by Nikki Landis
“I know, sunshine. It’s fuckin’ amazing.”
“Church,” Grim announced, leaning against the door that led into the chapel. I followed him in, moving out of muscle memory more than anything else. My head was up in the damn clouds and it was the first time I could remember being this happy since before I joined the Corps.
“Fuck,” I whispered, sinking into a chair, not paying any attention to my brothers at the table.
“Why you look so fuckin’ scared?” Rael asked, punching me lightly on the arm. “You’re close enough to sit on my lap and I don’t swing that way, brother.”
A few chuckles could be heard around the room as I blinked, scooting into the center of my chair. My ass almost landed on the floor.
A stupid grin twitched my lips. “I’m fucking terrified.”
“Of?” Grim asked, crossing his arms over his chest, wondering why I looked so damn cheerful for a guy who just admitted he was afraid.
“First time I’ve been scared of a damn thing since I took the Devil’s Ride.”
The room went silent.
“I love Mimi.”
“New flash,” Wraith joked. “We’ve all known this for weeks.”
I shook my head. “No, man. I fucking love her. Like ride or die, forever in love with her. Wanna make her my ol’ lady.”
Smiles appeared on the faces of all my brothers.
“Then it’s official,” Grim announced, “Get her a property patch.”
“Fuck yeah. Gonna make it happen this weekend.”
Laughter filled the room as I rubbed the back of my neck, smiling wide enough to look like an idiot.
“She makes me happy. I’m not haunted by my demons anymore and that’s some serious shit.”
“Yeah, it is,” Wraith agreed. “Happy for you, brother.”
Fists pounded the table and I smiled, knowing I could face the future, the uncertainty and threats facing the club, and anything else thrown my way with Mimi by my side.
The doors to the chapel popped open and the company we’d been expecting strolled in. Enforcers from our brother chapters hollered out a greeting and it was leather overload. Back slapping and fist bumps followed as Angel, Scorn, Drake, and Torch filled the room. Ghoul entered last with Wily and it was a loud ruckus as we all joked that the oldest fucker had to come in last.
“Where’s Papa? Goddamn, I can’t show up nowhere without a bunch of shit thrown my way.”
Grim lit up a smoke and inhaled, ticking his head at Ghoul. “Get over here, Ghoul. Missed your big ass causing trouble.”
Ghoul chuckled, making his way across the room as I stopped in front of Angel.
Guy was nearly as tall as I was and had a swagger that most women found attractive. Club girls usually got excited when he stopped by the Crossroads. He had a special gift and I hoped to fuck we never needed to use it.
“Hey, Angel,” I greeted, slapping him on the shoulder as we shook hands. “Glad you could make it.”
“Happy I can help out.”
“Always good to see you, brother.”
He ticked his head toward Rael who flashed him a grin. “What the fuck did you do to your head?”
I snickered when I realized he was talking about the crooked mohawk Rael had been sporting since that morning Wraith tried to shave his head. He never did anything else with it other than try to match the other side and it wasn’t quite right. None of us said anything and decided he could walk around that way all he wanted and didn’t care if it was fucked-up.
Torch couldn’t stop laughing as he shook his head, slapping Rael hard on the back. “I think it suits you.”
“Fuck off, Torch.”
I liked Torch. He could be kind of quiet but he liked to blow shit up and the old saying that the quiet ones were the ones to watch and fear was true. He got off on being a pyro and it was a beautiful thing to witness.
Scorn made his rounds and we gripped hands, shaking hard. That brother was always intense. Guy was grim and barely cracked a smile. Never knew if the fucker was coming or going but I wouldn't want anyone else watching my back. He pulled me in for an all-man back slap and I returned the favor, laughing as I caught his squint.
“Ready to beat some Russian ass, Patriot.”
“That’s why you’re here,” I responded, feeling more prepared with the extra muscle.
That left Drake and he was a brother that walked close to the edge. He loved to inflict pain. Guy got off on torture and liked to make his enemies bleed. Drake was sick as fuck and he was perfect if our plan worked and we had a chance to teach those Russians a lesson.
