Trusting Nicole

by Muriel Garcia

  CHAPTER 21

  Nicole

  Being tied up and blindfolded makes you lose any sense of time. I have no idea how long it’s been since I was grabbed. I pray Bennett was able to follow the van. All I know is that I was moved somewhere else not long ago and tied to something. I have no idea where I am but the smell in the room is nauseating.

  I don’t have to wait long before someone enters the room. I hear the door open and a couple of sets of footsteps walking on pavement. The footsteps come to a halt next to me.

  “What do you want from me?” I ask, not caring how rude I sound to my captors

  “Ballsy young lady.” The man who took me chuckles.

  “Yeah and if you want to keep your balls you'd better remove the fucking blindfold and let me see you properly, you dickhead.” I hear a couple people laugh and the blindfold comes off.

  “She’s something, that’s for sure.” Mystery man says.

  “Don’t you forget it.” I glare at him. “Will anyone finally tell me what the fuck it is that you want from me?”

  “You don’t recognize me, zolotse?” an older man says. Fuck it all to hell.

  “Sergei.” I groan. “Why did you have me fucking kidnapped?”

  “Couldn’t just knock on your door and ask you to come. We were being watched.”

  “Riiiiiight.” I sigh. “Is it necessary to keep me tied up?”

  “It’s fun and at least you can’t punch me.” Mystery man says.

  “You can bet that as soon as I’m free I’ll kick your ass.” I tell him with all the seriousness I can muster.

  “Enough you two!” Sergei bellows and sits down on a chair in front of me.

  “Why am I here?” I ask again.

  “Knowledge is the best weapon.” Sergei says mysteriously.

  “Alright?” I look at him, confused.

  “I know where Jason is and I need you to get him out.” He looks at me intently.

  “I can try bu-”

  “You won’t try, you’ll obey!” he yells.

  “Why should I?”

  “If you want to see Jason alive, you’ll do as I say.”

  “Do you really think I can get him out?”

  “Yes. I have a plan.”

  “Why did you take me? Why not ask me to come when you called me?”

  “Would you have come on your own free will?”

  “Why does everybody think I’m a fragile little thing incapable of doing anything? It’s Jase we’re talking about, since you seem to know everything, you should have known I’d have come here willingly. I’d do anything to save Jase, I’d give my life to save his. I can handle this.”

  “Good.”

  “What’s that plan of yours then?” I look at my wrists and then the walls and realize where I am. “Out of all the fucking rooms you have, you had to put me in the room where you have Jase torture and kill people? Seriously? You’re fucking sick.” I growl disgusted.

  “Wouldn’t have had the same impact had I locked you in a comfortable room.” He shrugs.

  “You’re a sick and deranged man for making a fourteen year old torture someone, you know?” I look at him, not scared of him in the slightest even considering the vulnerable position I’m in.

  “I see why Jason loves you so much.” He chuckles. “You’re feisty and not afraid to fight the bad guys. That’s good, he needs that kind of woman by his side.” He smiles, looking pleased.

  “How about less talking about what you think and more talking about your plan to save Jason? The longer this takes, the worse his chances are of making it out alive.”

  “Fair enough.” He chuckles as he unties me.

  This should be interesting.

  CHAPTER 22

  Jason

  Slider circles me, studying my reactions to his taunting and assaults. No matter what he says or does, I stay silent. I won’t talk and he knows it. I’m not a rat. I’d rather die if it means saving my family. I finally feel like I belong and I’m not going to risk ruining it, even if it’s destined to be short lived. I will go down fighting.

  “Where are the Last Hangman hiding?” he asks, stopping in front of me.

  “Like I’m going to tell you.” I scoff.

  “Oh, you’ll talk.”

  “Good try.” I chuckle. “There’s one thing you should know though.”

  “Oh really? And what is that?” he asks sarcastically.

  “The Last Hangman have nothing to do with your parents being cowards and leaving Louisiana.” That earns me another punch but in the nose this time. I can feel the blood slowly gush out of it.

