by Vera Quinn
“I’m sure Shine is over the moon with Katie being pregnant. I hadn’t heard about it. I can understand him losing it over what happened with Katie in the SUV. I was very protective over Gracie when she was pregnant with Tony. Who the hell am I kidding? I’m still protective over Gracie, Shelby, and Tony.” I look at Cap closely. “Have there been any leads on who did it? My guess would be Hell Keeperz MC.”
“Enough of the damn chit chat. I need answers from you about what happened and if you heard any information we might use and where the hell is Brody?” This is the Cap I am used to, right to the point.
“We were held in a farmhouse about fifty miles from here. The Hell Keeperz MC’s operation is no longer just mobile, and from what the VP, Light, said there was some sort of guard change in their club. I also got to see their enforcer, Titan. They are kidnapping or trading for women and then either using them for blackmail schemes, club entertainment, or selling them. I didn’t hear anything about the drug buses. There was a woman there, Charity Connors. They wanted to set up a situation where Brody and I would fuck her, and they would record it and then use it for some type of blackmail. That part doesn’t make much sense to me. Brody is with Charity bringing her in by the back roads, but I haven’t heard from him and I’m beginning to worry.” I know Brody knows his way around all the counties in northeast Texas but the more time that passes the more anxious I get. “As soon as the brothers that left to get their families have arrived, we’re going to go find him. I have Tip checking this Connor woman out.”
“Why did you two split up? What does your gut say about this woman?” Cap asks me.
“When Light and Titan left we knew it was our best chance to get out of there. Charity helped us but there’s something that has me doubting her. She knows too much for the kind of life she has led or it could just be my suspicious brain playing tricks on me. You know me Cap, I don’t trust anyone outside family.” Cap sits back in his chair.
“Explain the part that the woman knows too much and the part about the way she was raised.” Cap waits for my answers.
“Charity was raised in one of those anti-government commune places, or some shit. She called it a community. The children born to these people have no birth certificates, social security numbers or driver’s license. They are homeschooled and their contact with outsiders is limited but they train them in hand-to-hand combat.” I stop to catch a breath and take a drink of my coffee. It’s already cold. I hear a knock at my door. “Enter.” The prospect carries in a tray with a carafe of coffee. I get up and walk to my bathroom door and open it and step in enough to reach the sink and pour the remaining coffee in the sink and rinse my cup. The prospect sits the tray on my desk. Cap is already filling his cup again.
“No one is in the kitchen and I didn’t find anything left from earlier. I can make you a sandwich if you want but that’s the extent of my cooking abilities or I can go to the Dairy Mart and get you a burger.” The prospect looks nervous. I guess I would be nervous too.
“I’ll find something when we’re done. You can go.” He doesn’t say anything, and then he turns and leaves the room.
“You have any whiskey to add to this stuff? That boy looks like he was about to piss his pants.” I sit down in my chair again and open the bottom drawer and take out a bottle and sit it in front of Cap. “The prospect is new; he’ll get used to me or he’ll be out. You alright, Cap? You aren’t much of a drinker this early in the day.”
“You need to recheck that watch of yours. It’s not early and I have had one hell of a week, so I’m entitled. Don’t worry about me Rebel, this week showed me we have some vulnerabilities that need to be strengthened. It’s also showed me that we have enemies that we think are friends and they need to be stopped and dealt with. We need fresh eyes on this situation. Now, finish telling me about this Charity woman.” Cap pours some whiskey in his coffee and returns the bottle to my desk.
“Charity said that she was held in a different house with some more women and they were locked down. Charity’s pop traded her to the Hell Keeperz MC, but Charity has no idea why, or so she says. She said up until this incident, her family was close. Her dad traded Charity instead of her younger sister. The Hell Keeperz wanted the girl young and a virgin. The Hell Keeperz were using the older non-virgins for house entertainment but the virgins were either sold or used in these blackmail scams. There was one woman that was chosen for a blackmail scam and the man that was supposed to be recorded with her refused. They shot him and brought the woman back to where Charity was being held. Charity was worried about the Hell Keeperz going back for her sister, if she’s telling the truth.” I still don’t think that Charity is telling us the entire truth. I am hoping all the time that Brody is spending with her, he’ll have a better handle on what she is hiding.
