We came to a wall, and for a second, I started to feel claustrophobic as I flashed back to my prison cell. Tori shouldered past us, and with a hard push, fresh air spilled into the space, clearing my mind as I took a deep breath. “We’re one street over from the club,” she murmured, her voice almost inaudible. “There’s an old Cadillac parked around the corner in the Save a Lot parking lot.” Cord clicked off the flashlight as Tori motioned to me. “You have the keys?” I nodded, my eyes adjusting to the dim light provided by the streetlights. “Do you know where we can go?”
I glanced at Cord, both of us coming to the same conclusion at the same time. “The place we talked about this morning?”
“Yep,” he answered. “Should be safe.”
“I have no idea what you two are talking about, but as long as we have a plan,” Tori muttered, leading the way. Her phone dinged and she looked at the screen, then cursed. “Jean says they’re at the tattoo shop. We need to hurry.” She started jogging, making a sharp turn down a narrow alley, and I had to squeeze sideways to fit.
We reached the car without notice and Tori opened the back door. “You first, big guy,” she said, indicating I should climb in. I slid into the luxury yacht on wheels, tossing the keys to Cord when Tori said, “Cord, you drive since you know where we’re going.”
He cranked the car as Tori clambered in behind me, shutting the door.
“You know, I have to admire Sloan. I doubted the necessity of all her plans, but here she is, proving me wrong.” She thumped the back of my head. “Keep your head down.” I ducked, grateful for the wide backseat as Tori curled her legs under her. “Where are we going, by the way?”
Cord and I answered in unison, “The weed farm.”
Chapter Eight
Clutch
My eyes were gritty as I watched the sun appear over the horizon, Cord and Tori still asleep inside the rough shack. Tori had commented, “I’ve slept in worse places,” as she’d unloaded a couple of sleeping bags and a backpack full of food from the trunk of the Cadillac then proceeded to go inside.
I knew I should take the opportunity to sleep but a restless energy kept me awake, a fact I was grateful for when I heard tires come up the gravel road. I rose to my feet, my hand settling on the gun still nestled against my back, as I waited for whoever approached. I didn’t recognize the car and started to pull the gun out, when the window rolled down and Noah shouted, “It’s just me.”
I eased back, releasing my grip as he rolled to a stop. “Hey,” I greeted him, coming down the steps, each one creaking precariously under my weight. “You here to arrest me?” I joked, suspecting that was the reason he’d told me to get out of sight.
He shook his head ruefully, stating, “It might win me a few brownie points with the Chief, but not at the cost of my conscious.” He motioned to the dilapidated building. “Anyone else here?”
“Yeah, Tori and Cord,” I answered and he frowned.
“Is it safe?”
I snorted. “It just looks like a strong wind will knock it down. It’s sturdier than it appears,” I replied and he nodded doubtfully. “Did you find out anything?” I asked, going straight to the point and he dipped his head.
“Yeah, and you’re not going to like it,” he said, reaching back into the car and coming out with two Styrofoam cups. “Here, don’t tell Tori,” he whispered, handing me a steaming coffee as we settled against the hood of the car. “I didn’t bring enough for everyone.” I tipped the cup to him and then took a swig of the black brew. “Chief is gunning for you. Got an arrest warrant and everything.” I shook my head, glancing at him and he lifted one shoulder. “You were spotted outside her house that morning. It’s not like half the town doesn’t know who the orange Blazer belongs to,” he reminded me unnecessarily.
“I wish I had gone inside,” I said lowly. “Maybe she’d still be alive and Kara would be safe in her bed.”
“Why were you there?” Noah questioned and I shook my head. “It doesn’t look good.”
“I didn’t hurt her. I,” I inhaled. “I just wanted to say goodbye,” I admitted, rolling my shoulders. “Lay the past to rest.”
“It’s enough to put you square in the Chief’s sights,” Noah sighed and I chuckled mirthlessly.
“When have I ever been out of them?” I commented, the question rhetorical and he tilted his head in agreement. “I get that’s why you told me to get out of town, but I need to know who,” my breath hitched, “Who killed Ronnie.”
