by Jamie Begley
“Why?”
“I told Viper I would. Train doesn’t want to go.” Lucky reached out, cupping Rachel’s cheek. “Thank you, Rachel.”
“Goodbye, Dean.”
He shivered as a chill of foreboding swept through him.
They walked back together, each lost in their own silence as they neared the house until several lights in the windows came on.
“Everyone is getting up early for a Saturday,” Rachel remarked.
Lucky began to walk faster. The brothers were usually going to bed at this time, not getting up. Opening the back door, he ushered Rachel inside, finding the members gathered in the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” Lucky asked Rider who was sitting at the table, looking hungover as he put on his boots.
“Willa called Winter, asking for Viper’s help. Sissy ran away last night. She found her missing when she got home from the school festival.”
“Shit.”
“Willa’s been out all night, searching for her. She thought at first that she was with friends, but they all say they haven’t seen her.”
“Cal and Jace?”
“Drake says both boys are home and have been all night.”
“Fuck! Willa’s probably terrified.” Lucky wanted to shake some sense in the teenager, but to do that, he was going to have to find her first.
Viper strode into the room, immediately breaking the town into sections to search among the brothers.
“Lucky, you take Jamestown. If she’s been missing since last night, it’s going to be a crap shoot to figure out how far she’s gotten.”
“I’ll get dressed and head that way. I’ll call Stud and ask if the Destructors can start searching.”
Viper nodded grimly. “Be quick. Knox had to alert Child Services when Willa reported Sissy missing. If the girl wanted away from Willa, she’s got her wish now.”
Lucky went downstairs to his room, taking a quick shower after calling Stud who said he would begin the search in Jamestown and offered to have the Blue Horsemen begin searching over the West Virginia line in case she had gone in the opposite direction.
He was tugging on his shirt when a thought occurred to him. Picking up his cell phone, he called Knox.
“Lucky?”
“Yeah. Have a quick question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Willa there or at home?”
“Willa’s here with the rest of the kids. Flora Tackett’s sitting here, ready to take custody of them. Willa notified her Sissy was missing.”
“Fucking bitch couldn’t wait until Sissy was found?”
“You know Flora.” Unfortunately, Lucky did. The self-righteous bitch wouldn’t think of taking in foster children, but she had no problem giving a hard time to anyone who did.
“Have you talked to Leanne?”
“I did. She swears she doesn’t know where her sister is.”
“She’s lying. Get her away from everyone and she’ll break.”
Knox’s voice lowered. “I can’t threaten a kid.” Lucky heard the door close in the background, and then Knox’s voice returned to normal. “Besides, Flora won’t leave me alone with her.”
“Send them all to the diner for breakfast and ask them to bring back something for Leanne. Tell them you need Leanne to go over a list of Sissy’s friends.”
“I already did that.”
“Do it again. Tell them she may have missed one. I don’t give a fuck what you tell them, just get them away from Leanne.”
“Then what? I can’t lay a hand on her.”
“Threaten her with arrest. Lock her up in a cell.”
Knox started laughing. “She’ll piss herself. I have Lyle back there.”
“If she knows where Sissy is, she’ll talk,” Lucky insisted.
“All right. What’s the worst that can happen? Diamond can sue the city and get my job back if I get my ass fired.”
“Those girls have been running circles around Willa for months. If Leanne breaks, give me a call. I’m going to Jamestown to check if she managed to get that far.”
“Wait fifteen minutes before you head out. No reason to backtrack if Leanne decides to talk.”
“All right. I have a few minutes to spare since Stud has the Destructors out searching.”
“I’ll call you back.” Knox disconnected the call.
Lucky stared at the women who were still lying on his bed, sleeping, and self-disgust filled him. While he had spent a night here in debauchery, Willa had endured a terrified one, worried about the girl she had tried to help.
Raci’s eyes flickered open. “Where are you going?”
“I need to take care of something. Can you clean the room for me?”
“Sure thing. It’s the least I can do after the night you gave me.” She sat up in bed, stretching.
“What do you want me to do with your knives?”
Lucky’s cell phone began to ring, but he didn’t immediately answer. He needed to get away from the memories of last night before he could deal with anything concerning Willa.
“Lay them on the nightstand. I’ll clean them and put them away myself.” He never trusted anyone other than himself to clean his knives. They would be left untouched until he had the time to sterilize them. Everyone in the club knew to never touch his knives, or there would be hell to pay.
Lucky left the bedroom, closing the door behind him before answering the insistent ringing, seeing it was Knox calling him back.
“What did you find out?”
“Brother, we have a big problem.”
Chapter 10
Willa’s hands twisted in her lap. She prayed good news about Sissy would be waiting for them when she returned from the uneaten breakfast she had tried to choke down. With fear for Sissy on her mind, the food hadn’t tempted her, and Flora Tackett’s stony silence hadn’t helped. However, disappointment filled her when she stepped inside the sheriff’s office and found there wasn’t any new information.
Willa looked up when the door opened, swallowing convulsively as she saw a couple she recognized from church approach Flora. She didn’t have to ask why they were there. Her arm tightened around Caroline’s waist, her other arm pulling Chrissy closer to her side. Charlie sat on the chair next to her, his feet swinging back and forth.
