by Ren Parris
Wolf
I read the text from Hitch and turn to Ghost. "Send Bobby’s picture, the asshole who broke into my room, to this number."
I call the number out and he sends it. A minute later, his phone rings with the same number. He answers on speaker. "Yeah?"
"Hey man, this is Decker. I need to speak to Wolf."
"I'm here. You're on speaker and Ghost can be trusted." I'm anxious to know why he needed the picture.
He lets out a long breath before speaking. "The man in the picture was following Pepper today along with another man."
"Shit! I shouldn't have let her go. You need to have more than just you. Fuck that. I'm coming." I'm out of my seat and nearly out the door before Ghost stops me.
"Wolf, calm down. You can't just take off without some of us with you. Let's figure out who's going and then leave. We can be out of here in twenty minutes tops," Ghost tries to reason with me.
"Ten minutes and I'm out." I remember Decker is still on the phone. "That motherfucker was a new prospect for Red, but I'm not really sure. Red acted like he had no clue about what the guy was up to, but he's also a sneaky SOB."
"I heard he's running guns and drugs and that if they can go through your turf, it'll save them a lot. They're envious of your club. Either way, whoever your mole is, they knew where Pepper was going. I checked her car up and down. There was not a tracker."
We don't have a good lead on the mole, but I'm not saying who my suspects are yet. "How's Pepper?"
"I can tell she's a little shaken up now that she's seen someone is actually after her," he answers.
This is shitty. "Fuckers! I'll get every one of them for scaring her."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. She's a sweet girl and doesn't deserve some assholes wanting to harm her." His words are sharp.
"I know I don't have to tell you, but I am anyways. Keep a good eye on my girl. We'll see you soon." I leave the room before they click off and hurry to get shit together so I can leave.
Chapter Tweny-eight
Pepper
After a shitty night of sleep, I give up and roll out of bed before seven. I get dressed and pack my things up. I'm getting out of here after the meeting. When I'm ready, I call Hannah and don't get an answer.
My stomach is growling and I really don't want to wait another hour to eat, so I go ahead and text Hannah that I'm leaving earlier, then I call down to the front desk for them to get me a cab, so I don’t have to use my car. Through this, I find out there's a back way out of the hotel. I call Decker and don't get an answer. When a couple minutes go by, I decide to go ahead and leave. He knows where I'm going, and I'll be careful.
When I get down the elevator, Hannah is sitting in the hotel lobby with a coffee in her hand. She smiles when she sees me. "Hey! I wasn't expecting you down this early, but I got here sooner than I thought and just realized my phone died. I guess I didn't have it plugged in like I thought."
"Oh! No problem. I did call and text you a few minutes ago. I'm starving and decided to go on and eat, then head to the meeting. Are you hungry?" I check my surroundings and there's only me, Hannah, an older couple, and a few workers. "Not hotel food though."
I don't want to stick around too long. It looks like no one is watching me right now, so we can get out without them knowing.
"I could eat a little. Let's go. The driver is already waiting." She heads toward the front door lobby.
At first, I hesitate, and then figure—what's the difference? They could be anywhere at this point and I have my burner if something happens. We both get in the back of the car and I realize when it's too late that I'm wrong about being seen.
I'm shoved further over onto the seat until I'm in sitting in between Bobby and Hannah. The gasp out of Hannah's mouth at least tells me she isn't in on the kidnapping, but I feel like shit that I dragged her into the mess. My hands are shaking, so I try taking deep breaths. Panic won't help the situation at all.
"Please, let her go. I won't cause a scene if you just let her out." I look into the big lug’s eyes and don't see a bit of compassion in them. Actually, I feel a strong need to vomit at the look he's giving me and Hannah.
"Nah. I think I'll keep her too. She's already a witness and we're gone." He smiles with a set of pearly whites.
As sick as he's making me feel, I could be looking at a mouthful of rotten teeth and smelling fish gone bad for days. "She isn't a part of this."
