“Sail?”
“Yeah. The organization that owns these facilities that house children and…” His head bobbed as if he was unwilling to repeat all the gore.
With a palm on each side of my head, I tried to keep it from exploding. “Okay. Let’s back up. Who are the employees that came to live in the scientists’ houses?”
“That would be Lacey’s dad and—”
The writing on the wall was getting me so angry. “My fake mom.”
“I’m sorry, kid.”
“How—Why on earth did my dad marry her?”
Lynx was remorseful as he added, “Honestly, I have more questions than answers, but we think your dad and Lacey’s mom tricked the employees into relationships to gain intel.”
My ears rang and my heart thundered. This all sounded insane but somehow made perfect sense. It was dark, twisted, unthinkable… It was my reality.
“And her kids? The fuckers that terrorized me and Lace?”
“And here come more unknown pieces of this growing puzzle. They’re not her kids. Nor were Lacey’s brothers her dad’s. They have no birth certificates because they are the results of experiments.”
“That fucking word makes me irate!” The word ‘experiment’ felt like I was some sort of unsuccessful science project. “So, who are their parents?”
“Have no idea.”
All the years of that bitch favoring them and treating me like shit, when they weren’t even hers, had me needing to move on before I exploded. “What does all this have to do with the satanic rituals?”
In dismay, he admitted, “It seems I owe you a thousand bucks.”
The bet… “My enemy is scarier than yours?”
His lips made a pop sound before he admitted, “I think so. They’ve got some Hitler shit kickin’. Cookin’ up viruses to take down weaker people.” He shivered. “All in the name of the ‘force’ guiding them to alter humans into a new, modified race.”
“M—Modified how?”
“I just don’t know. Lacey’s mom was told it was to strengthen our species, but for reasons unknown, she stopped believing in who she worked for. Maybe she caught wind of the rituals.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Not all the kids… running in the woods… were your ordinary children.”
My memory of the dark woods appeared. Me trying to save Lace in the lake. How I easily managed to swim with her. Her trusting me, so faithfully, floating on her back, no questions asked, made me wonder about our connection… “Did they experiment on Lace?”
“Your dad… I think he passed before any word of Lace could be written.”
Praying that she had not been subjected to the horrors, I suddenly thought of her doc… My eyes slid shut. “Doctor Landon, in the parking lot, he said, ‘She’s special’. He also asked, ‘Are you like her?’ but I was too angry to understand what he meant.”
Lynx’s eyes widened. “Blood work. The hospital. Sewing her up. Fuck.”
Rapidly, an unwelcomed thought entered my mind as her little body floated in the lake... Are our ‘modifications’ why Lace and I are so connected? Is it not… love?
I thought about how the brothers, as they got a little older, worked as a unit—like they were connected. “Do you know anything else about the brothers?”
After running a palm down his stressed face, Lynx told me, “Not clear, but your dad made note of their ‘delivery’ when they arrived. How they were explained to be nephews that needed a home. Knowing that was a lie, your dad wrote about how different they seemed compared to you.”
I looked to the door again. “Do you know what’s wrong with me?”
“Not a goddamn thing.”
“Lynx—”
“We don’t know shit yet. Feel me?”
I felt him. I felt he was scared. Not of me but… for me.
He added, “You healed in record speed, who cares?”
Precipitously, my heart raced to new levels again as so many things suddenly became clear. “I-I thought it was Elle’s herbs.”
“Huh? It was.”
Lynx lying again had me swiftly becoming irritated. “Lynx, you yourself called me Swiss Cheese.”
“Doesn’t prove shit.”
I remembered… “You said I died!”
He growled, “You’re sittin’ here, ain’tcha?”
His denial was rapidly grating my exposed nerves. “I died three times!”
“But you made it!”
I abruptly stood and sarcastically asked, “Why? Was the vet a miracle worker?”
He looked away.
I sneered, “I’m not a saint. I’m a fucking freak.”
Before I knew what was happening, Lynx was roaring in my face, “You’re my fucking boy! You’re my fucking Saint!”
Charlie was on his paws, growling.
Lynx turned on him. “You. Lay. The. Fuck. Down.”
Charlie followed the demand.
Lynx poked my chest. “This heart is what led me to this very moment. It. Is. Pure.”
“But the brothers!” I was terrified I’d change and be like them. “So mean!”
He gritted his teeth. “Kid, I swear you are nothing like them. Even the fucking dog knows it. You have to trust my gut on this. I told you we needed to find out why those torturing bastards hated you so much. I think this is it. I believe those demented fucks know you and Lace are better than them, altered or not.”
When I didn’t say anything, he continued, “Think about it. According to what you’ve said, and what your dad has written, they started showing signs at such a young age. Plus, so many of your injuries are exactly like what Lacey’s mom claimed was happening to the kids.” He grabbed my scarred palm and pointed. “This is how your mom wasn’t found. Lacey’s mom burned her hand to destroy some tracking device. Those so-called brothers of yours must’ve witnessed things. It’s like they were doing their own experiments, using you and Lace as their own goddamn guinea pigs.”
As I had begun to suspect, there it was.
The brothers had been mimicking the deranged scientists.
