by Brook Wilder
I’d managed to see Jane grab the woman, who then fought viciously to get away, but it looked like Jane had her pinned down.
I tried the doors, but even if they’d opened, I didn’t know what I’d have done; I wasn’t going to jump out of a moving vehicle. The doors were locked anyway. A piece of plywood separated the back of the van from the front, and I couldn’t see or hear the men up front. I could smell wet paint and turpentine. I almost tipped over a pail filled with some kind of liquid as it sloshed back and forth. It was too dark to see, and I’d left my phone in the rec room kitchen.
As bad as things were, I decided not to cry. I was tired of crying. I’d cried so much over the past few days. I said a quick prayer and just waited to see what would happen.
Chapter 23
Oscar
“No,” said Emilio. “We’re not getting involved.”
I stood in the clubhouse at his table shaking my head in disbelief. The walls were covered with his election posters and he sat drinking with two citizens I didn’t know. They were too old to be prospects. And they’d been alarmed when I threw open the doors and stormed in. These men didn’t belong here, but I did, and I was being made to feel like an intruder. An undesirable.
“Excuse me, gentlemen,” Emilio smiled at the men as he stood up. “I need to speak to my nephew in private.”
Emilio’s smile was only for his guests. It quickly evaporated into a frown when he looked at me and pointed toward the private office.
“What is wrong with your mind?” he hissed, shutting the office door behind us.
“I didn’t know you entertained in the clubhouse, Cousin.”
He stared at me as he sat down. Emilio’s office was the storage room where he kept all the better liquor. Floor to ceiling shelves lined the walls and were filled with bottles of amber liquor. He had a metal desk and a large upholstered chair for himself to sit in, but only a stool for a second person to sit on. If you were in the office, it wasn’t for a friendly chat. Emilio didn’t motion for me to sit down, but I grabbed the stool and sat anyway to piss him off.
“Oscar, I’m conducting business for the club. We cannot assist the sheriff by retrieving his daughter.”
I stared at him and laughed. “You trying to sound like them now?” I pointed toward the door. He knew I meant the two suits at his table.
He scowled. “The sheriff’s daughter is obviously not a member of the club. In fact, her father wants to bust up our MC. You think he’d welcome you into the family? I don’t want you involved anymore.”
“I am involved.”
“No,” he corrected me. “You aren’t.”
“The Nation has no business at a church in our territory. The Disciples know the park is also on our territory. They shot at my mother’s house.”
He waved his hand dismissively. My hard sacrifice was already forgotten. “We sent a message. They’ll stay out of our territory now, but the girl is not your problem.”
“The took the girl because of me,” I said. “People saw the Nation take her.”
“No,” Emilio pounded his fist on his desk. “I’m not sending anyone into their territory. Let her father get her back.”
We stared in silence, neither one of us willing to back down. I stood up so fast, the stool sailed across the room and hit a shelf, shaking the bottles on it. Emilio glanced over to make sure nothing was broken and narrowed his eyes on me.
“Don’t be stupido, Nephew. If you don’t listen, I will mark you.”
I just glared at him before I turned and left instead of waiting to be dismissed. I was wasting time while Felicity was in danger. On my way out of the clubhouse, I slammed the door. Hector stood outside leaned against the building. From behind his mirrored aviators, he watched as Luis caught up with me.
“Jane texted,” said Luis. “It’s definitely the Nation.”
I pulled out a cigarette, but then threw it on the ground. Smoking wasn’t going to help. I needed a plan. “Emilio wants us out,” I replied.
Luis paused before he spoke. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, I don’t need to drag you down with me.”
He shrugged. “Not everyone agrees with Emilio’s ambition. They want us to stay low and continue with what we’ve always done.”
“I’ll look the other way,” said Hector approaching us. I faced him as he took another drag off his cigarette. “You’ve done well, Oscar. You took care of the club. You’ve earned a lot of respect. And the men in there are calling Emilio, ‘amigo.’”
We all exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between us.
Hector walked over to his bike and motioned me over. “Don’t drive up with your bike. It’s too noisy. And take my case.”
Hector handed me his black case. He never left it out of his sight. I hadn’t been certain I’d make it out alive with Felicity, but now, I had no doubts.
Chapter 24
Felicity
I was losing hope until the overhead door to the garage lifted, and Oscar strolled in carrying a large rectangular case. It looked like the type of case used to tote guns. The men stopped playing cards. The larger man threw down his hand and scowled at Oscar.
“This is private property, amigo.” The larger man stood up.
“I’m looking for Jamal,” said Oscar. “Go get him.”
“I’m not getting anyone,” the larger man shouted, gesturing toward the door. “You better leave, scum.”
