Chapter Thirty-OneReese
Ainsley had been missing for two fucking days. In that time, I hadn’t eaten and had barely slept. Once Easton called the president of the American Scorpions and Bash explained the situation, Razor, Jester, and Warrior eased up and allowed Roman Mac on our property. They made him remove that fucking hook but let him keep one of his prosthetic hands because he still couldn’t shoot a gun.
We were all up in arms over JT and Chi Chi’s deaths, and Ainsley’s kidnapping. Louisiana divided his time between the main room and wherever the fuck he was holding Jinx.
Easton and Bash contributed to our planning. Roman sat at a corner table, alone. Not speaking. I didn’t think he’d eaten anything either. I damn sure knew he hadn’t slept. None of us knew what the fuck was going on in his head. It wasn’t good. I knew that . I understood, too. If Ainsley was alive, they were probably torturing her. I would give my own life if it meant saving her.
All the times I could’ve gotten off my fucking ass, I’d ignored her. Ignored my own feelings. Now that she might be gone, I admitted to myself how much she meant to me. I’d lusted after her at first, then I’d spent time getting to know her, sleeping next to her, having her in my arms, and I loved everything about her.
I loved her .
I just prayed I’d get the chance to prove to her how much.
“ Roman !” Bash’s voice cut through my pain. “Come to this phone motherfucker.”
“I can hear perfectly well from where I’m at, so talk,” Roman said flatly.
Easton sat his phone on Roman’s table.
“I’m not there to shoot your ass off for your disrespect, but my boys are, so I suggest you tone it the fuck down.”
“Let them shoot me and put me out of my goddamn misery,” he growled. “I’ve failed Ainsley.”
“Nope, but you are failing her with your pathetic whining,” Bash snapped.
My snicker joined my brothers’ and Easton’s. Roman glared at the phone.
“I hope I didn’t waste my money on a pussy.”
I looked at Roman, wondering if those words would get a reaction. He gripped the table and gritted, “What do you want?”
“You’ve done an admirable job of crossing names off your kill list,” Bash said, sounding as proud as any father.
I merely exchanged glances with Razor, Bolt, and Louisiana.
“But the job isn’t finished. Remember? If she’s dead, Boom Boom still needs to die.”
Roman scrubbed a hand over his face. I swore his eyes watered. I barely heard anything past if she’s dead , and I’d only known her for a short amount of time.
“If she’s alive, you can make up with her,” Bash continued. “Boom Boom was on your fucking list too, so you’ll hit the jackpot. To do that, fuckhead, you need to get your head out of your fucking ass.”
“Really?” Roman pounded his fist on the table. “Your sister is safe and sound. Mine is…” He drew in a deep breath. “The last time I talked to her, I was a supreme motherfucker to her.” He glared at me, the first time he’d engaged with me since we arrived.
“In the eight days you’ve been home, how many motherfuckers have you killed, Roman?” Bash asked.
“Nova, Vector, Bones, and Kite.”
Fuck, that motherfucker moved fast.
Shifting, Louisiana stared at Roman. If he saw, he didn’t react.
“I didn’t ask for names. I asked for a number.”
“Count them,” Roman said flatly. “That’s quite fucking easy.”
Bash growled. “You’re working on my fucking nerves, asshole.”
“It doesn’t fucking matter, Bash. I spent my fucking life protecting her only to fail her and…” He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “I’m going to the clubhouse and kill Boom Boom. I don’t give a fuck anymore.”
“If you walk out that fucking clubhouse where you’re at right now, Easton is shooting you,” Bash barked. “Then he’s bringing all those prosthetics to me so I can get a fucking refund.”
I lifted a brow at the phone. Roman shrugged and gave me a small smile.
“That’s not how that works,” he said, “but whatever.”
“I’m asking you one more fucking time , what will you do about Boom Boom?”
“I’ve just fucking told you,” Roman said.
“No, you just said you were committing suicide. Nothing else.”
“I’m not blowing up the clubhouse,” Roman announced.
I think everyone stopped breathing. I sure the fuck did because that motherfucker was certifiable. He’d intended to blow up his own brothers?
“So you rode from Utah to Kansas with motherfucking explosives for no goddamn reason?” Bash demanded.
