HEARTLESS

by Storm, Franca

  “You got a good thing worked out there.”

  “Yeah, I guess we do.”

  “I’m still getting used to Runner having a family.”

  He gives me a look, but don’t say nothing.

  “What?”

  “You guys used to be tight. That ride the other day aside, you ain’t been close, since he settled down.”

  I’m ˈbout to dismiss it, ˈtil I take the time to think on it for a second. He’s right on the money. “Kinda reminded me of what I been tryinˈ to keep away from for so long. Well, ‘til I was ready to get serious with Halle.”

  “I know,” he says.

  “Why you bringing it up then?”

  “Cuz I don’t get why you just walked away from her in there.”

  “Jesus, Ax. Are we a couple of gossiping old bitches now? Cuz the way you’re riding me here—”

  “You asked Rox for her help and I ain’t gonna hear the end of it after what you just did. That’s why I’m asking, fucker,” he fires back.

  Oh.

  “She got Halle there today, gave her a nudge. You just fucking dismissed her.”

  I slap his shoulder. “Relax. It’s all good. Telling me all she did in there was a big deal for her. She needs time to swallow it all down. Walking away was me giving her that. She’s gotta come to me. When she’s ready. Not from no pressure from me.”

  He looks impressed. “You’re smarter than I took you for when it comes to this relationshit.”

  “You forget that I was doing the serious dating thing long before you, brother. Just been rusty for a while.”

  We reach Andy’s, both of us checking out the tats on display in the windows. We both got our own already sketched out, though. Ax is getting some edgy-looking design with his daughter’s name, as a surprise for Rox. Me? Well, mine is one I’m hoping is gonna change everything. Gonna prove everything in a way nothing else can.

  I look over at Ax. He’s got his piece of paper out with his tattoo design on it. A huge smile’s lighting up his whole damn face as he stares at it, as if the love for his child, his whole family is coming through right here and now. Guilt grips me. It’s been doing it non-stop, since my talk with Marco Russo at the cemetery. It’s been eating at me real harsh. The fact that I’m thinking on his offer, an offer that’d mean going against club orders, against Prez’s orders. Going behind his back. And if anything goes wrong, it could come right back on Thorns and hurt the club.

  Fuck, he’s got a family now. I can’t keep him in the dark. He’s had my back through everything.

  “Ax?”

  He snaps outta his thoughts and pockets his paper, turning to me. “Yeah, brother?”

  Brother? I feel even worse now. “There’s something I gotta tell you ˈbout this Frankie situation.”

  He tenses right up, his arms folding across his chest. “I’m listening.”

  “I crossed paths with Marco Russo. He’s Mia’s brother and a high-ranking member of the Savage Slayers.” I watch his eyes narrow, the first sign of that notorious temper of his simmering. I go on quick, “He offered me a chance to see justice done. When his club tracks Frankie, he’s sworn to contact me and bring me in to witness the kill.”

  Time stretches where Ax just stares my way, not saying a damned thing, just rubbing the rough stubble on his chin over and over. He’s in thinking mode, analyzing all I’ve said. When he’s like this, he’s unreadable. Can’t gauge him, or which way he’s gonna go.

  He drops his arms, the sudden move after so long, catching me off guard. “After we voted on giving the mark over to the Slayers, I looked into Russo. He don’t trust easy, Smiter. Don’t offer up random acts of kindness neither. Guess your shared connection to Mia flies in the face of all that.”

  I nod, bracing myself for the storm I’m pretty sure is coming.

  “You’re a good judge of character. One of the best. You sure he ain’t fucking with you?”

  “I’m sure, Prez.”

  “All right.”

  “All right?”

  “He calls, you go. Do what you gotta do. Out of club colors, though.”

  “What? You’re serious?”

  He claps a strong hand over my shoulder. “If you think it’s what you gotta do to move on and finally live a good life without all that hate, anger, and the need for that fucker’s blood getting in your way.”

  “If?”