They had been mimicking rape, as they had seen and experienced. Asphyxiation during the rituals… they had tortured Lace with it before I intervened.
Lynx sounded sick to his stomach when he said, “The torture you suffered, Pup,” he gestured down, “I think they were imitating—Jesus. H. Christ. Your father’s notes claimed Sail controlled reproduction.”
Instantly, I remembered them slicing my testicles, and wanted to shiver at the memory, but my heart cracked as I realized I wasn’t the only one…
I had crawled through Lace’s window to find bloody vegetables on her nightstand. Oh my God. The brothers probably lacked the instruments this Sail person had, so they got inventive.
Lynx grabbed my shoulder. “And that’s where his notes end.”
My father couldn’t write more notes because… the brothers had murdered him, something else they had witnessed.
I thought of Lacey’s dad and how shocked he must have been when he found the boys in the garage, torturing his daughter. I wonder if he recognized her being held to that table, experimented on, something he probably saw—or participated in at the facility. I wonder if he finally saw the error of his ways as he became part of the experiment himself, as the brothers connected, killed him.
Lynx shook me. “You’re human. You’re full of heart.” Amused, he grinned. “You’re just a tad modified.”
Only a fucking biker could find my ‘modifications’ entertaining.
Bruised and scarred knuckles… Lynx was still fighting for me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Burning Deaths
After barely two hours of sleep, Lynx was already out of the shower, dressed, and putting on his cut. He was preparing for a meeting I couldn’t attend due to my low ranking in the club, so I stayed in bed, staring at my phone, watching Lacey slowly wake up.
“Pup, I know she’s a needed sight for your tired eyes, but make sure you get some rest
. I’m positive the vote will favor making a move on these assholes tonight.”
A life full of abuse was coming down to this night. It was beyond mind-blowing. It was soul-shaking. It felt like all the different parts of me—the abused, the angry, the scared, the sad… were finally going to have the chance to unite—were becoming one so that my new life could begin. I was blessedly going to be given the opportunity to move forward, leaving so many tragic memories behind.
And I was scared shitless.
Not wanting Lynx to know how nervous I was, I teased, “From what you told me last night, it sounds like you’re the one who needs rest. I’m ‘modified’.” Lying in my bed, I continued to pet a sleeping Charlie while smiling, giving Lynx a challenging look. “Maybe I could even take the Head Cheese down?”
That only won me a laugh and… “I’ll be earning my thousand bucks back if you ever try. I can promise you that, Spoon Bandit. You might recover from my beatdown faster, but there ain’t no way you can physically out-best me.”
I kept smiling because I was positive that, even on my best day, taking Lynx down was never going to be an option. “Maybe when you’re wheelchair-bound, I’ll give it a go.”
He chuckled. “Better make it a good one ‘cause I’ll still be packin’.”
I needed that laugh. We both did.
“Lynx?”
He loaded guns into a holster that was strapped to him. “Yeah, kid?”
“With all that we are learning, knowing what my fake-brothers have gone through… is it weak of me to feel bad that they will be dead soon?”
He faced me, not looking surprised at all with my question. “Nah, Pup. That’s why your name suits you. Revenge doesn’t drive you. As I’ve said, your heart is true. Fortunately, so is your mind.” With an unexpected kindness, he said, “No matter what transpired to make those four boys sadistic, it is what they are now. You know as well as I do, they’ve gotta go to ground.” Distracted by his vibrating cellphone, he read it, typed, then added, “Let me ask you this: Do you really believe you and Lace have been their only victims?”
My eyes widened. I had totally assumed Lace and I were the only ones.
Even though it was a horrible topic, Lynx shrugged as if accepting it for what it was. “Think about it.” He lifted the damaged door and propped it against a wall, causing Charlie to sit up. “There’s a much bigger picture here, kid.” He left the room.
I was shocked Lynx was actually leaving me unattended, letting me fend for myself… until Diesel walked in, “Mornin’, Spoon Bandit.”
Nope. Still their pup. “Hey, Prez.”
Charlie stood and did a whole-body stretch, then hopped off the bed. After he got some attention from Diesel, he happily trotted out the door.
Diesel plopped down into a chair near the window and door. “Ready for tonight?”
“You think it will get voted in?”
His expression showed my doubt to be ludicrous. “No question. They have to. A Stallion went down. It’s a respect thing. The herd will now demand it. Plus,” he snickered, “the only one who has the power to sway the vote wants these fuckers dead more than any of us.”
Never got old… especially after learning I may be a little ‘modified’. “Where’s Artist?”
“Sent his dumb ass el home-o.” He started laughing. “That sure didn’t come out right. Homo? Not the way he’s chasing—” Not finishing that sentence, he leaned back in his chair. “He’s headed back to my little ol’ town in Georgia. This ain’t for him. This club bus—”
“Business. I know.” I rolled my eyes.
He smirked. “Damn, does that attitude come with all teenagers?”
My brows bunched—and I may have had an upper lip snarling. “What attitude?”
He pointed to my face. “That one.”