“Ainsley might be in the clubhouse, Bash,” Roman said in a voice so filled with pain, I turned away, finally getting what he meant. Even before he said it. Blinking, he glanced at the ceiling. “I want to get her back. Give her a proper burial.”
A buzzing started in my head, and it felt as if my muscles atrophied.
“Roman, I respected you because you’re a good big brother,” Bash said, unmoved by Roman’s revelations. “You’re still her fucking brother. Get your fucking ass to that clubhouse. Not for a suicide mission, but to stick to the fucking plan we crafted before you left Utah. Tio’s already in position. When you get inside, Easton will talk to the two fuckheads patrolling the place. Tio will pick off fuckhead on gate duty. Easton will take care of the other two.”
“That’s where we come in,” Razor said. “Some of our Wichita guys are coming up. That’s the last component we’re waiting for before we ride. They should be here in the next twenty minutes. While Reese searches for Ainsley, Roman Mac can take care of Boom Boom. If Roman gets fucked up—” He shrugged.
More than likely, he would. The Bloody Scorpions wouldn’t go down without a fight. Whoever killed their leader might meet a brutal end if they weren’t careful.
A silent battle raged within me. I wanted to find Ainsley myself and take out that motherfucker.
“Now, I have another question, Roman,” Bash said.
“You’re just full of them,” Roman sneered.
“That I am. Did you fuck London?” he demanded without missing a beat.
Who the fuck was London and why the fuck was that important?
“No.”
Roman’s one word came out in a hard tone that should’ve been hard to dispute.
“I think you did,” Bash said, proving me wrong. “For the record, I don’t give a fuck. If my son wasn’t so into her, I would’ve taken her pussy, too.”
The distaste on Easton’s face registered and I got the feeling Bash meant he’d take it, even if she wasn’t willing to give it. Roman’s anger backed up my theory.
“But she’s Tio’s cunt, which means her pussy’s off-limits to anyone but him. Am I fucking clear, Roman?”
“I didn’t sleep with her,” Roman growled, glaring at the phone. If possible, he looked a little more unhinged. “We’re friends, Bash. I don’t knowingly fuck another man’s woman.” He scowled between Louisiana and me. “And I especially don’t force myself on a woman, fuckhead.”
My eyes widened. It didn’t matter if I didn’t care for Bash. He was a fucking president, and Roman was not only disrespecting him but calling him out in front of strangers.
“You know, Roman, you’re showing yourself to be amazingly ungrateful,” Bash said with a long-suffering sigh.
“So sorry,” Roman said with sarcasm. “Every time I think I like you, I remember what a misogynist you are.”
“You’re a stupid motherfucker if you like me at any time,” Bash said flatly. “Did you think I was blowing smoke up your ass when I said I fucking hate women?”
My skin prickled.
“You do know your sister is a woman?”
Ice cubes clanked against a glass. “What a brilliant fuckhead you are to let me know a bitch with a pussy who shot out of my father’s nuts like me is my sister. Thanks. I’ll make sure to tell Celia this stunning development the next time I see her.”
Roman growled. Fuck, I didn’t blame him. I wanted to bang my head against a fucking wall. This conversation wasted precious time. Every second counted as long as Ainsley was missing.
“Now, back to sweet London,” Bash said.
Distaste swept over Roman’s face.“She’s my physical therapist, Bash. I was hoping she’d continue working with me.”
Bash laughed. “Since when, fuckhead? Just a few minutes ago, you were on a suicide mission.”
Roman glowered at the phone.
“You do know she’s here with me, right?” Bash goaded. “At my mercy. Meaning, if I think you’re lying about fucking her, I’ll take out my anger on her .”
“Yeah, because she’s a weak, defenseless woman,” Roman snapped. “That makes you a coward. I doubt you could kill a man.”
“Ahhh, this drink’s delicious,” Bash said, smacking his lips together. “Believe what you will, Roman. I don’t like broads. It doesn’t mean I won’t shoot the fuck out of a motherfucker. Or cut his fucking head off. Didn’t you like the skulls on the terrarium? From two fuckheads who double-crossed me.”