“Most of the time, I wouldn’t know, not this early. They’re still processing the scene, and any DNA or fingerprints they find will still need to be run, but –” Noah stopped, glancing down at his coffee cup before lifting it to his mouth and draining it, buying himself time.
“Just spit it out,” I advised, any semblance of patience gone.
Noah crushed the cup in his hand and turned to look at me. “It was Rob,” he said bluntly. “Rob killed Ronnie.”
Buzzing filled my ears as the coffee cup fell from my hand. “He’s in jail,” I stated, my jaw working as I glanced at Noah for verification. “He’s in jail,” I stated again, louder, and Noah did a weird nod, head bob thing.
“He was –,” Noah confirmed nervously. “He escaped.”
A laugh choked out of me, bitter and harsh, and Noah flinched. “He,” I paused, licking my lips. “That motherfucker escaped? And nobody said a damn thing?” I seized Noah’s shirt, noticing for the first time that he wasn’t in uniform. “He killed Ronnie,” I roared. “Took Kara and we didn’t even know he had escaped.” Rage burned through me and it was all I could do not to choke the shit out of Noah.
“Clutch,” Cord yelled, running down those rickety ass steps barefoot as he raced toward us. “Clutch, take it easy.”
“Take it easy,” I repeated disbelievingly. “I will not fucking TAKE IT EASY. How could you not warn us?”
“I didn’t know,” Noah answered, his face turning red as I threatened to choke him with his own collar. “I swear. Chief got the notification.”
Cord shoved himself between us, cursing when his leg twisted, and Tori shouted, “Watch your damn leg, you fool.” I released Noah, raising my hands as I backed up.
“I swear,” Noah said, rubbing his throat. “It was the Chief. He didn’t alert us, but now he needs someone to blame and you fucking handed him sufficient cause.”
Cord twisted around, barking, “What the hell is he talking about? Clutch, what the fuck?”
I closed my eyes, regretting the cowardice that had me driving off without at least going to knock on the damn door.
“Clutch?”
“He was spotted outside of Ronnie’s house yesterday morning….around the time of death,” Noah finally answered. “It looks bad.”
“No shit,” Cord bitched, his hands slamming into my chest. “What the hell were you thinking? Going over there?”
“I wasn’t,” I said tiredly. “But I had no idea she was dead or God forbid being killed with me right outside.” Saliva pooled in my mouth as nausea rolled my stomach and I turned my head, spitting, as Tori approached.
“Enough. You’re not responsible, Clutch. Just don’t,” she sighed, shaking her head. “Don’t do this to yourself. Trust me, it doesn’t end well.”
“I’m sorry,” Noah muttered, tossing me a quick look. “I shouldn’t have implied –”
“No,” I interrupted, waving my hand. “No, it’s true. Hindsight, right?”
“So, the Chief is trying to make it look like Clutch did this?” Cord verified and Noah nodded. “To what purpose? The evidence should show it was Rob.”
“Court of public opinion. The Chief can manipulate the evidence to show whatever he wants,” Noah admitted. “It’s not going to look good that Rob was sending threatening letters to Ronnie, and then when he escapes my Uncle didn’t tell a soul, much less warn Ronnie.”
“Whoa, back it up. Rob was threatening Ronnie from jail?” I questioned and Noah nodded affirmatively. “About
what?” Noah’s gaze dropped and I snarled. “I will choke it out of you.”
“You. It was always about you,” Noah burst out. “Rob hated that Ronnie hooked up with you and when he found out you were being released it must have pushed him over the edge.” Regret crossed his face almost instantly as he pressed his lips together. “That – I shouldn’t have said that.”
“What? That she’s dead because of me?” I stumbled backwards, hitting Noah’s car with a thump. “Fucking figures, I save one woman only to cause the death of another,” I mumbled under my breath and Cord cast a sharp glance toward me.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing,” I answered dismissively. “Rob has Kara. That’s our focus. Getting her back and making him pay.”
“You need to stay out of this,” Noah stated, holding his ground when I tensed. “God, just listen, Clutch. We know it was Rob. Let us do our job.”
