CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
I look at my brother and President, and the feeling I had all day that something wasn’t right grows. But I’d pushed it to the back of my mind, thinking I must be manifesting trouble. I hadn’t had the time to even scratch my ass, let alone call Zoe to check on her, and I’m sure she was a pissed off tornado by now.
When his eyes come to rest on me, and I can see pity in them, I know for sure that something bad had happened.
“What’s happening?” I demand on a growl. We have been in Dallas longer than any of us wanted to, searching for Caleb, with no sign of him anywhere. It’s like he’s just disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Kick sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “That was Everleigh. Zoe’s gone.” I stand there, trying to comprehend what he’s telling me.
“What do you mean, she’s gone?” That can’t be right. When I left her, we were in a good place, and she gave me no indication that she was ready to flee.
“It looks like the fucker’s taken her.”
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I’ve left her vulnerable, and now she’s paying the price. I should’ve been there with her.
“Brother, wait,” Kick calls out, but I don’t stop until I get to my sled; a 1993 Softail Classic, one I’ve kept in mint condition, thanks to Angel, our resident mechanic. Throwing my leg over, I stop when I feel a hand on my shoulder; looking back, I see Kick and the rest of the brothers, their pitying looks making me angrier by the second.
“Don’t stop me, brother. You’d burn down the whole damn world if it was Everleigh.” I growl.
“Yeah, you’re right, I would. But I would also stand next to you and burn down the world for you and Zoe. If she’s your woman? Are you gonna make her your ol’ lady, brother? Because you know we can’t do anything if she’s some piece of ass you’re going to throw away once you’re done with her,” my president says, arching his dark brow in question.
I fight to keep a lid on my anger at his words. I knew I didn’t have to think about what I was going to say next, but I hated being pushed into that decision.
“Yeah brother, I am,” I tell him, looking at every man there.
He slaps my back. “Well, then. What are we waiting for?” Turning to Tiny, he adds, “Contact Knox, see what he can find out about this fucker’s whereabouts.”
“On it, brother,” the big man replies and takes his phone from his cut.
“Okay, let’s roll,” he announces.
I throw my leg over the seat, rev the engine and hear the answering call of my brothers over the din of the sled’s engines, all waiting for me to head them out. The love and pride I felt for my brothers made me choke up with emotion, forcing me to clear my throat. There’s no better feeling, besides having Zoe here with me, than being surrounded by my club brothers. I could do anything when we all came together.
Hours later, we were rolling into the parking lot of the clubhouse. The women, minus Zoe, were standing there, each with a worried expression on their face.
“What the fuck happened?” I demand, pissed that something like this could happen with all the security we have.
I look at each woman, and I’m sure my nostrils are flaring in my unrestrained anger. I wasn’t angry at any of them, but more so at the situation. A firm hand pushes against my chest, pushing me back, and I lift my head to see Riggs just as angry. “Back it up, brother. It’s not Lexie’s fault.”
I’m silent for a few seconds as we stare each other down, neither of us budging, then despite the seriousness of the situation, a full-on smirk transforms my face.
“I never said it was, brother.” I watch as his face turns a shade of red I hadn’t seen on him before. Because Riggs doesn’t blush or get embarrassed. Out of all of us, he’s the one that doesn’t care if he fuck’s a club whore out in public.
Ky’s standing off to the side with Knox, both men looking downtrodden that they allowed this to happen on their watch. I walk up to them, and instead of the punch I’m sure they were expecting, I link arms with each man. I wasn’t about to make them feel worse than I’m sure they were already feeling. Silence acceptance passes between the three of us, and I smile at them.
“Okay, put your dicks away.” Kick calls out, giving both me and Riggs a hard look. “Emergency Church. Five minutes.” Disappearing inside the clubhouse with Everleigh.
I follow at a much slower pace, feeling out of sorts. How long has Zoe been gone? Will we find her before the asshole does something to her? I enter my room at the clubhouse, and the sight of the rumpled sheets and the upturned lamp on the nightstand almost brings me to my knees. Knowing that she had fought for her life when I wasn’t here to protect her makes me want to commit murder. I angrily swipe at the lone tear that’s slid down my cheek, vowing that I will have my vengeance, and I will get Zoe back safe and sound.
How did he get her out of here? He must’ve had some help. That thought is almost too much for me to contemplate. But it’s something that we need to hash out. Especially if we have a traitor in our midst.
I go into the bathroom to wash my face, trying to ignore the way I feel at seeing her things strewn around the place. Once I’m satisfied that all traces of tears have been eliminated, I walk back out of the room and to the meeting room where we have Church.
I’m the first one to arrive, and take my seat at the table. Soon after, the rest of the brothers file inside. Snake and Spider walk in, but neither speak, as they take a position on opposite sides of the room. One brother is missing, and I frown, but before I can voice my question, Kick does it for me.
“Where the fuck is Bear?” He growls out angrily. “He stayed back to look after the women, and now he’s M.I.A?”
Knox had a bandage on the back of his head, evidence of the attack by Zoe”s abductor. “Maybe this will clear up any confusion for all of you,” he says, anger flashing in his eyes. For a few minutes, we’re all quiet, and I can see Kick is barely holding onto his anger. The whites of his knuckles showing through as he tightens his fists, and I can tell whatever Knox shows him isn’t good. After watching, he lifts his head, pinning Snake with an almost murderous glare, as he angrily slides the laptop towards Tiny, and I lean in to have a better look.
