***
Creed beat me to the house by a tire’s length and was off his Harley by the time I came to a complete stop. He already had Sloan in a tight embrace when I reached the door. Sloan’s tearful face met mine over his shoulder and I rocked back as she wordlessly shook her head.
“What happened?” Creed questioned urgently as the roar of a dozen bikes filled the air. “Why did you come here?”
Sloan sniffed, raising her eyes to the sky as she blinked back tears. “I wanted to tell Ronnie,” she choked up and Creed rubbed her back as I glanced at the open front door. It looked fine, no sign that it had been kicked in, and that an intruder had done this. “I knocked, but no one answered. I saw her car in the garage so I used the key under the pot.”
“Ronnie.” Hank came up the walk, the big guy moving faster than I had ever seen. “Ronnie,” he shouted again as Johnny caught up to him. “RONNIE!”
“She….she’s dead,” Sloan murmured brokenly. “She was just lying there. I didn’t realize at first. Then, I saw the blood.”
I moved without thinking, stepping around them and into the house. My first impression was that the house felt empty, like every bit of life had been drained from it. A stark contrast from the memories I had of living here with Ronnie and Kara. My steps slowed as I moved through the house, noticing little things here and there that had changed, but nothing major until I reached the master bedroom.
It wasn’t hard to tell there had been a struggle, the lamp had been knocked to the floor, and the drawer to the nightstand stood open like someone had tried to grab something in it. The comforter was half off the bed, the bottom half twisted around Ronnie’s legs, sticky blood congealed on the hardwood floor.
“What –”
“She was shot,” I said dully. I didn’t need to look in the opened drawer to know the pistol she kept there was gone.
“Son of a –” Cord cut himself off as I brushed past him. “Clutch.” I didn’t pause. “Clutch. Are you alright?”
“Kara.” My voice rose. “Kara,” I called again, desperately hoping the little girl was hiding somewhere in the house, that she hadn’t been a victim too. “Kara.”
Sloan met me at the end of the hall. “I couldn’t find her,” she admitted, hugging herself. “I couldn’t find any sign of her.”
A loud wail told me Hank had found Ronnie and I closed my eyes briefly, a sharp stab of sympathetic grief shooting through me. No one should lose their child, not like this. I entered Kara’s room, the walls the same pink I had painted them years earlier. “Kara,” I called, softening my voice so I didn’t scare her if she was hiding somewhere. “It’s me, Clutch.” I patted my shirt pocket. “I got your picture. I keep it with me everywhere I go.”
I eased open the closet door, a dollhouse set up on the floor, but no Kara. My gaze swept the room, looking for other places she might hide, some clue as to what happened to her. The bed caught my eye and I went over to it, lowering myself to the ground to look under the bed. A well-loved bunny and a picture frame were the only things I found and I reached for them with trembling hands.
The frame had been broken, the glass shattered, and I could see shards right next to the bed. The picture was a familiar one of me and Kara. It had been taken at a Rebel picnic, one of the last ones we’d attended as a family. I clutched the bunny in my other hand, recognizing the shirt it had been made from as one of my own. The bunny had a little kutte that matched mine, down to the exact patches. I sat down heavily, leaning against the bed as any hope I had disappeared.
Hank stumbled into the room, his face haggard. He saw the bunny in my hands and a choked sound escaped him. “She’s not here,” he stated.
“We don’t know that,” I protested halfheartedly, squeezing the stuffed animal.
“She won’t sleep without that bunny. She would never leave it.” Hank walked to the dresser, opening the drawers. “Nothing’s gone.”
“Whoever did this – if they took her…” I growled, rising to my feet as rage surged through me. “She’s out there and I will find her,” I swore, meeting Hank’s desperate gaze. “We won’t lose her.” I left unspoken the loss we’d already sustained, an unforgiveable death that had already aged a good friend.
“I have to tell Mary,” Hank muttered, the big man out of place in the pink bedroom. “How – How do you?” He shook his head, his expression lost. “Our baby girl….and Kara,” he moaned. “Whoever did this –”
“They’re dead,” I promised, grasping his shoulder. “I will make sure of it.”
