Hostile Saint (Steel Stallions MC Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  Feeling dead inside, I said, “Fresh corpses gave the strongest energy. So, they repeated the rapes—”

  Two sets of hands were raised, begging me to stop.

  I was ready to shut down the memories, too, so I went quiet and spared them the gruesome details of the closing acts to the ritual’s end.

  Grabbing his pack of cigarettes from the coffee table, Lynx stood. “Fresh air, anyone?”

  In need of movement, I stood, gesturing to his hand. “Don’t those defeat the whole point of fresh air?”

  He walked toward the sliding door. “Fuck off, Pup.”

  Dagger followed him. “Yeah, I second that.” Then, while walking outside, he mumbled, “Layin’ that shit on me and thinkin’ nicotine won’t be needed?”

  Sliding the door shut behind me, I heard Lynx’s lighter strike fire. After a hefty pull of smoke, he said, “VP, talk to me. How do I shut down that doc from chattin’ with the Po-Po?”

  I joined the men at the end of the porch and rested my elbows on the railings.

  Dagger leaned his head back and let smoke float upward. “I guess killing him would be rude after all he’s done to try and help.”

  Lynx chuckled, bringing his cigarette back to his mouth. “Yeah, a plan B may be in order.”

  I shrugged. “Maybe he is a bullshit detector, too.”

  After the cigarette break, Lynx finally put the earphones on. He listened to the live feed for a while. I witnessed his resolve. Once he removed the earphones, he stood, then pulled something from his pocket before handing it to me.

  I unfolded the piece of paper. It was a copy of my marriage certificate. I stood there, staring at it, wondering if my uncle and Lacey’s mom knew each other. Was this certificate a death sentence?

  “Kid, you have to stop him from going to the police station to speak with the detective on Jane Doe’s case.”

  Jane Doe… People kept trying to rename my girl. “And if he won’t listen to me?”

  “Then we take her tonight.”

  Having her with me would’ve been a fulfilled dream for me, but it was also one she simply wasn’t ready to have come true. Especially with what we had learned that day. That’s why, with that paper in hand, I now stared nervously at the Serenity Institute’s door. We needed this plan to work.

  Lynx and I were in the woods near Serenity’s small parking lot. The sun was shining down on Doc’s fancy white Saab, and we knew he would soon be coming out. Vice was still in the back section of the woods, watching over Lacey’s window. After her session, Doc had sent her back to her room to rest.

  “She doesn’t remember any of it?” I asked, thinking of us locked in a cage together.

  Lynx watched the closed door intently. “No. Those memories are still hidden.”

  Even though it was bright out, I wanted to climb that wall outside her window and hold her, but that would have to wait. Protecting her, in more ways than one, took priority over my selfish need to touch her.

  As soon as the Serenity door opened, and I was sure who was coming out, I looked to Lynx. He smiled. “Go work your charm, kid.”

  I started jogging across the plush green grass. “My charm?”

  Lynx waved me on. “Trust me. He’ll see what we see.”

  I was clueless to Lynx’s meaning but carried on because there was immense pressure on my shoulders. Dagger was, well, elsewhere. Waiting. If I failed to convince Doc to abandon talking to the police, Dagger was going to do his best to not reactivate Plan A, but wasn’t going to let Doc succeed.

  Gulp.

  As soon as I got closer to the parking lot, Doctor Landon finally noticed me. He watched me while he unlocked his car with his remote

  Not stopping, I lifted my hand. “I’m friendly. Swear it. Just need to talk to you for a minute about Lacey.”

  After what he had learned about Lacey, it didn’t shock me to see his eyes bug from his head and for him to take a cautious step back.

  “Wait. Please.” I stopped jogging, trying to prove I was no threat. “It’s crucial you hear me out.”

  The man, in a finely ironed suit, had greying hair and a glare that was studying me head to toe. I was in jeans, a t-shirt, a ball cap on my head, and Vice’s aviators to hamper my identity.

  Doc opened his car door and stood next to the dark leather seat, keeping the door between us. “How do you know her?”

  I held up the piece of paper. “It’s all right here.”

  After a pause, his curiosity got the best of him and he waved me forward.