By late morning, the vote had passed and everyone was preparing. Not even the sun could warm the chill that suddenly possessed my body as I watched men loading guns with bullets and magazines, and double-checking knives strapped to their belts. They all seemed incredibly focused, ready for blood and revenge.
Our SUV, cars, and trucks were all being loaded with supplies, which included many backpacks filled with more ammo, water, and medical items, in anticipation of injuries.
Walking toward our vehicle, to load our duffle bags and Charlie’s box, I asked Lynx, “You think we need all this ammunition?”
“Hoping not, but ‘hope’ don’t do shit if your gun is empty and you’re still in the fight.”
Hard logic to argue with, I agreed, “Point made.”
On the hood of our SUV was a laptop that Justice was pointing to while saying, “See here? I think that’s where we can get onto the property undetected, according to Tennessee’s Sargent at Arms. He says he sees no cameras.”
More clubs joining the cause.
Oz snarled, “I guess the filthy molesters don’t want proof about them out there.”
Dagger stated, “Either that or they’re cocky as fuck.”
A Stallion I knew was an officer of mine, but I had yet to be introduced to, stood next to them with crossed arms. “A cocky enemy makes for an easier takedown.”
He was well built but had a different vibe to him. There was no ‘I just rolled out of bed and don’t care’ appearance. It was more like every part of him, including his hair, was in place. His light brown but brassy hair was closely cut. Even his short beard looked as if professionally groomed.
At the SUV, Lynx bent down and took off Charlie’s collar. Handing it to me, he said, “When getting ready for a fight, never have your dog with a restraint that can be used against him.”
This was becoming more real every minute that passed by. “Yes, sir.”
Free of his collar, Charlie ran off to sniff and urinate on wheels.
“Somethin’ from the meeting I need to fill you in on, Pup. Your dad’s notes on Sail, well, Justice remembered info she ran across a while back while searching the darker webs, about some sick ass group that calls themself SAIL; it’s a group, not a person. So, what we’re walking into ain’t just one head honcho, but a whole group of sick fucks.” He gripped my shoulder at the not-so-shocked look on my face. “We already knew there was a group of them in robes from your stories, but now we know what they are, and it answers more questions from your dad’s notes. Officer business, so I’m only tellin’ ya because you suffered at their hands.”
My face stoic, I just nodded. “Thank you for telling me. I won’t tell anyone I know.”
After loading our belongings into the SUV, we headed to the front of the vehicle where men were still talking with Justice. We stopped when a barely dressed girl rushed toward Lynx with a cup of coffee and juice bottle. She was full of smiles for him. “Hey, Lynx, I made this for you.”
“Thanks, darlin’.” Taking the Styrofoam cup, he walked away, much to the girl’s disappointment.
Not even giving me a glance, she side-handed me apple juice. “Here ya go.” Studying Lynx joining his crew, she said, “I’ll be back with food for you two.”
“Uh, thanks?”
She finally looked at me and seemed sad. “Sorry. I keep hoping for him to notice me again. Just one more time. Look.” She peered down. “I got these shorts just for him.”
The ‘shorts’ resembled a barely productive diaper. “Oh. Er—
“But nope.” Ignoring me again, she sneered, “Fucking Elle.” She walked away, mumbling, “Why does one woman get all that man?”
With a brow raised, I opened my juice and went to catch up with all that man.
Once I stood next to him, I drank my juice while trying to understand the female’s infatuation with Lynx.
He chuckled while tying his hair back. “Are you checking me out?”
I wiped spilled juice from my mouth. “I’m starting to think you’re considered ‘hot’.”
Now all the deadly bikers were quiet, staring at me. Wishing I had magic powers to vanish into thin air, I quietly added, “Not
that I agree.”
Laughter boomed.
Justice was smirking but rolled her eyes and got back to work. “Okay, it looks heavily wooded, and we’ll be on foot…”
After the logistics of infiltration were agreed upon and people were moving on, Lynx tapped my shoulder. “Kid, have you met your Sargent at Arms yet?”
“Oh! Torque! Not officially.” I held out my hand, which he quickly accepted. “Hello, sir, I’m Ta—”
My hand suddenly experienced an impressive squeeze as the man shook his head no. “What is your name, Prospect?”
“Saint, sir.”
The firm grip eased. “Nice to officially meet you, Saint.”
It was weird to finally see the bronze eyes that had been watching me from afar for weeks.
Lynx told me, “You’ll meet your other two officers, Meatball and Crow, when we get home. They’re watching the home front.”
My stomach sunk. “Crow?”
Sorrowfully, he nodded. “Yep, that one will be a challenge, since it’s one of those asshole’s names, but he’s a hell of a man.”
I sighed. “It might take Lace some time.”
There was a pause, then Lynx quietly said, “I’m gonna need you to stop saying her real name in public, son.”
One fucking challenge after another. Jesus. H. Christ. “Yes, sir.”
Torque was kind, too. “It’s to keep her safe.”
“I understand. It’s just…” that’s my wife’s name. “I guess I happen to think that her name is perfect for her. She is as gentle and beautiful as lace itself.”
Torque stared at me, unreadable, then plainly stated, “It is much easier listening to your words than feeling them in person.”
Hostile Saint (Steel Stallions MC Book 1) Page 29