Saving Ayden

by Muriel Garcia

  “You cocky bastard! Focus on those fucking papers will you?” The nerve of this man!

  “I love your filthy mouth Sweet Cheeks.”

  “Fuck you Ant!”

  “Love you too, Ayd. I’m going to take these to the station and talk to the cops. I’ll come back later and keep you updated. Please turn your alarm on and keep all the doors and windows locked. As much as you hate me right now, I only want your safety. So please do that for me.” He says the last bit brushing his lips over mine before walking out the door.

  Well this was interesting… but no way in hell am I giving in and quitting my job. If Michael is arrested I can go back to work without any problem.

  Chapter 17

  Michael

  I’m still reeling from what that asshole biker did to me while I was kissing my girlfriend. She’s not his, she’s mine. Who does he think he is taking another man’s woman? They have no fucking respect for other people.

  I’m still sporting a big bruise on my jaw from our encounter and there’s a lot of talking going on around the office about it and it’s pissing me off. All because Ayden didn’t want to go home with me and wasn’t ready. I wouldn’t have forced myself on her. I don’t understand why he would say such a thing.

  She’s been off for a week and it’s pissing me off. Who does he think he is telling her to take a week off from work? He has no right telling her what to do. I fucking miss her—I miss seeing her walk around the office in her tight skirts or pantsuits, she’s stunning.

  She was supposed to be back to work today but I haven’t seen her at all. Well, besides seeing her go into her office this morning but I was in a rush and couldn’t stop to talk to her and see how she is feeling after spending a week away from me.

  I had to go to that stupid meeting. I did want to apologize to her for acting the way I did. I would never hurt her but maybe I was a bit too forward for her. I know she will forgive me, she loves me too so we’ll be good. Every couple has fights every once in a while.

  I know she wants me—she’s just playing shy and hard to get. She’s very much like that. I don’t like women who act like that, it’s stupid and then they wonder why something happens to them. It’s not the same with Ayden though—she’s special. I need to prove it to her and show her, that to me she’s the only one I ever want to be with.

  I’m finally back in my office. It was such a long day and even longer knowing Ayden was in the building but I couldn’t see her. I had to concentrate hard to be able to focus on what was asked of me to do my job properly.

  I’m doing the usual before heading home, checking my emails a final time, making sure the urgent ones are replied to and checking my agenda for tomorrow. I don’t have any important meeting tomorrow—that’s good. I have all the time I need to be able to see Ayden at some point. I really want to ask her for a do over of our last date. I really felt like we had that special connection and that she’s the one and with a bit of time she will feel the same way about me I know it.

  I log out of my account and get my trench coat. I walk past my desk and I see something shiny on the ground. I kneel down to pick it up. I would recognize this earring anywhere. It’s one of Ayden’s earrings. Her small diamond ones. What the hell was she doing in my office? I don’t see anything missing or out of place. Why would her earring be here?

  As I’m about to head out, I see some papers stuck between my briefcase and my desk. I don’t remember sticking those there. I hate when something is out of place and this is definitely out of place.

  I look through the pile and go numb when I realize that the thick manila envelope that was in the middle of this pile is missing. Surely she couldn’t have taken it. Why would she?

  She can’t have that fucking file.

  No one can!

  It’s going to ruin everything!

  How could she betray me! I can’t believe it!

  I trash everything in my office, making it look like someone actually had to look through my things for the papers. If she’s trying to use them against me, I won’t go down without a fight. I make sure everything is messy enough and make it seems looked through before heading out to the garage.

  I need to come up with a plan, not only for making her pay for this but to blame it on the Club. I mean they would trust a respected accountant more than one of those lower than trash bikers. They are the scum of the earth anyway, always looking for trouble and screwing with the law.

  I’m sure it’s that guy she’s been hanging out with, that biker who kicked me to the curb the night of our date. How fucking dare he break what we had? She was getting into our kiss and he had to ruin every-fucking-thing.

  I need to make sure he’s out of the picture for good so I can have my happily ever after with her.

  She is mine and I’ll take back what’s mine. No matter how much it costs me. She will be mine again.

  I park in the driveway in front of my house and go in. I need to come up with something but I can’t stay here. If I stay here they are going to come over and arrest me. I need to move quickly.

  I pack a bag with a couple of changes of clothes, underwear, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, shower stuff. My laptop and some money out of the safe I have hidden in my closet and walk back to my car. I cannot risk taking much more time. If she’s smart she will have gone to the cops immediately.

  By the time I get to Kenner, a couple of towns away, I’m still seething from what happened. What we had is beautiful yet she’s turning it into a big joke, hanging out with that motherfucker and looking through my stuff.

  She will pay for this one day. I just have to plan my perfect revenge against her, against all of them.

  I smirk at my reflection in the rearview mirror, thinking of the perfect way to get them back.

  I park in the back of an apartment building and go up to the fourth floor, knocking on door number three and smirk when the door opens.

  “We should start planning.” I walk in.

