My shift ended thirty minutes ago. My feet ache, and I desperately need a shower. I smell of coffee and grease, the scents clinging to me like a second skin. I could shower at home and listen to another lecture from my dad, or I could drive to the club, use Tal’s shower, and have some fun in the process. Decision made, I head for the club. I’m bone tired, so I blast the music during the drive to keep my eyes from drifting closed.
The same guy from the night before is at the gate when I arrive. Seeing that it’s me, he smiles and waves me through. Parking in the end bay, I lock up and head into the bar, looking for Tal everywhere. Searching for his number on my phone, I press it to my ear just as he answers, sounding out of breath.
“Where are you? I’m at the club and I can’t find you.”
“Shit. Sorry, but I’m a little busy at the moment.”
Why is he so breathless? Is he with someone else while on the phone with me?
“You should probably go home. I’ll come by the diner and see you tomorrow.”
I go to offer to wait, but he’s already hung up, leaving me feeling rejected.
“Hey, girl. I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight,” Zara says, appearing out of nowhere.
“I was meeting someone, but he just cancelled.”
“Wouldn’t happen to be Tal, would it?”
Slamming her palm on the bar top, she orders two beers.
“Why do you spend so much time here?”
Chuckling, she sweeps her hand out.
“Look around, Hols. I can be whoever I want to be. I’ve never felt so free.”
I understand what she’s saying; I felt it the first time I came here. I was nervous when Zara asked me to tag along, but knowing her since first grade, I knew she wouldn’t put me in a situation I couldn’t handle.
Zara and I are two different sides of a coin. She’s lively, mouthy, and content to make the best out of staying in this town, whereas I’m none of those things. Yet there’s something that keeps our friendship tight.
“So who do you like here?”
Swigging her beer, her shoulders tense briefly before she shrugs it off.
“It doesn’t matter. He hasn’t been available for a long time.”
This is the first time I’ve seen her down over a guy. “Is he with someone?”
“He was, but she’s gone now, and I doubt he’ll ever see me again. All he saw was her, and still does.”
“I’m sorry, Zar.”
“It is what it is. I won’t be like my mom, spending my life chasing a man who doesn’t see me, especially one grieving for his dead love.”
A commotion by the door gets everyone’s attention. The twins I saw at the diner earlier have hold of a guy who’s trying to get away from them. Tal and the other guys who were also at the diner follow close behind.
The mood changes, and tension ripples through the bar like a comb with broken teeth.
A guy covered in tattoos yells, “Unless you’re wearing the patch, get the fuck out!”
Zara slips her hand into mine. “Come on. We need to go.”
“Go where?”
What’s going on?
“Anywhere but here.”
On our way out, we pass Tal. Just when I think we’ll get by unnoticed, he grabs my arm, stopping me.
“You’re still here?” Frowning, he shakes his head. “Wait for me outside.”
Turning his back to us, Zara drags me to my car.
“Make yourself comfortable. It could be a while.”
Seated in the back seat, I ask, “What’s going on in there?”
“Ask no questions and they’ll tell you no lies… or to mind your own business.” She laughs, but I don’t understand what’s so funny. “From the way they dragged that prospect through the door, I don’t think they’re offering him beer and cookies.”
“They’re going to hurt him?” I shriek.
“If they do, it’ll be because he deserves it.”
What the hell am I hearing? She’s talking about violence against a man like it’s no big deal. It’s weird to think I’m sitting here in my car while some guy is possibly being hurt so close by.
“Come on, Holly, don’t be so soft. You’ve heard the stories about the club over the years.”
Hearing stories and believing them are two different things. Sure, I’ve heard rumours of violence and deaths at the club’s hand, but the people of Willow’s Peak like to gossip about anything and everything, twisting the truth. Not that anyone truly knows the truth of what happens out here.
“Doesn’t it put you off coming out here, though?”
Watching her finish her beer, I regret not bringing mine out.
“They do bad things sometimes, but they’re not bad people.”
Closing her eyes, I take the hint that she’s done with the conversation.
A guy opens the door and shoves a crate in front of it to keep it open.
“Come on, we can go back in.”
The question is, what will we be going back into? I have no idea what goes on within a motorcycle club, and I’m not sure I want to find out.
“I’ll wait here. Tal will come find me.”
“Suit yourself.”
Slipping out of the car, I roll down the window and call out, “Are you safe here?”
Her grin says it all. “Safer than anywhere else. Don’t worry about me, Hols. Been looking after myself long enough to know who the monsters are.”
The fact that nothing ever fazes her makes me jealous.
As Zara walks inside, Tal steps out, stops, and looks around. Spotting my car, he makes his way over.
Bracing his arm along the door, he leans in with a smile that blows me away. He couldn’t have done anything too horrific in the last ten minutes if he comes out with a smile like that.
“Are you planning to come back inside?”
“I don’t know.” Suddenly unsure, I look away from him. “I should go.”
“Why?”
“What happened in there? Why did you drag that guy in? Did you hurt him?”
Ignoring me, he drawls, “I thought you wanted to have some fun?”
“I do.”
