Chapter 3 Hayride
“We got a fucking problem,” Boomer informs us as Scythe places his incoming call on speaker. “Kid went missing last night during the historic hotel tour.”
“A kid? How old?”
“Early twenties. The sister filed a missing person report this morning. I advised her to wait, but she’s insisting he would have contacted her by now.”
“Doesn’t she have to wait twenty-four hours or some shit?” I ask, wondering if this guy found a place to party and hasn’t come back yet. This time of year, the festival makes it easy to find company.
“She’s insistent. I told her I’d get the paperwork started. She’s upset, and I don’t think she’s exaggerating.”
“Shit,” Scythe curses. “I don’t want to find this kid’s body, Boomer.”
“Yeah, I hear ya. I’m gonna increase security and let my deputies know what’s going on. Wanted to give you a heads up first.”
“Appreciate that, brother.”
“I’ll come by The Barn later, but I need to talk to you about something else. It’s private. You still outside the bakery?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll come to you.” Boomer clicks off the call as Scythe slips his phone back into the pocket of his cut.
“This is shit timing. We’ve got the largest crowds this year so far, and the Fear Farm’s new attraction opens tonight.”
I nod at Mammoth. “Agreed. Gonna call church, Pres?”
Scythe ticks his chin at Mammoth. “Delegating that to you, VP. Let everyone know.”
“I’m on it.” Mammoth types a message into his phone. A few seconds later, mine dings in my back pocket. I don’t have to check it to know it’s Mammoth informing all the members about church.
We’re not the texting types most of the time, but Scythe got sick of multiple messages blowing up his phone whenever someone forgot the time or ran late, so he created the Church chat. He even named it with the one-word title.
“Worried about this shit, Pres. There’s a chance this is connected to the body we found yesterday.”
“And the witches won’t like it when they hear about it,” I add.
“Don’t I know it.” He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “We discuss it in church. Keep this shit quiet for now.”
Understood. We don’t want any locals hearing about it and getting spooked. Or tourists leaving because of it.
I snuff out the cigarette I’ve finished and scan the street. There are tourists everywhere, but one stands out. “Who’s that?”
There’s a woman dressed in dark jeans, a plain gray shirt, and black boots.
She’s holding a camera, taking snapshots.
Normally, that wouldn’t be cause for alarm.
But she’s not taking photos of the crowd, the fall decorations, or the grand opening of the Butter Bliss Bakery.
She’s not aiming her camera at the changing and colorful foliage.
This stranger is taking pictures of club members. As we watch, she points her camera at our motorcycles lined up on the street. The woman is getting too close to the bikes. She’s not a tourist. They wouldn’t be that enthralled, not with the fall festival happening.
Scythe growls a command. “Go find out what the fuck she’s doing and tell her our bikes and members aren’t allowed to be photographed without permission, Hayride.”
I bob my head in a nod, rushing forward, but as I get closer, I see this isn’t a stranger. It’s the woman I met inside the Mayfield Inn last night. The one who thought I was a ghost or tourist during her tour of the thirteenth floor.
“Hey,” I call out, surprised to see her hiding her appearance with a ball cap and baggy clothes.
Something is off. I can sense it.
She doesn’t answer me. Instead, she darts away from the row of bikes. I watch her run, glance at Scythe, and decide to follow her. I’m closing in when I see her lift her hand. She grins at me before flipping her middle finger.
Why the fuck is she pissed at me?
She’s fast, but I have longer legs. I catch her as she tries to outrun me, pressing her up against the exterior wall of the Mystic Emporium. People walk by us, but they don’t even look. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this, Fireball.”
She purses her lips. “Let go of me.”
I don’t. Instead, I yank off the ball cap she’s wearing and reveal the beautiful red color of her hair. It’s even more stunning in the daylight. “Don’t ever hide your beauty from the world, gorgeous. It robs us all of the pleasure of seeing that pretty red hair and curls.”
She scoffs.
