Chapter Twelve
After promising her for the last day, Addison was on her way over to Cleo’s place.
It hadn’t occurred to her until she got into town that she would be, yet again, coming empty handed.
There weren’t any bakeries or grocery stores close, but when she saw the convenience store, she pulled into the parking lot.
A box of donuts or a bag of chips was better than showing up without anything. She walked up to the entrance, eyeing the two motorcycles parked out front. Addison had no way of knowing, but she assumed it was members of the club. She walked in, smiling at the old man behind the counter.
He gave her a sharp stare but then his eyes shifted to the back of the store.
Killcreek wasn’t necessarily known for their hospitality.
She walked down the aisle, surveying her options.
There were plenty but she focused on the pastries.
Ohhh, crumb cake. Addison had been so engrossed choosing a dessert, she hadn’t even realized someone was behind her until hands gripped her waist in a tight hold.
What the hell?
Addison spun quickly, but it only brought her face to face with the man. He hadn’t let up on his grip. If anything, it tightened.
“What the hell are you doing?” She pressed her hands against his chest. “Let me go!”
Addison had never seen him before, but he wore a patched leather vest much like the members of Cross’s club.
“Now, where the fuck is the fun in that?”
Her heart raced, and she jerked her head over her shoulder, watching another man approach. His sinister smile told her he wasn’t coming to her rescue.
“What’d ya find, brother?”
“A little sweet treat. Don’t worry” —he leaned closer, his breath reeking of beer and cigarettes— “I’ll share.”
Was this seriously happening in broad daylight in the middle of the store?
Where was the cashier? Surely he could see what was happening.
Addison continued to struggle against his hold, punching on his chest. Large hands wrapped around her wrists, yanking them behind her back.
They now had her sandwiched between them and completely helpless.
“Where are we taking this?”
“Bathroom in the back.”
Addison gasped, swinging her leg as a last-ditch effort.
“Let her go!”
Addison leaned an inch forward. The old man was standing at the end of the aisle, his shotgun aimed at them.
“You pulling a gun on us?”
“So it seems.” He cocked one side of the double barrel. “Won’t use it if you get the fuck outta here.”
The man behind her laughed, turning while releasing her hands. The other man loosened his grip but still had a hold around her waist with his arm. He moved his vest to the side, exposing a gun in his waistband. Oh shit. Everyone was armed. Except me.
“Think you can get us both, old man?”
“I can get at least one of you. And if the other shoots me and her dead, it’ll only be a matter of time before you’re caught.
Got cameras everywhere in this place. It streams over to Cypher, who monitors it.
Killcreek ain’t gonna be happy with you coming in here and killing me. I’m a personal friend.”
Addison felt the man release her, and she quickly retreated behind them several feet.
“I ain’t gonna ask you to leave again.” The old guy smirked. “I’m just gonna start shooting.”
Addison gasped and ducked into the next aisle. It would hopefully keep her safe from a stray bullet. She crouched down and tucked her head.
Seconds passed until she heard boots on the floor. It sounded like they were walking toward the front door. When she heard the bell jingle, she drew in a breath and peeked up. The owner was standing at the end of the aisle with the gun at his side, staring out the front windows.
She waited until she heard the bikes engines rumbling, and she slowly stood. The old man glanced over, showing zero sympathy, scowling at her.
“Thank you.”
“Find somewhere else to shop.”
Gladly! She rushed out the door almost slamming into the small woman entering the store. Addison held up her hands, “Sorry.”
It took her a second, but she recognized the girl from the clubhouse. Jane.
“What happened?” she asked.
Addison drew in a breath. She was still trying to process what could’ve happened. Her heart was beating so hard, it pounded in her eardrums.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
Jane cocked her head, squinting. “You don’t look fine.”
Because I’m not.
Her phone pinged, and she dug in her bag. She didn’t bother saying goodbye to Jane. She rushed to her car, locking the doors once she got inside. She glanced through all her windows and mirrors. There was no sight of the men. I’m fine.
Her phone pinged again, and she read the text from Cleo.
