Club Princess: Royal Bastards MC Durango, CO

by Nicole James

  I thrash even harder. He pauses next to me, putting a knee to the back of my thigh, pinning me down with excruciating pain as he hold the needle up, pushing the last of the bubbles out.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Trez shouts, trying to free himself, but the other one punches him in the face.

  I feel the pinch of the needle into my skin, and I hold Trez’ tearful eyes as everything goes black.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Trez—

  My heart is racing as I park my truck several blocks from the motel, leaving it beside the garage of an abandoned house I’d scoped out earlier. Wedged between the garage and a tall hedge, I hope it won’t be seen. I yank my backpack from the floorboard, and transfer the cash from the paper bag to the backpack, pulling out a different shirt and ball cap. I quickly change, then grab a tarp from the bed of the truck, and cover the vehicle with it. Hopefully, no patrol cars will spot it. I hike the backpack on my shoulder, and start to walk back toward the motel, knowing my limp is a dead giveaway. Half a block down, I get lucky, spotting a bicycle propped against a fence.

  It’s painful for my knee, but I manage, knowing at least it masks my limp.

  There’s a rock in the pit of my stomach. Besides the apprehension of being picked up at any moment, I’m sick with worry for my sister. I have no clue what Lockwood or his goons are capable of. The drug they injected Lola with was a huge surprise. I never expected they’d go that far. Now, I’m not entirely sure they plan to let us go when this is over.

  I overheard Lockwood’s goon’s talking when they thought I couldn’t hear. They made crude jokes about how taken their boss was with Lola’s beauty. Then they said something about meeting his plane in Albuquerque tonight.

  I’m afraid what that may mean.

  Arriving at the Starlight Inn, I ditch the bike, and fast walk past Lola’s car, praying she’s okay.

  When I tap on the door to the room, there’s silence on the other side, then I hear footsteps approach. I’m sure they’re looking out the peephole. Two squad cars fly past on the highway, drawing my attention, their lights flashing, but sirens quiet.

  The door opens, and I slip inside. Lola’s still unconscious on the bed. I start to pull the backpack from my shoulder, when I’m hit in the head from behind, and everything goes black.

  ***

  I come slowly up to the surface from unconsciousness, my face pressed to the cheap carpet, and its rough texture rubbing against my skin. I blink. The motel room slowly comes into focus as my head throbs with pain.

  The room is quiet and semi-dark. I twist, pushing myself up to a sitting position. Pain jolts up from my bad hip and knee, but I ignore it, scanning the room. There’s no sign of Lola or Lockwood’s men. I drag myself to the bed, and hoist myself up, then limp to the bathroom. It’s empty. I move back to the windows, and peer between the curtains. It’s dark, and the black sedan they were driving is gone.

  Fuck.

  They’ve taken Lola. I drop back down to the bed, and put my head in my hands, terror and guilt overwhelming me. I’ve got to find her. I’m pissed at myself, and slam my fist into the mattress beside me, and something jingles. I glance back, and see a set of car keys. I recognize Lola’s heart shaped key chain. I grab them up, and slip outside to the car. I know where I have to go.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Memphis—

  I pull up at the Durango clubhouse, and climb from my bike. The pinging of the cooling engine is the only sound in the quiet parking lot full of Harleys. Looks like every brother in the club is here. Great. Let them all be a witness to what I have to say to Rock.

  I realized after three miserable days without Lola, that I have a decision to make. Utah told me I had to be willing to take a chance, and that Lola was worth it. I don’t need him to tell me that. I know I’ve got to face Rock, and tell him I’ve been seeing Lola. Settling down might not be the end of the world, as long as I’ve got Lola.

  I know the fear that’s been stopping me is insignificant to the love I have for her. Yes, love. I know that now. I think I knew it before I walked in this clubhouse door last week.

  I trudge up the steps and across the porch, no music coming from inside. I pull open the door and frown, my eyes skating around the silent room, empty except for the prospect sitting on a stool by the bar.

