
“What you gonna do, boy, if I have?” Lasher stood, and I nodded at Hercules. Take that fucker down, spill some blood, have at it, brother.
“Jesus, take a chill pill,” Daisy-Duke interrupted and rolled her eyes. “What’s with all the butt-hurt egos? Who pissed in everyone’s cereal this morning? Tracker, we can’t trace Bow. He’s ducking all calls.”
“Bow’ll take mine.”
“Well, he won’t answer me,” Nanci griped.
“Because he’s guessed what you’re after. Bow’s my brother, he’ll respond to me,” Tracker said confidently.
“Can you get him here?” He stared down Tracker. “And why would I even hire Bow?” Drew asked.
“Bow graduated from the police academy and did three years before quitting,” Tracker explained.
“Why did he leave?” Drew pressed.
“Because the captain was dirty and Bow wouldn’t work for him,” Tracker replied.
“Fair enough. He’ll need to go on a retraining course,” Drew said.
“You can tell him that, my job is to get Bow here.” Tracker smirked and walked away. “Give him the other enforcer position, too.”
Inglorious snorted. “Nice to be fuckin’ consulted!” he yelled after Tracker, who flipped him the bird. “You can have SAA, asshole!”
Tracker stumbled and turned and glowered at Inglorious, who grinned in return. “Teach you a lesson, motherfucker.”
I began laughing as Tracker’s amusement faded and he realised he was stuck with SAA.
“What the fuck?” he demanded, looking at Inglorious like he’d pissed in Tracker’s boots.
“Laugh it up, dumb-ass,” Inglorious retorted, and turned to Nanci.
“Son of a bitch!” Tracker exclaimed. “Hey, I don’t want it.”
“Tough shit,” I replied and sat my ass down. Somehow, my mood improved at Tracker’s distress.
“You both suck,” Tracker howled.
“Lame!” Nanci and I retorted together and high-fived one another.
Tracker stomped from the room, muttering about retribution. I wasn’t worried; I could take him anytime.
Amy
In the daylight, my poor car looked battered. The paint had peeled back, and there were scorch marks everywhere. Vortex assured me that Hellfire MC would work its magic and return it as good as new. I hoped so. Despite being a few years old, it was reliable and steady.
“What are you doing?” I asked, sitting next to Vortex. He was frowning, looking over a plan.
“Sorting out the teams for Capture the Flag,” he replied.
“I love that game!” I exclaimed and bent over his arm. Vortex smirked and shifted, and I found myself in his lap. His eyes met mine, full of warmth and something else. Desire?
“Don’t wriggle too much, babe,” he warned teasingly, and I smiled before I realised what he meant. There was a definite lump growing in his jeans. “He won’t bite, he just wants to say hello,” Vortex said.
“He?”
“Yup, my cock has a mind of its own.”
“Does he now?” I asked, amused. “And does he have a name?”
Vortex eyed me sideways. “If I speak it, he’ll want recognition.”
I burst into laughter. “Really?”
“Oh, yeah.” Vortex nodded solemnly.
“Whisper his name in my ear,” I murmured in his.
“Jackhammer.”
I paused before laughing hard. “Because he fucks like a jackhammer?” I giggled.