Cleo: I’m so sorry, I’m running late. Would it be okay to meet at the clubhouse?
Addison was considering canceling with Cleo all together. But she didn’t. They could meet there, and she’d wait in the lot. After what happened, she wasn’t mentally prepared to see any more bikers, especially Cross.
Addison: Sure.
She started the car and slowly backed out. When she glanced over at the store, Jane was still standing there, staring at her. Had she been watching her the whole time?
Addison drove to the clubhouse and pulled in front of the house. Her nerves were completely off balance, and she misjudged the distance between her car and a motorcycle. She slammed on her brakes only inches from the bike.
“What the fuck?”
She glanced over to the porch and saw Oak running down the stairs and over to the bike. Now she was forced to get out of her car. Dammit!
She turned off the engine and got out.
Oak spread out his arms. “Where the fuck did you learn how to drive?”
She held up her shaky hands. “I’m so sorry.”
He raised his brows, looking over at the other two bikers heading toward them. “She’s fucking sorry. Almost rams into my bike, and all she’s got is I’m sorry?”
Addison swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to come up with a better apology. She had nothing. Her mind was clouded with thoughts of the two men and what would’ve happened had they taken her into the bathroom. Her whole body started to shake uncontrollably.
“You alright, Addison?”
She looked over at Cue and nodded. He furrowed his brows, sharing a look with Ghost. She could only imagine what they were seeing.
Addison had handled men before. She worked at a bar for years and dealt with some handsy customers.
But nothing like this. Had they gotten her in the bathroom, she wouldn’t have been able to get away.
She would’ve been at their mercy. I know what would’ve happened.
Beads of sweat lined her forehead and her stomach twisted.
“She nearly hits my bike, and you’re asking her if she’s okay?”
“Yeah, asshole. ’Cause she didn’t hit your bike so stop fucking bitching!” Cue shouted and stepped closer, and she instinctively retreated, bumping her legs against the car.
“Is Cleo here? I’m supposed to meet her.”
“No, not yet.” Ghost hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “You want to wait inside?”
An overwhelming sense of fear flashed over her. Not from Ghost but the idea of being in closed quarters. I need to get out of here.
She shook her head. “No, I’m gonna leave. Can you tell Cleo I’ll call her later?”
“Did something happen?” Cue asked, scanning her face.
Yes, something bad.
She forced a smile. “If you can just tell Cleo…”
When she heard a car pull in she felt a sense of relief, but it was quickly dashed when she saw the car. It wasn’t Cleo. It parked a few spots down, and the girl got out. Oh, great! She hadn’t seen what happened but had taken an interest in watching her leave.
Jane started toward the porch but stopped, glancing over at the guys. “Did she tell you what happened?”
Her eyes widened. How the hell would she know? She wasn’t even there.
“What happened, Addison?” Ghost asked.
“Nothing,” she blurted.
“She’s lying.” Jane’s tone was even with zero emotion throwing out the accusation. The truth.
“I saw her at Burke’s.” She held up a plastic bag. “I was low on bleach. She was coming out when I was walking in. Burke said two bikers were messing with her, and he had to pull a gun on them to get them to let her go.”
“Someone from our club?” Oak asked.
Jane shook her head. “Burke said they were from Satan’s Hex.”
Cue straightened, and his jaw squared while Ghost slowly looked over at her. His gaze darkened as he pinned her in his stare.
“Joker,” Cue shouted, and another biker on the porch, rushed down the stairs.
“Yeah?”
“Get Cross.”
Her shoulders sagged. This was the last thing she wanted. I want to go home, lock the door, take a shower and forget this day ever happened.
“He’s in a meeting.”
Cue jerked his head. “Get him.”
“Ace said…”
“I don’t fucking care. Get him. Now!”
“Fuck,” Joker muttered and rushed up the stairs, disappearing in the house.
Cue inched closer but cautiously. “Come inside.”
“I’d rather go home.”
Ghost nodded, “We get that. But you got attacked in our territory. We take that personal.”
