“Rufus set us up. That girl on Eli’s bike, is not Avery. They sold her saying she was Avery. They still have her. Now, not only do I owe Juan a favor in the future, we have a random girl for a tag along.” He sighs, running his fingers through his short hair and over his smooth face with only a few days of stubble on it. He looks older when he is stressed. Hell, he is big as a freaking house. Just a few inches taller than me with way more ink—covers just about every inch of his skin. He’s ripped like he goes to the gym every day. When all in all, we just wrestle and fight with each other, have bar fights. A lot. Still don’t explain his big ass being so ripped. He is a mystery in more than one way. He carries more scars than any of us. Mostly under his cut, he’s seen his fair share of battles himself. He is one tortured soul.
“What’s the plan, Prez?” Blu, president of the Blue Waters chapter asks.
“We all head back to our home chapters. I’ll take one chapter back with me. We need to protect the innocence that is there. Chevy’s girl, Jack’s girl and little dude.” He continues.
“The rest, get on the hunt, I want Rufus and Poodle found. Now. I want them alive. Get your best men on it. Call in favors, anything and everything. Do it!” He barks to the circle.
They all nod in agreement.
“Oh, another thing. Check local hospitals and medical stores. Tech shot them. Poodle took a shoulder hit, Rufus, one in the leg. They couldn’t go far with that damage. They would need rest. I’ll canvas the surrounding areas of mine. You guys do the same.”
“I can call in my favor from the local PD, they owe me.” Moss, the Red River president says.
“Good.” Prez answers him.
“I can scan every bar in Little Hill. They have more than one Jackal MC, our chapter is the closest to the next one. We can do recon without spooking them.” Monster chimes in. He is the biggest of the entire club, the guy does underground fighting. Dude is a beast.
“Excellent.” Prez says. This is a brotherhood. Family, joining together to help one brother. I smile at the men, my brothers at my side. We should find Avery soon with their help.
“I can call in my favor, I won’t discuss it. But, it’s the best shot we all got.” Fang, the Cherrywood president finally speaks.
“Okay, fair enough, any others?” Prez asks.
“I’ll use my connection at the local PD too.” Poker Face, the Austin chapter president says.
“Very good, Brothers. This is us coming together for one of our own. Very good!” Prez speaks with pride.
“I’ll get my Brother on it. He’s a detective at our local PD.” Wolf, the Living chapter speaks out.
“I’ll call in my favor to the Rabbit Hole MC, their national Prez owes me.” PJ, the Markison chapter president speaks for the first time since showing up.
“Great, Brothers, fucking fantastic! I’d hug all you smelly motherfuckers if I wasn’t so turned off by the dicks between your legs.” We all burst out in laughter.
“Cole, you’re with us. Follow us back to Branchwood. You guys are our extras.”
Cole nods in agreement—still yet to hear the kid speak. Some say he can’t speak, others say he chooses not to. Hell if I fucking know. He’s another young president—president of the Yellowcreek chapter, in Ohio.
“Roll out!” Prez shouts, and we all head back to our home chapters.
*******************************************
Harley
Two days later
I hear roars of motorcycles in the distance. I have tossed and turned most of the early morning, unable to sleep. I get all excited when I hear them, then I shoot out of bed, heading to the kitchen. Grabbing knives, I step to the window, hoping it’s Ford and not the Jackals coming to finish the job. My heart is racing as the noise gets closer. The sun is just beginning to rise, so it’s still dark outside—very little light coming through the trees and fence in the back of the club. My hands get shaky as the sound approaches. It’s them, coming to finish me off, or worse take Caleb. I only have Scamp here. A prospect at that. I lean against the wall, steadying myself as my body shakes. I see headlights, lots of head lights—Double of what left here.
No, they really came back for Caleb.
Watching as they get closer, the sun rises a little more. It’s a long driveway to the little Fort Knox. They have double barricaded the fence since they blew through it last time. Also, they upped security cameras. I would have heard the same boom as the first time, right? Shit. I need to think. As I’m thinking, the roaring sound all comes to a stop. They are out front. Shit. I can’t move. I just watch the front door, not blinking, scared I’ll miss someone storming in.