  “When I killed Skinner, I figured I’d finally feel some peace for what he did to my mom, to Rox, to me. Figured it was justice. Just like what you’re telling yourself now. But, brother, you wanna know what was left when the bastard was in the fucking ground?” He thumps his fist on his chest. “Nothing. It was just hollow, right here. Killing him didn’t solve none of those things. Solved all our political problems, taking down the Mavs. But it didn’t change nothing in here. Chasing peace the way you are ain’t gonna bring you it, brother.”

  “All due respect, Ax, that was your experience.”

  “Still in denial? You gotta ask yourself if ending Frankie’s actually the thing you’ve been needing to let go of all these years?”

  “What the fuck else would it be?”

  “Regret and guilt that you weren’t enough to save her that night.”

  His words knock the wind outta me. Dunno what to say.

  “Think on it,” he tells me. “Then decide if you still wanna take Marco up on his offer.”

  “Okay,” I murmur.

  He starts for the door of the tattoo parlor and calls over his shoulder, “Now, let’s get inked.”

  Chapter 22

  ~Halle~

  “Well played,” I tell Rox, as we head through the restaurant parking lot.

  “You needed a nudge.”

  “Maybe. Although, I’m not sure how much good it did. You saw him walk out with Ax.”

  “It’s gonna work out,” she says, sounding way more confident than I feel.

  I just want to put it all out of my mind for now. “Let’s just focus on lighter things, okay? No more boy talk. We don’t get to spend time together like we used to.”

  “Fine by me.” She wraps her arm around me and gives me a squeeze as she leads us towards her Hummer in the corner of the lot. “So, where to now? There’s a small movie theatre a few blocks away. There’s a pastry shop right at the border that looks out over the whole town. Ax and I have been there for a few romantic evening getaways. It’s really peaceful.”

  “Sold. How can we pass up delicious pastries?”

  As we reach the Hummer with the two of us giggling like a couple of sorority girls, Rox’s ringtone blares. Some Metallica tune.

  “Sorry, one sec,” she says, eyeing her call display. “It’s Sarah. Something might be up with Ava.”

  “No worries.”

  She swipes her phone and puts it on speakerphone mode. “Hey, Sarah. I’m out with Halle. How’s my baby girl treating you?”

  “That’s not why I’m calling, Rox. It’s just… there might be something wrong. I was going to call Zeb, but I didn’t want to freak him out, if it’s nothing. You know how he gets. I wanted to ask you first, in case I’m just being paranoid with everything that’s been happening lately. The lockdowns. The threats.”

  The fear in her voice is palpable even over the phone.

  Rox’s entire body tenses, her fingers clutch her phone so tightly in a white-knuckle grip, it’s a wonder she doesn’t actually crush the thing under the pressure. “Tell me what you think might be concerning.”

  “I was going to take the babies out to the park. When I opened the door to notify Red, my protection detail for the day, he wasn’t there. But his bike was. Tipped over. I might still be relatively new to the MC life, but I’m pretty sure these guys don’t just get up and abandon their bikes like that, right? Or, their brother’s wives who they’ve been ordered to protect?”

  “No, they don’t,” Rox grinds out.

  I watch her shoot rapid glances around the parking lot, like a paranoid stoner.


  She signals me to get into the car, then she climbs into the driver’s seat, and instructs Sarah, “I need you to listen to me carefully.”

  “Okay?”

  “Lock yourself and the babies in the basement. That door is impenetrable titanium and can only be opened with an access code that just a select few of us know. There are no windows, so no one can access it that way either. Runner basically designed it like a panic room. You’ll be safe in there.”

  “Okay. Yeah. We’re moving right now as I talk to you.”

  “Good. Good. It’s all going to be fine, Sarah. This is just a precaution, okay?” Rox says, her voice soothing.

  A sudden thunderous crash comes down the line, followed by Sarah’s shriek, and the sounds of infants crying. Rox and I exchange a distressed look.

  “Sarah! Sarah, are you there!” Rox cries, her cool and collected façade shattering. “Tell me what’s going on! Are you okay? Ava? Carter? Sarah!”