"Why the fuck do I care?" He laughs when we both jump at his outburst.
"Shut up and get their phones," the driver snarls over his shoulder.
Bobby smirks at me and begins reaching in my pockets, searching way too hard when it's obvious I don't have my phone in my pocket. "It's in my purse."
He grabs it out and Hannah is shaking beside me. "I don't have mine. I left it at home."
"I'll have to make sure." He reaches over me and paws Hannah until he's overly sure she's telling the truth.
"Where are you taking us?" When he rolls his eyes, I know I'm going to piss him off easily. I can't help talking when I'm nervous.
It's not long before he's pointing a finger in my face and I'm forced to quiet down or be hurt. He doesn't answer any of my questions. When the two idiots go into a loud, obnoxious conversation about football or whatever, I pat Hannah's leg and lean in close. "Don't worry. We'll be okay."
I couldn't bring myself to say ‘I promise’. Even as much as I trust Wolf and his brothers, I can't promise her it'll all be all right. If it isn't, then I'll end up breaking my promise and I don't do that. She actually seems pretty calm considering two linebacker sized men have kidnapped us.
We drive for about thirty minutes if the clock on the car is correct. When they drag us out of the vehicle, we’ve arrived at some rickety house that looks like it should be surrounded by caution tape and have a condemned sign out front. There are boards on the windows.
Bobby has me by the arm and I hide my pain from the vise-like grip of his giant hand. I don't want to make him think he's causing me pain, even though I can feel the tears forming. I know there's going to be a bruise there, maybe even a fracture.
I hope the other douche isn't as rough on Hannah. When I look back, she isn't showing anything more than fear. He's not even holding her either, just walking directly behind her.
They make us sit against a wall in what used to be a living room, our hands behind our backs and our wrists tied with ropes. They go outside, and I scoot until I'm facing Hannah. "I'm so sorry. I'll get us out of this."
"Why are you sorry? This isn't your fault." Her voice quivers when she speaks.
"Yes, it is. Well, it isn't, but this is because of my boyfriend. He'll come for us." I glance toward the door and listen. When I don't hear them outside, I continue whispering. "I have another phone.”
Her eyes widen. "What? Wait, why?"
"It's a long story, so the short version is I knew someone was going to try this and I had that phone as a communication between me and the guy who's watching over me." She's quiet; maybe from shock, I don't know. "He doesn't know I left the hotel early though. I have to get my phone out of my sock. I wore these pants with long socks to hide the phone in."
Funny that I didn't do that yesterday. Good thing it came in handy today.
"How are you going to get it?" She moves her arms like she's trying to get to her feet with no progress.
I think for a moment and then start scooting around with a whole lot of wiggling. "I need you to reach in and grab it."
She does it and luckily, we get it out easily, then I wiggle some more until I can grab the phone with my hand. Now, I just need to figure out how to dial a number when I can't see the phone.
Wolf
The pain in my fist isn't as bad as the look of the hotel lobby's wall. I get all the way here and the clerk tells me she checked out this morning and I can't get an answer on her cell. Not even the burner Decker gave her. Decker is trying to get a location on her now, but I'm fucking going insane wi
thout knowing where she is or if she's safe.
My phone rings and I nearly drop it when I see it's Pepper's burner number. "Baby? Are you okay? Where are you?"
"Wolf. They have us and took my other phone. They don't know about this one. Tell Decker I have my earrings in," she whispers with a struggle in her voice.
"Okay, baby. We're going to find you, I promise. Have they hurt you?" I’m almost scared to ask.
"No, I'll have a bruise on my arm, but nothing life threatening or traumatic."
I feel my whole body relax a little. She knows what I'm worried about.
"Hannah's with me, too. She's the assistant my publisher sent to me. Please hurry." She sounds more worried for the girl.
That's my woman. Always more concerned with everyone else's well-being. It's honorable, but I don't care for her putting herself in harm's way.