“It’s okay, Will. I know him.” Jamal must have been in the back, and he walked toward Oscar holding a handgun. “His lady’s in the van. I heard what you did to the Disciples. Good job. But I’m not stupid so that’s why I brought a gun.”
The men laughed, pointing their guns on him, but Oscar didn’t back down.
“When we’re finished with you,” said Jamal. “Your bitch better be wet. Raise your hands, puta.”
Oscar raised hands in surrender. They were armed and he only carried a knife. I choked back a sob.
“You should bend the slut over the table, Jamal, and make him watch.” The thin man laughed as he grabbed at his groin.
He was very stupid to say that to Oscar. It was like pushing a ‘destroy mode’ button. Oscar bent his head, reached behind his back, and pulled out a concealed gun. All hell broke loose as Oscar started shooting.
The thin man went down in a heap as the other men dove for cover. The door on the van opened. “Stay low, Little Lamb,” Oscar shouted. “And when you can run, run.
I jumped out of the van, but I froze stiff against the ground. All I could do was watch as Oscar’s hands moved in a blur of fire. As soon as one gun was empty, his hand reached for another gun. No matter how many men Oscar shot, more men appeared, firing guns in our direction. Luckily, the van shielded us, but for how long?
I looked out the open garage door toward the street. If I ran, I wouldn’t make it. And I wasn’t leaving Oscar behind. I crawled back into the van and pulled the plywood away from the seats. It was an old van and the ignition wires hung low. I knew I could start that old heap of junk in seconds. I grabbed the wires and fired it up. The van started with a loud roar.
Oscar threw the case in and slammed the metal doors. With him safe inside, I put the van in reverse, slammed my foot on the gas and cleared the garage doors on squealing tires. Shots continued to fire as I pushed the pedal to the floor and we took off down the dirt road. We were safe, and I let out a shout of joy. Oscar stared at me as he climbed into the passenger seat.
“So, this is how it feels,” I said. “The rush you feel when you kick ass.”
But he didn’t share my enthusiasm.
Oscar shook his head. “It’s my fault you were in this mess.”
“They know who shot my sister. When I tell Dad, and he’ll return with his deputies.” In my peripheral vision, I saw Oscar staring at me as I drove. “I know I say I don’t condone violence and it’s true, but I’m fucking happy to know my sister’s killer will get what they deserve.”
>
Chapter 25
Felicity
A text made my phone buzz, and I was surprised to see it was from Luis. Mama had opened her eyes and asked for Oscar. We drove straight to the hospital and went to Mama’s room. I was so thankful she didn’t wake up to find out he’d died.
I called my mom, and she broke down in tears. I told her where I was, and Dad was on his way. Oscar held his mother’s hand as he comforted her with sweet words. Rosa and Jane were wrong about Oscar. He protected those who were unable to protect themselves against people who’d hurt or killed for kicks and greed. Those people didn’t give a damn about others, but Oscar did, and I loved him for it. And I was alive because of it.
“Don’t worry, Mama,” he whispered. “The house is fixed, and you’ll be home soon.”
Mama’s voice was hoarse from the coma, and it took her immense energy, but she spoke. “Leave, Oscar.”
He looked confused by her request. But he nodded his head. “You look tired, Mama. I’ll come back tomorrow. I just wanted to see you today.”
She shook her head. “No, Oscar. Run away.”
We looked at each other. He leaned down beside her and asked, “Mama, what are you talking about? What’s wrong?”
“Your cousin is an awful, evil man. He didn’t know I could hear him when he spoke by my bedside.” She reached for Oscar’s cheek and touched it. “If you love me, you’ll run.”
She winced in pain, and I tried to soothe her. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she seemed to go to sleep, but then she gripped my hand and wouldn’t let go.
“Little Lamb,” she whispered. “Make him go.”
I held her hand and brushed her hair off her warm forehead. I knew Oscar wouldn’t leave her, but she knew something was very wrong. I looked at Oscar. His lips were set in a hard line. I knew then that Oscar knew more than he was willing to tell.
“Felicity?”
Dad hurried into the room. He’d had no trouble finding me in this large hospital. I smiled, relieved to see my father again. But he frowned when he saw Oscar.
“What are you doing here?” asked Dad.
“It’s a long story.”
“I expect to hear it on the ride home,” he said to me. Then he glared at Oscar. “If I find out you were involved...”
“Dad,” I hissed. “Oscar helped me.” I had enough sense not to mention the shooting in front of my father. I motioned to the bed. “They shot up his mother’s house.”
Dad stared at Mama, but she had closed her eyes and wouldn’t acknowledge him.