  “Perfect timing.” Angel smirks kissing me passionately, leading me to her bedroom.

  Chapter 18

  Anthony

  I can’t believe what Ayden just showed me. I figured Michael was a fucking asshole but I never imagined it to this extent in a million years. It makes you wonder what else he could have been up to. I mean, surely he knew she was Cabe’s daughter. She has his last name so he couldn’t have possibly missed that. Or did he do it on purpose to seduce her and get with her for a bigger revenge on Cabe, but why?

  Why go such great length to ruin someone’s career and mess with their daughter? He’s really fucked up in the head.

  I hate that I had to force Ayden to quit her job. Not that she’s done it already but hopefully by the time I get back to her it will have happened. I don’t want to be one of those controlling asshole but I just can’t help it. I need to protect her. I’ve already failed her once. I don’t want anything like that to happen to her again. I couldn’t forgive myself if it were to happen again or if anything else happened to her. I already feel bad enough Michael was groping her outside of the restaurant as it is.

  Who would have thought I would be the one to have to go to the cops on purpose to rat someone out. Not me that’s for sure, but this is the key to get Cabe out of jail. She didn’t break into his place or anything to get the papers. They were practically out there for everyone to see. Hopefully the detective in charge won’t be a dick and will listen to me and not make an assumption that this is for the club.

  I park my bike in front of the police station and walk in, confidant. I mean I have nothing to feel bad about… this time. One of the detective eyes me like I’m about to pull out my gun and shoot everybody.

  “I come in peace okay?” I chuckle shaking my head and get the papers from my back pocket.

  “I need to talk to detective Sanders.”

  “What are these and why do you need to talk to that detective?” A young cop asks me. Obviously still new to the job.

  “Be
cause I have some very important information concerning a case he’s working on.” I keep my voice even. I don’t want to come across too harsh and get in some bogus trouble.

  “I’m here. What can I do for you Mr. James?”

  “Can we talk privately?”

  “Of course, follow me.” I follow him to his office and he closes the door behind us. “Take a seat.” I do as he says and sit in one of the most uncomfortable chairs ever made. “What did you want to talk about Anthony?”

  “I have some information regarding the Monroe case.”

  “Of course you do. Did you make up some evidence or asked your girlfriend to make them for you since she works for the same company her dad worked for?” He smirks, clearly pleased with himself.

  “No and no. I do have some evidence though and they are legit.” I hand him the file.

  “Interesting…” He says looking through the papers.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

  “How did you obtain these?” He looks at me intently.

  “Ayden. She saw them in Mr. Sullivan’s office when she went in to talk to him.”

  “She just happens to see them? She didn’t break into his office and look through everything?” I wish I could just shout at him that he has all he needs to lock up the guy responsible for the missing money but I need to keep my calm.

  “Yes, she said they were by his briefcase on the ground. That she went to pick them up and put them back on his desk and she saw what they were and she brought them to me. I know she should have brought them here but she’s a nervous mess. She didn’t feel like being around strangers asking her thousands of questions.” Not really a lie—I just changed a detail or two.

  “These are highly incriminating Mr. Sullivan.” He sighs.

  “So? It clearly shows he did it and not Cabe!” I’m losing my patience here.

  “I know. I’ll do what’s needed to make sure Mr. Sullivan is the one behind bars and not Mr. Monroe.”

  “Good. If you need further details, I want to be there if you talk to Ayden. She’s in no frame of mind to be on her own through such a thing. It was hard enough for her to know someone in the company framed her dad, but to know that she was actually close to the asshole is taking its toll on her.”

  “I hear you. We’ll do what’s necessary. Don’t worry.” He nods once.

  “Alright. I’m out of here. I’ve been in here too long already.” I chuckle and get up. I’m not sure if I can believe him. Hopefully he will keep his word.

  “Stay out of trouble Anthony. Don’t make this even worse. We’ll get him and get things taken care of. Do not get yourself involved any more. Got it?” Usually I don’t care what cops say but this time, it’s for Ayden. I can’t just act like I would if it were a club matter.

  “Got it.” I nod, shake his hand and walk out. I get on my bike and drive back to Ayden’s place.

  I get lost in my thoughts. I don’t know how things are going to go. I mean things could go either way. They could just arrest him and clear Cabe’s name or it could end up being a huge shit storm just because the judge or some cops don’t want a club member to be released, even though he was proved innocent of embezzling but they know he’s guilty of other things.

  For Ayden’s sake, I hope it’s not the latter or it’s going to suck big time. I don’t want to her to be disappointed again. If he’s still found guilty that means Michael will be out and there is no way in Hell that I will let her get back to work and have contact with that asshole, even if that means ending things my way. She will be pissed at me but I can deal with it. What I can’t deal with is having that sword of Damocles hanging over our heads all the time, wondering what could happen now that the asshole is free to do whatever he pleases. We need to be on the lookout and keep an eye on Ayden and make sure she stays safe.

  I park at her place and walk in using my key. She glares at me when I step into the living room.

