“Yeah.”
Silence.
His face blanches and I suddenly feel my throat dry.
“I’m on my way.”
“What is it?”
“Trouble. I gotta go.” He rushes at a pace I’ve never seen before, clearly something serious is going on here. I don’t ask any more. I step off the bed, grabbing my bathrobe and follow him down the stairs.
“Do you need me to do anything?”
“Stay here. I’ll call you, okay?”
“Oh, God, Nate… this doesn’t sound good. Please, whatever you do, stay safe.”
My heart pounds and fear courses through my veins as my mind plays over thoughts of what might be happening.
Standing at the bottom of the stairs I cross my arms feeling completely in the dark and helpless. Nate opens the door only to pause for a second. He turns, stepping back over to me and kissing my lips lightly, his arm wraps around my lower back and pulls me into him. I kiss him back, praying it won’t be long before he’s back in my arms.
“Bye, baby.”
He closes the door and I slide down onto the bottom step, resting my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. Realization dawns on me that being with Nate, as long as he’s part of the MC, will be a roller coaster of emotions. Inhaling deeply, I try to calm the dread I feel in the pit of my stomach. I don’t think I’ll ever not worry about him. Not while he’s part of the MC.
Nate
Rage courses through every fiber of my body. As I arrive at the farmhouse, I see the truck and my guys’ motorcycles parked outside.
“Man, thank fuck you’re here,” Zane shouts over to me as I kick out the stand and jump down, walking and unfastening my helmet at the same time.
“What the fuck happened, man?”
“We pulled up, ready to unload the crates, only to be met with bullets. I had no idea what was happening, man. The huge van fired round after round at us as they tried getting into our truck. They must’ve known it was drugs, man.”
“You get a look at them?”
“Nah, they all had masks on. Luckily Roach shot one of them. Bullet through the windshield. It got them fleeing from here. But I don’t know if they’ll come back armed and ready.”
“We have to get the drugs away from here. And the old man?”
“He’s dead, brother. Bullet to the chest. He didn’t make it.”
“FUCK!” I roar so hard my throat hurts.
“Jimmy took a bullet to the arm. He’s okay, doesn’t seem serious.”
I storm inside the old farm building, my men gathered round, placing a blanket over Chester’s body.
“Fuck, boss, it’s good to see you,” Matteo says, stepping toward me and patting me on the arm.
“Who knew about the deal, huh?” I ask.
They all speak at once, each declaring that they haven’t told anyone.
“No one, no one knows about this place,” I bellow, scraping my hands over my face. “And now we have a death on our hands.”
“He was a good guy,” Davo says sighing heavily.
“Take the fucking sheet off him. We have to get out of here. There’s a chance they could come back.”
“Where should we keep the drugs? I mean, we’re going to need a new location,” Davo adds. “What about the whorehouse… just temporarily?”
“No… we need somewhere more secure, unattached to the Savage businesses.” I take a few seconds to think through the options before making a decision. “Take it to the old storage building, down by the quarry. I’ll get in touch with Jostler and let him know you guys are on the way.”
“Sure thing,” Davo replies.
“And trash this place, take some jewelry and shit. Make it look like a robbery,” I bellow, heading outside with my phone in hand. Dialing his number, I call ahead quickly letting him know about our need to use the storage.
“Handled,” I shout back over to the guys. “Now, we move.” Zane makes his way over to me as I place my helmet on my head.
“We gotta find the bastards that just tried to fucking rob us, man. Someone followed us here, how else would they know?”
“Agreed, no one would know about this place, so you guys had to have been followed here. But there are only two people that knew about this last deal. Braxton Harris and Brewer.”
“You think this was the Deathseekers?” His nostrils flare and his feet move back and forth as he becomes a human ball of nervous energy. “First the fucking guns, now this? That guy’s got some fucking balls.”
I hold my hands up in a mock surrender. “We don’t know for sure yet.”
“You’re right. You’re so right. Who else could it be. Listen, Nate. We gotta do something about this asshole. Jarvis is dead because of that cocksucker, and Emily too. He continues to screw us over at every turn. He’s gotta go, brother.”
“I know you’re angry, but we have to stay levelheaded. If Brewer is behind this, we’ll get him. His time is limited, brother. That noose around his neck is getting tighter with every passing day.”
“Call Hunter,” he blurts out, his hand working frantically through his hair. Jesus, he’s wired. It’ll be the anger. It can do crazy shit to you.
“And say what?”
“I don’t know. We kill that fucking blonde chick if he doesn’t give us intel. Jesus, Nate. We gotta stop waiting for shit to play out and start taking action.”
“Hey,” I snap. “You’re questioning my judgement now?” My eyes narrow and the look of anger rests on my face.
“FUCK!” he yells loudly, letting out a pained growl. “I feel helpless just standing here with you. I need to do something.”
Digging inside my pockets, I tip up my packet of smokes, offering them to Zane. “Have a smoke and calm the fuck down. Decisions made in rage are never a good idea.”
He takes a cigarette from the packet, placing it between his teeth, patting the pockets of his jeans as he searches for a light.