This motherfucker continued shocking me. My eyes widened again and Roman gaped at the phone, then lifted his gaze to Easton, who gave a curt nod. If I had been in Razor’s position, I wouldn’t have ordered Easton to disconnect either. It was a fascinating glimpse into a man we’d long considered an enemy and a motherfucker who could be a worst motherfucker than Boom Boom ever hoped to be—all things considered.
“I hate to burst your bubble, Roman,” Bash went on. “But this isn’t a romance novel. One of my favorites, Wills and Throttle by Daria Monroe, is about an attorney who’s married to a biker but falls in love with the president of an enemy club. Her husband’s a fucking stupid dickhead, but she still his. Fucking over him is a death sentence for her and the motherfucker she’s cheating with. Get my fucking drift?”
“Reading romance novels are for pussies and bitches,” Roman said, though amusement threaded through the words.
Bash snickered. “I’m not wasting my fucking breath defending my reading choices, fuckhead. You neither pay for them nor have to read them, so shut the fuck up.”
“Touché.” Roman leaned forward. “What can I do to protect London?”
“Oho, here we go,” Bash chortled. “Finally, getting to the heart of the matter.”
Easton pressed a button on his phone. “Offer to buy her,” he ordered.
I choked.
“Excuse me?” Roman asked.
“You want her, buy her,” Easton said flatly, then pressed his phone screen again, and I realized he’d muted the conversation.
“I’ll give you fifty grand for her,” Roman blurted.
“In addition to the rest of the money you owe me for my help?”
“Yes.”
“And our other agreement?”
“Yes.”
“I think you did fuck her,” Bash said. “No man’s paying that much for a cunt that’s not giving him pussy.”
“Tio doesn’t want her, Bash,” Easton said. “We both know that.”
“I was hoping some of her goodness would rub off on your brother,” Bash admitted, sighing. “I’d hate for that little motherfucker to end up like me, all alone and wishing he had a bitch to love him no matter what.”
Roman shook his head in disbelief. “You’re insane.”
“Maybe, but who gives a fuck? Can’t have a bitch who loves me if I don’t like bitches,” Bash said. “Since I like you so fucking much, Roman, this is my offer. I’ll keep her safe until you get Ainsley back. Once that matter is taken care of and Ainsley is with you, dead or alive, you have a week to bring me two hundred fifty thousand dollars plus what you owe me—”
“You want a quarter of a million dollars for London?” Roman demanded, sounding as appalled as I felt.
“If you don’t survive,” Bash continued, ignoring Roman’s question, “or if you take longer than seven days, I fuck her then return her to Tio.”
“I don’t have a quarter of a million dollars, Bash,” Roman said. “But I can get you a supply of coke by tonight that’ll last you for a week. It was our original deal. I can get you fifty grand when this is settled.”
“I might slap her around anyway,” Bash declared. “At the least, she sucked your cock and you won’t make me believe otherwise.”
“You said she could,” Roman said. “Although she didn’t. She never offered and I would’ve declined if she had.”
Bash growled. “You’re a fucking liar.”
“She has a brother, Bash,” Roman said in a patient tone, not addressing Bash’s accusation. “He’s five years older than her and she misses him but doesn’t see him because he hates Tio and your kid threatened to kill him. She wants to protect her big brother.”
“Are you shitting me?” Bash asked with suspicion.
I thought Roman was lying too, until he shook his head and raised the mechanical hand as if Bash could see. “I swear on my father’s grave. She’s someone little sister.”
“And motherfucking Tio kept her away from her brother?” Bash demanded.
“He did,” Roman said, lowering his hand.
“That little motherfucker. Fine. I accept your deal. Easton, call with an update as soon as you can,” Bash ordered, and disconnected.
“You just got Tio’s ass beat, Roman,” Easton chided.
“London’s miserable because she can’t see her brother,” Roman said flatly. “Fuck Tio. I’d just as soon break that fuckhead in two.”
Easton sighed. “Not many people want smoke with my little brother.”
Roman got to his feet, and some of the younger members shifted. Instead of going for their weapons to shoot an enemy down, unease wafted from them. Ainsley’s brother was a tall man who could easily intimidate the inexperienced. He smiled viciously. “Not many people want smoke with me, Easton,” he said in a deadly tone, and started off.
Louisiana planted himself in front of Roman, blocking him from walking outside.
