CHAPTER SEVEN
– XANE –
“But is he dead yet?” Spence asks for a second time.
“Not yet,” I fire back. “He will be once I’m done.”
Spence releases a sigh while I keep staring at the motherfucker who is bound to a chair.
There’s no way he’s going to keep breathing, not with what he did to Zora.
Fucking hell, I can still see her sitting in that booth next to that sick and twisted idiot.
I’ve seen a lot of shit over the years in my line of work, and I damn well recognize the look in someone’s eyes when they think all hope is gone.
My chest tightens at the thought of that fucker walking away without paying with his life. “I don’t care what comes next, Prez. He’s a dead man.”
“She’s a civilian, Grayer, and Ramiro is the son of the main suspect in the case you’re working on.
We will need to keep him alive in case we have to use him.
She also needs to press charges so we have the right to hold him.
We might be above the law, but we do have paperwork to fill out.
You might be the president of that MC, but you’re undercover and still a member of my club.
Don’t let the lines blur if shit gets too personal, Grayer. ”
“She’s not just a civilian, dammit. Fuck,” I snap and start to pace.
Ivy is inserting an IV into Ramiro’s vein to administer some fluids.
She glances up at my outburst and gives me a small nod.
Ivy is Chopper’s old lady. They are from the older generation of Broken Deeds MC and a part of the chapter Spence’s father used to be president of.
Thank fuck they were nearby when I needed a female doctor.
Zora clearly needed medical help and I’m not sure she would have wanted a male doctor. Ivy is older and has been keeping a close eye on Zora for hours. She gave me a small update but refused to share personal details. I can respect that, and a thought comes to mind.
Without thinking I blurt, “I need your mother.”
“Say what now?” Spence bristles.
“Your mother. I need her to come here.” Lynn is the strongest woman I know and doesn’t give a shit about rules.
Not to mention, the woman fights hard when it comes to injustice and has a fierce protective streak when it comes to females linked in some way to a biker of Broken Deeds chapter. She’s also helped Spence’s woman, Penny, overcome a lot of shit.
“I admire what you’re trying to do here, brother, but it’s paperwork hell if you involve her.
You would know if we did a patch over so your ass would be on the line...
damn, you know what? That’s not a bad idea.
We handle undercover shit, but your father’s club has a peacekeeper reputation.
I’m going to reach out to my contact in the government.
Roux and you did a thorough background check on the handful of members the club still has since the older ones left.
All have a spotless reputation. So, we’re all good there.
Unless you don’t want to keep the club up and running or want to pass it down to someone else and come back here after you’ve closed the case. ”
The offer he just threw out there sounds like a great solution. It means I get to stay in my hometown, close to Zora.
Decision made. “I’m not leaving this town, Spence. Reach out to your contact, get it done so the paperwork will be on me. Tell your mother I need her ass on a plane to come here.”
I hear a snort and then Lynn’s voice fills the air, “My old ass is already in New Jersey, Grayer. So, where exactly do you need me to come? Unless it’s on your cock. You know how obsessively protective my old man is. I haven’t been allowed to so much as...”
“Ma! How many times have I told you not to barge into my office,” Spence snaps. “Fucking hell. Grayer, I’ll bring her over myself if she doesn’t want to go voluntarily. She’s been here half a day and already getting on my last nerve.”
“Shut your curse hole, Spence. I raised you better,” Lynn snaps right back. “Be glad this old grandmother still has some fire in her old bones to harass you youngsters, and to make sure someone keeps you on your damn toes.”
“Fire in your old bones?” Spence snorts. “I’m pretty sure you’re a damn phoenix, flame on to regenerate and shit.”
I can hear the smile in Lynn’s voice when she says, “Oh, I will rise from my ashes once I’ve died and been cremated. It’s in my Last Will and Testament so you fuckers don’t spend all my money.”
A muted, “For fuck’s sake,” sounds through the phone and I can practically see Spence rub a hand over his face in frustration.
Movement catches my attention, and I’m reminded of the fucker tied to a chair. The one who I know beat, tortured, and might have even raped Zora for days to make her the shell of a person I saw today.
“Lynn,” I croak.
Her voice sounds dead serious when she says, “What do you need, Grayer?”