“Then keep your eyes on me and let’s do just that.”
Opening the door, I take his offered hand, letting him pull me out. I’m probably being stupid, but I can’t seem to stop myself. There’s one thing I have to know before we go further.
“Did you hurt that guy?”
Sighing, his smile vanishes. “No, I didn’t hurt him, and it’s the only question I’m going to answer.”
I can deal with that… for now.
Chapter Seven
Tal
If it weren’t for Kyle in the basement, I’d let Holly walk down to the bar and let herself out. But he is, and I can’t run the risk of her seeing or hearing something that will cause her to ask more questions. Holding her hand, I lead her outside and to her car without incident. Her hair is a mess, her make-up smudged around her eyes, but I press my lips to hers, liking how she makes me feel. She’s the ultimate distraction.
“Come back tonight.”
Her shy smile warms through me.
“Okay.”
Climbing into her car, I watch her drive off before heading back into the bar where I bump into Cas coming from the main house.
“What the fuck are you doing up so early?”
“A girl from town stayed over and she had to leave for work. I walked her out so she didn’t see or hear anything she shouldn’t.”
“Good.”
“Why are you up so early?” I question.
“Couldn’t sleep for shit. I thought I’d check on our rat. Wanna join me?”
In the basement, Kyle is still tied to the chair, the blood from his busted lip now crusted down his chin.
Cas slaps at his cheek until he comes around. When he does, he flinches, trying to move as far away as his restraints will allow.
I hang back by the door, avoiding meeting Kyle’
s eyes.
“Morning, sunshine,” Cas snarls, leaning down and getting into his face.
“Cas, please, it’s not what you think.”
“Tell me, what am I thinking?”
“You think I’m the rat, that I betrayed you, but I didn’t.”
Pulling up a chair, Cas sits down in front of him, close enough he could punch him if he wanted to.
“Explain it to me, because when the brothers come down, they’re going to want you dead, and I may not be able to save you.”
“He has my aunt. He’s been using her against me.”
“To do what exactly?”
“To listen in on your conversations, relay to him whatever’s useful.”
Cas fists his hands, trying to rein in his temper.
“Everything,” he grinds out. “Tell me everything you’ve relayed.”
“That’s it, Cas, I gave him nothing real! I’ve fed him nothing but bullshit.”
I prospected with Kyle, got to know him pretty well, and he can’t lie for shit. He’s telling the truth. Plus, I know he’s not the rat the club is looking for.
“Don’t lie to me!” Cas roars.
“I–I’m not! You have to believe me!”
“I don’t have to believe shit. You should’ve come to us and told us what was happening.”
“My aunt is the only person who’s ever been there for me. I couldn’t take the risk.”
“I understand that.” Cas stands, bracing his hands on his hips. “However, you’ve put your life at risk by not trusting me.”
Turning, Cas nods for me to open the door.
“Cas!” Kyle yells. “If you kill me, please help my aunt. She doesn’t understand how much danger she’s in.”
“I’m not making any promises, not one.” Over his shoulder, he asks, “Why were you hiding out with Bert the last few days?”
“He kept me around like a dog…”
Cas doesn’t stick around for the rest of his reply.
“Tal, you know me. You’ve got to make them believe me!”
The urgency in his voice hits me hard, but I can’t let myself care. I have to think of myself. Kyle, if he made the cut, would end up like the others, and who knows how many lives could be saved in the future if he wasn’t around?
Upstairs, Pope’s awake, sitting in the far corner of the bar, and Cas joins him. Pope’s the one I fear most in finding out who I really am. He sees more than the other brothers, so he’s the one I’m most careful around.
“You been talking to the rat?” Cas nods. “What pathetic excuses did he give you?”
“He said they’ve got his aunt, that he never gave him any information, only bullshit.”
“Do you think there’s any truth to it?”
Rolling his neck, Cas groans. “I have no fucking idea. I’m going to send a couple of brothers around to her place, see if the aunt story is true. If not, we’ll take it from there. He’ll be expecting us to fuck around with him, so we’re going to leave him. No one’s to go down there until I say. Let him stew.”
“What if he’s lying?” I ask.
“Then I’ll cut his tongue from his mouth,” Cas states, while Pope smirks coldly.
The brothers Cas sent out are in fact me, Leo, and JJ, who are currently crammed into the prospects van across the street from Kyle’s aunt’s address.
We’ve been here for three hours, and haven’t seen a single person go in or come out of the house.
“This is bullshit. Nothing’s going on here. Kyle’s full of shit,” JJ grunts.
“Order a pizza and have it rush delivered. We’ll see who answers the door,” Leo barks, his leg bouncing.
He’s agitated about something, but I’ll be fucked if I ask him about it. Apart from Kristen, no one around the club has openly blamed him for India’s death but I do. If it weren’t for him, she’d be still around today and little Rayna would still have her mom.
Putting in the order, I pay double for the rush.
Leo lights another cigarette and JJ takes it from him.
“Don’t you bother buying your own anymore?” Leo snaps.
“Don’t need to. What’s wrong with you anyway?”
