by Blair Grey
I couldn’t help thinking about Anne. About what could have happened to her if we hadn’t been there this morning if I hadn’t put together the pieces when I had seen that van out in front of her house or if we had been just a little slower in responding. But that only made me think about what could still happen to her because she was still out there—and so were the rest of the Mambas, the ones who hadn’t been in this group. There had to be more of them.
And all of this only helped to crystallize my feelings for Anne. I couldn’t bear the thought of not having her in my life, and I especially couldn’t bear to think that she might get hurt or killed because of me.
I couldn’t let that happen. But first, I had to figure out everything that I could about how the Mambas operated so that I could go after the rest of them, tear them apart, and make sure they were never going to bother me again.
Our hostage coughed and looked up at us, a smirk on his face as though he weren’t the one beaten up and bound to a chair. “You haven’t won,” he said.
Braxton hit him again. “Oh yeah?” he asked in a dangerous voice. “We’re not letting you go until you tell us every last secret about the Mambas. Where is your clubhouse? Who’s your leader?”
The man laughed, the sound harsh and grating. From the way he was rasping, he probably had at least one broken rib. But he didn’t seem to care. Instead, his eyes were curiously bright as he looked up at us. “The two of you are going to suffer for this.” He looked over at me, his eyes narrowing. “Landon Stevens.” He paused, his eyes flicking back over to Braxton. “Both you and your brother.”
It was Braxton’s turn to sneer. “Really?” he asked. “You’ve got nothing to threaten us with.”
“You don’t think so?” He grinned over at me. “I’m sure you realize that we’re not the only Mambas you have to contend with. And your little girlfriend is going to be found. One way or another. Whether I’m here or not.”
Braxton continued to threaten the guy, hitting him harder and harder, more out of frustration than any sort of interrogation technique. I normally would have stopped him before he beat the guy unconscious for the second time that day, but this time, I couldn’t help feeling my own anger still bubbling below the surface.
If he knew anything else, if he knew what the Mambas were planning or who the other members were, he wasn’t telling us. But I got the feeling he didn’t even know. And that disturbed me.
How could you be part of a motorcycle club when you didn’t even know the rest of the members, when you didn’t even know what sorts of things your MC was involved in? It just didn’t make any sense to me, given the way Red Eyes had always been organized. But it was clear we weren’t going to get the information that we needed.
“Take his body out to the pier and leave him for the police to find,” Neil finally said in disgust. “And then I want to see the two of you in my office.”
I nodded at him, moving automatically to help Braxton with the unconscious body.
But I was still thinking about Anne and the danger that she must be in.
32
Anne
I drove around aimlessly after my stop at the police station, trying to figure out what to do. I was still shaken by what had happened that morning, but I knew I needed to get on with things. I couldn’t live my life in a constant state of fear. I had to figure out a way to pick up the pieces. Even if those guys were still out there.
I wasn’t ready to go back to the pharmacy just yet, though, so instead, I headed home. I grabbed my phone off my bedside table and shoved it in my pocket, absentmindedly wondering if Landon would try to call me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to or not. I wasn’t sure of anything anymore.
I trailed my fingertips across the comforter, remembering again how good I had felt that morning. How had it all gone to shit so quickly?
But this wasn’t the first time shit had gone belly up in my love life, and I knew from the last time that things sure could take a quick turn for the worst. It didn’t take much for a relationship to crumble. Especially not one that was built on shaky foundations like secrets and a lack of commitment.
Suddenly, it occurred to me that it might not be safe to be here. Landon had seemed convinced that there would be more guys out to get me. And even though I didn’t want to believe that, even though I didn’t want to run away from them, whoever they might be, my imagination suddenly started to run wild. Were those footsteps that I heard downstairs? Was there someone in that car up the road, just waiting for me to leave?
Should I go back to the police station and tell the detective about all of this?
But I knew that I still wouldn’t be able to get the words out. I was scared, but I was scared for Landon almost as much as I was scared for myself. I was having a hard time grappling with it. How could I be so pissed at him while also still caring so deeply for him?
If anyone was going to make sense of this morning’s events and my subsequent feelings, it was Lina. Sometimes, she knew me better than I knew myself. And she was just the sort of outside perspective that I needed.
Fortunately, she was done with work early on Thursdays, so she was home when I got there.
“Uh-oh, what’s wrong?” Lina asked immediately when she saw me. She pulled me into a tight hug, and I had to laugh, even though the sound wasn’t as amused as I would have liked.
“Is it that obvious?” I sighed.
“Did that bastard break up with you?” Lina asked. “Do you want me to beat him up?”
I shuddered, remembering how expertly Landon and Braxton had handled those three guys this morning. “I don’t even know where to start,” I confessed.
“Coffee and some sunshine on the back deck,” Lina said immediately. “Come on.”
She led me out back, and I relaxed a little once the house and its high fences were between us and anyone who might still be looking for me. Not that I thought anyone would have followed me there. I suspected that the three guys this morning were supposed to deal with me, somehow, and the rest of their buddies wouldn’t know that anything was wrong just yet.