It”s a grainy video, but I can clearly see Bear at the gate, he takes out a gun, with a silencer attached and shoots the two prospects point blank, then steps over them like they’re just dirt on the bottom of his boots and walks into the booth, presses a button that opens the gate, and a white nondescript van drives through.
“Please tell me that’s not who I think it is.” I grind out. But I already know the answer before Knox confirms it.
“That’s the fucker Caleb.” he says matter-of-factly, like he was stating the scores for the last football game.
“Motherfucker!” I growl out. Has Bear been playing us this whole time?
“Where’s the fucker now?” Kick demands.
Knox lifts a brow. “Caleb? No idea.”
“Not motherfuckin’ Caleb; Bear.” Our President roars. I watch Snake closely, noticing the shock on his face, before a look of horror and disgust replaces it. He may have had nothing to do with Zoe going missing, but there’s no way any of the brothers will trust him after what his ol’man has done. His time at the Briar Creek chapter is over. I want to march over and wrap my hands around his throat and watch the life slip away from him. If he’s worked with Bear to pull this off, he’s finished in this club for good.
Our tech guy audibly swallows, and I can see his Adam’s apple bob. Kick’s usually a laid-back President, but when he gets pissed, you best stay out of his way.
“His phone tells me he’s at his house.”
Kick pins us all with a dark stare. “Brothers, tonight we ride, but first, I want to know what the fuck you knew about what your fuckin’ ol’man was up to.” He looks across at our newest patch, who”s shrunk inside himself. His eyes are wide, a terrified look in their depths.
Without thinking, I jump to my feet, crowding the kid against the wall. I feel no pity for him, if he’s part of what happened to Zoe, he’ll pay, just as Caleb and Bear will.
“I had nothing to do with what my dad was up to, I swear.”
I turn to look at Spider, to gauge his reaction to me beating on his best friend. The look on his face is cold and indifferent. I shake my head, and before Snake can catch his breath, I slam my fist into his face, dislodging his glasses.
“Where’s Zoe?” I demand, getting a handful of his hair, pulling his head up, snarling in his face.
He’s wheezing and panting, and I’m taken aback when he genuinely seems confused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he grunts.
“Don’t bullshit me. I know you know about your old man being in cahoots with Zoe’s husband.” I growl, getting in the kid’s face.
I go to punch him again, knocking his glasses off his face as they sit lopsided on the bridge of his nose.
“That’s enough.” Kick calls out, his chair scraping against the concrete floor as he gets to his feet. I stop immediately, looking over at our President.
“Please, Prez.” the kid begs of Kick, snot and tears running down his cheeks. If I was a softer man, I might even feel sorry for the kid—but I’m not and I don’t.
“I honestly know nothing about anything my father’s involved in.” He beseeches our President.
“Let him go.” Kick orders me. My brows rise past my hairline when I look at him, but I do as he instructs, and Snake slides down the wall onto the floor on his ass.
“This is your first and final warning. I’m gonna get in touch with Ax at the Washington chapter. He’s gonna do me a solid, and take you in, you’re going to keep your nose clean. If I find out you had anything to do with Zoe’s disappearance, or if you start any trouble over there, I’ll personally make the trip to Washington just to dump your dead ass for the buzzards to pick your eyeballs out of your fuckin head. And warn your father we’re comin’ I’ll shoot you myself.” He warns on a snarl.
“Pack ya shit. You’re leaving tonight. Now get the fuck gone.”
The kid nods and quickly makes his escape. It’s when he closes the door behind him that all hell breaks loose.
“You’re letting him go?” I accuse, tightening my hands into fists at my sides.
Kick hits the gavel, adjourning Church before sending me a warning look.
“Do not question my decisions,” he grounds out as he passes me, “this is what I’ve decided and that’s final.” He places a hand on my shoulder and looks me in the eye. I want to argue more, but I know there’s no point when our President decides something that’s it.
“We’ll bring your woman home. I promise you that.” He tells me. I nod in thanks, and hope she can hang on just a bit longer.
We file out of the meeting room, and I storm outside to my sled, uncaring of the rain that’s pelting down. I’ve ridden in wet conditions before; finding Bear and getting my woman back won’t stop me. I’m ready to get this shit over and done with.
How did we not see it? And what’s the fucking connection between Bear and Caleb? So many unanswered questions were swirling in my head.
Well, we’re about to find out.I throw my leg over my sled and rev the engine a few times, trying to calm my racing heart. Hang on, little one. I’m coming to get you.
Finally, we’re off towards Bear’s place. I always wondered why he never built a place on club property, since he’s one of the original members, and I’ve never been to the place he has. He always kept mostly to himself, but I thought that’s just how he was. Quiet but loyal. What a joke.
I feel sick to my stomach because I left Zoe in his care. And now, I don’t even know if she’s dead or alive.
The house is on a poorly lit street, and all the neighboring houses seem to be in a similar state of disrepair with peeling paint. It’s a bad part of town, just another blemish against the fucker. Why live like this when he earns good money from the club?
We park a few doors down from his house near a kids” playground crab crawling our bikes against the fence before sliding off. I’m eager to get this over and done with and to get the answers I need from him before I skin him like a pig.