“Feelin’ antsy, Patriot. Hate that fuckin’ feeling. Just want to pull my knives out and cut some fuckers up.”
A loud laugh left my chest and I shook my head. “Missed you, brother. Never boring when you’re around.”
“Damn straight.”
The chapel was crowded but we managed to find everyone a chair as Grim took his seat at the head of the table. “You all know why you’re here. We’ve got a shit storm brewing. Scorpions MC is fucking with us which ain’t news you all haven’t heard before but they’re working with those Russians from the Black Market Railroad and this trafficking ring that’s been stealing girls on our turf.”
“Fuck that,” Angel spat.
“Not gonna be a problem for much longer,” Drake added.
“This is a bit personal for me,” I admitted, meeting eyes with every one of my brothers, “My ol’ lady was a victim. They trafficked Naomi for three years before I found her. Saved her life when we took out Voltoy and Solonik but it’s not over.”
“Voltoy and Solonik?” Ghoul asked. “Isn’t that the same asshole that worked with Rancid?”
“Sure is,” Rael fumed, “Solonik ordered the hit on my sister Willow. Don’t regret a motherfucking second of his death or Rancid either. They had an American business partner we just learned about. Guy named Sean Jones. He’s supposed to be a big Hawaiian dude with a bald head.”
A few of my brothers mumbled under their breaths, disgusted looks on their faces. There was no love lost with Rancid’s death.
“And then there’s the new V.P. since Razr’s ass is stuck in prison,” Grim announced, “Fucking guy named Rattler.”
“Rattler?” Drake asked, “What the fuck?”
“We interrogated a prospect and learned Rattler’s taking things over for Razr. Has a huge tattoo of a rattlesnake going from the side of his face to his chest.” Wraith was puffing away on one of his expensive Cuban cigars as he spoke. “Haven’t been able to find shit on him. He’s elusive as a goddamn ghost.”
“Christ,” Exorcist blurted out, “This shit is fucking aggravating.”
“We’ve got a plan,” Grim reminded everyone. “Prospect said there was a meeting scheduled between Jones and Resnikov. The Russian is the guy in charge. We want them all but especially him. He’s coming to inspect his product and make a few decisions on the girls. That’s when we make our move.”
“And that happens when?” Scorn asked, cracking his knuckles.
“Tomorrow night.”
“HOW ARE YOU FEELING, Desi?”
“Better.” She winced when she tried to sit up and I could see that movement was still painful. Patriot gave her some heavy painkillers but a gunshot to the stomach was going to need a long while to heal.
“Feeling up to a shower yet?”
“Yeah. Snooki promised to help me later.”
“She’s a good friend,” I observed. “I really like her.”
“Me too. She seems to understand what I’ve been through which makes me feel less judged.”
“I know. I get that vibe from her too.”
There was a knock on the door and Shadow peeked in. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Naomi?”
“Sure.” I gave Desi a hug and then headed out into the hall. “What’s up? You seem agitated.”
He was bouncing on the balls of his feet and there was something close to a crazed look in his e
yes.
“I found out the name of the Russian that killed Stefanie,” he growled, pacing the back and forth in front of me. “His name is Resnikov. Same motherfucker that hurt you. Why didn’t I put that together until now?”
“Shadow, I don’t like where this conversation is heading.”
“All those enforcers from the other chapters arrived. I didn’t mean to overhear what they were sayin’ but it was hard to miss. Those guys are loud as fuck. I heard what they’re planning to do.”
I didn’t want to know. Things were good between me and Patriot. For once I wanted to have a little peace and not worry about the Russians and the threat against my life.
“Don’t tell me.”
He narrowed his eyes, scoffing. “This is your life, Naomi. Those assholes want you dead. You said so yourself.”
I threw my hands up in frustration. “What do you want me to do, Shadow? Chase them down with a gun and hope my aim isn’t off?”