“Or those fiery green eyes that snap hellfire when you’re riled up.” Like now.
Yep. Fireball is the perfect nickname. It suits her appearance and personality.
“Leave me alone.”
“Can’t. Got orders from my pres to see what you’re up to. No photography without our permission.”
She rolls her eyes.
“Tell me why you’re taking pictures, and I’ll release you.” It’s a bargain I don’t really intend to keep. I’ll let her go, but I’ll also follow her until I figure out if she’s hiding something.
“I’m gathering information to help search for my brother.”
I’m instantly agitated. “And you think my club has something to do with that?”
“No. Not really.” She sighs. “I’m just trying to learn everything I can about Raven’s Crest. Taking photos helps. I’m making my own file to help the search for Thad.”
I actually understand her reasoning. She isn’t from our town. Doesn’t know shit about the club, the townspeople, or the supernatural elements that bind us to Raven’s Crest and the Salem witch families.
Wait. Shit. She’s the one who filed the missing person report with Boomer.
“What’s your name?”
“Why does that matter?” Her chin lifts in defiance.
“Listen, Fireball. I want to help. Okay?”
A little of the tension bleeds out of her. I can feel it since our bodies are mashed together. “Natalya Scott. My brother is Thad Scott.”
Natalya. A beautiful name.
I tap my chest. “Hayden Phillips. Call me Hayride.”
A smile quivers on her lips. “Only if you call me Nat.”
“Done.” That was easy.
Maybe this little Fireball isn’t so prickly after all.
I’m still pinning her against the wall with my body, and it feels too fucking good to move. I lower my head and speak low into her ear, “Tell me what happened after you left my room last night.”
She smacks my arm as I laugh. “Be serious. My brother is missing, Hayride.”
Shit. She’s right. “I’m listening.”
“Thad was waiting for me when I went inside your room. He wouldn’t have left me alone without a good reason. We’re close, Hayride. He’s one of my best friends. Thad has always looked out for me.”
“I hear you.” I push off the wall and gesture to the street. “We should talk, but this isn’t the right spot. Too many people.”
“Okay. Where?”
“The Barn.”
“A barn?” Her nose scrunches up. “I don’t want to hang out in a drafty, dirty barn.”
I chuckle because she’s cute. “The Barn is the clubhouse. It’s where my club members go to relax and where we hold church. And yeah, it’s not the kind you’re thinking of.”
“I’ll follow you.”
“Nope. You can leave your car here. Nothing will happen to it. I can have a prospect bring it to The Barn later.”
“Then how am I supposed to get there?”
“You ride with me.”
Nat blinks as she processes my words. “On a motorcycle?”
“The only way I travel is on two wheels, Fireball.”
“I better have a helmet,” she replies before poking me in the ribs. “Drive safe, or it’ll be the last time I ride with you.”
Oh, it was gonna be the first of many rides, but I keep that observation to myself.
I lead Natalya to my bike and lift the helmet that’s dangling on the handlebars. “Put this on. I’ll help with the strap.” After she slips it over her head, I make sure it’s secure, then pat the seat. “Hop on, gorgeous.”
Nat places her sexy ass down and waits for me as I move in front of her.
I give her a few instructions on where to put her feet and how to hold on to me while we ride.
Once I’ve got the engine started, we back out of the parking spot and merge onto the street.
In less than a minute, I’m picking up speed, and the wind is blowing through my hair.
It’s about as fucking perfect as life can get.
Nat’s body presses close against my back as I glide across the asphalt toward The Barn.
I have a few hours before I need to arrive at the Fear Farm, and I’m dedicating the time to Nat and her search for her brother.
I tap her thigh before we reach the turn that will take us to the clubhouse.
It’s a dirt road, and it’ll kick up dust, but she’s got my helmet, so the only one breathing that shit in is gonna be me.
One of the prospects opens the gate as we approach, and I ride onto the lot once it’s open, pulling into my spot.
