Chapter One. #2
“This time it targeted the old ladies. A heart left at the gate with a knife stabbed through it. Fucker left a note.”
Everyone sat up. Only Calamity and I had been aware of the damage and the threat until now. We’d not wanted to set certain hotheads off.
“What did it say?” demanded hothead number one, aka Texas.
“Next time it would be one of ours,” I replied.
Texas frowned. “What aren’t you saying?”
“It had a lock of blonde hair wrapped around it. Cates believes it was real,” Calamity stated.
The room became tense. Yeah, we had blonde old ladies.
“The heart?” Nightmare demanded.
“Human,” I murmured.
“Cates has it?”
“She’s going to run DNA. Cates will keep us updated,” I replied. The sheriff had been one of those who’d welcomed us to Ortonville, especially after Rosie saved her pregnant dog from dying.
“We’ve got a killer on our hands?” Ghost frowned.
“Don’t jump the gun. We don’t know.” Calamity shrugged.
“We don’t know, but it was a human heart?” Tye sniped. Yup, the hotheads were riled.
“It could be a donated one to science, a surgically removed transplant from the hospital, anything. We’re waiting on DNA,” Calamity stated firmly and calmly.
“But we’re doubling up on security. Old ladies don’t go anywhere alone or unarmed.
Lance from the Fallen Warriors is sending a team out to increase our systems. We’re keeping the prospects on gate duty, for now. ”
“Our problem is, we’re on open water. We can guard against vehicles on land but not from the lake. Lance is aware and has some specialised sensors. They operate in water, and he’s going to place them a certain distance out, so the kids can swim etc. without setting them off constantly,” I replied.
“The women all have personal alarms?” De Janeiro asked.
“Yes, and trackers. They have a damn habit of getting kidnapped,” Hunter scowled, and I bit back a smile.
“We’re taking this seriously. We believe there are two parties involved, working independently of each other. I don’t think they’re aware of each other, as one is overly aggressive and the other passive-aggressive,” Calamity said.
“Are we locking the old ladies down?” Anchor asked.
Several of us burst into laughter. “Have you met them?” I snorted, shaking my head.
“Who wants to tell Rosie she’s on lockdown?” Calamity laughed. “She’s proficient with a scalpel.”
“We’re not at that stage yet,” I replied. “We’ll lock the club down if necessary. But everyone needs to be alert and ensure the old ladies go places in twos. For now, that’s enough.”
Texas grunted, and I knew he didn’t agree, but he’d fail to convince Penny. She’d cut sex off, and the man would be as grumpy as fuck. Nope. He’d not win there, and I bet he realised that.
Grim looks were exchanged around the table before we all nodded. Yeah, we’d be alert.
I entered the clubhouse and found Nova waiting for me.
She looked better than she had when she’d first arrived with me, but still wasn’t herself.
Someone had broken her heart, and Nova refused to talk about it, but I could feel her pain through the twin bond.
Dad had told me if I ever discovered who, to let him know because he’d cap the fucker’s ass. He’d have to get in line behind me.
“Hey,” I said, slinging an arm across her shoulders.
A couple of women glanced over and stared, but didn’t comment.
We didn’t have club whores out of respect for the old ladies, but barflies hung out here.
Word had spread throughout town that any man wearing a ring on his finger was off-limits.
The old ladies laid down a few beatings, and those visiting soon understood their message.
“You okay?” Nova asked.
“Yeah. Wanna get Chinese?”
“Can do. I’m flying out in six days for the start of the trials,” Nova said.
I nodded. It was the annual North American Ju-Jitsu tournament.
Nova was the reigning queen. My shoulder problem kept me out this year.
The physio I’d been working with had quit, and I had my first appointment with the new one this week.
As much as I wanted to get in the pool and swim or attend a tournament, it wasn’t worth pushing the injury.
“Any talent?” I inquired as we headed out to our Harleys. We both rode a lowrider that Dad had souped up. We swung our legs over, and Nova yanked on her helmet.
“The usual. That bitch Sue-Ellen is back, thinking she’s going to take my title. I’m looking forward to meeting that cunt,” Nova spat, and there was genuine loathing there.