“No,” he replied with venom, “I’m just sayin’ that I’m not sitting on the sidelines for this. I couldn’t protect Stefanie but I can protect you.”
Shit. I didn’t understand his meaning until now. “No way. I love you for this but you’re not going out there and getting yourself killed.”
He looked offended. “I’ve known how to ride a bike since I was twelve and I shot a gun for the first time when I was eight. I’m not an idiot.”
Throwing my arms around him, I hugged him tight. “You know I care about you like family, right? I can’t lose you. Promise me that you won’t go.”
He hugged me back, pulling away to pat me on the top of the head with a lopsided grin. “Knew it. I’m too badass for the ladies to resist.”
Whatever. He was pretty adorable. “You’re so stuck up.”
“Nah, just confident.”
“Don’t go out there, please.” Begging wouldn’t help. He wasn’t going to listen.
“Can’t promise shit, Naomi. Gotta do what I need to and that’s the way it is.”
He left me standing there in a panic as he rushed off and there was nothing that I could say to change his mind. No one was around either. Patriot was still in church. Grim and all the other members were also inside. I didn’t have a soul that I could tell to prevent Shadow from taking off.
“Fuck!” I shouted, spinning around to head toward Rael and Nylah’s room. My sister would know what to do and if she didn’t then I could find Snooki and ask her.
“Hey, Naomi,” Neveah called out, cutting me off before I could get to my sister.
She appeared out of nowhere. Kinda creepy.
“Uh, hi.”
I didn’t like this girl. She was jittery and seemed ready to jump out of her own skin.
“Can we talk?”
Right now? “Can this wait? I really need to speak with Nylah.”
“Nope. Sorry, honey,” she blurted before I felt a sharp prick in the back of my neck.
Stunned, I knew what she injected me with right away. The same drug Alexi used to use to make me docile. All inhibitions left and you followed what anyone wanted blindly without the ability to object or fight back.
That fast . . . I lost my ability to choose again.
Devastated, I stared into the sad smile that Neveah sported as she led me down the hall and outside, sneaking around the building to her car. The trunk was popped and she gestured for me to get inside, helping me in as I resisted the urge to cry.
I’d come so far, made such wonderful progress, and it wasn’t enough. I was on my way back into the world that would make me suffer before my life was ended in pain and humiliation.
I, Naomi Lyla Peters, was a victim. Again.
The car rumbled as Neveah started the engine and we glided up to the front gate. I wanted to shout, to kick and scream, to fight and let someone know that I was locked inside the trunk.
None of that was possible.
As the gates shut behind us and we merged onto the highway, I knew that my final minutes on this earth were approaching and I hoped with all my heart that Patriot wouldn’t do something stupid when he learned of my death.
“Wait until you meet my sunshine,” I bragged, slapping Angel on the shoulder, “She’s the sweetest thing you ever saw.”
“I bet,” he laughed. “She’d have to be sweet to put up with your miserable ass.”
That wasn’t wrong. Shaking my head, I walked out of the chapel and headed toward the bar. “What you want to drink, Angel? Becca here will hook you up while I go find my ol’ lady.”
Becca was already filling beers as Harley helped her. Struck me as kinda odd that Neveah wasn’t back there since that’s one of the reasons she was brought on.
“Take your time,” Angel answered, ticking his head toward Becca. “Give me your best whiskey, honey.”
Whistling, I was happy as fuck to finally call an end to church and go find my girl. I missed her and hated the separation even if it was only for a few hours. I’d only admit that to her because Rael would never let me hear the end of it but Mimi was an addiction and obsession that I was thrilled to pursue.
I’d given up some of my other bad habits months ago. There was a time when I was hardly sober but I saw the error of my ways, especially after I realized they only helped increase my sour mood and nightmares. I smoked weed on occasion but kept the alcohol to a minimum. Wasn’t easy in the environment I lived in but I found a way with Grim and Wraith’s help.
Finding balance was getting less difficult every minute that Mimi remained in my life. My Reaper was satisfied with sharing her and our need to feed on souls and their fear. A bargain we mutually found acceptable.