Flora and the couple walked toward her.
“Willa, you know the Wests?”
She nodded. Dalton West and his wife Lisa were both deeply involved in the church, considering it their sacred duty to live their lives in service to God. Willa couldn’t explain the feeling of distrust she felt whenever they were near, although she had marked it down to Lisa’s flirtatious behavior with Lucky when he had been pastor. The husband had witnessed the behavior and had even seemed to encourage the inappropriate conduct.
They had taken in several children from the community. The younger sister of Cal, Jace’s friend, was one, whose mother had died from cancer. There was also an older girl who had been raised in the home and had moved out on her own. She still attended church yet refused to have anything to do with the couple. Willa took that as a sign that no close relationship had formed between them in the time she had been in their home. Ginny had spent six years living with the couple; therefore, some kind of attachment should have been formed. Instead, the girl wouldn’t speak to the couple when they approached her at church gatherings.
Willa couldn’t place her finger on exactly why she didn’t like them. They were always polite and constantly volunteered at the church and school. They were just too perfect. Not to mention, there was something about the way they would look at The Last Riders’ women when they attended church that made her think of her own mother when she would lecture her on being a good Christian girl.
“Yes.” Willa didn’t stand, not wanting to wake Caroline who was asleep on her chest.
“They will be taking charge of Caroline, Chrissy, and Charlie.” Flora’s brusque voice was matter-of-fact as
she ripped the children’s world apart.
“Please, can’t we wait—?”
“You are clearly unable to handle these children and keep them safe.”
Leanne, who had been sitting quietly, sprung to her feet. “I won’t go!”
Flora ignored the girl’s outburst, continuing to talk to Willa. “Don’t make this hard on the children. The Wests are able to take all the children except for Leanne. I’m still searching for a foster home for her. If I don’t find one by the end of the day, I’ll place her in one of the group homes where I have a bed available until I can find someone willing to take her.”
Leanne started crying, retaking her seat.
“You’re frightening her, Flora. Can’t she stay with me until you at least find a home for her?”
Her brusque refusal was stopped short when Viper and Shade entered the office, followed by a mutinous Sissy who was being trailed by Lucky.
Willa jumped to her feet, jostling Caroline and Chrissy awake. “Sissy! Thank God you’re all right.” Willa was so relieved she wanted to burst into tears; only the grim faces of the men prevented her.
“Where did you find her?” Flora asked before Willa could get the question past her trembling lips.
“We found her just outside of town.” Viper spoke when Sissy remained quiet. “She had managed to make it to Rosey’s.”
Willa’s horrified gasp was drowned out by the ones from the Wests and Flora.
“Mick didn’t see her. She stayed out in the parking lot, trying to catch rides,” Viper explained.
“Sissy!” Willa cried out at the danger the girl had placed herself in.
“I’m fine,” Sissy snapped. “None of the losers would give me a ride.”
“Thank God.” Willa soothed Caroline, who began crying.
“She fell asleep in the back of Mick’s car. He found her when Lucky called him and asked him to search for her.”
“How did you know she was there?” Willa asked the man standing silently by the door.
Lucky’s eyes flickered to Leanne. “Call it a hunch.” He shrugged.
Willa buried her face in Caroline’s hair. Understanding now why Knox had wanted Leanne to remain behind when they had gone to the diner, Willa realized she was a complete and utter failure at taking care of the children.
“I’ll call off the search,” Knox said, going to the phone behind the counter.
Flora immediately took charge of the situation. “Leanne and Sissy, you come with me. Dalton and Lisa, you take the other three. I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Willa, if you pack their things, I’ll stop by this afternoon to pick them up.”
Dalton reached for Caroline as Lisa reached for Chrissy, both girls beginning to cry.
“Please, Flora…” Willa pleaded.
“We’re not going back to Willa’s?” Sissy frowned, asking her sister who had also begun to cry.
Leanne shook her head. “They’re placing us into a group home.”
“You fat bitch….” Sissy lunged for Willa but Lucky snatched her by the waist, pulling her back.
“Don’t touch her. Ever.” Lucky’s voice froze everyone in place, and fear entered Sissy’s face.
“It has nothing to do with what Willa wants.” Knox slammed down the phone. “If you want someone to blame, look in a mirror! Why are you so mad, anyways? You didn’t want to stay with Willa, so your ass just got what it wanted.”
“Knox, it’s all right. She’s upset.” Willa reluctantly released Caroline. She didn’t want to further upset the children by struggling with the inevitable. She would end up in one of the jail cells, and the children would still be gone.
Caroline and Chrissy began screaming and fighting against the people holding them, and Charlie ran forward, grabbing Willa around the waist. “Please don’t make me leave. I’ll be good.”
Tears fell from Willa’s eyes as she lowered herself to her knees, holding Charlie in her arms.
“The children aren’t going anywhere. They’re staying with Willa.” Lucky’s statement caught everyone’s attention.