“You. They hurt my Zora, Lynn.” My voice is a mere whisper when I add, “I think he broke her damn soul.”
Her voice is loud and clear, as if the phone was just pulled from speaker.
“Don’t you dare. Her soul isn’t broken, Grayer.
It might be a little cracked, but time can heal lots of shit under the right circumstances.
Ivy already messaged me; it’s why I came into Spence’s office.
Penny might be ready to pop my grandkid out any damn second, but it won’t stop me from helping another woman who needs me.
Oh, and keep the fucker alive...at least until I get there. ”
The connection breaks and I actually feel as if I can breathe a little.
My eyes find Ivy. “Thanks for reaching out to Lynn.” I jerk my chin in the direction of the motherfucker who is still breathing but otherwise out cold. “And for keeping him alive.”
“Always happy to help.” She steps closer and lowers her voice. “Zora needs all the help she can get.”
I give her a tight nod. “Thanks again. You guys are welcome to stay here another night. I’m going to check on Zora and stay with her since I have to keep that fucker alive.”
“Yeah.” Ivy glances over her shoulder in Ramiro’s direction. “He’s barely hanging on as it is. Best to give him some time to heal so you can start torturing the fucker first thing tomorrow morning.”
We walk up the stairs and into the main room of the clubhouse.
Like Spence mentioned, there aren’t many members in the club, but they are all vetted for.
Earning trust doesn’t come easy, and I’ve spent enough time looking at them with suspicion since I got here.
Wasted time. I should have paid attention to the things that mattered.
Fucking hell, I should have come through on my promise to go to Zora when she was done working before she took a damn vacation.
If I did, she might not have been kidnapped by that asshole.
So many fucking things depend on one damn choice, one decision, one action, one moment in time creating a wave of havoc.
“I need four volunteers.” My voice draws the attention of everyone in the room.
“The fucker downstairs needs to be guarded, and I need eyes on the security feed. I don’t want any chances of him walking out here or the clubhouse getting attacked since we took him with us with a load of witnesses watching. ”
“I’ll take first shift watching the monitors,” Roux states and adds, “Fenrin, you’re with me.”
“Sure thing, VP. Let me make some coffee and I’ll come find you.” Fenrin doesn’t wait for an answer but stalks off in the direction of the kitchen.
Malic steps forward. “I’ll take first watch on that motherfucker.”
Fawkes smacks Malic on the shoulder. “I’ll join.”
I dip my chin. “Appreciate it. Church bright and early for everyone.”
With those words, everyone stalks off and I walk in the direction of my room. The way I took Ramiro and Zora out of that diner, I’m sure word traveled to that fucker’s father in no time. Which is why we need to know if he shows up with others.
On the other hand, this town has always been loyal to my father. Zora is also loved in the community for her work as a doctor and those who were in the diner sure as hell knew what that fucker Ramiro did to her. I mean, it wasn’t hard to guess if you took one look at Zora.
I slowly open the door of my room and step inside. For some reason I thought she’d be sleeping. Yet, she’s sitting on the bed, hugging her legs. Her head is on her knees and she’s staring right at me.
“You’re awake,” I murmur.
She jerks her head up and tightens the hold she has on her legs. I fucking hate to see the fear of hell running through her for no fuckin’ reason at all.
“Easy, sawbones. It’s me.” My voice is firm and I reach for the light switch.
Bright light fills the room and she blinks a few times. The dullness in her eyes as she places her head back on her knees feels like a fist tightening painfully around my heart.
Pointing at the chair next to the bed, I ask, “Is it okay if I keep you company?”
She doesn’t respond and I notice the untouched tray of food sitting on the bedside table. I want to tell her that she has to eat something, but no words tumble from my lips. Her silence makes me move toward the chair. Her eyes follow my moves as I sink down.
“I’m going to sit right here, okay? You can relax, get some sleep or whatever. I’m not going to leave you again. You hear me?”
She’s staring at me but doesn’t so much as blink.
Firming my voice I vow, “You and me, sawbones. You hear me?”
I use the nickname again, the one I gave her when we were young. The only word I used at the diner that sparked her attention when nothing else penetrated. All the answer I get is a lone tear sliding down her cheek and it feels like a knife carving a soul deep wound on my heart.