“Here.” I retrieve mine and offer the flame to him. With a tip of his head, he leans in until the tip of the cigarette meets the flame. Taking a huge drag, his head falls back, his fingers pressing the bridge of his nose. Smoke plumes into the cool evening air and I watch as his shoulders slump.
“We take care of the drugs, and tomorrow, first on the agenda is what we do about Brewer.”
After a long drive to the old quarry I’m finally on my way home. Fuck knows what time it is, but I’m pretty sure the sun will rise soon. As I take the turn onto our street and slow my speed, I notice a car parked a few feet away from our driveway.
“What the fuck?”
I squint, hoping to work out who is in the car.
As I get closer to the car, the driver must see me, switching on the lights and starting the engine. I ride to the front of the vehicle, dismounting and racing toward the window, retrieving my gun and pointing it to whoever is sitting in the driver’s seat.
“Jesus Christ, Mrs. Mellano. What the hell are you doing here?” I ask through the partially open window.
“I’m here to see my daughter, asshole.” She spits her words at me, her face scrunched up like she’s chewing a wasp.
“It’s like four o’clock in the morning.”
Reaching for the handle, she swings the door open and steps out. “I’m gonna level with you, Nate. My daughter knows something… something that could get me killed. And I’m not sleeping, barely eating because I’m so scared.”
Pushing my gun back inside the waistband of my jeans, I widen my stance and fold my arms across my chest. “You’re talking about Brewer, right?”
“Yes,” she rushes out. “What has she said? How much do you know?”
“Everything.”
“And?”
Her eyes are wide and waiting for me to answer. “She’s fucking hurting. Confused. You should have kept that little secret to yourself.”
“I couldn’t, Nate. Every day she gets deeper and deeper and more involved in your world.”
; “You put yourself in danger just so she could know the truth, pretty stupid thing to do.”
“It’s what you do as a parent, as a mother. I never meant to hurt her with this information. I thought it might make her realize what a mistake she’s making.”
“Mistake?”
“You, the MC. Knocked up and not knowing who the father is.”
I press my lips together, trying to control the anger I feel building. “Let’s get one thing straight,” I say calmly. “Tara isn’t knocked up. She’s pregnant… with my child.”
Tilting her head, she lifts one brow. “We both know that might not be entirely true.”
“Listen.” I sigh loudly. “It’s been a long night. I’m fucked and don’t have time for your games. What exactly is it you want?”
“I need to know that she won’t tell Brewer the truth.”
“Well, I’m sorry to tell you, but the last conversation we had about him, she said she wanted to get to know him. Find out if he’s really the bad guy everyone says he is.”
“No,” she screeches quietly, both hands coming up to cover her mouth. “Nate… you have to stop her. Tell her it’s a bad idea.” Her voice is full of panic.
“I’ve tried. Really I have. But you know Tara. Headstrong and stubborn. Maybe now would be a good time to take a vacation. Visit some family.”
“I... I... can’t,” she stammers. “I don’t have the money, even if I wanted to.”
“It won’t be forever. Brewer is a wanted man, but for now, I agree you should keep yourself safe.”
“She’s going to tell him, isn’t she?”
I drop my eyes to the ground, nodding a little. “I’m not sure. Maybe.”
“Oh, God.” She rests her head on her hands, tears stream down her face.
“If money is the issue, I’ll take care of that. Tomorrow. I’ll have the money to you by then.”
“Really?” she asks, looking puzzled. “You’d really do that… for me?”
“For you, nah. This is for Tara. She’s going to need you.”
“Thank you,” she rushes at me, wrapping her arms around my waist, her wet face rests against my chest.
Stiffening, I don’t move. I let her rest there until she pulls away. “I should, uh, I should go.” Swiping her hands across her cheeks, she removes the fallen tears before stepping back inside her car. “Tara doesn’t need to know about this conversation, okay?”
“Sure thing, ma’am.”
Tara
I have no idea what time Nate got home, but the main thing is that he’s here.
Asleep on the couch.
I lean against the wall as I watch him sleep. His chest rises and falls slowly and I step closer, grabbing the blanket to cover him. Only my foot lands heavily on something on the floor. I look down, realizing that I’m standing on his cell phone.
Shit.
Reaching down, I check the screen to make sure I haven’t damaged it. As soon as I have it in my hands I get the urge to do something I know I shouldn’t. Scrolling through to the contacts, I search for Brewer’s number. My hands shake and the pulse in my neck thuds as I find exactly what I was looking for. Tiptoeing out of the living room and into the kitchen, I grab my phone and make a note of the number, typing it into my contacts list. What I’d do with the number at this moment in time hasn’t been decided. All I know is that I have it. I have a way to get in touch with him, if I decide that’s what I want to do.
Creeping back over to Nate, I carefully place the phone back in its exact spot before heading back upstairs. Right now, with everything going on, I need to focus. Make myself think of something other than the mess that surrounds me. Pulling out a suitable outfit, I pull on my work clothes, quickly fix my hair and add a little makeup to my face before heading downstairs. I peep in to check on Nate. He’s still sleeping so I head into the kitchen and scribble him a note.