“She was the other woman?” I guessed, and Nova nodded sharply once.
“Whore loved rubbing it in my face. Now I’ll beat her ass,” Nova hissed.
The note of hate and vengeance in my twin’s voice would have worried a lesser man.
Not me. I urged Nova on. Whoever destroyed my sister’s heart, I’d pummel the crap out of.
Both Nova and I were at the top of our sport.
There were very few capable of beating us, and they didn’t do tournaments.
Having Uncle Akemi and Grandpa Hoshi meant we knew our shit.
“Ever gonna give me a name?”
“Nope,” Nova throttled her bike and roared off. I followed, shaking my head. Stubborn bitch.
“Someone you banged?” Nova asked, chewing on a dumpling.
“Huh?” I glanced around and saw several women eyeing me up.
“The slut eye fucking you two tables over,” Nova said.
I didn’t make it obvious; that would invite unnecessary attention, but I took a quick look. “Nope. Not one of mine.”
“She has a resting bitch face,” Nova mused as she picked up another dumpling.
“Well, I’m not going to fuck it off her,” I retorted, and Nova released a burst of laughter.
Men glanced over, then looked again. I couldn’t blame them; my sister was beautiful. But like me, she wasn’t aware if they were interested in her or her gold medals. Nine times out of ten, it was her fame that attracted them, same with me.
“I could double-dare you,” Nova mused, and I grinned. She wouldn’t, but it was nice to see a genuine smile on her face.
“Nah. Not with that face,” I replied, and Nova tilted her head in acknowledgement.
“What’s happening with your build? Is Calamity firing the asshole?”
I sighed. My house had taken six months so far, but only about three months’ work had been done. It sucked. The contractor kept disappearing with one excuse after another.
“We’re bringing in Blackrock Construction to catch us up. Calamity fired the builder, and we’re investigating buying the company and running it ourselves.”
Nova nodded. “Makes sense; those guys were creeps, always eyeing up the old ladies. Penny slapped two with a spatula when they made sexual comments to her.”
“Texas doesn’t know?” I bristled.
“We didn’t want him arrested for murder.”
I chuckled. “No? Penny might enjoy a quiet night.”
Nova pulled a cute face, but I saw the tiredness under her facade.
“You gonna be okay at this tournament? Want me there for support?”
Hope flared—that came from Nova—and then she shook her head. “It’s fine. Steel’s coming.”
Steel? “He doesn’t usually take part in this competition.”
“No, but you’re not fighting, so he has a chance,” Nova teased, making me laugh.
“I can come. Calamity will spare me.”
“No. Don’t you realise I can feel your underlying worry? You’re not blocking properly, twinnie. Shit’s hitting the club, and you’re needed here. Calamity needs you. Steel and I will kick ass and take names. We’re going to bring gold back.” Nova grinned weakly.
“Will he be there?” I went straight to the point.
“I’ve no idea. That would be me giving a fuck, and I don’t. If he’s there, I hope Steel kicks the ever-loving shit out of him,” Nova whispered.
“After the tournament, I’m heading to Japan.”
I nodded. Nova didn’t have to say anything else.
Uncle Akemi and Grandpa Hoshi were out there.
Nova was looking to heal, and they’d support her.
But what type of help did she want? Revenge on the asshole who hurt her, or simply the love our uncle and grandfather would smother her with?
There was no point in pushing her. Nova would tell me when she was ready.
I made a mental note to remind Steel to keep a sharp eye on her. “Hopefully, when you get back, we might have finished rooms in the house.”
“Kick their asses, baby brother; I deserve a bedroom,” Nova teased. Like me, she was sleeping at the clubhouse, a rarity for Rage MC. She was the only single woman and had made no bones about wanting a home. Nova also didn’t seem inclined to return to Rapid City, which really made me wonder why.
Was she avoiding Mom and Dad or the asshole who’d ripped her heart out? I didn’t know and wanted answers, but Nova wasn’t going to offer them.
“You deserve the world. And one day, you’ll find the guy who’ll break his back to give it to you,” I said and grabbed her hand to squeeze it.
“If you say so,” she quipped lightly, looking away. I couldn’t soothe her pain, and that hurt me. Nova deserved so much more.