  Keeping my distance to not spook him, I stepped onto the asphalt, holding out the paper. He reached over his door and took my offering. As soon as his eyes scanned the certificate, they raced back to me. His mouth parted. “Tate? The little boy—how do you know him?”

  I touched my chest. “I am him, sir.”

  “But—” His lips froze as if his mind was simply too overwhelmed to properly operate and give his mouth orders.

  “It’s me. I swear it.”

  After a moment of him in complete shock, he quickly said, “Take off your glasses.” I peered over my shoulder to check with Lynx, but Doc added, “She told me the little boy had river blue eyes.”

  My blue eyes weren’t light like so many others. They were darker. A royal blue.

  Hoping I was doing the right thing, I took off my glasses, instantly squinting from the bright sunlight.

  He gasped. “Oh shit.”

  My head tilted. “Are doctors allowed to curse?”

  I wasn’t sure why his head was now tilted, but he studied me for a bit as if seeing so much more than a young man standing there. Soon, his shoulders softened and he almost chuckled, “After the day I’ve had? You bet.”

  Totally hearing what he was saying, I smiled. “Yeah, it’s been a doozy.”

  Still staring at me, he shook his head. “The river blue-eyed boy with dimples when he smiled; the boy the ‘bad men’ got rid of because he was trying to save the children. You are the last person I would have expected to see, ever.” He scanned the paper again. “After all these years… Oh my God.” The hand holding his keys covered his mouth. “You’re married to Vera?”

  I had to fight a hiss I learned from Lynx, instead grumbling, “Lacey.” Since the certificate was an epically complicated story, I exhaled my own disbelief. “Yes, sir.”

  He rested his arm on the roof of his fancy car. “You’ve known she was here this whole time, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry. Just couldn’t chance moving her until she remembered me.”

  In bewilderment, he asked, “Her memory loss… Is that why you brought her here?”

  “I didn’t bring her here.

  “Then-Then how did she end up here? She—”

  “Found her way.”

  He almost yelled, “She was in grave shape! How—”

  I lifted my shirt to expose my fresh scars.

  He jolted and paled.

  I explained, “We’re still in danger. Sir, you can’t report her.” I pointed to my stomach. “The people who did this to me and her, they think we’re dead. That can’t change.”

  “Mother of God, what is happening? Wait. How did you know I was headed to the police?” He peered over his shoulder to see his office window. “My office is bugged?”

  Lowering my shirt, I winced, confident Lynx didn’t want that little detail shared. “Err, only as of last night. We had to know what she was going to tell you under hypnosis.”

  “How did you know—” His eyes drifted shut. “You’re the ‘why’ of her recent smiles.”

  Bashfully, I nodded. “I’m sorry for breaking your visiting rules, but,” I grabbed my chest, “I had to see her.”

  He sighed. “Young love at its best. Remarkable.” Then he stood up straight as if ready for more. “Well, I have so many questions. Maybe you could fill in all the blanks—”

  I lifted my scarred palm. “The more you know, the more danger you are in.”

  His eyes lo
cked to the scar. “She has one just like—” Those locked eyes filled with dread as they looked back to me.

  I nodded. “If they find her, she’s dead.”

  He blew out a shaky breath. “Okay, Tate. No police.” He observed the building behind him. “Am I putting others in danger?”

  Him asking said so much. He was like Lynx. That made him a good man in my book.

  I replied, “Not as of yet. But stop digging—”

  “She’s special. Her wellbeing is very important to me.”

  Oh yeah? I lifted my shirt again. “Would you take this for her?”

  His eyes drifted shut. “No… I have a wife I need to protect.”

  I growled, “So do I.”

  His eyes opened. “But—”

  “No disrespect, but fuck off.”

  His head leaned back. “Huh, where’s that sweet little boy now?”

  I thought of the three men that were fighting for me, in so many ways. Then, as if Lynx were a part of my soul, I let his evil grin appear. “Morphing into whatever kind of man it will take to protect his Pretty Girl.”

  His tongue pushed against his inner cheek. “Ahh, ‘Pretty Girl dreams.’ That is making more sense now.” He thought for a moment, then said, “Let me ask you this. How are you supposed to handle all—whatever that encompasses—all on your own? Are you like her?”