“Nothing.”
“Something’s wrong. You’ve had a stick up your ass all day.”
I try to tune them out, and pray the pizza shows up soon, but they don’t let up.
“I’ve had a stick up my ass?”
“I think you need some ass,” JJ retorts, bringing the temperature in the van to below freezing.
“Don’t look at me like you want to rip my head off. You’re allowed to dip your dick, man. It’s good for your health.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“Brother, all I’m saying is, no one would think anything of it. No one would even have to know. Mind you, people will probably notice you lightening up for once.”
“Jay, I swear, if you don’t shut your mouth, I’m going to fill it with my fist.”
“Oh, please. You don’t scare me. A little pussy goes a long way, that’s all I’m saying.”
Leo launches over me to get to JJ, and all Jay can do is laugh, enraging Leo further.
As they try their hardest to throw punches, a black van rolls up down the street, stopping outside the house.
“Hey, cut it out. We’ve got company, and it’s not the pizza.”
They pull apart instantly, and we watch as Bert exits the van and walks up the front path, straight into her house.
Leo sighs. “Looks like we’ve got our answer.”
Starting the van, he pulls away as the pizza delivery guy drives by us. JJ keeps his thoughts on Leo’s dick to himself, and Leo does the same with his fists.
I tag along behind them when we arrive at the club, listening in as Leo tells Cas what we saw.
“Considering how hard Ellis came at us, Bert’s too calm. It’s throwing us off,” he murmurs.
“What now?” Sparky asks.
Cas’s fingers drum along the table until something over my shoulder catches his attention. Turning, I see Alannah walking over with Rayna in her arms.
Handing her over to Cas, he bounces the little girl on his lap, beaming proudly at her.
“We’ll meet in the back room in an hour.”
Being dismissed, I order a beer from the bar and slide onto the stool, spinning so I’m facing everyone.
Cas is giving nothing away as to what’s running through his head. With Kyle’s story ringing true, brothers are going to be looking at one another again, wondering who the rat could possibly be.
“Hey, I’m back.”
Holly climbs onto the stool to my right and goes on about her day, but I’m not really listening. My focus is on Cas. I hear her talking to me and I do try to communicate back with her, but I can’t miss a single thing with Cas. A wrong look or a shifty nod to Sparky could be all I need to get out of here alive.
Chapter Eight
Holly
So much for Tal wanting to have some fun. He could’ve at least called and said he didn’t want to hang out. Him ignoring me hurts more than it should, but I tell myself that anyone would be hurt at being ignored. Hell, I’d rather be at home, getting lectured by my father. At least he’d be talking to me. Slamming my fist against the steering wheel does nothing to alleviate my frustration. Suddenly, my car starts to bunny hop, and I manage to pull over before it conks out completely.
“No, no, no!” I cry out, slamming the back of my head against the head rest.
The needle on the gas meter is hanging on Empty, and I curse myself for driving out to the middle of nowhere, just to see a guy who wasn’t even fucking interested.
I grab my phone from the passenger seat, but there’s no signal.
“Of course there isn’t,” I mutter sarcastically.
Plenty of battery, but no signal. I don’t know why I bother sometimes. Throwing open the door, I climb out of the car and lean against the door. Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly and look up and
down the deserted road. Realising I’m closer to the club than I am to town, I decide I’ll just have to walk back and ask Tal for help.
Leaning inside the car, I grab my purse and phone before locking it up as I set off for the club.
My feet already ache from working at the diner for eight hours today, and I’m sure as hell not in the mood to be ignored a second time.
I hear the engine before I see a blue, beat-up truck coming toward me, slowing to a stop beside me.
There are two guys inside, but only the driver jumps out and asks, “Can we help you?”
Though he doesn’t look much older than me, I can see he’s lived more of a life than I have. His eyes are dark, and the scar running along his cheekbone is distinct.
“I ran out of gas,” I tell him, pointing to my car up the road.
“We’re heading into town. Can we drop you off somewhere?”
Growing up in this town, you know most people, and the one’s you don’t, you at least recognise. I’ve never seen this guy before, not even in the diner. A stranger is a stranger, and I won’t be trusting his offer of help.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m just going to walk back to my friend.”
“There’s nothing out this way apart from that biker club.”
“I know. That’s where my friend is.”
“Oh, right.”
Knowing instantly that was the wrong thing to say, a shudder runs down my spine. I start to walk away at a brisk pace, but remain calm. I only make it ten steps before I smell a heady cologne, and feel sweaty hands curl around my arms, yanking me backward.
Before the realisation sinks in as to what’s happening, I’m being crushed in a bear hug and dragged toward the truck. I thrash and kick as hard as I can, but it doesn’t help to loosen his hold on me.
“Get off of me!” I scream.
The second guy jumps out and opens the back door where I’m thrown inside. I twirl, and immediately try to climb out when the first guy pulls his fist back. It’s funny, I see the punch coming, but it all happens so fast, I don’t move out of the way. Another punch, and my body collapses, then everything goes black.
The Club Betrayal : Sons of Lost Souls MC - Book Eight Page 4