"I got it." Decker jumps up from where he’s sitting on the sidewalk outside the hotel.
"Baby, we're coming for you." I look at the distance on Decker's laptop. "You need to hide your phone and be careful. We'll be there soon." I won't lie to her. She needs to take heed because she’s far from safe.
We make it to the rundown house in twenty minutes. The sound of our motorcycles is not going to hide the fact that we're here. Jumping off the bike, I grab my gun and go for it. Knowing they heard us coming, I'm not giving them time to hurt the girls. The men follow suit behind me. I kick the door open and hear the squeals coming from the right. Pepper and another woman are sitting there, eyes wide, until Pepper realizes it's me and tears fall down her cheeks.
When I don't see anyone else around, I run to Pepper and fall to my knees in front of her. "Thank God!"
"They ran out the back door when y'all pulled in. Go get them."
The others run out the back, except for Bear and me. Bear crouches down in front of the other girl. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
We both start working to get the ties off the women, eventually resorting to using a knife as they are so tight. When I finally get Pepper's hands released, I curse at the bright red marks on her wrists. "I'm going to kill those fuckers."
She throws her arms around my shoulders and kisses my neck. "I'm okay," she reassures me.
"Yes, you are and always will be." I'll never let anyone this close to harming her again. She pulls back and her gorgeous eyes stare into mine. This is home now. As long as she's with me, I'll always be home.
Epilogue
Six months later
Pepper
Hollywood. I can't believe this is happening. I'm on the set of the movie based on my novel. Even though once I sold my rights, I didn't have much say in the matter, they did an awesome job in portraying my characters and following the plot. It's just how I envisioned the underground world where my elves live.
This is the first time I made it out of the clubhouse and away from Wolf since I was kidnapped. When the two men escaped, we waited for something else to happen. Nothing did. It's like whoever was causing problems gave up. Not that I believe it. I'm waiting for shit to hit the fan again. Until then, I'm taking my freedom for granted. It's not like Wolf sent me alone, but still, it's something.
Decker is one of the only people Wolf trusts around me, despite him being from a different MC. Luckily, Hitch and Wolf have become allies, considering I found out right after our rescue that Hannah is actually Hitch's daughter. Decker did get a punch in the arm for keeping that from me. The punch didn't cause the faintest wince, but I felt good about it.
My phone vibrates in my pockets, so I pull it out and grin. I answer Wolf's call. "Hello, sweetness."
"Hey, baby, I miss you," he replies.
There's no way the smile can be taken off my face right now. Not when I'm picturing this bad ass biker man missing me. "I miss you, too."
"Please tell me you're coming home soon." He makes his voice a little whiny.
I laugh. "So impatient. We're leaving in two days. I won't come back until the premier."
"Good. I can't wait for you to be back home. There’s so much we need to be doing."
The growl in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. I see the producer walking my way. "Listen, baby, I got to go right now, but I'll call you later tonight when I get back to the hotel. I love you."
"Okay, babe. Love you, too. Talk to you later."
I hang up and smile at the producer. He shows me around and lets me check out some of the props for the movie. My favorite is the wishing globe the elves use.
We finish the tour and I'm energized and ready to meet some of the actors and actresses. Ike Billings is the leading man and I'm freaking out a little over meeting him. He's perfect for the Elfin leader. His six-four height, ripped body, blonde hair, and piercing gray-blue eyes are the perfect combination for a man. With those attributes, I'm almost worried he isn't real.
The producer, Jake Ashley, waves me over to him again. "I'm so glad you were able to make this trip. Are you ready to meet everyone?"
I blush, because I'm really more interested in the one actor. "Yes, absolutely!"
Everyone is nice on first introduction. Then Ike. I nearly melt into a puddle on the floor. He's very interested in the fact that I'm living at a motorcycle club and is dying to come stay there for research on a script he's thinking about trying out for.