“Your job? You mean the one where you should have protected Ronnie and Kara?”
“Hey, hey,” Cord interjected, his arms out as he stepped between our tense bodies. “We are not going off halfcocked here. A little girl is smack in the middle of this shit show. We don’t need the two of you making it worse.”
“I’m not trying to make it worse,” Noah argued, pointing at me. “I’m trying to protect this idiot.”
“I appreciate that, I do, but nothing is going to stop me from going after him.”
“Even if it costs you your freedom?” Noah snapped.
“If that’s what it takes.”
“You really think the people who love you would be okay with that?”
“We’re not,” Tori confirmed, but Cord only sighed as he took a step back. “Cord?”
“I’m not going to stop him. Neither will Creed or Crew,” Cord answered, his forehead drawn as he stared at me. “He’s gonna do it no matter what and we’ll support him.”
“I’m standing right here,” I said, disgruntled.
“But, wha-?” Tori asked, trailing off as she stared at Cord in disbelief. “We’re letting him go?”
“I’d like to see you try to stop me,” I retorted and she bristled.
“Don’t get cocky, big boy. I’ve still got my crowbar,” she sniffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Don’t think I won’t bust a kneecap.”
Cord grabbed my head between his palms, his grip almost painful as he held my gaze. “You wait until we make preparations. We’re gonna do this the right way.”
“Yeah,” I grunted, expecting him to ease his hold, but when he didn’t I arched an eyebrow since that was the only part of my head I could move. “We done?”
“Promise me,” he glanced away, taking a deep breath, “Promise me, you come home safe.” He closed his eyes briefly, then met my gaze, letting me see the emotion he normally kept concealed. “I can’t lose another person.”
“I’m coming home,” I replied instantly. “And I’m bringing Kara with me.”
***
“Johnny is not happy,” Creed said in a low voice.
I snorted, “Is he ever?”
“I mean it. He doesn’t like the idea of you going after Rob. Not after you just slipped a federal sentence. It’s a risk.”
I shot him a sideways glance, as I rolled a t-shirt and placed it into my saddlebag. “Maybe he’s not the only one who thinks it’s too big of a risk?”
“We just got you back,” Creed replied, then gave a rough chuckle. “I guess I’m not ready to let you go just yet.”
“This isn’t something I want to do,” I told him. “It’s something I have to do.”
“I know, I know,” he said hurriedly. “I get it. Why you feel you have to do this.”
“You might be the only one,” I muttered, counting how many cartridges of ammunition I had before slinging the saddle bag over the back of the bike. “Noah thinks I’m an idiot.”
Creed chuckled as he came around the Harley. “Noah’s never been in love,” he explained knowingly. His expression sobered as he added, “Johnny, on the other hand, understands better than anyone.”
“And yet, he’s still going to try and stop me,” I concluded ruefully.
“We’ll stand with you,” Creed assured me. “No matter what happens.”
The steps creaked, announcing Johnny’s arrival. “Give us a minute.”
Creed nodded, then leaned forward, clapping me on the back as he hugged me. “Love you, brother.” He stepped back, and studied my resolute expression. “Don’t make a decision we’ll regret,” he cautioned under his breath as he walked past Johnny.
Johnny didn’t bother to reply, just eyed him as he left. “Reasoning hasn’t worked,” he mentioned, coming to a stop next to the loaded bike. “You’re not leaving me a lot of choice here.”
“I understand it’s a risk. It’s one I’m willing to take. Can’t you just accept that?” I asked, giving him a hard stare. “If it was Ashley –” Johnny flinched at the mention of his daughter and I stopped. “If anyone is going to find Kara,” I tried again and Johnny interrupted.
“And Rob? What are you going to do when you find him?” Johnny inquired, his question silencing me because we both knew the answer. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He shook his head. “You might hate me, but I will do whatever it takes to keep you from making an even bigger mistake.”
“Johnny,” I murmured, not liking where the conversation was going.
He shook his head. “Nah. I know you, Clutch. You’re a stubborn SOB.” The skin around his eyes creased as he took a deep breath. “So, I’m gonna lay it all on the line for you.”