I see the lock move, they have a key? How would they get a key? I watch as the knob turns and Exe walks in. Oh, thank God. I almost pissed myself. I don’t think I could handle another gunshot wound. Whew. Setting the knives down on the window seal, I walk over just as Ford is coming through the door. I run and jump into him arms. He catches me and holds me close, in mid-air. My dangling feet lightly kick him as I hang from his embrace.
“I missed you.” I whisper against his shoulder.
Before he could even get a word out, I catch a girl walking through the door. Avery! I squirm from Ford’s hold on me. As soon as my feet hit the floor, I run to her and swing my arms around her. “Avery, my sweet baby girl.” She doesn’t hug me back. She just stands there. I hug her for a moment longer and pull back. Then, I move her hair from her face. It’s not Avery. My heart sinks. My eyes fill with tears, I bite them back.
“I’m sorry, I thought you were...” I just step back, bring my eyes to Ford. He looks sympathetic.
“Come on, babe, let’s go talk.” Ford says, grabbing my hand. I turn my head to peer at the group of men and the strange girl. They all are looking at me sympathetically. I lock eyes with Exe for only a moment and he nods to me, with a faint smile on his lips. Not a cocky smile or even a confident smile, it’s a comforting one. I nod back to him just as Ford takes me to the kitchen.
He brings up his hand and lets his thumb glide across my cheek, catching a stray tear I didn’t know escaped. I place my hand on his and look at him. He looks so tired. He looks older than what he is, his worry lines are clear to see. I know this has been stressful on him just as it has for me. How could I ever think about taking my family away from here, from him? I can’t even fathom the thought of it now. All my rational reasons to are out the window.
“Tell me.” I whispered.
He sighs loudly, running his other hand through my hair. He begins.
“It was a dead end, babe.” My heart stops beating for a second. Then he continues.
“We have every Brother out there looking for them and we will continue here. We will find her, Harley. I promise.” All I can do is nod as the tears silently fall. He wraps me in his arms and carries me to bed. We don’t make love we just lay in silence as he wipes away each tear that falls.
After I’ve ran my eyes dry and puffy, I sniffle and turn to look at him.
“Who’s that girl?” I ask.
“She was a stand in for Avery—our dead end. They sent us on a wild goose chase, babe.”
I take a breath. She does look like Avery, slightly. When I removed her hair from her face, the first place I looked was her eyes. Then I saw all the bruises. I just couldn’t register them after the feeling of Avery still being gone hit me.
“Why is she hurt?” I whisper.
“Bad question babe. I know you want to know everything, but this. This is club business. I can’t tell you. Just know we rescued her as well.” I sigh, I knew those words were going to come sooner or later. Can’t be kept in the loop forever. Only when it comes strictly to Avery. This did not. Only a part of it. I close my eyes and let sleep take me.
*******************************************
Ford
After sleeping with Harley, I only woke up a few hours later and my mind is still racing with where Avery can be. I can’t rest until she is home. That
is apparent. Sliding out of the bed slowly, I walk out of the room.
I see all the brothers are awake as well. I grab a seat at the bar and Scamp and Caleb are having a little disagreement.
“Hey, little man. Giving Scamp a hard time?” I say, He turns and sees me. He was asleep when I came in early this morning. His eyes go wide and he launches himself at me.
“Grandpa! Your home! Is my mommy here too?” He asks, so happy.
“Not yet, son, but she will be.” It’s all I can say. He is only three. I can’t tell him what is really going on. Knowing him, he’ll take off to find her. She is all he ever had. He protects her fearlessly. I’m proud of him for that trait that he carries.
“Well, okay.” He says with a sad look.
“Hey, won’t you tell me what you and Scamp are talking about.” He looks nervous. I turn to look towards Scamp, who has a slight scowl on his face.
“He is trying to say I owe him three chocolate milks, when I know, the little fart only won two.” Scamp says. I laugh, shaking my head. I look at both of them.
“Explain.” I say. Caleb just stares down Scamp with his most intimidating stare a three-year-old could have.
“We were betting on go fish last night.” Scamp says focusing back on me.
“You’re teaching him to gamble? I ask.
“No, he started it. Said for each time I lost, I had to owe him a cup of chocolate milk.”
“And if you won?” I ask, this is funny. My little man, clearly conned the prospect.
“He said, if I won, He’d make his own cup of chocolate milk.” Scamp answers back. I burst out laughing.
“You got conned by a three-year-old, fucker.” I say between laughs.
“No, he said… Wait? He said... Shit.” And he comes back to reality, folks.