A throat cleared and I turned to see Noah staring at the beige carpet. “I didn’t hear that.” He had his uniform on, but his face was drawn. “Kara?”
“Missing,” I said, forcing the single word past the lump in my throat, a terror unlike anything I’d ever felt filling me. “Possibly abducted.”
“We’ll get an Amber alert out,” Noah stated calmly. “We will find her.” There was a warning in Noah’s voice that we both knew I wouldn’t heed. “You’re on parole, Clutch.”
“We need to know who did this,” I replied, waving my hand at the room. “Then, I know where to go.”
“Clutch,” Noah sighed and Hank grabbed him by the front of his uniform, pinning him against the wall.
“You are here only because you’re a friend of the club. You got me?” Hank roared, shaking Noah, a feat that should have been near impossible since Noah wasn’t a small man. “You don’t question how we take care of our own.”
“Hank,” I yelled, grabbing at him, but he was beyond listening. “Hank, he’s trying to help. Let him do his job.”
“You give us what we need and we will take care of the rest,” Hank grunted, spit flying from his mouth and catching on his beard. Noah didn’t struggle or reach for his weapon as Hank held him there, panting with the effort, his grief and anger out of control. “Someone will pay for this,” Hank vowed. “Someone is going to pay for this,” he repeated again quieter now, his eyes red rimmed and glossy as Noah nodded.
“They will,” he told Hank as Johnny came in the room, summing up the scene in a second.
“Hank, let Noah go,” Johnny requested, placing his hand on Hank’s shoulder. “He’s not the one who did this, but he can help us find out who did.” Hank sagged, his grip loosening, and Noah’s feet hit the ground with a thump. “Let’s go home,” Johnny murmured, tugging Hank away from Noah and out of the room. “I’ll pour you a whiskey.”
“I can’t,” Hank whispered, his voice broken. “I can’t do this.”
“You can,” Johnny countered. “You can and you will survive this. I’m living proof.” If anyone could understand Hank’s pain at losing a child, it was Johnny. He’d lost a daughter and granddaughter at the same time. “We’re going to bring little Kara home.” There was a hitch in his voice, a reminder of all he’d lost, but hadn’t allowed to destroy him. There was a reason everyone respected Johnny’s leadership, but it seemed even I had underestimated the man’s strength as he lead Hank away, a comforting arm around his massive shoulders. “The grief never leaves you,” he murmured and I wasn’t sure I was supposed to overhear them. “But you grow strong enough to bear the weight.” They moved out of earshot and I turned back to Kara’s room.
I gripped the doorframe as Noah smoothed the front of his uniform. I opened my mouth but didn’t get a chance to speak as Noah spoke.
“You need to leave,” he interrupted what I was about to say. “I mean it. You need to not be here. If the Chief finds out, he’ll have you in handcuffs and that’ll be it.”
“I didn’t do this,” I declared, offended he might believe that and Noah sighed impatiently.
“No shit, but you know the Chief doesn’t care. He hates you and will take any opportunity to go after you.” My heart thumped at the unnecessary reminder, the jolt of fear a gut reaction that made no sense to me. It had been that way as long as I could remember, an ingrained reaction I’d never managed to overcome. “Go to the club. I have to inte
rview Sloan and I’ll be there as soon as I have any information.”
I wanted to protest, the need to do something, anything, overriding logic, but I knew Noah was right. I had to trust him to do his job. “The second you know anything,” I stressed, my hand curling impotently into a fist. “You tell me.”
He nodded tiredly. “You know going after whoever did this could cost you your pardon.” I met his gaze and resignation filled his face at whatever he saw. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“I’ll be waiting,” I said, walking out of the room. Most of the club milled around on the lawn, and I could see Johnny and Hank talking to a few of them. Creed stood by the front door, his arm wrapped around Sloan, who looked more shaken than I’d ever seen. “Hey,” I said softly, leaning down to kiss her forehead gently. “It’s good to see you, Jailbait.” She burst into tears, startling me. “Whoa, now. Where’s that tough as nails girl I know and love?”
She shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes. “This is…this is all wrong,” she cried. “Today was supposed to be your homecoming. A celebration.” She looked around. “Instead, it’s a wake.” Pain laced her words. “Kara,” Sloan’s voice ached. “Who would take her? Who would ki-kill Ronnie?” She quickly cleared her throat as she stumbled over her words.
“We don’t know,” Creed murmured, pulling her closer.
“Yet. We don’t know yet,” I corrected. “But when we do, there will be retribution.”
“I just hope….,” Sloan paused, exhaling. “I just hope Kara is okay. She must be so scared.”
“She’s strong like her momma, and all the women in her life,” I reminded Sloan. “We’ll find her and bring her home.” There was no other option, I thought, meeting Creed’s gaze. He read my intent and gave a barely discernable dip of his head. “I’m headed back to the club.” I grasped Sloan’s hand, squeezing lightly. “Stay strong. We’ll get through this.”
She nodded, sniffing as she attempted a brave smile. “You’re taking this better than I thought you would.” I didn’t bother to explain the only thing keeping me going was a single minded focus on getting Kara back. “I’m just glad you’re home,” she admitted, squeezing my hand back before releasing me.
“Me too,” I agreed, knowing it would have killed me to be locked up with Kara missing. “I’ll see you two back at the club.” I walked back to my bike, nodding at some of the other guys, but not ready to talk to anyone. As I swung my leg over the seat, I realized I still had Kara’s bunny clenched in my hand. I rubbed one of the soft ears between my fingers before dropping the stuffed animal in my saddlebag, determined to give it back to Kara.
***
“It’s been hours,” I griped, pacing the office restlessly. It was well after midnight and most almost everyone had gone home, including Sloan. Tori yawned, her jaw popping loudly, and when I glanced at her, she waved me off.
“I’m good. It’s been awhile since I pulled an all-nighter,” she admitted tiredly. Drea and Crew had taken little Colt home hours ago, leaving Creed, Cord, and Johnny to wait up with me. Elaine had taken Mary home and we’d finally sent Hank along too as the hours ticked by.
“It takes time to process a crime scene,” Cord mentioned, standing at attention by the door, his back still as ramrod straight as it had been that morning. “Plus, Noah has to deal with the Chief.”
“Poor bastard,” Tori muttered, flicking empty peanut shells at Cord’s back. “You ever take that stick out your ass?” She asked him idly, referencing the military bearing he couldn’t seem to lose.
He speared her with a narrow glare. “Only when I’m ramming it in your pussy,” he retorted and I snorted as Tori opened her mouth.
“Children,” Johnny chided, lighting a cigarette. “Save the foreplay for when you don’t have an audience,” he pleaded, his face pinched, no doubt well aware of where their arguing led.
“Creed, go home,” I said, walking over to him. “No telling when Noah will show up. It could be morning.” He shook his head stubbornly. “Sloan needs you,” I mentioned and he gave me a sharp glance.
“Low blow.”
“It’s true though. She’s been through hell today.”
“And you haven’t?” Creed pressed, bumping my shoulder. “Get out of jail and then find out Ronnie’s dead. Hell of a welcome home.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t find her body,” I retorted, before swallowing hard. “I know she’s worried about Kara. She was really upset today.”
Creed nodded, his expression torn. “Yeah, she’s having a rough time with it, but –” he cut himself off and I gave him a questioning glance. He sighed, shoving a hand through his hair as he shifted his eyes away from mine. “She wants me here.”
“Why?” I drawled, my own gaze narrowing at his caginess. “Why would she want you here instead of with her?” His jaw worked and I realized he didn’t want to admit what the reason was. “Is this about me?” I asked incredulously. He didn’t deny it and a disbelieving laugh puffed from my chest. “It is. It is fucking about me.”
“She’s scared you’re gonna take off,” Creed burst out. “And so am I.”
Our conversation drew the other’s attention and I paced away from Creed. “I’m not,” I paused. “I’m not going to take off.” That drew a harrumph from Johnny and I frowned. “I’m not,” I protested and Cord shook his head, his gaze still fixated on the door. “Not without saying something first,” I admitted reluctantly and Creed made a noise in his throat. “Not without saying goodbye.”