  “What are you talking about?” He looks at me, confused. “My parents told me they were driven out by the Hangman. Are you calling my parents liars?”

  “Amongst other things, yeah.” He punches me in the jaw again. I felt that one. He has a nasty habit of punching the same spot.

  “How dare you?” he yells at me.

  “You forgot who killed them. It was Sergei and unlike the Kings and your lame ass excuse of an MC, he isn’t the type of man to go after someone for no reason. He had a very good reason to get your parents off the map. I know the truth about your parents, but it’s up to you if you want to know or keep up this pretense that they were perfect, law abiding citizens,” I chuckle, “this sounds like a fucking joke.”

  “Do not fucking test me!” he bellows, getting redder by the second. It might get me killed but it’s fun to rile him up. He doesn’t see it yet, but I’m leading the dance even though I’m tied up and bloodied. He won’t win this.

  “I’m not, I’m just trying to help you get a better understanding of the people your parents were, that’s all.” I shrug. “If you want to keep living a fucking lie then be my guest.”

  “Maybe I should move onto a more effective type of torture.” He snarls at me.

  “Because you call punching me torture?” I chuckle. “You’re funny, Slider. I like that, maybe I should use that next time, it makes it all the more interesting.”

  “Fuck off! You’ll never get out of here alive!”

  “I’ll tell you the truth, I feel like you deserve to know,” I say in a condescending tone. “Your parents weren’t good people. You might remember them taking good care of you and your brother, but that was behind closed doors. To the good people of New Orleans, they were well known for scamming people out of their money. Why, I hear you ask, would they need the money? Your parents were gamblers and shit ones at that. Unfortunately for them they were banned from every gambling table and bar around New Orleans. They tried to branch out of the city, but the bartenders weren’t stupid, they warned the surrounding areas.”

  “Shut up!” he yells but I continue.

  “You see, your parents loved their gambling. Wherever they could, whenever they could, they would gamble. Unfortunately, they rarely won. They took a huge hit and lost all they had. I’m surprised they didn’t try to gamble you away but I digress. Since their scamming had turned to shit, Sergei kindly offered them money, you know, a way out of the mess they had gotten themselves into and give them the opportunity to make things right for you and your brother. All that in exchange for a few jobs done for him and all he wanted was for your parents to help during standard gun and drug deals. You know, the dirty jobs, so if they were caught it wouldn’t fall on Sergei. Nobody would trust the word of two lousy scammers.

  “At first it went well, but then your parents got greedy. They wanted more money and even tried to steal some of the drugs, no doubt to sell them for their own account. Sergei, thinking they were people of good faith, lent them some more money. He wanted you and your brother to have a somewhat decent and normal life and felt bad that you were dealt such a bad hand with your parents, but they weren’t paying it back. They kept promising they would pay the next month, but they never did. Fast forward three months, your parents were broke with no way of paying and started to avoid Sergei. They even went as far as moving state, talk about fucking cowards, but what they
didn’t know was that Sergei knew everything about them. Their habits, their whereabouts, even what they liked on their toast, everything.

  “I was still quite young at the time, but I wanted to impress Sergei, so yes, for all intents and purposes, I’m the one who took your parents. I’m the one who used knives on your father, making sure he would suffer a slow and horrible death. If I remember correctly I cut off one of his fingers, the bastard started crying like a little girl. I’m the one who put a bullet in your mom’s head. I’m the one who made sure no one would ever find their bodies. Want to know the best part? I’m not even sorry.

  “I also know all about your antics growing up in foster care. I know about you abusing the young girl from the family who kindly took you in and how you repeatedly punched a kid much younger than yourself, killing him. I know how you tortured animals instead of doing your homework, spied on your older female next door neighbor and I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff. While my actions with regards to your parents might have been partly responsible for your deranged ways, I’m not sorry. You turned out to be a horrible person but you were already that way inclined. I know all about the bullying and hitting on other kids when you were still in your parents care. I know all about you hurting women just for the sake of it. I know all about your sick and twisted fetishes. You are one disgusting man, not that you really deserve to be called a man, you’re a disgrace to the human kind.” I snarl.