“If your gut is telling you to doubt this Charity woman, then don’t ignore it. That’s what has kept your sorry ass alive for so long.” Cap has relaxed a little and I see the humor in his eyes.
“And I thought we were friends.” I laugh as I say it.
“We’re a family and family is always much more important than friends.” Cap stands up and I think he is going to walk out but he starts to pace the floor. “I still think we need fresh eyes on this. We’re missing something and if the Hell Keeperz have new people in place then we need to get a handle on what makes these fuckers tick. We need to find out their connections and what they plan on getting out of this besides taking over territory. If it was about territory, they would come at us hard, and not go through all this complicated shit. Why would they go to the trouble to kidnap you and then let you get away? It’s too easy. They’re fucking with our heads. Who kills animals? Lil is beside herself, but it didn’t touch the club.” I don’t feel like it was so easy.
“Next time you can be the one chained up then. Since when do you ask me for my opinion?” That stopped Cap and he grins at me.
“Wasn’t asking for your opinion. I was getting intel out of you and giving you a heads-up. I’m calling in some markers and we’re going to get a fresh viewpoint on what the hell’s going on. Chief, the president of the BlackPath MC, has agreed to help. I hold markers from his old man, Whiskey. Whiskey was one hard son of a bitch, but Chief has taken the BlackPath MC in the right direction since he has been president and he’s bringing some friends. Chief can be difficult at times, but he is fair. You and I will be his contact points. You will need to empty out some rooms for them in case they need them. I’m doing the same.” I take in what Cap has just told me. The Demented Revengers MC doesn’t call in markers without some serious thought. We depend on ourselves. I know this was hard for Cap to do but he always puts the club first. “Keep your head in the game, Rebel, it’s life or death this time for not only the brothers, but for innocent people and no one can drop the ball. The first thing I am having Chief do is find out about those damn text messages and then to find our traitor or traitors. Get some food and make sure everyone knows that lockdown is no longer voluntary, bring the families in. You need to find Brody and that woman and bring them here. If Brody is going to continue to help us, then bring him in and you keep close tabs on that female until we know where she stands. Chief may want to talk to her, if she belongs to one of those communities then Bourbon or Rye may know them.” I guess I look perplexed because Cap goes on. “Bourbon and Rye are Chief’s uncles and they ran the BlackPath MC with Chief’s dad Whiskey. They are in Oklahoma now but back in the day they used to gun trade with some of the militia around here. I don’t know if it’s the same groups, but it’s a start.”
“Is there anyone that you don’t know?” I finish the last of my cup of coffee.
“That’s my job just like any other MC President worth his salt. We need to know where the dead bodies are buried, that way we can use it later.” Cap has a grin on his face, but I know he is dead serious. “I know you and Brody aren’t always friends, but his contacts have helped us this time. I’m putting him under Demented Revengers
protection, but I want words with him and guarantees, so find him and get him here and then contact me. I want him looking after that woman.” I think about what Cap has said and he’s right. Brody’s contacts have helped. I just don’t think Brody is going to be up to staying in the clubhouse. I’ll just tell him to do it the straightforward way, or the club way. “No one rides alone. I want the trackers on everyone’s phones and rides but do it in an inconspicuous way. That means anyone in the clubhouse and no exceptions. No one knows except officers and if anyone finds out and has a problem with it, then send them to me. I am out. Zig Zag is in town taking care of some business and we’re going to head back to Tyler.”
“I need to head into town too and grab me something to eat. I think I’ll ride with you.” I get up and make sure I have my keys. Cap walks out the door and I am right behind him as I make sure the door locks. We silently walk to the bar. Sin is still sitting there but he is on his phone. “Sin let’s ride.” No one says anything else. Then I remember my bike was left at the diner. “Sin did anyone pick up my bike?”