Gone into work.
Speak later, sleepyhead.
XOXO
With one final check over my shoulder, I grab my things and head out the door. The cool morning air hits my lungs. I inhale the fresh dewy smell, savoring it.
My short journey to work didn’t help to clear my head. All I can think is that I have his number, my real father’s number. I want to meet him, make up my own mind if he is someone I want in my life, but my mother’s words play over and over. He’ll kill her if he finds out. I can’t and won’t endanger my mother’s life. But it would be a lie if I didn’t say I was torn. I’m torn between the not knowing and hurting other people.
Pulling into the parking space, I cut the engine, release my seat belt and rest my head back against the seat. Why isn’t anything easy? I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
Blowing out a huge controlled breath, I lift my head, grab my purse and reach for the door handle. My eyes catch sight of someone standing in front of the car and I jerk back at the unexpectedness.
“Jesus, Brax. You scared the life out of me.”
Closing the door behind me, I look at him and the stern expression on his face.
“What are you doing here?” he asks.
“Well, duh, I work here.”
“We weren’t expecting you today.”
“Well, here I am.”
“Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“What is this, Brax? What’s going on?” Making my way over to the building, he walks beside me and I give him a look.
“Just that, you know, you could’ve let me know you were coming in today.”
“Jesus, anyone would think you didn’t want me here.”
Yanking open the door, I head toward the stairs, making my way into the office.
“It’s not that…” I hear him call after me.
“Tara, you’re… here,” Izzy says surprised. I narrow my eyes, glancing between the pair, frustrated by the way they’re acting. I scan the room and that’s when it becomes clear. A pint-sized brunette steps toward me, offering me her hand.
“I’m Eva.” She offers me a smile, her gaze falling to her hand that she holds out to me.
I turn back to Izzy, glaring at her. “You replaced me?”
“No, of course not.” She chuckles nervously. “We needed help, T. I wasn’t sure when you’d be back and Melody is spending so much time at the new club that it made sense to get some help in.”
“Here I am,” the new girl sings in a chipper voice.
I hate her already.
“Seriously. You know how busy we’ve been.”
“And I’m here now. So where do you want me, since new girl took my desk.”
“Take Brax’s,” she offers with her hand. “He’s mostly in meetings all the time anyway. And that kinda means we’re next to each other for a well overdue catchup!”
“Okay.” I smile, because you can’t stay angry with Isabelle. I make my way over to Brax’s desk, sliding down into the seat and glance to Izzy who sits in the desk beside mine.
“Tell me about the cabin by the lake. Oh, it sounded amazing.”
“It was.” I grin widely, thinking back to our time away. “Until Mom called.”
“Shit.”
“It’s not good, Izzy.”
“Wait… wait.” She jumps up from her seat. “I’ll make coffee first then you can tell me everything.”
Exhaling loudly, I give her a firm nod. Maybe the new girl was a good idea after all?
Once I’ve filled in Izzy about the whole shitty situation she sits looking at me with a stunned expression on her face.
“You cannot repeat any of this to Brax or Nate.”
“Scout’s honor.”
“This morning, before I left the house I accidentally stood on Nate’s phone. I don’t know what came over me, but I had this urge to see if I could find his number—”
“By his I presume you mean Brewer.”
“Yeah. So that’s exactly what I did. I searched his phone and found it, Iz. I found his number.”
“Shit,” she whi
sper-shouts. “And what? What are you planning on doing?”
“That’s the thing. I have no idea.”
“Oh, please, God. Please tell me you’re not planning on meeting him.”
“If you were in my position, would you not want to meet him? Make a decision on whether he is going to be part of your life or not.”
“Yeah, maybe… if he was a good guy. But from what I’ve heard and what your mom and Nate have said to you about him, he isn’t, is he?”
“But I need to see it for myself.”
Izzy sighs. “I think you need to trust Nate’s judgement on this.”
“But he doesn’t even know I exist. And this means that Hunter is my brother.”
“Maybe get in touch with Hunter. Nate seems to have formed an understanding with him. Maybe he’s the one you should reach out to before putting yourself in the hands of yet another devil biker.”
Laughing, I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Devil biker? Really, Izzy?”
“You know what I mean.” She waves her hand and chuckles to herself as she turns her attention back to the computer screen. I do the same, only, thinking about contacting Hunter makes complete sense.
Reaching for my purse, I pull out my phone and type out a quick text to Nate.
Hey. I’ve been thinking. I’d like to meet up with Hunter. Will you come with me?
Locking the screen, I place it on the desk waiting for his response. Doesn’t take long before the screen lights with his reply.
Sure. Talk later.
Smiling, I push the cell phone back in my purse and feel a little lighter knowing that at least this way, I can get some answers.
“So, I have my OB appointment tomorrow.”
“Shit, I had no idea.” She frowns. “How are you feeling?”
“Positive. They can do a noninvasive blood test. It will give us the answer about paternity. I just want to be excited, you know. Not living in fear that this baby is his.” My voice is a whisper and I see the sympathetic look in her eyes.
Together in ruins (The Scars series Book 4) Page 22