  “I talked to the detective. He’s going to make sure Michael gets arrested and that justice is served.” I grab us two beers from the fridge and sit by her, taking a slice from her pizza.

  “You really need to stop stealing my food.” She frowns at me when I take a big bite of pizza.

  “It wouldn’t be fun then.” I smirk and kiss her head. “Things will be good, I promise.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her to me.

  “I hope you’re right.” She rests her head on my shoulder. I feel like anything could happen in the world right now and I wouldn’t give a shit. I’m where I need to be, with the woman I always wanted and that’s all that matters.

  Chapter 19

  Detective Sanders

  I can’t believe what Anthony James, out of everyone in this town, just showed me.

  Hell, he’s the president of the most looked at MC. Every cop in this town is on their ass to get them into jail and here I have the proof to bail one of them out of there.

  At first I thought of just not bothering with it and “losing” the file. They are criminals after all. I love my family and don’t want anything to happen to them because I didn’t help out the MC when they gave me something legitimate. But that’s not why I decided to follow this lead in the investigation.

  Ayden Monroe, Cabe’s daughter, she’s the one who found the papers. Probably not as legally as Anthony said but she knows it’s her dad’s way out of jail and I can’t disappoint her. I would want someone to use what was found to get a family member out of jail, especially if it proves that they are innocent.

  I rounded up two teams. One of which, is going to Michael’s office. I doubt he’s still there by now but it’s still worth a shot and one to go to his house. We might not have a search warrant just yet but I called the judge before sending the teams. It was hard to convince him, but he’s issuing it as we are en route to our suspect’s house.

  The drive to his house is quite short. We are using an unmarked car, not wanting to scare him off just in case he hasn’t realized the papers are missing and he’s simply at home. I have Detective Lewis with me and two officers in another unmarked car.

  It’s not a hard task to arrest a suspect but the suspect could always put up a fight or try to escape so they come as back up to set up a perimeter.

  “His car isn’t in the driveway sir.”

  “He might still be at work.” I grab my radio and contact the team that was sent to his office. “Unit 13 to Unit 5, suspect’s car is not at his domicile, please report back when you’ve checked his office. Over.” Just because his car isn’t here doesn’t mean he’s not, I knock on the door and ring the doorbell.

  “Unit 5 to Unit 13, his office has been trashed. I doubt Miss Monroe did this. It looks like it’s been staged to look like the office was searched. Things are too strategically misplaced.”

  “Unit 13 to Unit 5, hold up on gathering anything. I need to make sure we have the search warrant or nothing will be admissible in court.”

  “On it boss,” Lewis says, already dialing the judge. She walks a couple of steps away. I can’t make out what’s being said but she gives me thumbs up. “The search warrants are on their way sas we speak.”

  We only have to wait a couple of minutes before we have the search warrants in our hands. I hate that we had to wait for them to be delivered to us. He could be on the run and already be farther away by now. It’s going to make finding him harder.

  “Unit 5 to Unit 13, we have the search warrant, we’re getting another team to help us with the computer, it’s password protected and his login information isn’t working.”

  “Thanks Unit 5, we have the one for the house, over.” I contact the other team with us through radio as we breach the house. “Unit 13 to Unit 9, stay in your position, if you see anything suspicious around the house check it or follow him if he shows up. He’s not at his office so he could either be on the way or he escaped us already.”

  “Unit 9 to Unit 13, copy that.”

  I nod to Lewis and we step inside holding our guns out in front
of us. We clear every room, making sure no one is home before we look any further.

  “Everything is clear sir.”

  “Too clear. Looks like he’s already been here and took some of his things with him. Some clothes seem to be missing and the safe in his room is empty.

  “Fuck!” She sighs and starts to look around for any clue on where he could be hiding.

  “We’ll find him, don’t worry.”

  “I know Ayden—I went to school with her. She’s a sweet girl. She doesn’t need a fucking moron going after her.” She starts looking in his office.

  “We’ll find him before he can hurt her don’t worry.” I hope we will.

  We both fall silent as we look at every single thing in his house, not really finding anything to help us find him. His mom owned a cabin by Lake Charles but that’s it. I dispatch another team there just to be sure he wasn’t there and to look for other clues to help us locate him. I haven’t heard back from them yet but it’s quite a drive so it doesn’t surprise me. I just hope we will catch him before anything bad happens.

  Just as I was about to give up on finding anything in his house, I notice some marks on the floor in his bedroom. There’s one single piece of furniture that doesn’t go with the rest of the décor in his room, or place for that matter, and there are quite a few marks showing it’s been moved quite a lot.

  “Lewis can you come in his room.”

  “What’s going on sir, did you find something?” She asks looking down at the marks as I point at them.

  “Something is behind this bookcase.”

  It takes a couple of tries but we manage to move it. I was right, there’s a door behind it.

  “What the hell?” We look at each other rather confused, wondering what could be behind that door. It can’t be anything he would want anyone to find out.

  I open the door slowly and look around for a switch. When I find it and turn on the light, we are both appalled by what we’ve found.