  “You here for the meeting?” he asks me.

  “Nope. Just stoppin’ by. Where is everyone?” I ask him.

  He lifts his chin toward the hall. “Church. Big meeting.” He taps his hand rapidly on the bar top, his leg bouncing.

  I chuckle, strolling toward him. “What’s got you so nervous, prospect? They takin’ a vote on whether to patch you in?”

  “Nope. Rock’s son showed up, yellin’ about his sister being kidnapped.”

  My stomach drops like the floor just fell out from below me. “Lola?” I snap.

  When the kid takes too long to answer, I grab him by the shirt and haul his face to mine. “Tell me!”

  “Yes, Lola. They’re in there makin’ a plan now. That’s all I know.” He holds his hands up.

  I thrust him to the side, and stride across the room to the hallway. I don’t even knock on the meeting room door; instead I just burst inside, scaring the crap out of half the members, who come partially out of their chairs.

  “Where is she?” I snap, looking to Rock.

  “Memphis, sit down,” Rock growls from where he stands at the head of the table, leaning over a map. He jabs at a spot and makes a circle. “Here.” He looks at Baja, who’s typing on a laptop. “What’s here?”

  I move to Baja, leaning over his shoulder to see what he pulls up. He taps away, and satellite pictures pop up. Zooming in as much as he can, he scans across blocks of sections. “Looks like cabins, Prez.”

  “Is that where she is?” I growl at Rock.

  He nods, and meets my eyes, and I see the worry and fear in their depths. “Tracked her phone, she must still have it on her. She’s somewhere in this area.”

  “What the fuck’s going on?” My gaze darts around the room, and its then I see the one guy without a cut. I lift my chin to him. “You her brother?”

  He looks stressed out and upset, but he nods. Before I can think, I’m across the room to grab him and slam him up against the wall. “What happened?”

  “Mason Lockwood’s goons took her.”

  “Lockwood? You fuckin’ piece of shit; this is because of that damn statue you stole, isn’t it?”

  “What statue, Trez?” Rock bites out.

  I don’t let his father sway the conversation; I keep at Trez. “First you steal her money, then you dump her out on the side of the road in some bumfuck Louisiana Parrish; you involve her in a bank robbery and now you’ve put her life in danger?”

  “Let him go, Memphis,” Rock thunders, then turns on Trez, “I’ll tear off your balls and feed them to you, if you knowingly put your sister in danger.”

  “You can tear off my balls and feed them to me later. Right now we have to save Lola.”

  I slam him against the wall again. “When this is over, you and I are gonna have it out.”

  Trez Nods. “Just help me get my sister back.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Lola—

  It’s near midnight, and I’m cuffed to a bed in some remote cabin with Mason Lockwood’s goons. I heard them say his plane just landed, and he’ll be here within the hour. They laugh when they say it, and I’m terrified what that means for me. They’ve insinuated he’s interested in me—that I’m his latest obsession.

  Perhaps he’s decided I’m the payment he wants from Trez.

  It all creeps me out. But I’m also terrified and sick with worry for my brother. I have no idea what they’ve done with him. They tell me he’ll be fine, but won’t say what that means. I’m afraid they’ve hurt him, possibly even killed him.

  I can’t let myself go there. I have to think positively. Everything will be okay. I’ll get out of this, and I’ll
find out Trez is okay. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale.

  I can’t see out the window from where I’m at, but I haven’t heard any cars, and I’m pretty sure I’m in a remote area. The cabin itself seems to be a rental, just from the furnishings and lack of anything personal. I can’t help wondering how long they intend to keep me here. Which makes me think about what happens when I’m of no more interest or use to them; will they let me go?

  My eyes sting at the thought, because I’m sure they won’t let me live to be a witness to their crimes.

  I lay my head back down on the bed, wishing they’d at least remove the duct tape around my mouth. I feel fuzzy still from the drug they gave me earlier, but fear and sadness well up inside me. A tear slips down my cheek. I want my father. I want Memphis.

