by Sam Crescent
Rounding a corner he went straight for the intercom on Kelsey’s building.
“Hello?” Her sweet voice came over the line.
“Kels, I need you to buzz me in.”
He heard her sigh, but the sound of the buzzer filled him with relief. She was waiting by her door as he walked down to her. Killer still held onto his side. As he walked into the light he saw the change within her. He knew he didn’t look all that appealing.
“Killer? What happened?” Kelsey asked, going to him.
Stumbling into her apartment, he shut and locked the door. Pulling the gun from his pants, he placed it on the counter near the door.
“You should see the other guy,” he said, joking.
When he was satisfied no one had followed him, he started to remove his jacket. His side was patched up the best he could, but he wasn’t doing good.
“You’re bleeding. Crap, what is going on?” Kelsey asked, helping him into a seat. He found her caring endearing.
Pulling his shirt over his head, he sat down as she bustled around the kitchen. “I came to you. I thought you would be more qualified to stitch me up.” Partly the truth. After what he’d just been through he didn’t want any other woman’s hands on him other than Kelsey’s.
“I’m a dental nurse, Killer.”
“Don’t care. You’ll do a better job than I ever will. I’ll probably give myself an infection and die.”
She walked over carrying her first aid lit. Kelsey grabbed his face. “Don’t ever say anything like that.” Releasing him she set about working on his side. “What caused this?”
“Dodged a bullet only the fucker grazed me.”
“Do I need to call Tate and the others?” she asked.
He reached for her, holding her hand. “No, you don’t call anyone. I need you to keep my presence a secret until I know more.”
“You’re scaring me. What the hell is going on?”
Letting out a sigh, Killer stared at her exposed shoulder. She was in her nightwear. He loved the look of her pale flesh. Reaching out he pressed a hand to her shoulder seeing the muck and grime all over him. Before he could touch her, he pulled his hand away.
“We were attacked. It was a run, a standard drop off. We’ve done them loads of times, but this was different. The route was planned, and all of us had the product strapped to the bikes.” He winced as she started to clean his wound. “Fuck, it stings.”
“I’m sorry. I’m being as careful as I can.”
“I don’t know who they fucking were. I’ve never seen them before in my life. They were another fucking crew.”
“Where are the others?” Kelsey asked, putting the soiled bandages into a pot of water.
“We spread out. We’ve got a deal that if we’re ambushed or outnumbered we move … scatter.”
“Do you know who survived? You’ve got a bullet wound. There have to have been casualties, Killer.” She applied some antiseptic to the area. He held onto the edge of the counter to stop himself from screaming at the excruciating pain.
“I don’t know. I saw Tiny come off his bike. He’s going to be fucking messed up even though he was wearing the proper shit. I saw him head off to the tree line. I saw Lash and Nash go down. I couldn’t stop it. The brothers went down together. I didn’t see anyone else. They could all be out on that road and dead. I got away and was able to escape.” He still couldn’t believe how lucky he was. After he’d injured or dazed the men attacking him, he’d run like hell.
“Angel and Sophia are expecting.”
“I know. I was there, Kels. I couldn’t do anything. We were surrounded. Blaine is gone as well, and he’s got the start of a family and he’s been dealing with his shit.” He cursed and slammed his fist against the counter. Killer wanted to hurt everyone who’d taken his club away from him.
“What about Murphy? Tate’s my best friend.”
Killer swallowed. “Last I saw his bike exploded. I don’t know if he was on it or not.”
Kelsey pressed a hand to her lips.
“Zero was hit as well. I don’t know, Kels. Fuck, I didn’t see anyone who made it out.”
“What do we do?” she asked.
“I’ve got to wait for a signal of what we do next. If Tiny’s alive, he’ll be in touch.”
She sobbed. “Tate could have lost the father of her child and her own father.” Tugging her in close, Killer wrapped his arms around her shoulders, trying his best to console her.
“I’ll do what I need to do to keep you safe.” Kissing her head, he promised himself every single bastard who hurt his club would die.
Chapter Nine
The following day Killer was staring out of the apartment window when he saw Kelsey running toward the building. Grabbing his gun from beside him, he tucked it away and met her downstairs. She was out of breath, and tears were falling from her eyes.
“What is it?” he asked, holding her close.
“The compound … it’s on fire. The fire and rescue service are trying to put it out, but it’s useless.”
This was it. Only a Skull could organize the burning of The Skull compound. He was escorting her back into the building when Tate pulled up with Sophia and Angel. All three women looked frantic.
Tate ran up to him, shoving him hard.
“What the fuck is going on? I can’t get hold of Murphy anywhere, and you were supposed to be on the run with him.” He stared at all four women. Shit, he really had to get them all to calm down.
“Come inside. I’ll explain everything.”
Kelsey started to make drinks as Killer told the expectant women everything he knew. Angel broke down.
“No, I can’t do this without Lash. He’s supposed to be here.”
Tate was frozen to the spot. Kelsey’s hands were shaking as she brought over the drinks.
“His bike blew up?” Tate asked.
