by Lane Hart
“Hey, Abe, you’re alive!” Dalton yells. “I was sure you were going to miss the flight after the night you had,” Dalton waves at me cheerfully as he kicks his new ride along the sidewalk towards me. “Ha-ha, knucklehead. For your information, some of us need more than one pair of underwear and our teddy bear for an event like this.”
“I didn’t pack any underwear,” I tell him solemnly, sending him into a cackling fit.
“Hey, man, if you can go commando in the Vegas heat, more power to you. You probably tuck that hog leg into your socks anyway, so it won’t sweat too much.”
As I turn to go inside, Dalton’s cackles grow louder. I just grit my teeth and keep going, knowing full well what he saw that got him so tickled. It wouldn’t fit all the way into my pack, so peeking out of the top is the head of what is obviously a rather large stuffed bear.
Thankfully, we get separated once we’re inside, as his trusty steed is too big for a carry-on. While he’s checking in his bag, I get through security and head on down to the boarding area. By the time I get there, they are already letting my brothers on the plane.
One of our prospects, Maddox, runs up to me as I near the lady checking our boarding passes. “Thank God,” he mutters, “Chase told me not to set foot on the plane until I rounded up you and Dalton. You haven’t seen him, have you, Abe?”
“He’s here,” I grunt. “He was still getting through security when I got clear, but he’ll be along in a few. Don’t worry, you aren’t going to miss the trip.”
Maddox gives a relieved sigh, then wisely gets out of my way. Once the tiny ticket agent checks my credentials, I duck my head a little and head down the tunnel to the plane. The captain and his co-pilot give me the stink-eye when they come into view, but at least they greet me civilly as I wedge myself past them.
My seat, or seats I should say, are right behind Chase, Sasha, and Mercy, who are sitting in an aisle together. Chase had the decency to purchase the middle and window seat for me, so no one had to suffer the indignity of me sitting in their lap for the flight.
Mercy is talking on her phone, and she looks up at me nervously as my shadow falls over them. I smile at her and almost lean down to whisper an apology to her, but she begins to blush before she says into the phone, “Yes, I know it’s the city of sin, but I’m sure I’ll be fine, mother. I’m sorry I’ll miss church tomorrow, but the trip is just for a few days. I’ll be there next Sunday. I promise I’ll call you every day, okay? Love you too. Bye.” She ends the call in a rush as I shrug off my backpack.
Reaching into the overhead compartment to stow my pack, I immediately recognize the neon green bag that I remember seeing in Mercy’s bedroom. Quickly, I pull the bear I bought on the way here this morning out of my pack and wedge it into her carry-on.
Slamming the compartment shut, I take my seat behind Chase and the women, and then lean up to see what they’re watching on Sasha’s phone.
“This is the guy covering me this week while we’re out in Vegas,” Sasha says, referring to a reporter on her screen. I recognize the scene he seems to be reporting from and strain to listen to the newscast.
“…live from the scene of what used to the ‘Ace of Spades’ pool hall here off of Old Birch Road. As we reported several weeks ago, a fire broke out here shortly after the business closed one Saturday night, leaving one man dead. Investigators today confirmed the identity of the victim as 43-year-old Johnny Martin, the owner of the facility. We were able to speak to the forensics team earlier today, at which time they confirmed the cause of the explosion and fire seems to have been a mobile methamphetamine lab, which had been parked behind the business. Police indicated that no foul play is suspected in this incident, and it appears to have been a tragic accident, proving once again the need for more drug enforcement in our area…”
Turning down the volume, Sasha looks over at Chase and asks, “Well, what do you think?”
Chase strokes his beard and tells her, “I think making meth seems pretty damned dangerous.”
“No, I mean about the reporter. You don’t think he’s going to take my job, do you?”
Chase chuckles at that. “Not a chance, baby. Dude sounds like he sucks helium in his spare time, and he seemed nervous on camera. I think you’ll be safe for a few weeks.”