“Don’t do this, Johnny,” I mumbled, shaking my head. “Please.”
“If I don’t do this, I’ll never forgive myself,” he replied, tapping his chest. “Your dad,” Johnny sucked on his lower lip then smiled reminiscently. “He loved you boys. He didn’t want an outlaw life for any of you.” He ran his hand along the side of the bike. “You were the reason we went legit.” My head jerked up and he nodded, his gaze faraway. “You’d just turned twelve and decided to run away. You remember?” I gave a reluctant nod, the memory an unpleasant one. “Your mom freaked out. Called the cops and Cash.” He pointed to me. “That should tell you how upset she was,” he commented, an amused smile lifting one corner of his mouth. “She hated your daddy something fierce, but when it came to your safety she’d do just about anything.”
“I think he lived to antagonize her, and she was determined to never let him have the last word,” I remembered with a fond smile. “When he died, it was like something faded inside of her.” My smile disappeared as a familiar pang of loss vibrated through me. “What did my running away have to do with the club though?” I questioned, not sure I’d ever heard this story.
“The Chief picked you up,” Johnny said and I repressed an involuntary shiver. “Brought you home in the back of a police car.” He shook his head, his jaw hard. “I’ll never forget your daddy’s face when he saw you get out of the back of that car.”
“He’d handcuffed me,” I recalled, bits of the repressed memory coming back to me. “I haven’t thought about that night in years.”
“Well, it tormented your daddy. That night he told me, he never wanted to see one of his sons in handcuffs again. We had to change our ways so you boys would have a chance, a real chance, not to become outlaws.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Johnny sighed. “I never told you. Your daddy died, but his legacy lived on in you, Cord, Creed, and Crew. I couldn’t do anything but honor his final wishes. It took a few years but I got all the club businesses on the up and up. I wanted you to inherit something he would have been proud of.” Emotion thickened his voice. “He loved you more than anything.”
“Why didn’t you tell us any of this?”
“I didn’t see the point. I thought I’d done what he wanted. Then Creed wound up in jail for beating Fat Willy and you took the fall for the crazy redhead.” He glanced at me. “I regret that more than I ca
n tell you. I failed your daddy.” He rolled his tongue around his mouth, his hand heavy on my shoulder. “I won’t fail him again.” Pressure filled my chest at his determined expression. “If you do this, if you go after Rob, then I will declare you a renegade of the club. You will be stripped of your position and shunned. You will no longer be a Rebel.” He dropped his hand, leaving me standing there as he walked down the gravel drive, a loud buzzing starting in my ears. “Choose wisely,” he called over his shoulder. “Your family or your vengeance.”
I leaned against the bike, Johnny’s blow hitting harder than any I’d experienced. He was asking the impossible. I couldn’t make that choice. If I didn’t go, if I didn’t at least try and save Kara, then I wasn’t worthy of my family, I wasn’t worthy of the jacket I wore.
“Are you okay?”
I turned blindly, not having heard her approach. “Sloan.”
“You look like,” she searched my face worriedly. “Like someone just died. Did they? Kara?” Her voice lifted, tears already pooling in her eyes and I hurried to reassure her.
“No, no. Nothing like that.” I took her hands. “Kara is okay. I’m going to find her and bring her home.” She nodded in relief, her expression relaxing slightly. “Johnny just gave me an impossible choice.”
A little wrinkle appeared between her eyes. “You have one of the best hearts of anyone I’ve ever met, Clutch.” Her hand rested on my chest, patting gently. “Follow your heart. It won’t steer you wrong.”
“And if it costs me everything?” I questioned and she tilted her head.
“You’ll still have us,” she answered simply and with a pop the pressure in my chest disappeared. I tugged her to me, wrapping my arms around her in a gentle hug.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, squeezing until she squeaked. I released her and she wagged a finger at me.
“Just come back, okay? You’ve missed enough, Uncle Clutch.”
“Yeah,” I nodded, glancing at the ground. “How could I forget? I’ve got to teach a three year old how to ride."
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