I wouldn’t have come here if I had thought I was putting Lina in danger as well.
“All right, spill,” Lina said finally, handing me a steaming mug of coffee.
I took a sip and smiled. “Irish cream?” I asked.
“You looked like you could use it,” Lina said seriously. “That, and a splash of whiskey.” She winked, and again, I had to laugh. Already, I could feel myself relaxing a little. But the more I let go of my fear, the more I had to face the fact that things with Landon were never going to be the same again.
It felt like a giant hole had opened up in my heart. And even though I had just met him such a short time ago, it almost felt worse than it had when my ex and I broke up.
“Landon wasn’t who he said he was,” I finally managed to say. “He lied to me.” I paused, trying to collect my thoughts. “I guess I should start at the beginning. I was at the pharmacy yesterday when these three guys came in asking about Landon. I didn’t like the looks of them, so I lied and said that I didn’t know him. But today they came back, and I guess they knew that I had lied to them.”
“Jesus,” Lina said, looking shocked. “Did you call the police?”
I shook my head. “Before I could, Landon and his brother showed up and beat the shit out of the guys. Like, totally knocked them out, all three of them.”
Lina whistled under her breath. “We have got to start going to the gym more,” she said. I rolled my eyes, and she grinned at me. “So how did Landon know that you were in trouble? And how the hell did he and his brother manage to take out three guys?”
“Apparently Landon is part of some motorcycle club in New Mexico,” I told her. “And that’s not all. The only reason that he’s here is club business. Something to do with this rival gang, I think. Now, apparently they think that if they come after me, it’s going to upset him.”
Lina was quiet for a moment, taking all of
that in. “I hate to say it, and of course this is not the way for a guy to show that he cares about you, but aren’t you at least a little flattered that you apparently mean that much to him?”
I groaned. “Lina, that’s so not the point,” I said.
“I know.” She sighed and then paused. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but how exactly did he lie to you? I mean, I understand that he didn’t tell you who he really was, but it doesn’t seem like he actually lied to you. Correct me if I’m wrong, though.”
“After those guys came into the pharmacy yesterday, I asked him to come over,” I admitted. “And I asked him point-blank if he was in some sort of trouble or if there was anything I needed to know about. But he insisted that there wasn’t.”
“I’m sure he didn’t want to worry you about all of this,” Lina pointed out. “Although it would have been better hearing it from him before the three scary goons came into your shop!” She frowned. “But it’s strange that he didn’t explain why those guys were there in the first place when you told him about yesterday’s visit.”
“I didn’t,” I admitted. “I don’t know why, but I didn’t actually tell him that those guys had stopped by the pharmacy yesterday.”
“Anne!” Lina said. “And you’re mad at him for not telling you the whole truth? Sounds like you both have some pretty serious communication goals to work on.”
I sighed, knowing that she was right. “It still doesn’t make it okay, though,” I said. “Just because he saved me today.”
“No, of course not,” Lina said, shaking her head. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t even know,” I said. “I tried to go to the police, but turning in those thugs would have meant turning in Landon as well, because I would have had to tell the police why they were bothering me in the first place.”
Lina gave me a knowing smile. “And of course you couldn’t turn Landon in.”
“But I should, shouldn’t I?” I asked. “I shouldn’t be protecting him. He doesn’t deserve it. He’s totally turned my life upside down.”
“I don’t know,” Lina said, sounding uncertain. “Again, don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t really think a lie of admission is that horrible, especially not if he was just trying to protect you. I’m sure he thought that the less you knew about all of this, the less vulnerable you would be. And not only that, but he was there to save you this morning. I don’t know how he could have known you were in trouble, but it sounds like he came flying to your rescue either way.”
I grimaced. “I know that, but are you suggesting that I just give him a free pass? Forgive him for all of this and keep doing whatever it is I’m doing with him? This is the perfect time to cut him out of my life for good.”
“It might seem that way,” Lina said philosophically, nodding at me. “But it also seems like you have some pretty serious feelings for him, and I don’t want you to do anything that you’re going to regret. If nothing else, I think you need to give him a chance to explain the situation a little better.”
I wanted to be mad at her. It almost sounded like she wasn’t taking my side on this and that she thought Landon was right in everything that he had done. But I knew she didn’t mean it that way. Lina would always have my back.
And the truth was, I was angrier more at myself than anything else. I could already feel myself giving in and forgiving him. I could see exactly what Lina was saying. He had proven that he really cared about me. The worry and concern in his face had been so obvious. So was the hurt, when I had told him that I wanted nothing else to do with him. But all the same, I found myself shaking my head.
“I can’t have this shit in my life,” I said, my frustration getting the better of me. “They’ve shut down my work, for who knows how long, and I don’t even feel safe in my own house anymore.”
“Aww, sweetie,” Lina said, reaching over and squeezing my hand. “Why don’t you stay here with me, at least until things calm down a little? It’ll be fun to have you. We’ll get to see each other a lot more.”
