Renascence: Death Dealers MC Book 5

by Alana Sapphire

  “I have no idea,” I answer. I was looking forward to celebrating with Liam, but that’s out of the question. He doesn’t want me. “What do you suggest?”

  “Drinks?” He raises a hopeful brow, blue eyes meeting mine.

  Oh.

  James catches my eye, his glare telling me he’s heard our conversation. I return my attention to Johnathan, a smile firmly in place.

  “Sure. Why not?”

  We walk out arm in arm, and he drives us to a nearby bar. While he finds us a table, I run to the ladies’ room to check my makeup. As I stare at my reflection, I wonder why I’m even bothering. I’ll be crappy company since my mind will be on Liam the entire time. It’s too soon.

  I have an inkling I’ll feel like this for a long time to come. It’s only been three days. Three days since I left Stony View, since Liam dropped me off at my uncle’s and I watched through the curtains as he rode away. He didn’t even hesitate or glance back. My most painful memory of that day is of his retreating back, the sound of his bike slowly fading.

  I miss him.

  I miss him so much sometimes it’s hard to breathe. He hasn’t called or even texted to see how I am. I doubt he’s even thought of me since I left. It’s my own fault for falling in love with him. I should have known better. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.

  Sighing, I turn on my heels to head back to the bar. The door opens and a man walks in.

  “This is the ladies’ room, sir.”

  “I know.”

  He holds the door open for another man to enter. My purse falls from my fingers, a scream lodged in my throat as the man from the fight walks in. While he approaches me, the other man checks the stalls and then locks the door.

  “Hello, Miss Pierce.”

  “Come near me and I’ll scream.”

  “Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you. I just need a favor.”

  “Why would I do you any favors after what you did to me?”

  “Because if you don’t”—he tilts his head to the left—“then I’ll hurt you.”

  I swallow hard. “What do you want?”

  “Your boyfriend.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend. I mean, we broke up.”

  “Too bad.” He smiles, approaching me. I step back until I collide with the sink. A chilling shiver runs down my spine when he raises his hand, trailing his finger down my cheek. “For him.”

  “Don’t touch me.” My words come out weak.

  “Do as I say and you’ll be fine. Go back to Stony View, find out what he knows and what they’re planning to do. That’s all.”

  “Why do you think he’d tell me? They don’t tell their women anything about the club, and like I told you, we broke up. There’s no reason for him to even talk to me.”

  Licking his lips, his eyes drop to my breasts. “I’m confident in your persuasive skills, Miss Pierce.” He hands me an old phone. “This is a burner. I’ll call to check in for info. Your first call will come in twenty-four hours.”

  When I don’t take the phone, he sticks it in my cleavage, backing away. They’re gone by the time I blink.

  Shit. What am I going to do?

  Again, Raven’s voice echoes in my head. Liam may not be my man, but he’s the only one I can think of calling. I scramble for my purse, dumping the contents on the floor to find my phone. I check the door to make sure the men have left, then dial his number.

  He doesn’t answer.

  After three tries, I give up and call Raven.

  “Emily!” she exclaims. “You left and didn’t say goodbye.”

  “I’m sorry. I just….”

  “It’s okay. I know Venom was being a dick. Are you okay?”

  “I was actually hoping to talk to Gage, if that’s okay.”

  There’s a pause before she asks, “Are you alone?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hold on, I’ll get him.”

  I tap my fingers nervously on the sink until Gage’s voice comes through the speaker. “Emily, are you okay?”

  “Yes. Um… I tried calling Liam but he didn’t answer. I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  I recount what happened, telling him everything Vitalli wants me to do.

  “You did the right thing calling me, Emily. Find a table and sit down. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  With unsteady hands, I push the door open, making my way back to the bar on even more unsteady legs. Johnathan waves to me from a booth and I hurry over, sliding in opposite him.

  “Are you okay? You look a little shaken up.”