“Yeah, we picked up your bike and Brody’s jeep. Your bike is out front. Brody’s jeep is in back.” At least there is that. We walk out through the front door.
“Let’s ride.” Cap says. I am ready to get some wind in my face.
Chapter Eight
Charity
“How much further is this cabin we’re looking for? I thought you said we would make it in a couple of hours, but we have been in these woods for hours.” I know I sound ungrateful but if I walk much further I am going to be walking in my sleep. Ever since Pop sent me with the Hell Keeperz I have not slept without fear. I slept when they gave me the drugs, but it was a fitful sleep and exhaustion is catching up with me.
“We would’ve already been there if you hadn’t decided to go sliding in the mud. I told you to watch your step and it was slick, but no, you knew exactly what you were doing. How’s that working for you in your mud-soaked clothes?” Brody is pissed at me. It almost makes me laugh. Brody told me the ravine would be slick, but I didn’t shy away from it. I have made my way around muddy ravines before. I was too sure of myself and didn’t remember everything I had been taught about mudslides. It’s not like the world is ending because I took a ride down the ravine. I am covered in mud but there were no broken bones, but Brody didn’t find it amusing.
“I got to the bottom of the ravine faster than you did. This mud will wash off.” I say as I glare at Brody. Brody turns and comes back to me and stops right in front of me.
“I was more worried about a copperhead biting your ass. You ever been bitten by a snake before? We have no way of getting you out of here. You could have died.” I look at Brody and I see the concern in his eyes. Now I feel like an ass. Brody was worried about me.
“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ll try to be more careful.” I like Brody worrying about me, but I don’t like seeing the worry in his eyes. Brody thinks he is protecting me and I need to just go with that.
“Alright, the hunting camp is just through that thicket. It has the basics but not much else. We can both get a shower and there may be some can meat or soup in the cabinets. I haven’t been here in a while.” Brody explains to me.
“Is this your place? I don’t want to get shot for trespassing.” I say while looking at the ground. Being this close to Brody is doing things to me that I don’t even want to think about right now, so I can’t look at him. Brody moves closer and lifts my chin, so I am looking in his eyes.
“Charity, we’re alright now, so please, look at me when you talk to me. I was just worried about you. And to answer your question, this is a getaway place for my family. No one comes up here much anymore. I think my cousin, Kaden, brings his boys up here to get away every now and then. You’ll be meeting Kaden when we get to the Demented Revengers clubhouse. He’s the sheriff for Wood County.” I am shocked.
“You have government people in your family, and since when does a biker club mix with the law?” I ask honestly curious. The Hell Keeperz would get irate when someone mentioned anything to do with the law. “I don’t have any kind of identification papers. Pop always said we would be arrested with no way to say who we were or where we came from. Is that not true?” Brody looks at me funny.
“There are times that someone would get arrested for not having identification, but Kaden will know you need help. He’ll be more interested in helping you instead of arresting you. That’s a big part of his job, which he takes seriously. Arresting people is what he does if he has no other choice or they break the law purposely. Kaden is one of the most compassionate people I know. My entire family is that way. I was blessed the night Dad brought me home.” Brody turns and starts walking in the direction of the thicket. Wait, he said his dad brought him home what about his mom? I move in the same direction Brody is walking. I want to ask him more about his family, but I’m afraid he will ask me more questions. There are things in my family that I know are not normal and I don’t think outsiders will understand. I don’t want Brody looking at me any differently than he does now, so I will keep those things under wraps. I want Brody. I think right now it is more of a need than a want. I want to feel safe in his arms and I want to know what it feels like to have a good man want me. I want something just for me, just this once. I will do whatever it takes to make that happen and then I will walk away. More likely, I will run away. As fast and hard as I can. I know I would never fit in Brody’s world and he would never want in mine. I wouldn’t even attempt to bring him into my pitiful life. I am not feeling sorry for myself, I’m being practical. Brody is that guy. The kind everyone likes, everyone looks up to and the one that comes from a great family. He belongs nowhere near my life but if I can have him for one night, I will be satisfied and count myself a lucky woman. The thing is, how do I say this to Brody without him thinking I am a total loser?