I gave her a tentative smile. “Are you sure?” I asked. “What if they come after you as well?”
Lina shook her head. “Hurting me isn’t going to hurt your Landon,” she continued, and I had to admit that she had a point. As long as they didn’t find out that I was at Lina’s, I could be safe here. I might go a little stir-crazy if I had to stay cooped up inside while she was at work, but I’d deal. At least until things calmed down a little.
I nodded. “Thank you,” I said. “I really appreciate it.”
“And I would really appreciate it if you would use this opportunity to make some of those great butterscotch brownies that I love,” Lina said, a twinkle in her eye. “But then we’re going to have to go for a double-session at the gym.”
I groaned. “You’re not making me want to agree to that,” I told her, even though I knew making some brownies was the least that I could do to thank her.
My phone started ringing. “Speak of the devil,” I muttered under my breath.
“Landon?” Lina asked.
“Yeah.” I sighed. “Do I even want to answer this?”
“You should,” Lina said. “You don’t have to have a serious conversation with him over the phone, but you can’t just ignore him. Why don’t I give you a little privacy?”
“All right,” I grumbled. “What?” I said to Landon.
I could hear his sigh of relief echo across the line. “I’m so glad to hear your voice,” he said. “I just needed to know that you’re okay.”
“I am, no thanks to you,” I snapped.
“I know,” Landon said. “But I’m working on that, I swear.”
“You should never have gotten me involved in any of it in the first place,” I said peevishly.
Landon didn’t have anything to say in response to that, and I nearly hung up the phone. But then, he spoke again. “Did you go to the authorities?”
“I did,” I admitted. “But…” I trailed off, feeling foolish.
“But?” Landon prompted.
I sighed. “I couldn’t tell them anything. I didn’t want them to start investigating you or whatever.”
“I appreciate that,” Landon said, and I could hear how grateful he was. His voice turned even softer. “I’m going to make this right. You have nothing to worry about.”
It wasn’t the first time he had said it. But somehow, I found myself almost believing it this time. I hung up the phone before I started telling him just why I didn’t want the authorities to start investigating him.
Because I was pretty sure I was in love with him, and the last thing I wanted, in spite of all of this, was for him to be locked away. I had to trust that he would protect me and that he would get this whole mess cleared up as soon as possible. Until then, I’d stay here with Lina.
33
Landon
We finished dumping the Mambas guy off at the pier, and then Braxton and I headed straight back to the clubhouse to meet Neil in his office, as requested. Neil sat us both down, his expression grave. “I admire everything that the two of you have done to try to help me out,” he said. “But if I had realized we were dealing with the Mambas, rest assured that I never would have gotten the two of you involved in this.”
I rolled my eyes, wondering if he, like Ray, was going to try to send us back to Las Cruces with the job unfinished. Didn’t he see that we were in this too far by now? I couldn’t just leave here and forget all about Anne. She wouldn’t be safe, and I’d never forgive myself.
But Neil turned away from us, looking out the window at the side of his office. There was an unmistakable tenseness in his posture. “I think it’s time I told you what I know about the Mambas,” he said quietly. He glanced over at us.
“What you may not know is that I haven’t always been based here in Sarasota. Once, a long time ago now, I lived in Las Cruces.” He paused. “When Ray and I were younger, the Mambas gave us some trouble as well. And when we tried to stop
them, they took Ray’s mother.”
I stared at him in shock. “Jesus,” Braxton muttered. “No wonder Ray didn’t want to tell us about this.”
“We did everything we could,” Neil continued, as though Braxton hadn’t said a word. “But when we got to the place where they were holding Ray’s mother, it was too late. They had already killed her. Ray and I took out all the Mambas members that were in the room. In the process, one of them took a shot at Ray.” Neil lifted up his shirt sleeve, and we could see the clear bullet scar in his left shoulder. “I took the bullet, and I killed the fucker. I guess that’s why you’re here now.”
“Ray owes you a life debt,” I said slowly, the pieces finally clicking into place. That explained why we were here in Sarasota finally. It also explained why Neil had been so reluctant to go after these guys himself. And why none of them wanted to talk about the past.
“The Mambas are ruthless,” Neil said. “They don’t understand the concept of mercy. And they won’t care that you’re not members of the Sarasota chapter. If they get the chance to hurt you two, they will. Gladly.” He paused. “You need to leave town. Your part in this was over. But tell Ray that the debt has been repaid.”
I shook my head. “It’s too late for that,” I said angrily. “We can’t just leave.” I felt bad for the way the words came out. It wasn’t his fault that we were here or that we had gotten tangled up in this. But I couldn’t help thinking that if he had just solved his chapter’s problems himself like he was supposed to, then I wouldn’t have gotten Anne tangled up in all of this mess.
Then again, if we had never come here to Sarasota to work on this problem with the Mambas, I would never even have met Anne. Was it better that I had met her, even if it meant that she was in danger because of me? Or would things have been better off if I had never met her at all?
I was selfishly glad that we had come here. But now we needed to finish the job that we had started, for everyone’s sake.