Sasha turns her attention to Mercy, who I swear seems to be avoiding my gaze. I lean back in my seat and start fumbling with the lap belt when Chase looks over the seat to talk to me. “You see that report about old Johnny Martin that Sasha was just showing me?” he asks, choosing his words carefully.
“Yeah,” I drawl, phrasing my reply just as cautiously. “Damn shame for a man to die in an accident like that.”
“We’ll pour one out for him when we get to Vegas, yeah?” Chase says with a wink, before turning back around in his seat.
It’s good to know that business, at least, was settled. I look around the cabin and wave to Chase and Torin’s parents, and then give a nod to each of my brothers as Dalton and Maddox finally board. The only two people up here I didn’t recognize right off are a man and woman, who I’m assuming must be Sasha’s mom and dad. They’re in the very back and don’t look all that comfortable even with all the extra leg room. I chuckle at their expressions, right up until Dalton plops his goofy ass down in the aisle seat beside me.
With a huge grin, Dalton starts to say something, but I just hold up a hand to him and look out the window. I don’t want to listen to him prattle on for hours about whatever silly-ass thoughts come into his head. I want to think about Mercy and how she’ll react to the little apology gift I left her. I need to think about what else I can do to get her to forgive my outburst and what I should do to make sure that this gorgeous woman doesn’t give her heart to some other man on that damned reality show.
…
Mercy
The flight to Vegas seemed so much longer than five hours with Abe sitting just behind me. There was a palpable tension in the air and a feeling of eyes on me that made it impossible to relax on the plane. I couldn’t get out of my own head long enough to just unwind with Sasha and enjoy her company knowing that, when the gentle giant boarded the plane, he had wanted to say something. After talking to Sasha and hearing what his life had been like, I feel like I understand so much more about him and why he seems to run so hot and cold. None of that, however, helps me figure out how to deal with the feelings I’ve developed for him or the resentment and hostility he has towards the requirements for the show.
When I finally make it to my hotel room that evening in the Hard Rock Casino where all of the MC and their guests are staying, I immediately drop my luggage and flop onto the bed in relief. Here, at least, I can get some privacy and get myself focused on my best friend’s wedding. After lounging around for a few minutes, enjoying the silence, I call and let my mother know I arrived safely, and then grab my luggage to head into the bathroom to start unpacking.
When I set the carry-on bag on the vanity and unzip it, a big, smiling, furry, brown head immediately pops up, startling me so badly I gasp. My first panicked thought is that somehow, someway, this stalker nightmare has managed to follow me all the way to Vegas. When I carefully open the bag the rest of the way, however, a smile spreads across my face. The bear is big and wearing a soft, black, leather jacket. Between his paws he’s gripping a heart, with a message that has been carefully written in bold, black permanent marker:
“FROM ABE, NOT STALKER”
I pick it up and clutch it to me. It smells like Abe, and his clothes, presumably from the time spent riding in his bag. I take it back to my bed and prop it between my pillows; then get to work around my room setting out my things. As soon as he and I have some quiet time, I plan to bring him in here and have a long, civilized discussion with him about what he and I want to do moving forward. For now, however, I’ve got to get ready for dinner with Sasha and her family tonight, and then tomorrow morning we’ve got a ton to do to get ready for the wedding.
Onc
e I’ve gotten myself cleaned up and dressed, I text Sasha, who says that she and her parents are already downstairs in the casino. I let her know I’m ready and take the elevator down, so we can all grab something to eat before heading over to take a look at the venue. I’m pretty sure we’re gonna try to squeeze in some salon time too.
Right when I step off the elevator, I spot Abe on the far side of the lobby. And when he turns my way, I wave at him before forming a heart with my hands while mouthing ‘thank you’ to him. His face breaks into a huge grin, and I’m pretty sure he even blushes under his beard. I start to push through the crowd in the lobby towards him when Sasha intercepts me.
“There you are, girl. You look great! Come on, my parents are right out front. We’ll go for a little walk and check out the restaurants until we figure out what we want,” Sasha says.