“Why don’t you stay out here until I have a look around inside?” Does Brody think someone is waiting for us inside? I am not letting him face anyone by himself. Brody is shaking his head and I think I heard a small laugh come from him. “I’m not worried about a person inside, Charity, more like critters.” Brody reaches up and takes the key off the ledge and unlocks the door. I’m not scared of critters as he called them, but I don’t want Brody to be worried about me.
“I’ll wait right here.” Brody opens the door and walks in. I hear him moving things around in the cabin. It’s looks like a well-built cabin. Some of the homes in our community look a lot worse. Our homes in the community I live in are for practical living. No home phones are allowed because no outsiders are allowed in unless it’s business. No electricity from the power company. We use solar panels which is a shock at what they cost. It’s one of the things that has regular maintenance and they are replaced when Pop finds updated models. We use well water with a purification system that is also updated often. I hope this cabin has running water with a big water heater. I would love a hot shower for once in my life. In our home, we are allotted so much electricity and hot water in a day. When you have used your allotment then everything goes dark. The best I have had since Faith was born, is an almost warm water shower. In our home, we went by age, but after Faith was born and she was found to have asthma, I let her go before me, so she wouldn’t get sick. I know in my young mind, I thought cool water would make her sick. No one corrected me and then by the time I was old enough to know better, it was a habit. I went along with Pop’s saying ‘if it doesn’t kill you then it will be alright’, but right now a hot shower sounds perfect. I am brought out of my thoughts by Brody.
“It’s clear and we’re in luck the electric fuses are still good, so we have electricity. I flipped it on and there are some canned goods in the cabinet. I am going to the well-shed and get the pump going, so we can have water.” Brody walks down the steps.
“Is there hot water?” I am hoping the answer is yes.
“Thinking of a hot shower, are you?” Brody looks amused by my question.
“As soon as I get the pump to the well going; I will turn on the water heater. It’ll take a while for the water to heat up, but we should both be able to shower and get food in our bellies. There should be extra clothes in there somewhere too.”
“Thank you for watching out for me. I don’t mean to worry you. I’m just not accustomed to someone worrying about me. No one has for some time now.” I know I sound pathetic but at least it is honest.
“We’re just getting to know each other. We’re building a friendship and there’s always a learning curve. I’m not trying to smother you, just watching your back. It’s what friends do. I want you to know that after we shower and eat, I’m going to get a few hours of shut-eye and then I am going to leave you in this cabin and walk out of here to get help. I know your body is aching from taking that slide today and I can move faster alone. I will be back to pick you up as soon as I contact either Rebel or Kaden.” I start to argue with him, but I know this will be the opportunity I need to get away and carry on with my plan for Faith and myself. I also know that this will be the only opportunity for me to get close to Brody. I intend to have just one night of bliss. One night just for me, so I can cherish it. Isn’t that what men want? A night of no strings attached sex and then in the morning things go back to normal or we just go our separate ways. I know Brody is way better than me and I have no right to even dream about such a man but for tonight I want to escape my life and see how most people live.
Chapter Nine
Brody
I don’t know what I was thinking bringing Charity through the woods. I know she puts on this show about the way she has lived but the way she was walking through those woods tells me she isn’t cautious about anything, but it’s just my perspective that is warped, and where the hell is Rebel? I have replaced the battery for the cell phone I took from one of the Hell Keeperz, once, to check for messages and there is nothing. Kaden should be looking for me even if Rebel hasn’t made it back to the clubhouse yet. It could be these woods, they never were good for phone reception, but Rebel knows about this place. When we were growing up Jilly, Rebel, Kaden, and I spent a lot of time out here. This whole situation makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I know my perspective is warped, always looking for trouble where there is none. Hunting criminals will do that to a person. I see the bad before I see the good, but that is what kept me alive so many times in the deserts I have been in.