“You ever think about not going?” Johnny asked, standing up with a groan. “Maybe letting someone else handle this? Someone who didn’t just get out of prison 48 hours ago?”
I shook my head automatically, the idea of allowing someone else to go after Ronnie’s killer abhorrent. “Kara trusts me,” I retorted weakly.
“Kara hasn’t seen you in three years,” Cord remarked, his expression neutral as he kept his tone factual instead of accusatory. “Tori and I can go after who did this. Get Kara back. You don’t have to be the one, Clutch.”
I blinked, staring sightlessly at the wall. “You’re wrong.” Creed let out a groan, and threw himself into a chair. “I made a promise to Ronnie that I would be there for Kara, no matter what. I aim to keep that promise.”
“And that is why I’m still here,” Creed muttered, spinning around in the old worn office chair. “To make sure you don’t ride off into the sunset without even a kiss goodbye.”
Tori chuckled, raising her hand. “You don’t have to kiss me goodbye,” she mentioned as her phone started to ring. Her forehead wrinkled and she gave a quick glance around the room. “It’s Noah,” she mouthed, lifting the phone to her ear. Her expression changed to alarmed as she stood abruptly. “Clutch, we gotta get Clutch outta here,” she said urgently and Cord’s tightly coiled stillness exploded into action. He had me by the arm before I could process what she said, but the sound of sirens propelled me into motion.
“Out the back,” Johnny yelled, pointing to a rear exit which led to the basement. “I’ll hold them off.”
We thundered down the hall, skidding to a halt when we reached a trapdoor in the floor. “Creed, go home,” Cord ordered, yanking open the only entrance to the basement. “They’ll go there next and you need to warn them.”
“Why do I need to get out of here?” I questioned as Weasel appeared next to me, a set of keys dangling from his fingers. “Thanks,” I mumbled gratefully, grabbing them and he nodded, motioning for me to go down the ladder.
“I don’t know. Noah just said to get you outta sight,” Tori answered, glancing over her shoulder. “We can’t take you anywhere they’ll think to look,” she added as we made our way down the surprisingly sturdy ladder. Cord slipped, but managed to catch himself as he muttered, “Damn leg.”
When we reached the bottom, Weasel lowered the trapdoor, leaving us in complete darkness. “Please tell me someone has a light,” I asked right as Tori’s face lit up in the glow of a flashlight
.
“Always be prepared,” she murmured, shining it around the room and I stared in awe at the provisions stashed in what I’d thought was an abandoned space. “Apparently, Sloan has some deep seated issues with being prepared,” Tori groused with a shake of her head. “Of course, it comes in handy occasionally.”
I whistled when Tori lead us to the back and lifted the lid on one of the trunks. “Are they all,” I didn’t get a chance to finish as she tossed me a 9mm and extra ammo.
“Yeah,” Tori answered, accurately reading my expression. “There are guns stashed all over the room and enough food to feed an army for a week.” She motioned to the entrance we’d come through. “Fire resistant door too.”
I glanced at Cord, who shrugged. “I’m not exactly sure what she’s preparing for, but I’ll make sure and thank her,” I muttered, tucking the gun in the back of my jeans. “How do we get out of here?”
“This way,” Tori directed, guiding us to a huge shelf loaded with supplies. “Weasel guards the upstairs entrance, but this is one of the exits.”
“One of?”
She didn’t answer as she opened a door I never would have found unless she’d shown it to me. “Go,” she urged, motioning us forward. She handed Cord the flashlight and with a quick glance at me, he started moving down the dark corridor. I followed after him, hearing Tori shut the door behind us. “Where are we going to take him? They’re going to go to all of our places if they’re not there already,” Tori questioned, keeping her voice low.
“Aces?” Cord suggested and I shook my head, then realized he probably couldn’t see the motion.
“No. I don’t want to be the reason cops show up on their doorstep,” I muttered quietly. “And I don’t want to owe them anything.”
“Seems like they owe us,” Cord retorted and I opened my mouth, closing it when he continued. “But I understand your point.”
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