I start to protest as she takes me by the elbow to lead me to the door, but Sasha is pulled up short when Abe suddenly takes my other arm.
“Sorry,” he rumbles, immediately letting me go.
“Oh, hi, Abe!” Sasha says. “Are you going to take care of Chase for me today?”
“Always,” he tells her with a wink, before looking at me, still red-faced. I notice the crowds are still parting around him and can't help but smile at the thought of him bulling through everyone to get to me so quickly.
“Thank you for the gift,” I tell Abe again.
“It was silly,” he replies, lowering his eyes. “But I’ve never bought a woman anything and didn’t know…”
“It was perfect,” I tell him. “I’ve got to get going, but I want to talk to you. Tomorrow’s going to be crazy, but you know where my room is, right?” When he nods, I continue. “Come on over tonight, and we can have some time together, okay?”
“I’ll be there, Mercy. Anytime, anywhere you say,” Abe tells me, giving my hand a squeeze before stepping back. “You ladies have a great time. I’ll see you soon.”
I finally let Sasha drag me outside as I give Abe a wave, then try to put him out of my mind as much as possible to focus on having fun with my friend. The Vegas heat hits both of us like a fist as we step outside the casino, and we rush off to rescue her parents before they melt.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Abe
I’m walking on clouds as I head back upstairs after seeing Mercy and talking to her briefly in the casino. I don’t know if all is forgiven for my outburst, but I’m starting to think that, if I put myself out there, maybe we might have some sort of a chance. I had only gone down to the lobby to find some bottles of water to keep in my room. Once I go back to drop those off, I head over to the huge suite that Chase is staying in with Sasha. The rest of my brothers have already gathered there when I arrive, most of them seated at a long dining room table over by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Vegas strip.
I take a seat by Chase mid-way down the table, then Torin is the only one left standing. He’s stomping around and fidgeting like a kid who has had too much candy.
He’s practically bouncing off the walls, ready to find Hector’s daughter right this very second.
“For the last time, we’re not going to hurt her,” Chase says to Torin as I get settled down, leading me to believe that this has been an ongoing discussion.
“She’s just as responsible for fucking me over as Hector is,” Torin declares, but then snaps his mouth closed before explaining how. I don’t think I’m the only one in the room who is clueless about what the hell those two did to Torin.
“Even so,” Chase says. “She’s only twenty fucking years old! We can’t go around hurting women who are practically still children. That’s not what we do. Am I right?” he turns and asks the group of us who made the trip. We all nod in agreement. Unless the bitch cut off Torin’s cock, then I don’t see any reason why he wants to physically harm her.
“That’s what I thought,” Chase mutters.
“She’s the only way for us to draw Hector out,” Torin grits out through his clenched teeth.
“Fine. We can use the rental van to take her, by force if necessary, but no one is going to hurt her more than is required to ensure her cooperation. Once Hector sets the meet, then we kill him, and the girl goes free.”
“That’s letting her off way too fucking easy,” Torin huffs before he finally lowers himself into the chair at the head of the table and crosses his arms over his chest. The entire room goes silent. I’m not sure if anyone even considers breathing.
“What?” Torin asks with his forehead creased when he glances around and sees we’ve all gone still. He probably doesn’t even realize that he sat down at the head of the table. Maybe it wasn’t even a conscious thought. But other chairs were available, and he took that particular one. It’s the first time he’s sat at the head of the Savage Kings since Kennedy was killed, so I’m sure I’m not the only one who is glad to see him ready to lead again.
“Nothing,” Chase says. Clearing his throat, he tells us, “After the wedding, we’ll do some recon and figure out a plan to seize the girl. Grabbing her from the club she works at may be the best plan…”
“No,” Torin says with a shake of his head. “This doesn’t have to be an MC deal. Just me, War and Cooper can handle it. Probably less conspicuous with only the three of us.”