“Yes. He could still be alive, Tate. You need to keep your shit together right now. Tiny had a plan for everything—”
“He didn’t have a fucking plan for being attacked by fucking bikers. My father and husband are missing, Killer. They’re missing.”
“You can yell at me all you want to, Tate, but I can’t change anything that has happened.”
Killer took a sip of his drink.
“Someone was ordered to burn the compound to the ground?” Angel asked.
“Yes. We’ve got rules in place. All of us have a job to do.”
Tate’s phone went. Killer paused as she answered. He heard her give directions to Kelsey’s house.
“It’s Sandy. She’s on her way.”
Tears tracked down Tate’s cheeks. He hoped to God that Murphy survived.
“He’s got to be alive. I know my man, and he wouldn’t put himself in danger,” Angel said.
“He’s got Nash,” Sophia said. “They’re brothers. They’ll get through it together.”
He listened to the woman console themselves as the intercom buzzed. Kelsey let Sandy up to her apartment. Moments of silence passed as they all waited for the other woman to get to them.
Her knock sounded, and Kelsey let her inside. Killer was surprised to see how dirty she was, and she held a black bag.
“What happened to you?” Kels asked.
Sandy closed the door, much like he had the night before. “I, erm, I’ve been given orders to come here and give you this.”
Killer stared at the bag. “What happened?”
“Stink called me and gave me instructions that have come from Alex. I was asked to empty out the safes and torch the place after getting everyone out of the compound.” Sandy was shaking as she handed over the bag. “He told me to take a couple of grand and go and to give the rest to you.”
Tate took the bag and looked inside. “What is all this?”
“It’s a failsafe for us. Stink is alive. He doesn’t know who else is. Alex got in contact with him and then told him to destroy his phone.”
Killer looked down at his phone and
destroyed it quickly. Fuck, it was one of the first things he was supposed to do. No one glanced his way as Sandy held their attention.
“Where are you going?” Kelsey asked.
“I’m heading out. Stink told me to get out of Fort Wills. I’m taking his advice and getting out. I’ve been given a number to call, and I’ll keep in contact with him.”
The compound was gone. The club had dispersed, and Killer knew he could either stick to Fort Wills or run. He’d never been a coward, and he wasn’t running.
“What else did Stink say?” Tate asked.
“Nothing. No one knows anything.”
He watched Tate curse and start dialing a number.
“Do you want a shower? Something to eat, to sit down?” Kelsey asked.
“No, I’m going to head out. I need to get on the road. Stink was pretty adamant about it. Fort Wills is going to get dangerous, and I’m not sticking around. I’ve already had enough excitement to last me a lifetime.” Sandy smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Killer saw it was tearing her up inside. She was scared.
“I’m going to go now,” she said.
Kelsey saw her to the door, and Killer turned his attention back to Tate.
“Alex is not fucking answering me.” Tate growled.
“What about Eva?” Kelsey asked. “She’s close to all of them, and she’s in Vegas.”
“Good idea. I’ll talk to her.”
Killer stared out of the window wondering what the hell was going on.
****
Eva listened to the number ring off once again. Tiny wasn’t answering the phone, and she wasn’t getting any answer from the compound. Ned and Gavin had left her in the office. For the last couple of days they’d been avoiding her. Whenever she tried to talk to them they found something else to do. The diamond ring on her finger glinted at her.
Ringing Tiny’s number she growled as it once again disconnected. “For fuck’s sake, Tiny, answer your fucking phone.”
She slammed her cell phone down on the desk, running fingers through her hair. Eva wanted to talk to the man who proposed. The run had been yesterday, and he hadn’t been in touch.
Her cell phone went off, and she answered it without looking at the screen.
“Tiny, where the fuck have you been? I’ve been worried sick,” Eva said.
Silence was on the other end. “It’s not Tiny. It’s me, Tate.”
The despair in the other woman’s voice had Eva on alert. “Tate, what’s wrong?”
“I, erm, have you heard from my dad?”
“I’ve not spoken to him since yesterday morning when he about to go on his latest run.”
“Something bad has happened,” Tate said.
Eva tensed. “What?”
The next ten minutes were the longest of her life. Her heart was breaking as Tate described every single word of what went down. Tiny could be dead. The man she loved with her heart and soul could be lying in a ditch somewhere dead.
“What are you talking about?” Eva asked, dread overcoming her and making it impossible for her to speak straight. She couldn’t breathe.
She stood from behind her desk as Tate’s words sank in.
“They were attacked on the road. No one knows who is alive or dead. Sandy has destroyed the compound at Stink’s orders. He and Killer are the only ones we know who are alive.” Tate sobbed over the line. “It was only supposed to be a quick drop, Eva. I’ve not heard from Murphy or my father, and I’m freaking out. Killer said it was an entire fucking club, an ambush.”
Her words faded all together. An ambush? What the fuck? Tiny was careful. He would never lead his men into a trap.
Staring out of the office window she saw her father training with Lance. Gavin hadn’t even stopped by to harass her.
Ned hadn’t wanted her to be alone, and he’d brought her to the gym to work even though today was her day off. Gavin was sparring with another of the men. They had both been giving her space yet keeping her in their line of sight. What did they know? Something was wrong, and she was going to find out. She knew they had information about Tiny.