  “I’m fine,” I answer, flagging down a waitress. I order a shot of whiskey, periodically glancing around the room.

  “Looking for someone?”

  “I’m sorry, Johnathan. I’m just… not feeling so hot.”

  “Would you like me to take you home?”

  My phone rings and I immediately answer it, forgetting my manners.

  “Hello?”

  “Emily. Keep an eye out for Rico and Tyler. They’re gonna take care of you, okay?”

  “Thanks, Gage.”

  “No problem. See you soon.”

  I watch Johnathan’s eyes widen, prompting me to seek out what he’s looking at. I almost blurt out “Thank God!” when I see Rico and Tyler striding to our table. How the hell did they get here so fast?

  They both nod to Johnathan, and then Rico motions for me to stand. “Let’s go, Emily.”

  “Emily, you know these men?” Johnathan asks.

  “Yes, I do. I’m sorry but I have to go.”

  “Emily—”

  “It’s fine, I promise. I have to go.”

  Rico hustles me out the rear, loading me into the back of a van. I have no idea where I’m going, but anywhere is better than here.

  CHAPTER 20

  ***Venom***

  Emily went on a date.

  I’d like to say I’m happy for her, happy she’s moved on. She’s an amazing woman, so good for the guy.

  But I’d also like to break the asshole’s face.

  Three days. Three days was all it took for her to get over me. I believed her when she told me she loved me. Looks like she quickly realized it wasn’t love after all.

  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to answer when she called. What did she want? Permission to date some fuckface I’ve never even met? I know she’s okay. If she wasn’t, I’d have heard from Rico or the prospect. Getting Emily out of my system is something best done cold turkey. I couldn’t deal otherwise. She’s strong—stronger than me it seems, for her to be on a date. I’ve never given much thought to names and their meanings, but after she told me about mine, I looked hers up. If any of that shit is true, then she’ll be fine. Me? I’ve been keeping busy with renovating the showers at the gym just to keep her off my mind. Hasn’t worked for shit.

  “Where is he?” Gage’s voice echoes through the clubhouse.

  The crowd parts, giving him a clear path to me. He stomps over, Einstein in tow.

  “Stand up,” he growls.

  Whatever’s coming, I probably deserve it, so I do it without argument. Two seconds later, I’m on the floor, my jaw smarting from my prez planting his fist in it.

  “Consider that me keeping my promise. You don’t answer your phone anymore?”

  Forgetting the pain, I jump to my feet, heart hammering in my ears. The only calls I haven’t answered are hers. “Is Emily okay?”

  “Oh, so now you care?”

  “Prez….”

  He takes pity on me, answering, “She’s fine, and on her way here. You got about two hours to get your shit together, motherfucker. After that, I’m personally helping Emily find another man.”

  He storms off, mumbling under his breath.

  “I guess you’ve made your decision,” Einstein says.

  “Yeah.”

  “And Emily? You find out what she wants?”

  �
�Me.” I shake my head, still unable to understand why.

  “I wonder why,” Einstein voices the words I was thinking.

  “Save the sarcasm, Doc. Emily deserves the best. I’m not it.”

  “Okay. If you really believe that, I’ll drop it.”

  “I do.”

  He nods, backing away. I head to my room, cleaning it up so Emily can stay there. Gage is right about one thing—I need to do everything I can to protect her. Cutting her loose didn’t help. If anything, it made her more susceptible to harm. I only hope she can forgive me.

  After getting the room in order, I head to Sweet Treats to get her some of those cannoli. She seemed to love them. Fuck knows I loved licking the cream from her body.

  Her body.

  Fuck, I miss her in my bed. I can’t fuck her out of my system because I can’t even look at another woman. All I do is compare them to her.

  “Hi, Venom!” the girl behind the counter greets me when I walk in.

  “Hey.” I don’t even know the chick’s name, so I just point to what I want. “Let me have six of those.”