Roman lifted a brow.
“You killed Nova,” Louisiana accused.
And? She was a bitch to Ainsley and almost ruined his goddamn marriage. What did her fucking death matter?
“She hurt Ainsley,” Roman said simply.
What more did he have to say? Those three words spoke volumes.
Louisiana stepped out of the way and Roman continued outside. I followed him. Ainsley adored that motherfucker. Talking to him might help me. Everyone else seemed so calm when all I wanted to do was leave.
Roman leaned against a post near the entrance. He glanced over his shoulder, then turned away again.
“What do you want, Sinclair?”
“Ainsley thought you were dead.” Accusation laced my tone. “You could’ve clued her in. She was devastated.”
“I thought it was better. I didn’t want Boom Boom catching wind of me being alive.”
“Were you really planning to blow up your own fucking clubhouse?”
“What’s it to you? They’re your enemies. Be fucking happy.”
I stiffened. “You’re my goddamn enemy as a Scorpion enforcer. You spend a lot of time at that fucking clubhouse from what Ainsley—”
“It’s not my clubhouse,” he interrupted on a growl. “Once I get Ainsley back, I will blow it up. Hopefully with whoever’s still breathing after we’re done.”
“You’re not one of us,” I said sharply.
“Didn’t ask to be, but Ainsley’s my little sister. I get to say what happens to her once she’s recovered.”
“Bullshit!”
“You didn’t marry her. That makes me her next of kin.”
“Shut the fuck up, Roman. Ainsley sang your fucking praises about all that you taught her and you’ve just given up on her? Already concluded she’s dead? Fuck you.” I suddenly wanted to beat that fuckhead to the ground. “Fuck you,” I shouted again. “If Ainsley were dead, I’d know. I’d feel it somehow.”
“So, she wasn’t just a piece of ass to you.”
I growled.
He sidled a quick glance at me. “Trinity wasn’t that for me. I cared about her. I thought she was pregnant by me.”
“Ainsley told me,” I gritted.
“For what it’s worth, I don’t make a habit of killing women. Trinity two-timed me and disrespected my sister, who, by the way begged for Trinity’s life.”
“I know the fucking story. What’s your point, motherfucker?”
“Did you love her?”
“Did you?”
“I cared about her.” Sighing, he finally faced me. “But relationships don’t work out for me. I’m done with them. If I survive today, I’m freelancing.”
“A gun for hire?”
He gave me a sardonic grin and lifted his bionic hand. “Haven’t quite learned to shoot again. I’ve been wondering if I could find someone to make a prosthetic that fires bullets.”
“You’re crazy,” I said around laughter.
“ Iron Man vibes,” he said. “One of Ainsley’s favorite movies.”
“I know,” I said quietly. She’d told me during our overnight stay at the cabin. I hated that I didn’t immediately catch the reference. “We discussed our favorite movies.”
His look of approval surprised me. “Then you took time with her. Got to know her a little.”
I suddenly felt sick, remembering how special I thought she was, how special she made me feel. I nodded, unable to do much more.
“Then she must’ve talked a lot.” Roman laughed sadly. “Say one thing and she talked for hours.”
Bowing my head, I blinked and smiled. I’d made a similar observation about her.
“Do you know why I keep talking about my little sister as if she’s already gone?”
What little peace I felt while Roman discussed her abruptly fled. I didn’t want to hear that he’d given up on her. Or anything that would confirm I’d never see her again or hear her laughter. Hold her in my arms or match wits with her.
“I’m trying to prepare myself, Reese. Psych myself up if she really is dead, but I’ve been afraid to move from the table, afraid I’d break my…” He shook his head and gave a short laugh. “My whatever. I’ve been trying to will her to fight. To stay alive. I want to hug her tightly and apologize to her. I want to tell her about the girl I met. If I still believed in love, I might…” His voice trailed off again. “It doesn’t matter. London has enough problems without me adding to them.”
“Ainsley’s alive.” She had to be. I couldn’t imagine my world without her. “And when I rescue her, if you don’t apologize, I’ll cut off your fucking feet and cut out your tongue.”
He smiled and clapped me on the back. “I’m going to hold you to that,” he said and walked back into the clubhouse, leaving me alone.