“I’d like to say goodbye,” I said, “before I leave.” I pulled my hand out of Dad’s grip and walked to Mama’s bedside. I gave her a kiss, and she smiled. Then I walked over to Oscar, and with my father watching, I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled sweetly, with pride shining from his eyes, but said nothing. I think it was the proudest I’d ever seen Oscar.
I walked past my dad and out the door.
Mom sat in the living room alone in front of the television, but it wasn’t turned on. I carried my duffle bag over to the couch. My dresses were still in my closet alongside Faith’s old clothes. I only needed my jeans where I was going.
“Are you leaving now?” she asked.
I nodded. “I left Dad a letter. He’d stop me if I told him in person.”
Mom nodded but she wouldn’t look at me. “Thank you for telling me the truth.”
“I knew you would worry.”
Mom sniffed and I felt guilty, but I couldn’t stay. Dad had become more controlling after the abduction. No one was pointing fingers at my sister’s killer, but I knew dad would find the bastard now. He didn’t need me around to do it. And I didn’t need to stay.
“Will you write?”
“Not at first,” I said. “If Dad finds a letter...”
Mom rubbed her hand across her eyes. “I know. He’ll drag you back.” Mom looked at me with kindness and hope. “It’s better this way. We’d have smothered you and it wouldn’t be fair. You know I still talk to your sister even though she’s not around. I like to think she’s looking out for us. I know she’s looking out for you.”
I couldn’t hold it in, and I cried as we hugged. I knew I’d come back, but it would be a long time. After Oscar and I married, and had a child, when we had a family of our own, then my father might understand that I had chosen the right man.
Mom smiled as she wiped the tears off my face, “Now, look pretty for your man, Felicity. And tell Oscar ‘hello’ from your mom.”
I didn’t look back as I walked out the door.
***
We stood by my sister’s grave, and I placed a bouquet of daisies on it. She loved daisies because she loved being in the sun. In my heart, I thanked Faith for answering my deepest wish. She had guided me to Oscar that day because she knew he was the right man.
I hoped on his bike, and he placed a helmet on my head. I looked into his eyes as he fastened the strap. Our lips were so close that I couldn’t resist kissing him, so I did.
“Are you okay, Felicity? You don’t have to go.”
“I want to go. I’d be miserable without you. Besides, I told Mama I’d look after you.”
He laughed as he hopped onto his bike with me on the back. “So, we follow the road all the way out to Brooklyn?”
“Yes. Rosa’s family will put us up until we find a place, then we’ll blend into the city. No one will take notice of us there.”
He started the bike with a roar, and we took off down the road, leaving the past behind us.
END OF BOOK 1
Because reviews help spread word about my books, please leave a brief review on Amazon or Goodreads if you enjoyed MONSTER. Thank you!
Join my mailing list to get the latest updates on my newest releases, and receive a FREE copy of my bestselling standalone novel: Logan.
JOIN TODAY
http://eepurl.com/djyhs9
OTHER BOOKS BY BROOK WILDER
THE GRIM LEGION MC TRILOGY
PROTECTOR
GUARDIAN
SENTINEL
DEVIL’S HORSEMEN MC TRILOGY
WRECKED
SHATTERED
DEFILED
GRIZZLY MC TRILOGY
TRAPPED
SNARED
TANGLED
DEVIL’S HORSEMEN MC TRILOGY
WRECKED
SHATTERED
DEFILED
FRONTIER REAPERS MC TRILOGY
DECEIVED
BETRAYED
FORSAKEN
DEVIL’S MARTYRS MC SERIES
DEVIL’S DEAL
DEVIL’S SEED
DEVIL’S BARGAIN
DEVIL’S PACT
DEVIL’S VOW
DEVIL’S PASSION
GHOST RIDERS MC SERIES
BOUGHT
SHACKLED
DIRTY CRUISERS MC SERIES
RIDE HARD
RIDE ROUGH
RIDE WILD
RIDE FREE
RIDE DEEP
RIDE HOME
CONTARINI CRIME FAMILY SERIES
CLAIMED BY THE DON
CHAINED BY THE DON
BOUND BY THE DON
BROKEN HOUNDS MC SERIES
RENEGADE
REVENGE
REDEMPTION
Turn the page to GET YOUR FREE BOOK
GET A FREE BOOK
Download my bestselling full length standalone bad boy biker romance novel LOGAN for FREE when you join my email newsletter and be the first to know about new releases, free book offers, sales, giveaways, early peeks, cover reveals, and more!
http://brookwilder.com/logan/
Table of Contents
MONSTER
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
&nbs
p; Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25