  ***

  Memphis—

  We roar up the mountain, and gather half a mile down from one of four cabins that Baja found in the area where he’d narrowed Lola’s location. It’s the only one that was just rented out today.

  There are about a dozen of us, including the prospects, one in Rock’s pickup truck, and one with the club’s doctor in a van following behind us. Christ, I hope he’s not needed.

  I only had a split-second glance at Mason Lockwood that day at the Capri Motel when I picked up Lola, but our New Orleans Chapter knows all about him, and informed me he’s capable of anything. That makes him dangerous. That makes this whole situation risky as hell. They also informed Rock that they need him alive, and we can’t kill him. I want him dead, but I’ve got to back down on that, and leave the New Orleans Chapter to deal with him. But I can’t help thinking my stray bullet could catch him. I’m sure Rock is thinking the same thing.

  We spread out, and take to the woods, knowing the cabin should be just over the ridge. If Trez’ information is correct, there should be a black Escalade parked outside. There’s just enough moonlight to see as we make our way silently through the trees.

  We come over the rise to see a medium size log cabin, a big screen porch along one side and definitely a black car in back. I pull out a small pair of binoculars. It’s indeed a Cadillac Escalade. Rock motions with his hand, and we take up positions, spreading out around the structure.

  I spot at least two entrances, not counting the screened in porch. Rock and Darko move along the west side, and Utah sneaks along the porch, running bent over. I head toward the east side, pressing my back to the wall. Royal Bastards with guns take up positions all around.

  I spot Trez as he steps out from behind a tree, playing the part we planned, drawing Lockwood and his goons’ attention while we try to gain access.

  “Hey Lockwood. Come on out. I’ve got your damn statue. Let’s make a trade.”

  He holds up a jade statue, waving it over his head. It’s jade and about the same size, but its not the right statue. Rock sent men scouring every damn collector shop and pawnshop in Durango before we left, searching for something that was visually close enough to work as bait.

  The door to the porch creaks, and a hand holding a gun sticks out. “You got balls, kid. Bring it here.”

  I’m betting that’s not Lockwood, but one of his men. I move toward the back door as a shot rings out. Glancing back, I see Trez fall. With that, Royal Bastards open fire from the trees.

  I duck around back, trying not to get caught in the crossfire. I scan the cabin’s back door, and hear it suddenly open. I stop, my jaw clenching tight like steel as I melt into the shadows behind a shrub. Panic grips me as one of the goons yanks Lola out with him, and effortlessly tosses her into the back seat. She screams, but her voice is muffled by duct tape. Her arms are cuffed behind her, but she’s twisting and lashing out with her feet. Her movements are uncoordinated and fumbling, and I wonder if they’ve drugged her again. The goon grunts as she catches him in the thigh before his big hands grab her foot, and shove it back into the car.

  The blood drains from my face, and a cold chill slices through me. There is no fucking chance I’m letting them get away with her again.

  The other goon is firing off shots in the front, offering a distraction so that they can get Lola away. Trez’ information says there should only be two of them plus Lockwood, if he’s even here.

  Rage explodes out of me. I come around the shrub to see her struggling, trying to pull her arm free and keep the man from closing the door and locking her in the car.

  I blow a hole through the man’s head, dropping him like a rock.

  Lola screams behind the tape, and I run to her, fear knifing through me that she’s hurt.

  I pull her out of the car and drag her to me, enfolding her in my arms, desperate to make sure she’s okay. She’s trembling, and I want to empty my clip into the body on the ground just for scaring the fuck out of her.

  Just then there’s another round of gunfire from the front of the house and a propane tank explodes catching the side of the cabin on fire.

  I dive, covering Lola with my body.

  ***

  Lola—

  I’m knocked to the ground and disoriented, my ears ringing. Memphis brushes the hair back from my face and pulls the duct tape from my mouth. Things are woozy, the effects of the last shot making me wonder if I’m dreaming, but as he holds me close, I know that woodsy, leather scent that is uniquely his.