“Are you sure?” Chase asks, looking to the two other men. They nod their agreement that they’ll keep Torin out of trouble.
“We’ll get her and bring her to a hotel outside of town so Hector can’t find us. I’ll have Reece close the bar and keep the clubhouse clear until it’s all over,” Torin explains.
“That’s probably smart,” Chase agrees with a nod.
“And you can go enjoy your honeymoon with Sasha,” Torin tells him. “That shit is more important.”
“I’ll keep an eye on Chase and Sasha,” I speak up and say. “Not in the creepy way. None of us need to be traveling alone until the score with Hector is settled.”
“True,” Torin agrees.
“I’ll stick around in Vegas too,” Sax says.
“Me too. I never want to leave this place,” Dalton announces.
Chase looks to War and Cooper again, who nod their agreement with the plan.
Turning to Sax, Torin says, “Make yourself useful and call Reece. Tell him I want a rental property secured out in the country back home. Have him use one of his fake identities and go through a realtor to get it, I want a place with a code lock on the door so we don’t have to be seen getting keys. Have him call me with the address when it’s ready.” Turning back to the table, he says, “Okay. We’ll split up after the wedding. Once I have what I need from her, we’ll only hold her until we can deal with Hector. If I run into any problems, I’ll contact Reece with orders, and he’ll get through to you guys. If any of you need me, you get messages through Reece. He’ll be able to track down any of us if we have to toss our prepaids. In the meantime, Chase, congratulations, my brother. This thing with you and Sasha, it’s a ray of light in the darkest time of my life. Thank you, all of you, for helping me see this through.”
Everyone gives a cheer for Chase, clapping him on the back and hugging him. I give him a hug as well, but the whole time, I keep my eyes on Torin. Even after our president’s little speech, and his presence at the head of the table, I have a bad feeling. I can’t help but worry that, as far off the deep end as Torin is, this shit could easily go sideways.
I open my mouth to express my doubts to Chase, but what comes out instead is, “So, all the arrangements are made for the wedding out in the park?”
Chase raises an eyebrow at me, knowing that I started to ask something else. “Of course, bro. You know we had the chaplain arranged and everything else set up days ago. Something else on your mind?”
“Nah, Chase, just wanted to see what you’re planning for tonight’s activities. Mercy mentioned that she wanted to talk, and I was going to see if I could get free a little early since you’ll have everyone else with you…”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. You know, when we met in prison, I never thought you’d end up being my best friend. It’s a real honor to be here with you and Sasha. Seeing you guys so happy together has been…well, it’s been kind of inspirational for me. I never knew love like this existed. I hope I can find something like it one day.”
“Damn, Abe, Mercy has done a number on you,” Chase says, chuckling for a moment, before looking at me seriously. “I hate to say it, brother, but I think she might be the first truly good woman you have ever known. I can’t imagine what it’s been like trying to wrap your head around that after what you’ve been through. If you need to talk about anything, you let me know. For now, though, let’s break into that fridge and start making a dent in all that beer I brought!”
I do as he asks and crack open the refrigerator to find it almost overflowing with different brands of beer. Lined up on the counter are two-liter soda bottles and all sorts of brands of whiskey, vodka, and tequila. Someone cranks up the stereo, and I start pouring drinks for my brothers, but I can never quite get into the party. For one, my guts are in a knot wondering how things are going to go with Mercy tonight. What worries me even more, though, is the haunted expression I see on Torin’s face when he’s sitting by himself. If there’s such a thing as resting maniac face, Chase’s older brother has it.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mercy
The afternoon and night passes in a heat-stricken blur. Sasha, her parents, and I drive all over the city, checking out the park where the wedding will be held, confirming the catering and other arrangements, and then get made over at the salon. By the time we get done with the late dinner and show that Sasha booked for us, I’ve had way too much to drink for one night, so I tell the girls goodbye and take the elevator back up to my room. Or maybe it will be our room, I remind myself, since Abe should be coming up as soon as the guys are finished with their bachelor night out.