  “Sure thing. You should get your fill before they’re gone.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She nods to the window and I glance back to see a “For Sale” sign taped to it. Huh. Interesting. I’ll mention it to Gage and see if he wants to go into the bakery business.

  “Why’s it selling?”

  “The owner’s retiring and moving to Florida.”

  “Oh. You have a number for the owner?”

  She hands me a card along with the box of pastries. I pay her, watching as she scribbles something on the receipt. Her number. I shove it in my pocket, giving her a wink before I leave. I think she’s pretty, but I’ve forgotten what she looks like by the time I walk out of the store. My mind is focused on a single purpose—Emily. I expected her to be at the clubhouse by the time I got back, but instead I find an antsy Gage pacing the bar. He looks up expectantly when I walk in, but once he realizes it’s me, he goes back to being worried. I survey the room, noticing everyone there seems tense. Booker is back from visiting his brother, and I wonder if he didn’t bring good news.

  “You heard from Emily or the guys?” Gage asks.

  “No.” My heart beats triple time, anxiety going through the roof. “Why?”

  “They’re not back and not answering their phones. I don’t like it. Tek’s working on tracking them.”

  This time, my heart stops beating, falling to the pit of my stomach. Emily. If something’s happened to her, I’ll never be able to forgive myself. Hell, I’d gladly switch places with her if it meant keeping her safe. I don’t give a fuck what happens to me, but her… not her. Please, God, not Emily.

  “Boss, look at this.”

  Tek’s voice jolts me into motion and I’m by his side before Gage, squinting at his computer screen.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “Tracker from the van and the guys’ personal trackers are moving, heading this way.”

  I watch the dots on the monitor, wondering if the guys are really in that van, if Emily is with them… if she’s okay. Why didn’t I get her a fucking tracker? My head’s been so far up my ass, I doubt I can ever remove it. Now Emily could be paying the price for my stupidity. If I get her out of this, I promise I’ll make it right.

  “Okay, people, look alive,” Gage says, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Booker, take the women to the back. Raven’s taking a nap. If she wakes up, you make sure she keeps her ass in our room. And tell Einstein to get out here.” With the women out of earshot, he continues giving orders. “Razor, I need comms and rifles with scopes and silencers. Don’t wanna bring the sheriff around with any noise. Crow, Motor, Charger, you’re on the gate when Razor gets back. Tek, put the security feed from the entrance on one of the TVs.”

  Watching him, I’m reminded of my days in the Army. He’s a good leader and I’d follow him into battle any day. I’m just glad he’s on my side.

  “What should I do?” I ask.

  He takes a deep breath. “Be prepared. We don’t know what’s coming.”

  He squeezes my shoulder, turning to watch the security feed. Not knowing where Emily is or what’s going on is killing me. I swear if Vitalli’s laid a hand on her, I’ll tear him limb from limb. He has no idea who he’s dealing with. His entire family and organization are going down. And Rico and Tyler? What the hell is going on?

  “What did Booker say?”

  “Little Vitalli has very few friends inside. Just a few men his father pays for protection, including one guard,” Gage answers. “If we need to get to him, shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Oh, we’re getting to him. Vitalli started this, but I’m ending it.”

  “Whatever you want to do, we got your back.”

  “I have an idea. He’s a loan shark, right? My guess is the money is being laundered through the restaurant. We hit him where it hurts—his pocket. That should flush him out.”

  “I like the way you think.” Tek grins, his fingers flying across the keyboard. “All his money won’t be sitting in a bank somewhere. Maybe we can ask the girl if she knows about any locations he frequents.”

  “I can go,” Einstein offers, emerging from the back.

  “No, we need you here.” Gage’s eyes flick to me and back to Einstein. “Just in case. Let’s wait and see what happens first.”

  Just in case. Just in case Emily’s hurt. Fuck.

  Razor returns, the men strapping up and heading out, testing their mics. They’re not even through the doors when the van screeches to a halt at the gates. On alert, we all watch the TV. The side door opens and a body is tossed out. Shock and horror don’t even come close to describing what I feel when I see the blonde hair and outline of the body. I know that body better than the back of my hand.