  I also smell smoke, and see it billowing up from the cabin. I frown, trying to make sense of everything.

  “My God, Lola, not knowing where you were, not knowing what might be happening to you… I’ve been half out of my mind.” His words sound like they come from a long tunnel, echoing in my head.

  The cranky worry in his voice surprises me, as does the possessiveness in his tone.

  He digs in my captor’s pocket and comes up with a key for the cuffs, moving behind me to unlock them. I’m dizzy again, but I manage to say in a small, dazed voice, still not believing it, “You’re here. You came.”

  His breath runs out in relief as he pulls me to my feet, and drags me against him. I’m shocked, not yet clearheaded, but conscious of his strong-arms around me, and of his temper that is thoroughly aroused.

  “If that asshole wasn’t dead, I’d kill him again for touching you,” he growls. I realize just how deeply I’ve gotten under his skin and into his feelings. It’s in his voice and the squeezing pressure of his arms.

  I sob.

  “It’s been a helluva long terrifying twenty-four hours, Lola,” he mutters just before his mouth descends on mine. The roughness of his kiss is hungry and needy, and I return it willingly and unreservedly.

  I cling to him.

  Finally, Memphis breaks the kiss, his breathing hard, his cheek pressed against the side of my hair, and his arms binding me tightly to him. “Lola, Lola.” In the muttering of my name, there’s a question, a need expressed that his hard, muscled body has already told me.

  “I know.” I feel lightheaded. For all the pounding of my heart though, I feel a remarkable calmness, too. He’s here. He came.

  Then his arms are loosening, shifting to scoop an arm beneath my thighs and pick me up. The change in altitude has my head spinning again. He carries me to the side of the building as we hear a muffled thump come from inside the cabin and the gunfire dies down.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Memphis—

  I come around the front of the building to find it’s fully engulfed. Rock and Darko are trying to bust the now locked door down, screaming for Lola.

  “I’ve got her,” I yell, and see the terror on Rock’s face as he swivels his head toward the sound of my voice. His body literally deflates with relief that she’s out and safe. He and Darko dash over to us.

  Rock runs a hand over Lola’s forehead, brushing the hair back from her face and kissing her cheek. “My girl, thank God you’re all right. Are you hurt?”

  She shakes her head, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “Daddy.”

  He takes her grasping hand in both of his, and brings it to his mouth, kissing the back of i
t. “I was out of my mind with worry. I thought I’d lost you, too, Lola.”

  “I’m okay, Daddy.”

  His eyes meet mine. “Thank you.”

  I nod.

  He jerks his head toward his truck, currently being driven up to the cabin by a prospect. “Take my pickup. Get her out of here.”

  I nod, and move toward the vehicle, but Lola lifts her arm weakly, her voice hoarse. “Trez.”

  I pause with Lola in my arms, and look over to where Trez lays on the ground, Baja and the doctor kneeling beside him.

  “Is he okay?” I yell across the distance.

  The club’s doctor glances over. “Yeah, it’s a flesh wound. We got the bleeding stopped.”

  Trez grabs the doctor’s upper arm, trying to rise. “Lola! Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, we got to her in time,” I shout.

  “Thank God.” With that he collapses back as raindrops start to sprinkle down.

  Rock shouts across the yard. “Go! We got this.” Then he yells to the rest of the crew. “Let’s move out, boys. We don’t have much time before the law descends on us.”

  I load Lola into the backseat of the crew cab, and head down the mountain. The rain pelts the windshield, escalating from a light patter to a driving torrent. I flick the wipers to high, but with the spray rising from the road, I can barely see. I slow down and flick my hazard lights on. I pass two squad cars heading up when I reach the base. I call Darko and warn him, then toss my phone in the console and glance back at Lola. Her eyes are closed, and I wonder if she’s passed out.

  I make it to I40, and head west toward Albuquerque, knowing I can pick up the interstate north toward Colorado.

  I spot an overpass up ahead, and contemplate stopping to check on Lola, but I want to put as much distance between that cabin and us.