  “I’m going to fucking kill you! But first, you’re going to tell me where all those fuckers are fucking hiding! They all deserve to die!” He is really agitated now and is pacing the room like a caged lion.

  “See, you’re just as stupid as your folks. You’ve had me locked up in here for a couple of hours. How in the hell am I supposed to know where they fucking are? Especially since you blew up their compound, do you honestly think they would’ve told me their hiding places? Whilst we’re on the subject, blowing up their compound? Seriously? You have no fucking creativity what so ever.”

  “Shut up. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” he screams in my face, his voice incredibly high pitched and faltering. He starts to pace again, leaving me to my thoughts. I wonder if everybody’s okay, if Nicole is safe. I can’t have her getting hurt. I’m rather rudely brought back to reality by another punch to my jaw. I spit out blood and look up at him.

  “That’s all you’ve got?” I mock. He roars and starts using my face as a punching bag. I take every single hit, never once wincing, he’s doesn’t deserve that pleasure. I smile as I picture Nicole’s beautiful face smiling back at me. It makes all of this more bearable, but the truth is, I’m more scared of never seeing her ever again than I am of dying. If it’s my time I’ll accept it, I just wish I could have a few seconds with her.

  Slider hits me in the temple over and over again and slowly my vision blurs, I feel like I’m slipping away. Suddenly everything goes black and I feel my body go limp.

  CHAPTER 23

  Nicole

  I rub my wrists. I’m not in any pain but they’re a bit sore from the cuffs. I glare at the guy who took me and debate punching him. Bastard deserves it. But I’m stopped by Sergei who chooses that moment to talk.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Sergei asks me.

  “Look buddy, my boyfriend has been taken by fucking assholes who think they can barge into our city, wreak havoc, kidnap my man and get away with it? I’m not going to let them fucking hurt Jase more than they already have. Yes, I’m sure I want to do this. If the Disciples want me so fucking badly then they can have me. You better fucking hope that your plan is spot on because if it isn’t and I get out alive, I’m putting a bullet between your eyes for what you did to me and Jase. You might be helping to save him now, but you’re one horrible man.” I claim and walk out of the room and up the stairs, not waiting for them to respond.

  A few seconds later I hear footsteps behind me. “You’ve got balls, zolotse. I like that in a woman. That’s what Jase needs.”

  “Glad you think so but what Jase needs right now is for you to move your ass and to explain this plan of yours so we can save him before it’s too late.” I sigh, frustrated that he’s making us lose precious time.

  He chuckles. “You’re something, zolotse.”

  “What the fuck does that mean anyway?”

  “Hmm how do you say? Literally it means piece of gold or gold nugget. It’s the equivalent to darling.”

  “Okaaaaay?” I look at him, no doubt confused.

  “You are precious to me because you are precious to Jase.”

  “You’re one weird man. And seriously, how could you make me work as an escort for you when you knew Jase has feelings for me?” I glare at him.

  “Loves you, he loves you. I was just keeping you close, it was the only way I could keep you safe without it looking suspicious.”

  “Right.” I sigh. “The plan?”

  “We need the Last Hangman for that. Where are they?”

  “I don’t know but I can call them to see where they are staying.” I look for my phone in my pockets, but it’s not there. I hold my hand out to the mystery man, but he doesn’t move. “A knee to the balls if it’s not in my hands in five seconds.”

  “Why aren’t you scared of us?” he asks while studying me.

  “Because you need me and because you damn well know that if anything were to happen to me, you’d have three motorcycle clubs and Jason after your ass.” I shrug and wiggle my fingers.

  He places my phone in my hand and mutters. “Weirdo.”

  “Everybody keeps telling me that but compared to all of you, I’m the fucking normal one.” I say as I dial Gabe’s number.