There’s an order that no one fucks with and begins with Scythe, followed by Mountain, then the rest of the officers.
Since I’m the Road Captain, I have a place closer to the door than some of the other members.
Nat climbs off the seat after me and unstraps the helmet, handing it over before she fluffs her hair. There’s excitement sparkling in her eyes, and I grin.
“You enjoy the ride?”
“It’s nothing like I expected.”
“Better?”
“Much better. I want to do it again.” Her whole face radiates with pleasure as she thinks about it, and I can tell she’s got a taste for it now. All it took was one ride. Some people get hooked that fast. I know I did.
“Come on. We can get a drink in the bar while you finish telling me about Thad.”
Nat follows me to the entrance, and I hold it open for her, entering after her and enjoying the sight of her ass as she walks ahead of me. I can’t help staring and nearly bump into her as we reach the bar.
“What you havin’?” Peyton asks, wiping down the bar. She’s the best bartender we’ve ever had, and Scythe pays her well to keep the place clean, stocked, and the members happy.
“Whiskey. Neat.” I tick my head at Nat. “You?”
“Sex on the beach.”
Peyton winks at her. “Good choice.”
While she prepares our drinks, I lead Nat to an empty table. We both sit, and I lean back, lifting my boots to rest them on one of the empty chairs to her right. “Fill me in on what happened after we met.”
Peyton brings our drinks, places them on fucking napkins, and smiles before she walks away. Napkins. Since when are we fancy?
Natalya smiles. “That’s so thoughtful. I won’t be dripping condensation droplets on my shirt whenever I lift my glass.”
I personally don’t give a fuck, but I can see how it matters to Nat. “The tour?”
“Right.” She takes a sip and then sets her glass on the table. “No one was on the thirteenth floor when I left the room. In the time that I was inside with you, the tour went back downstairs.”
“And Thad wasn’t waiting.”
“No, he wasn’t. When I reached the first floor and the hotel lobby, the guide concluded the tour. People began to leave. I searched for my brother, but he wasn’t there.”
“Did you ask the tour guide?”
Nat shakes her head. “Not exactly. She came up to me and asked if I was going to write my review. I’m a blogger, and I get paid to visit and write about places like the Mayfield Inn to give them a boost. I’ve got a decent social media reach.
That’s why I came to Raven’s Crest and brought Thad with me.
I did tell the guide I couldn’t find my brother. ”
A blogger. Interesting. “She see him?”
“Yes. She said Thad left with a young woman before the tour ended.” Nat picks up her drink and sips a few times before placing it back on the napkin. “It’s weird, but I don’t know if I believe her.”
I’ve already tossed back the whiskey and pushed the empty glass aside. “Why?”
“I can’t say it’s for a reason. She seemed annoyed by Thad more than once. He’s a bit of a jokester and draws attention. I noticed her staring at him a few times.”
“Staring how? Like she was angry? Or frustrated?”
“Not exactly. I’d say focused. Like he distracted her, and maybe she didn’t like it.” Nat slides her drink away and leans her elbows on the table. “Do you know the employees at the Mayfield Inn? Maybe I’m overthinking this.”
“I never ignore a gut reaction. It’s usually correct.”
She doesn’t have a clue that’s how I live my life. Sensing danger and preventing it are integral parts of my membership in the club. It’s my job to assess people, and if someone is kidnapping or hurting tourists, I need to find and handle it.
“I appreciate the indulgence.”
I watch as she drops her head into her hands, clearly feeling the stress and worry about her brother and struggling to contain those emotions. “Hey, we’ll find him. It’s not that big a town,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.
Nat lifts her chin. Her green eyes focus on me. “Can we talk to the tour guide together? Maybe I can learn more if you’re with me.”
“Yeah. We’ve got time before the Farm opens.” I stand and stretch. “Ready for another ride?”
“Yes!”
I can’t resist placing my hand on her lower back when I guide her toward the exit. “I like your enthusiasm.”
“Then don’t keep me waiting.”