She sighed, glancing around the yard. “Can I wait out here until Cleo comes?”
“I’ll wait with you inside, if you want,” Jane said.
There was no getting out of this. She gave a curt nod and started toward the front porch. Both Cue and Ghost stepped back as she passed, giving her room. She followed Jane into the house. It was empty except for a man at the bar on his phone.
Jane tugged on her arm and brought her to a table. She sat and folded her hands in her lap as the rest of the men circled around them.
I just want to go home.
****
It wasn’t a formal meeting with all the members. They were scouting a new location for a safe house outside of Killcreek. They’d bring it to the entire club for a vote after they sorted out all the details. For now, it was just Cross, Wraith, Ace, and Cypher.
The door opened, and when Cross looked up, Joker was standing in the doorway.
“Cue told me to get you, Cross.”
“We’re in a fucking meeting.” Ace narrowed his gaze.
“I know, I told him that, but he said to get Cross.” Joker veered his gaze to him. “Addison’s here.”
It was the last thing he expected to hear.
Cross slowly stood. “She’s looking for me?”
“Not exactly.” He shook his head. “From what I got, she’s supposed to be meeting Cleo, but she’s not here yet.”
Ace scoffed. “And that’s why you interrupted our meeting?”
Joker shifted his gaze between him and Ace. “Something’s not right. I came out at the end, but something happened and she’s…”
“She’s what?” Cross asked.
“I don’t know, man.” Joker shrugged. “She looks a little scared and definitely shaken up.”
Cross instantly walked out the door and down the hallway. It was eerily quiet. Cue, Ghost, and Oak were standing around a table a few feet away. Addison and Jane were seated, but no one was talking. He kept his eyes on Addison, but she hadn’t looked up at him.
“What’s going on?”
Addison jolted and tensed but her gaze remained on the table.
“A situation at Burke’s. Apparently, the two guys from Satan’s who were here, got a little aggressive.” Cue’s eyes narrowed. “With Addison.”
His muscles tightened, and he slowly angled his head, but she kept her head bowed. Ace passed by him taking a seat at the table and Cross followed suit sitting next to her.
“What happened?” Cross made an effort to soften his tone.
Addison flattened her lips and shook her head. She tightened her grip on her hands, but there was no masking how her entire body shook.
“Addison.” He kept his voice calm and even, which was the polar opposite of what he was feeling inside. She glanced up, and he saw it in her eyes. Fear.
“Tell me what happened.”
She drew in a breath. “I want to go home.”
“Alright, I’ll take you after you tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m fine,” she whispered.
No, you’re not.
“Good. Now tell me what happened.”
“Cross.” Her voice sounded like a desperate plea.
He leaned closer, whispering. “Tell me.”
She inhaled a breath and rested her elbows on the table.
“I was on my way to Cleo’s and stopped at the convenience store.
I was looking at desserts when some guy came up from behind and grabbed me.
I yelled at him to let me go, but he outweighed me by like a hundred pounds.
Then another guy came over and grabbed my arms, holding them behind my back.
” Her voice shook, and she bowed her head.
Cross clenched his jaw to the point of pain. A fire blazed through his veins. He forced himself to level his rage and even his tone. For her.
“Then what happened.”
“They said some things, and the older guy came out with a gun, threatening them. They exchanged words, let me go, and left. That’s it.”
“Tell him what they said, Addison.” Jane said.
Addison shook her head and he grasped her leg, gently. She was trembling under his touch.
Cross leaned closer, lowering his voice. “What did they say?”
She glanced up, and her eyes welled. He caressed his hand over her leg.
“Tell me what they said.” His voice was calm. It was the polar opposite of everything he was feeling.
Addison sighed. “One said ‘where do we do this’ and the other said ‘the bathroom’.”
Oh, you motherfuckers. There was only one reason they’d want privacy.
He ground his teeth, shifting his gaze to Ace. I’m gonna fucking kill them.
“Cypher,” Ace growled.
“I’m already pulling it up.”
They had cameras everywhere in Killcreek. They’d see exactly what happened to Addison.