  “Emily!”

  I take off running, drowning out Gage’s voice as he tries to stop me. In the courtyard, I hear the van peel out and drive away. I ignore the boots crunching on the concrete behind me, my thoughts on the other side of the gates.

  “Open the gates!” I shout.

  The automatic gates open slowly, and I squeeze through as soon as there’s enough room.

  “Emily!”

  I drop to my knees, carefully turning her onto her back. Her face is bruised and only God knows where else. My brothers surround me, Einstein kneeling next to me.

  “Emily… darlin’, can you hear me?”

  The lids on her swollen eyes flutter, her chest wheezing with every breath. “Liam….”

  “It’s me, darlin’. Let’s get you inside.”

  I lift her into my arms, praying for the first time in years as I stand. God, please let her be okay. Crow, Motor, and Charger are in place on the perches, rifles poised over the top of the gates. Gage and Razor are scanning the street, Einstein giving me instructions I don’t even hear.

  “Liam,” Emily whispers. “Run.”

  “Shit. Move!” Gage shouts. The men hustle at the sound of a vehicle speeding toward us. Bullets hitting metal and glass ring out, the return fire from the van echoing throughout the otherwise silent night. So much for keeping things quiet. I get through the gates before the van reaches us, but not before they close. I take a hit. My left calf burns from the shot and I fall to a knee, desperately clinging to Emily. There’s a loud crash right before someone tries to take her from my arms, but I grit my teeth and start moving. Gage is shouting orders once more, men running around frantically.

  “Get her in a bed,” Einstein orders. “I’ll get my bag.”

  I take her to my room, laying her down and sitting next to her on the bed.

  “Darlin’… I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

  “No. I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t have left.”

  “Did they…?” I take her hand, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. “Did they touch you?”

  “Not like that.”

  I should be relieved but I’m not. They’r
e dead. Every last one of them. Starting with the one who put his hands on her. I’m going to throw him in a pit with all my snakes.

  Einstein bustles into the room, Booker in tow.

  “Get his boot off and cut away the leg of his jeans. Put some pressure on his wound. We need to stop the bleeding.”

  “Take care of Emily first,” I insist.

  “I will. I’ll take a look at her while Booker deals with your leg.”

  Booker gets to work and I watch the doc elevate her head before examining her face and asking about her injuries. She tells him where it hurts, and I swear I feel the pain in every one of those locations on my own body. I flinch when Booker presses a towel to my calf. I lie back, finally feeling the effects of the fucking bullet in my leg.

  “I haven’t found anything too serious,” Einstein says. “Just cuts and bruises. I gave her something for the pain. Let’s get this bullet out of you, and then I’ll do a more thorough examination.”

  He grabs a syringe and a bottle, explaining before injecting me, “This is a local. Looks like I need to go digging.”

  He flips me over and I listen to him and Booker as they work. Just cuts and bruises, he said. Just. I don’t care if they’d only breathed on her; they’ll suffer so much they’ll beg for me to send them to Hell to be tormented by the Devil for all eternity. It’s the thoughts of all the shit I’m going to do to them that passes the time quickly. I don’t know how long Einstein took to patch me up, only coming back to reality when they move me next to Emily. Seconds later, Marisol comes in to clean up my blood.

  “Is she okay?” she asks, brows creased with worry.

  “She’ll be fine,” Einstein answers. He leaves the room, returning with a cold compress for Emily’s face. She’s fallen asleep, groaning when Einstein applies it.

  “Rico and Tyler?” I ask, feeling shitty for only thinking of them now.

  “They were in the van, too. We got ’em. Banged up but okay.”

  “Good.”

  I lie back, closing my eyes, fighting a battle with sleep and losing.

  ***

  “What are we going to do with them?”

  “That’s up to Venom,” Gage answers Crow’s question.