Chapter 5 #2
“Ryan, my man,” Jarrod answers, using my real name. “Long time, no speak. How’s life treating you?”
“Not great, to be honest. I’m sorry it’s been a while since I’ve called. Things have been hectic, but I’m calling to ask for a favor.”
There’s a long pause, and I wonder why he’s not immediately said yeah, anything for you, friend.
It seems a bit strange after everything I did to help his brother, Clay, when we were in prison.
I even went to visit many times after I got out, until he asked me to stop going because he said it reminded him of the outside world.
“Of course.” He finally says the words I was expecting to hear, but it’s clipped and a little bit dismissive.
I tell myself it’s probably because he’s busy and he’s still worried about his brother who remains imprisoned.
“What can I do for you?” he finishes.
“If I recall correctly, you know a few of the guys at the Revenants. The bike club,” I clarify.
“Yeah, I know a couple of them. Why?”
“I think they might have taken a girl… a girl I’m close to.
She’s gone from the club I’m a member of.
I wonder if you could help me get in there?
You don’t have to say who I am, or that I’m a prospect for the Riders.
I’ll take my cut off. Maybe you could just stop by to see the guys you know?
So I can take a look around? If she’s there, do you think any of the old gang would help?
” I think of my meagre savings and rub my jaw. “I can pay.”
Hell, if I get her back, I’m sure Ace and the others will help on the money side of things.
There’s another long moment of silence, then he sighs. “Give me five minutes. I’ll call the Revenants and see if I can pay them a visit. You don’t just show up there. And if it comes to needing help, then yes, I am sure some of my guys will be willing for payment. They aren’t cheap, though.”
“Okay, great, I can make it worth their while. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much. I have been meaning to go and visit Clay, by the way, but he asked me to stop the last time I went. I’ve been torn between what’s the right thing to do.” I realize I’m rambling, but nerves always make me do that.
“Yeah, he said the same to me, but I didn’t listen. I still go every month. He needs the visits.”
Ouch. I guess I can see that. Maybe this is why there’d been a strange silence when I first asked for his help. “Yeah, you’re right, I’ll go next week. I’ll let you make that call.”
He hangs up, and I wait, drumming my fingers nervously against my denim-clad thigh. When my phone rings, I jump, even though I’ve been waiting for it.
“Yes?”
“Come on over to my place. We can head to their compound from here. It’s a new place that I’m leasing. I’ll drop a pin to you.”
“Great, thanks.” I hang up, finally feeling like I’m doing something to help. God knows what I’ll do if I find her or get evidence of her being there, but if Jarrod can gather seven or eight men, I bet we can get her out of there somehow.
With every mile I drive to Jarrod’s place, my enthusiasm begins to wane.
I realize my plan is shit. What the fuck am I doing?
Jack will kill me, and I could do exactly what Ghost is worried about and make things worse for Camile.
By the time I walk into the kitchen at Jarrod’s, I’m having major second thoughts.
The place looks kind of shitty compared to where he used to live, and none of the muscle cars he likes are in the driveway.
He greets me at the front door and ushers me inside. He glances left and right before shutting the door behind us, and I wonder who he’s looking for. But then he offers me a big grin and smacks me on the shoulder.
“Let’s go through to the kitchen. Grab a beer.”
I want to argue that I don’t have time to drink, but I sense I might be on rocky ground here. Jarrod seems to relax a little, though, as he heads through to the kitchen and stops at the large refrigerator to grab a couple of cold cans. He hands me one, and my worry eases a little, until he speaks.
“Well, Ryan. Finally, you bother to get in touch, but I guess it’s only when you want something, huh?”
That sinking, worried feeling intensifies, and I set the can of beer down on the counter without so much as taking a sip. “Listen, Jarrod. You’re right. I mean, let’s just leave this. It was a crazy idea, anyway. I’ll arrange to visit Clay and see you soon.”
I take a step backward, just as he steps forward, keeping the distance between us the same.
“Oh, no, no, no. You want to see your girl? You’re going to see your girl.”
What the fuck?
I grit my teeth and flex and unflex my hands. “Jarrod, what did you do?”
“Only what you asked. I called the friends I have in the Revenants, except right now… they’re on a side quest. One I think you’d be very interested in.”
This feels like it’s disintegrating fast. I need to leave.
“I should go.”
I turn and slap into a massive wall of a man who I hadn’t even heard enter the space. I’m tall, and the fact I have to look up to see the face of the man in front of me has me swallowing hard. He’s built like a tank. There’s a second man standing close behind him who isn’t much smaller.
“What the—”
I don’t finish my sentence. A massive fist slams into the side of my head, and I see stars.
At first, there’s no pain, just the dizzying awareness that I’ve been hit, then the blow comes again, sending me staggering back.
Somehow, I manage to stay on my feet, but the room is spinning.
I clutch the kitchen counter to steady myself and try to get my bearings.
A part of me wants to run, while the other screams to fight back.
I can barely see straight. All I’m aware of is the big guy moving a metal pipe, which he must have entered the house with, from his left hand to his right, and, with a dark grin, he advances on me.