  Thinking of Dagger, who was somewhere down the road, literally waiting to kill him, my grin stayed strong. “Who says I’m alone?”

  Doc’s brows lifted in surprise. “Are they law enforcement?”

  That had me stifling a disturbed laugh. “Not at liberty to say.”

  Doc’s body language no longer being relaxed told me I had changed right in front of his eyes. His words confirmed it. “It is clear that you have good reasons to be a bit hostile, considering all you’ve been through, but I’m not the enemy.”

  I exhaled, trying to relax. “No, you’re not. Please forgive me. I just need her safe.”

  “Tate, she…” He stopped, clearly changing his mind on what he wanted to tell me, but then said, “It is possible she won’t ever remember you again.”

  My nostrils flared, not liking the direction I sensed he was about to take this conversation.

  “Maybe she should stay here, protected. I do have a court order.”

  My head fell back as a demented laugh escaped me and I stared at the sky. The blueness was now being invaded by a collection of dark rain clouds. One of the clouds resembled a wolf. Like me, that wolf looked angry as he howled his warning.

  Slowly, I let my gaze fall back to the doctor, who needed to check his ball status. “Let’s see how that piece of paper stands up against what will pour down on you if you try to interfere with me and my fucking wife.” I started backing away. “Feel me?”

  Raindrops began to fall from the sky.

  The doc wiped one from his cheek, looked at it, then me.

  Standing in the grass, I lifted my chin. “I believe you do.”

  Not feeling an ounce of fear, I turned my back to him and walked away.

  Once passing the line of trees and to Lynx, who was waiting for me with quite the pleased expression, I said, “I want a gun.”

  He licked his teeth. “I can make that happen, Saint.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Perceiving Goals

  In the backseat of the rental car, I dipped a chicken nugget in honey. It was now dark outside, and raindrops were slipping down the passenger window I was staring out of. Parked in a spot next to us, there was an expensive sports car with four male high school students, all laughing and carrying on as if completely free of any worries. Their pricey phones were taking pictures of their pranks on each other.

  In the midst of wondering if they knew how blessed they were, an image of Lacey, smiling, suddenly formed in my mind. My tongue licked some leftover honey from my bottom lip, wishing it was Lacey’s kiss I was tasting.

  “Do you miss that?” asked Lynx from the driver’s seat, gesturing his half-eaten Big Mac past Dagger in the passenger seat and toward the car of teenagers.

  I dipped another nugget. “You can’t miss something you’ve never had.”

  “Preach on, Pup.” He took another bite of his burger.

  “Here, here,” echoed Dagger.

  The kids piled out of the car, preparing to run inside the food joint, but jolted to a stop when the driver said, “Check out this car! It’s fucked!” Now, they were all joining together to take a gander at our dented-up rental.

  “VP,” grumbled Lynx, “my trigger finger is feelin’ twitchy. Handle this.”

  As soon as one of the kids lifted his phone for a photoshoot, I made sure my hoody was properly shielding my face while watching Dagger’s window lower so he could properly glare. “Take that picture and you will have finally stumbled into a situation your rich mommy or daddy can’t buy your way out of.”

  Phones lowered and all four kids took a step back.

  The driver tried to save-face by saying, “No problem, old man.”

  Ooooh fuck.

  Dagger’s voice went gravelly. “Oh, there’s a problem. And it’s called I’m a teenage dumb-fuck who can’t see my motherfucking life is in danger.”

  I had to force down a laugh when the driver’s three buddies took a step away from him as if announcing they didn’t want to be a part of the ‘problem’.

  Water dripped from the driver’s wet hair as he contemplated his next move.

  Walk away, dude. These men don’t know how to bluff. Walk away.

  Fortunately, the driver was pro-life. Without another word, he and his buddies jogged through the rain and into the food joint.

  Taking another bite of sweet chicken, I sighed, “Do you think they know how lucky they are?”

  “That I didn’t get out of the car?” teased Dagger.

  I chuckled. “Well, that, too, but do you think they appreciate that silver platter?”