I'm not so sure Wolf will agree to that since he knows I have a major crush on Ike.
No matter what though, he doesn't hold a candle to Wolf.
Wolf
Two days later
“Mom,” I holler as I walk into my parents’ house.
“Upstairs,” she yells down to me.
Knowing she's in her sewing room, I take the stairs two at a time. She's supposed to have made a property cut for Pepper. As I walk into the room, the first thing I see is the cut laid on the bed. My mom has outdone herself—the thing is fucking beautiful with soft black leather and red stitching. Picking it up reverently, I turn it around to see the words I thought I would never give a woman. ‘Property of Wolf’ in bold white letters.
Mom walks over to me to give me a hug. “I love you, son. I'm so glad you found Pepper. She is a wonderful woman.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you, too. You have outdone yourself. This is beautiful,” I whisper as I hug her back.
“When do you plan on giving it to her?”
“Tonight, after we get home from the airport. Which reminds me I need to get going. Their flight lands in an hour. I got just enough time to take it by the clubhouse and set up for tonight.” I kiss her on the cheek.
The plan is for everyone to show up for a surprise supper, after I let them know it’s okay to come over. I'm so nervous—not only am I giving her the cut, but I will be asking her to marry me, too. I found the perfect ring for her after months of searching. Finding the yellow, square stone I wanted was not easy. It was a difficult task, given the stone was very rare. The setting is made of white gold with just the stone, so simple it will look great on her hand.
I wanted yellow because she told me it's one of her favorite colors, along with green and purple. Yellow stands for loyalty, joy, and happiness, and I want all of that in our relationship. I can't wait to get her back to the clubhouse. First, mind-blowing sex, then I'm giving her the cut with the ring tied to one of the button holes.
I go to get the room set up with candles and yellow rose petals strewn across the room. When I finish the task, I hope none of the guys decide to come by before I can leave. I will never hear the end of it if they see what I’ve done.
I hear a knock and answer, barely opening the door.
“What do want, Bear?” I snap. Just my luck.
Bear pushes the door open and knocks me back. “You have got to be fucking kidding me. I had no idea you had a romantic side to you,” he says, gasping for air from laughing so hard.
“Get the fuck out of my room. If you tell anyone what you see, I will personally beat the shit out if you,” I growl.
“My lips are seal
ed.” From the look on his face, I know I will hear it from the rest of the guys. “Shouldn’t you be on your way to pick them up?”
“Yeah, I was getting ready to leave.”
I make it to the airport right on time and wait in the terminal for the plane to land. An announcement over the loud speaker says the plane from Los Angeles will be unloading at Gate 5B, which is not where I am but on the other side of the airport. By the time I get there, I hear a scream. It’s her, my Pepper running towards me with her carry-on flopping around.
“I missed you so much. I love you!” she mumbles between kisses on my whole face.
“I fucking missed you too, baby.”
Decker walks up, laughing. “I see my ride is here, too. You good?”
“Yeah, man. Thanks for going with her.”
“No problem, really enjoyed it.”
We get her bags and head to the truck. I drive so fast, I'm surprised we don't get stopped for speeding. As soon I stop the truck in front of the clubhouse, we run in and up the stairs to our room. She doesn’t even notice the room at first; she's so busy kissing me and tearing at my clothes.
“Baby, fuck. Slow down for a second.” I want her to see what I have waiting for her.
“No, I haven’t seen you in a week, and I need some T.L.C. right now.” Then, something catches her eye and she stops trying to be my second skin. “Oh, my goodness, you did this for me?”
“Yes, baby.” I walk her over to the bed where I have the cut laid out for her to see. Picking it up, I look right into her eyes. “Will you be my old lady and marry me?”
She stands there with a stunned look on her face. “Yes to both! You have made me the happiest woman on Earth.”
"Thank fuck! Now, I have other matters to attend to."
She squeals when I drag her down onto the bed.
This is life and I'm so damn happy I’ve finally figured it out.