  I reach out and try to comfort Rox as her hands begin to shake uncontrollably with fear for her child, Sarah and Carter.

  We hear a violent slam, followed by an abrasive clang. Heavy breathing fills the line and then Sarah’s voice is back. “We’re okay. In the basement.”

  “Oh my God,” I breathe.

  “Fuck,” Rox gasps.

  “They’re trying to force their way into the house.”

  “We’re on our way. Just stay where you are. Remember, they can’t get into that basement.”

  “Thanks, Rox.”

  As she hangs up and pockets her phone in her leather jacket, she squeezes her eyes shut and takes a moment to catch her breath.

  Just a moment.

  In the next, they’re snapping open and she’s barking at me like a woman on a mission, “Open the glove box.”

  I do it instantly and find a Beretta, a holster, and ammo.

  “All three,” she tells me.

  I pass her the ammo first and she fills her outer pockets with it. The holster is next, and she fixes it to her right hip. After I pass her the Beretta, she swiftly checks it like a pro, then snaps it back into place and holsters the gun at her hip.

  “Why the hell is her house being invaded? And by who? Frankie? What’s Sarah got to do with him? He’s their only current enemy, right? Or, do you think it’s somebody else?” I ask, as Rox hurriedly sets up her phone in hands-free mode and then buckles her seatbelt.

  “It’s not just her.”

  “What?”

  “When we were talking to her, I was scanning the area. Ax always keeps two guys on me as my protection detail.” She fires up the engine and pulls the fastest three-point turn I’ve ever borne witness to and rips out of the parking lot. “He orders them to keep further back than Sarah’s detail, because he knows I don’t like it. When we pulled in here, they were positioned across the street, just within our sightline. Now they’re gone. Not their bikes, only them. Just like with Sarah’s situation.”

  “You think the whole club’s being targeted?”

  “Could just be Neil, about targeting the club president. It looks like they took out my protection detail. My baby is at Sarah’s house. Regardless, coming onto club territory and pulling something like this means war.”

  She rips around a sharp corner so quickly that I have to throw my hands out to grip the dashboard, so I don’t slam into the door.

  She goes on, “I can’t believe this asshole is back. The club had issues with him way before he killed Smiter’s girl. Thorns wasn’t legit back then and it was involved in some more dangerous business endeavors. Frankie kept getting in the way of several deals. At first, it was friendly competition. But, when he couldn’t best the club, Frankie turned to underhanded tactics and things spiraled out of control. He wanted to lay waste to Black Thorns, afraid of the force they were to be reckoned with. After he killed Mia, he lost it, blaming Smiter. He went after him. Having one of their members targeted, was the last straw for the club, and they retaliated, tearing apart his empire until it was in ruins. It forced Frankie underground, just before they could find him. And now… he’s back.”

  “Oh my God.”

  “Yeah,” she mutters, before leaning forward and barking at her phone, “Call Neil.”

  It keeps ringing and ringing.

  He doesn’t pick up.

  When the voicemail kicks in, she slaps a button to end the call. Cursing, she dials Smiter, as he’s club security.

  The same thing happens. “What the hell?” she exclaims. “Where are they?”

  “Maybe they’re dealing with all of this?”

  “I need to know which routes are still safe, if the enemy is anywhere else. I’ll try Grit. He’s VP, second in command.”

  As she orders her phone to dial him, she speeds through a set of red lights, now flooring it.

  My breath catches in my throat when the call picks up and someone finally answers.

  “Rox! Tell me you’re at the safehouse,” Grit says, his voice sounding rough and breathless.

  “Where are you?”

  “At the border with some of the boys, beating back some fuckers. Where you at?”

  “Downtown.”

  “Get to the safehouse ASAP. I’m putting the word out for club family to head there. Immediate lockdown. We’re under attack.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Rox, no time for—”

  “Ava’s still down here. Sarah and Carter, too. I’m not leaving without them.”

  “They’ll head up to the safehouse.”