“No, they are not.” Flora’s hands went to her hips. “They will be placed in their new foster home. Leanne and Sissy will go to a group home until I can find a placement for Leanne. Sissy, unfortunately, will not be placed due to her running away. She’ll stay there until she turns eighteen.”
“The children and Leanne will remain with my fiancée until we’re married. Then they will all move into my home after we’re married in two weeks. Sissy can stay with Knox and his wife until our marriage. Then she can move in with us, also.”
“You and Willa are engaged?” Flora asked, staring back and forth between them.
“Yes, we became engaged last night.”
Willa couldn’t believe the lies coming from Lucky, but she didn’t try to deny their fictitious relationship, because the children had stopped crying. She reached for the girls who were frantically trying to throw themselves out of the adults’ arms. Barely managing to hold both girls, she felt Lucky take Chrissy from her, placing a supportive arm around her shoulders.
Flora stood with indecision on her face. “Where do you plan to live after you’re married?”
“The church, of course. I’ll be taking over the role of pastor again next weekend.”
“Why haven’t I heard of this before?” Flora asked suspiciously.
“The deacons of the church gave me time to make up my mind. I was going to inform them after church tomorrow morning.”
Dalton reached out, shaking Lucky’s hand. “We’ll be glad to have you back.”
“I knew you would come back.” Lisa and her husband shared a glance that Willa didn’t understand. “The whole congregation has missed you.”
“As I have them,” Lucky replied, his arm tightening across Willa’s shoulders.
Flora frowned. “I don’t know…”
“I will be around the children constantly during Willa’s and my engagement. They will be perfectly safe in our hands. I can supply as many references as you need. The governor will be one of them.”
“I’ll bring the paperwork to Willa’s this afternoon. The state always wants what is best for the children.” Flora’s overbearing attitude went through an abrupt change. She was almost nice when she asked Knox. “You and your wife are willing to take in Sissy?”
Knox remained silent for a brief second, his lips tightening. “Diamond and I will be happy to take her until Willa and Lucky are married.”
Willa didn’t think he sounded very happy, but she was grateful he had agreed with the social worker.
“That’s settled, then. I’ll see you this afternoon, Willa.”
Willa could only nod as Flora and the Wests left the sheriff’s office.
“I better call Diamond and tell her we’re having company for a couple of weeks.” Knox went into his office, closing the door.
Lucky’s arm dropped from her shoulder. “You go ahead and take the kids home. I’ll be there in a few.” He handed Chrissy to Leanne.
Sissy stood as if she was shell-shocked. Willa started to go to her, but Lucky blocked her by opening the front door for her.
“Lucky”—Willa paused beside him—“I appreciate you keeping them from taking the children, but it’s going to be a mess to explain when we don’t—”
“Go home, Willa. We’ll talk when I get there.”
Willa nodded weakly, too tired to argue. “Okay.” Shifting Caroline’s weight, she left, relieved the children were docile and silent as she placed them in the car.
She was backing out of the parking space when her eyes were caught by Leanne’s.
“I’m sorry, Willa. Sissy made me promise not to tell anyone where she was going.”
“Promises are meant to be pledges of trust between two people. When those promises can hurt someone, it’s you who must decide if honoring it is worth the consequences.”
Leanne lowered her head. “I rea
lly didn’t think she would go through with it. She was trying to find that good-looking biker she’s seen around town.”
Willa didn’t have to ask. She remembered the girl being fascinated with the biker the night of her escapade with Jace and Cal.
“Thank God she didn’t find him.”
* * *
Viper picked the stapler up from the reception desk, throwing it at the wall.
“Dammit!” Viper snarled at Sissy.
“I kept my mouth shut. I told you I wouldn’t tell, and I didn’t.” Sissy backed away from the furious president.
Knox came out of his office. “They leave?”
“For now,” Lucky grimly answered.
“You find her hiding inside Rosey’s?”
Viper grimly nodded his head. “Jenna sneaked her in the back door.”
“Fuck.” Knox looked like he was going to follow his leader’s example and throw something.
“She’s been pissed at the club since Lucky stopped seeing her and told the brothers not to touch her.” Viper continued, “It didn’t help that King fired her when he heard she hit Willa. Nothing’s worse than a slut with a grudge.”
Sissy backed a step away at Viper’s anger. The girl certainly didn’t look her age, dressed in the short, black skirt and the tight, green top she was wearing.
“None of the other brothers recognized her?”
“The bar was too crowded with all the brothers from Ohio wanting to stop by and see Mick.”
“Shit.” Knox’s expletive was what the rest of them were all thinking. “Did any of the brothers touch her?”
“No, thank fuck. We found her hiding in the back room.”
“Jenna?”
“Lied about it at first then finally owned up to giving her a couple of beers.”
“Mick could lose his license if it gets around town.” Knox scraped his fingers along his shaved head.
“That’s not all,” Viper seethed. “Jenna decided to tell her about the clubhouse when Moon and Rider were talking about Lucky’s night.”
Lucky kept his face composed. His anger at Jenna had seethed when Sissy had confirmed she had heard about Raci, Stori, and Ember. Jenna had even told Sissy he used knives. The slut hadn’t cared that she was talking to a seventeen-year-old child.