Mimi wasn’t in our room when I went there first and that wasn’t surprising. She was spending a lot of time with Desi. Nylah was often with them and it made me smile to see how much Mimi had grown. She was making friends all over the club. Snooki was determined to become one of her closest ones. Wasn’t my idea to make all those cinnamon rolls. She did that on her own. Smart chick.
Back in the hall, I shut the door and locked it, heading further down to the guest room. No one answered when I knocked. That was strange but maybe Desi was sleeping and Mimi was already back in the common room.
My Reaper was feeling a bit edgy and concerned but I didn’t feed into it. There wasn’t a reason to worry. The Crossroads was locked up tight.
Angel must have noticed my agitation when I returned because he tossed back the remainder in his glass and slid from the stool. “What is it?”
“I can’t find Mimi.”
He arched a brow, studying me before he spoke. “I think you better find out.”
Well, no shit. I was working on that but I appreciated that he was trying to help.
Becca was talking to Harley and the two girls laughed over a joke I couldn’t hear when I rushed forward, slapping my hands on the bar top. “Have either of you seen Mimi?”
Both girls shook their heads.
“What about Neveah? Doesn’t she work up here at night?”
Becca shrugged. “Sometimes she doesn’t show up. I think she’s seeing one of the brothers on the side and is keeping it a secret.”
That made sense but my intuition wasn’t buying it. Neither was my Reaper. With a growl, I spun around, shouting for Snooki.
“Hey, Patriot, what’s the matter, honey?”
“I can’t find Mimi and Neveah is missing too. She’s not working the bar.”
Snooki paled. “She told me she wasn’t feeling well earlier. I told her to take the night off.”
At the top of my lungs, I yelled for the room to quiet. Didn’t give two fucks who didn’t like it. “Has anyone seen Naomi or Neveah?”
Toad stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Neveah left about an hour ago.”
Furious, I stomped toward him and got in his face. “Prospect, did you let a club girl leave the Crossroads without permission from a club member?”
He shook his head. “No. I left to take a piss and when
I got back, one of those assholes out there said he let her out of the gate. Didn’t know it would cause such a ruckus. I’m sorry, Mr. Dixon.”
Fucking Denali brothers and their extra help.
My gaze cut to Grim and he snarled, heading out the front door and into the lot. None of the guys that Vince and Antonio sent were still there. Only Spook, the other prospect.
“Fuck!” Grim roared, pulling his gun from his cut. “We’ve been played.”
Spook was out cold as we rushed forward, everyone on high alert. He’d been hit over the back of the head and had a nasty bump. This was a planned effort. It was clear that the Denali brothers were no longer on our side and that was bad news.
What did that mean for our shipments and the drugs we moved for Salazar? Were they working for the Russians and the Scorpions now? Fuck!
I didn’t have time to think that over as I realized it wasn’t just the club that was betrayed. A strangled cry of rage left my lips when I figured out that Naomi was a target and she was taken. Didn’t take a genius to put that together.
Brothers were right on my six as I ran back inside and down to Desi’s room. The door was flung open as I rushed in but it was too late.
Desi’s lifeless eyes stared up at the ceiling. She had a small smile on her lips like she was happy to go and finally found peace. Years of abuse catapulted her into the only end that set her free. It was heartbreaking. After all the effort I went through to save her she was killed by someone the club trusted.
That bitch Neveah was going to wish for death before I finished with her.
Seething, I didn’t think I could handle anymore until the final piece of this disastrous puzzle clicked into place.
My phone began buzzing in my cut and I yanked it free, staring down at the screen as I saw Sean Jones’ number. He wanted to video chat. Motherfucker.
Swiping across the screen, I held it up and snarled, “Jones.”
Even when my heart told me he had her my head tried to argue. I didn’t want it to be true.
“Got a little surprise for you, Patriot. There’s a link I sent via text. If you click on it, you’ll find an online auction happening in the next couple of hours.”