  “Nah.” Lynx took a sip of his Coke. “Too young and dumb to know the wicked ways of the world.” He eyed over his shoulder. “Do you know how lucky you are?”

  I relished the honey in my mouth and grinned. “That is something I do know, Prez.”

  Chuckling, Dagger choked on a sip of his beverage. “Fucking love this kid. His past would make those spoiled chumps shit themselves and die, yet he still understands he’s the lucky one.”

  Lynx beamed. “Fucking Life Warrior, he is.”

  Dagger proudly stated, “A wolf in the making.”

  Grabbing my Coke from a drink holder, I asked, “When will this wolf-thing make sense to me?”

  Dagger replied, “When you meet my brother, Diesel, the President of the Redemption Ryders.”

  Dagger and Lynx lightly howled to the ceiling of the car.

  I smirked. “There’s another Daddy Dagger in the world? I’m scared.”

  Daddy D tried to punch me but was too big in the little car to maneuver like that. “There is only one Daddy Dagger, thank you very much.”

  “Not welcome,” I provoked.

  Coke sprayed out Lynx’s nostrils.

  For once, Dagger got to hand out the napkin. “Damn, dude, clean yourself and that drenched steering wheel.”

  Laughing hard, Lynx wiped his nose while trying to answer his ringing cellphone. “Yo.” Dabbing the steering wheel, he kept laughing. “What’s so funny? The fucking pup is becoming a smartass, Stallion style.” He wadded the napkin and threw it at me while telling the caller, “I was going to call you in a bit… Oh yeah? Wait—” He set the phone on the center console, then tapped the screen. “Okay, you’re on speaker.” Then, he put the car in reverse and watched for passing cars.

  Somehow already knowing who was on the phone, Dagger lowered his voice. “Captaaaaain.”

  “Daggeeeeeeer,” she tried to imitate, lacking the lower register.

  “Hey, Cap.” I sat forward to lean between the front seats.

  “What up, kid? Glad to hear you’re harassi
ng the old men.”

  “The fuck?”

  “Sis, have my back!”

  “Oh, don’t go and get your arthritis all inflamed. Okay, I have an update from our prison contact. Her husband told her that Mr. Edward Scoal is pretty much a loner. Only hangs around a man named Ted.”

  “Ted and Ed? How cute.” Dagger shoved fries in his mouth.

  Justice giggled, “Hey, who are we to judge? Love is love, am I right? Anyways, both are very quiet and unprotected.”

  “No shit?” To have his hands free, Lynx put the last bit of his burger in his mouth and tried to talk. “Mayb’ he’s a dea’ en’.”

  As the car backed up, Captain said, “Dead-end is exactly what I was thinking, but I like to cross my Ts, so—” When Dagger and Lynx started chuckling, she snarled, “Hey, it pays to pay attention, fuckers. Anyways, I did a little more digging on the house.” I heard a slapping of wood before Justice giggled again. “That was my drum roll to get you ready. Guess who was a previous owner of Saint’s house.”

  “Noooo.” Dagger stared out the windshield.

  “Yep. Ted Slatter. Co-winky-dink? I-think-not.”

  As Lynx drove us out of the parking lot, he struggled to swallow his huge bite. “Justice, does he have—”

  “Children? Just a single geneticist. So, we have four young men with no identities, no biological fathers, and two houses owned by the same men that happen to be prison buds, only a couple blocks from each other. Then, two stepdads… I mean, do the math. Two plus two, know what I’m sayin’?”

  Dagger grumbled, “This is fishy as fuck.”

  Justice agreed. “Yeperonni.”

  The Prez and VP did a doubletake, then stared at the phone.

  Lynx stopped at a red light while questioning, “Co-winky-dink and Yeperonni?”

  Dagger asked, “Justice, did you get possessed by a teenage girl or something?”

  Lynx drove through a now green light as Justice replied, “Oh, dude. This new bunny, Sapphire, is getting words like that stuck in my fucking head. If Elle didn’t find her so adorable, she’d be in the ground by now.”

  When my eyes popped wide, thinking that was a little harsh, Dagger chuckled. “Kid, she’s just kidding.”