  “Nicole, where the fuck are you? Are you okay? Who got you?”

  “I’m fine, where are you?” I ask calmly.

  “Answer my fucking questions, Nicole!” Gabe yells.

  “Russians, I’m fine, heading your way but I don’t know where that is so fucking tell me now. They know where Jase is and have a plan so fucking hurry up, he’s been gone for too long already,” I say, my patience running thin.

  “We are just outside of New Orleans in an abandoned warehouse that used to belong to the Kings.” He chuckles and gives me the exact location.

  “And I’m the weirdo.” I shake my head.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing, be there in,” I look at Sergei and he mouths twenty minutes. “In twenty.” I hang up and we all immediately head out of the mansion and into black SUVs that are parked in front of the house. I get an odd sense of déjà vu.

  “Are you alright, zolotse?” Sergei asks looking at me.

  “Yeah, déjà vu.” I sigh as I get into the leading SUV with Sergei. “Wait, you were supposed to protect me a couple weeks ago. How in the hell did the Kings manage to grab me away without you stepping in like you should have?” I raise my eyebrow at him.

  “They killed the men I had following you. I’m sorry, zolotse. I never wanted you to get hurt.” He squeezes my hand.

  “Sorry about your men.” I sigh and look out the window. Hold on Jase.

  Twenty minutes later we park in front of a massive warehouse. I’m barely out of the SUV when Gabe rushes to me and punches mystery man. I’m not sure if he knows he’s the one who took me, but I think he just needed to release his rage.

  “Don’t hurt my men, Gabriel,” Sergei instructs my brother.

  “Who the fuck are you and why in the fucking hell did you take my sister?” Gabe bellows, getting in Sergei’s face.

  “How about we go inside and talk about everything calmly and rationally? We don’t have much time.” I try to reason. “Fine.” Gabe wraps his arm around me and walks me inside. “You okay?”

  “Yes, I’m okay. Just worried about Jase.” I sigh and rest my head against his shoulder.

  “He’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of that.” He kisses my head.

  “What if he’s al-”

  “Don’t you dare think like that, he’s not dead,
he better not be or I’m bringing him back and killing him again for hurting you.”

  I chuckle softly. “And I’m the weirdo.” I shake my head.

  “Why do you keep saying that?”

  “Because everybody calls me a weirdo.” I shrug.

  “Why?”

  “Maybe because I started to yell at these Russian weirdos.” I grin innocently.

  “You’re insane but I love you.” He kisses my head and sits me down on an empty wooden box.

  “Speak up,” Ant tells Sergei, not wasting any time while I look around to make sure everybody is okay. Everybody is here, every member of the Bastards, the Angels and the Hangman and it warms my heart. I don’t know if they’re here to save Jase, but it’s good to see all of them still united.

  “I know where they’re keeping Jase and I know why,” Sergei says sitting on another wooden box.

  “Go on.” Ant tells him with the most serious expression I’ve ever seen, at least for him.

  “Slider, the Disciples Prez, his parents owed me money. They didn’t pay and they moved state to escape me, blaming everything on the Last Hangman. I had Jase collect his parents and kill them. What I found out later on was that the guy Nicole killed was Slider’ brother. That’s the reason why I started protecting her. We were keeping a close eye on Rob and Slider’s every move, Nicole got thrown into the mess by mistake. We figured Slider would want payback after what happened so we made sure Nicole was protected at all times. Might not have been the best idea in your eyes, but that was the least suspicious way to do it. She would have caught my men checking on her after a while. Anyway, Jase protecting her further fueled Slider’s need for revenge against him. He wants revenge against Nicole for killing his brother and against you because he thought you lot were responsible for his parents’ murder. Jase, no doubt, has now told him the truth and now he’ll want me dead too. I know I’ll never see the money again and I’m okay with that. I’m after blood now. The fuckers have played with me for too long, it’s time for revenge.”

  “He’s fucking twisted.” Aleck says for all of us.