“I’ll be in touch, Tate.”
“Please, Eva, I think they’re dead.”
“No, you’re not to think that,” Eva said. “Your father is an intelligent man. He will not let anything happen to himself or his men, I promise you that. Everything Tiny does is to protect what he holds dear.”
Hanging up the phone she stormed out to her father.
“Dad, I need a word,” she said, rounding the fighting ring where her father was stood.
“Not now, honey. Give me an hour.”
Holding onto the rope she climbed onto the mat and stood in front of her father. “No, we’re going to talk now.”
Ned dropped his arms to look at her. “What do you want to know?”
“The Skulls were organized on a drop, your drop, the other day. No one has heard from them, why?” she asked. Her anger was building. His men closed all the doors and pushed anyone who was not close to Ned out of the door.
“Eva, we do not talk shop—”
“Killer survived,” she said, interrupting him. “They were attacked. How the hell did you not know, and why is it one of your drops?”
“Be careful how you speak to me.”
“Tiny is missing.” Tears she’d been holding back released from her. “Tiny, Murphy, Nash, Lash, Zero, and all of his other men are missing. No one knows if they’re alive. You will tell me what is going, on or so help me, I will walk out of that door and I will never have anything to do with you again.” She loved her father dearly, but she would turn her back on him.
Ned stared at her clearly contemplating what to tell her.
“They were on a run like every other one when they were attacked. We don’t know why or by who. Alex is back in Vegas. He’s rallying his men to find out everything. Tiny was able to phone him before everything died down.” He stepped forward, holding onto her arms. “You can’t go back to Fort Wills.”
“You don’t know anything?” she asked, shoving him away.
“It’s not my business to know anything. My business is to make sure nothing is traced back to us!” Ned shouted.
Shaking her head, she turned away.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To someone who gives a fuck to see if he’s alive.” She stormed out of the gym with only one destination in mind.
Gavin followed her out. “You need to stay away from this,” he said. “Whoever attacked The Skulls will not stop until all of them are dead.”
“I love him, Gavin. He is my heart, my soul, my very fucking life, and he could be dead.”
“He’s an old man.”
Fisting her hand, she slammed it against his nose. He grunted, collapsing to the floor. She landed a kick against his balls. “I don’t give a fuck how old he is. Tiny is mine.” Turning away from him, she ran up the street, hailing the nearest taxi. She gave the direction to Alex’s casino. Running fingers through her hair, she became aware of how sticky she was. The heat made her feel sick to her stomach.
Her heart wouldn’t stop racing. She needed to know what was going on with her man. The only person she knew who would care was Alex. Settling back against the car, she tapped her leg and tried to focus on everything that was happening.
Tiny could be dead.
No, she wouldn’t think about losing the only man she’d ever loved.
Tiny is dead.
The driver pulled up outside of the casino. She paid him and headed straight inside. Alex’s henchmen were waiting for her at the door. “Mr. Allen is expecting you.”
She didn’t argue and followed them toward the elevator. Leaning against the back she stared at all of their reflections not really seeing anything.
The elevator ride didn’t last long. She saw they were on the top floor to the penthouse suit. They entered in the key code to the penthouse, and she was escorted inside. Alex was sat on a plush sofa.
He looked up from his laptop to see her stood there. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, Eva burst into sobs again.
“Tell me what is going on,” she said. “Please, tell me. Is Tiny dead?”
“Eva,” Alex said, walking toward her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her in close.
For several seconds she accepted his embrace, and then she remembered Tiny was still gone. “No,” she said, tearing herself out of his arms. “I need to know what the fuck is happening, and I need to know now.” She stamped her foot, trying to keep her emotions in check. “Tell me, Alex, tell me how a simple fucking drop has turned into The Skulls running for their lives.”
“We’ll talk about it—”
“No, we’re going to do this now. You’re the one responsible for the drops. You’ll tell me if you sent the man that I love off to his death.” If the answer was yes she was going to beat the shit out of him with the lamp she saw out of the corner of her eye.
Alex stared at her.
“So you do love me?”
Eva never thought she would hear that voice again. Spinning on her heel she saw the man she loved. Tiny, the leader of The Skulls, was stood staring at her.
“You’re alive?” she asked. It was a stupid question, but she needed to ask him.
“I’m alive. I’m kicking, and, Alex, if you don’t get your hands off my woman I’m going to beat the shit out of you.” Tiny wore a white bathrobe that she remembered were features with every room.
She couldn’t hold back. Running to him, Eva threw herself into his arms. “I love you. I love you. I love you.” She chanted the words over and over not caring who was watching or what they were thinking as she held onto him.
Tiny grunted as he wrapped his arms around her. He tucked his face against her neck and inhaled. “You smell so fucking good.”
“When Tate told me I thought the fucking worst,” she said.
“What? Tate knows?” Tiny asked, pulling away. He held her arms. She was falling apart, and yet she was the happiest she’d ever been.
“She called me. Killer and Stink are alive. Sandy has destroyed the compound.”