  “They can’t. Their house is being invaded, Grit!” she yells, vehemently.

  There’s a brief delay on Grit’s end. Obviously, shock. “Fuck! All right, listen, Rox. Trust me, they’ll be fine. Runner built that basement for a reason. Don’t go there. Head to the safehouse. Runner’s probably on his way right now. Let him handle it.”

  “Yeah, okay. All right.”

  “Good. See you up there soon.”

  They disconnect and I eye Rox and the determination set hard on her features.

  “You’re not gonna head to the safehouse, are you?”

  “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “How close Runner is to his place.”

  And, once again, she dials.

  As soon as Runner picks up, the adrenaline already shooting through me spikes to another level.

  It sounds like he’s in the middle of a warzone. Gunfire, shouts and screams blare in the background as he answers. “Rox, I know. I fucking know. Tryinˈ to get word to Ax, cuz he’s downtown somewhere, but his phone’s off. Said he wanted a couple hours to himself today. Great fucking timing.”

  “Why can’t you go? What’s going on? Where are you?”

  “Situation at the clubhouse gates. Dealing.”

  A loud explosion sounds down the line, making both of us jump. We hear Runner curse loudly. Pained screams sound in the distance.

  “Motherfucker! Take him down! Take him down! Now! He’s got another!”

  “Runner!” Rox screams. “Runner!”

  “Here,” he croaks. “Head to the safehouse, Rox. Go now, darlin’.” There’s more heavy breathing and then the line goes dead.

  Rox and I exchange a look of utter shock.

  Fucking hell.

  ***

  I follow after Rox as she jumps out of the car, her gun at the ready. She parked the Hummer a couple of blocks from Runner and Sarah’s home. Parking right outside would announce our presence to the enemy.

  As we start making our way towards the property, Rox hands me something from her inside jacket pocket. I raise my eyebrows when I see it’s a Taser.

  “You know how to use it?” she asks me.

  “Yeah.”

  “All right, so here’s how we’re going to approach this,” she tells me in a clipped, mission-like tone. “We’re looking to put them down fast, but we’re not going for the kill. We need intel. Got it?”

  “Yeah,” I murmur, fighting to get my head in
the game. It’s a struggle to push past the adrenaline coursing through my system and the overwhelming intensity of the situation.

  Rox glances over at me, as if she’s sensing my thoughts. “Just focus on the task. Extracting Sarah and the babies. That’s all. Don’t think about the big picture. That comes later, when everybody’s safe and we have time to wallow and let it all sink in.”

  I know she’s speaking from experience. She’s lived through a lot of craziness in her life. Craziness a lot similar to this. If anyone knows what she’s talking about here, it’s definitely her.

  I nod.

  We near the house, approaching from the rear.

  Right away, I see the back door is ripped off its hinges. We flatten our backs either side of it and we both peer inside.

  A blanket of glass litters the kitchen floor. I can see the basement door in the distance, just beyond the black granite breakfast counter. It’s a hefty-looking metal thing with the keypad Rox had spoken about. I shift my gaze to the left where the living room is. The front door is wide open. The windows adjacent to it are shattered. Worst of all? Three men are pacing up and down like caged beasts. One of them is muttering into a cell phone. It doesn’t escape my notice for a second that they’re all packing pistols. But, unlike Rox, they all have them holstered. Cocky bastards. They already think they’ve won. Their mistake, because it’ll give us an advantage, a window to act.

  Both Rox and I pull back to our flattened positions either side of the door. She signals to me to make a move on the count of three.

  We each draw in a deep breath and ready ourselves.

  A large hand clamps down on my mouth. An arm wraps around my body, confining me.

  Before I can start fighting for my life, a voice in my ear stops me. “It’s me, Hal. It’s all okay.”

  Smiter.

  I look out at Rox to see her eyes wide with surprise at his sudden appearance. She comes over to us and whispers, “What are you doing here?”

  “Getting you girls and the babies up to the safehouse. Runner ain’t gonna make it here himself.”