I high five Caleb, telling him I’d be back to take him to breakfast in a few minutes.
I see Prez exiting the meeting room and going out front. I follow him.
“Hey, Prez, any word.” I ask lighting a cigarette.
“Not yet. How’s Harley? I saw the look on her face last night.” He points out. Like I said, no bullshit.
“She cried herself to sleep in my arms, fuck Prez, I just…we just want Avery home.” I sigh, taking a long puff of my cigarette.
“I know, Brother. We all do. I haven't even met her yet, and I want her home too.”
We both sigh and lean against the club wall.
“I promise, Brother, I will get her home.” Prez tells me. The honesty in his voice eats at me. I know he won’t call off the Hounds until he has her here. That, I’m thankful for. Having a fearless and loyal brotherhood is why I wanted to become a Hell Hound—family.
“How’s the girl?” I ask.
“She is asleep in Eli’s room. She needs to recover before we interrogate her.”
“Name? Age? Hometown?” I ask. “Anything?” Prez sighs, taking a hit of his cigarette.
“April, twenty-one. That is all we know so far.”
“She looks younger. And a lot like Avery. This was definitely a set up, but why? Hoping Juan would take us out? They know better than anyone, it wasn’t him that we have beef with, it’s José. More time to run?” I say.
“No, clue, Brother. Throwing us off their scent was a little above their IQ level. We all know this. Question is, who is helping them?” He sighs loudly. We are running ourselves down looking for them. We are all tired, hungry, and pussy hungry. Club is still on lockdown so all club whores are gone.
“Well, our only lead is that girl in there. Let’s hope she holds some answers.” I say as we walk back into the Club.
I look around for Jack, I can’t find him. He must be sleeping. It was a long ride. We are all tired.
Prez is speaking with Tech, so I join them before I take Caleb out for breakfast.
“Tech, I need you to hack every hotel and motel you can. Search each name. Even Avery’s.” Prez says to Tech.
“Can do, Prez. But if they stay at some side road, run down, out of date place. They still use sign in books.” Tech says.
“I know, but this will eliminate the royalties of being on the run. We are going to check every fucking place.”
“On it, Prez.” Tech heads to his room where all his computer gadgets are. His room is like the inside of the pentagon. Computer screens everywhere, keyboards, tons of flash drives and disks. Kid is in his element with electronics.
“Hey, I’m going to take little man out for breakfast, just giving you a heads up, Brother.”
“Take, ah, well, there, take Cole with you. Don’t go anywhere alone.” He says looking around the room. I nod in agreement. I won’t shoot down extra safety with Caleb with me.
“I’m taking my truck. Tell him to meet me out front in five.” Prez nods.
I go to find Caleb. He and Bronx are out back showing a Yellowcreek brother all Bronx can do. I shake my head and whistle for Caleb, and wave at him, letting him know it’s time to go.
He calls off Bronx and they both come running to me. I catch Caleb in mid jump as Bronx sits eyeing me. Still at that inner battle over this damn dog. I give him a quick dirty look and he turns his head away from me. HA! Ford-1. Bronx-437. What? It’s a slow, slow win.
“Before you even ask kiddo, we can’t take Bronx.” I cut him off before he gets a word out.
“I know, I was gonna ask if we can let him in Grandma’s room. She needs him more than I do.” This kid, he blows my mind every time I’m turning around. I nod to him with a big smile on my face and he returns the smile.
“I think that is a good idea, buddy.”
We head to let Bronx in with Harley. She is still sleeping. Bronx happily creeps in, gently climbs in bed with her and lies next to her. She wraps an arm around him. Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
“We’ll bring her back some food, deal?” I ask Caleb.
“Deal.” he says with a smile. We head to the front door, Prez stopping us just at the door.
“Hey, little dude.”
“Hey, Prez.” Caleb sings. Prez? What is this, a young Hell-Pup? Smiling, shaking my head.
“Prez, huh?” He asks Caleb. Little man just nods his head with confidence.
“You can call me anything you want buddy, you don’t have to call me Prez.” He explains to him.
“I know but, that’s what the other men call you. I’m a man too you know, Grandpa said so.”
“When did I say?” I chime in, clearly caught off guard. Prez gives me a look, like, ‘Really?’ I just shrug, not knowing when this conversation took place.
“At the hospital, you said ‘man to man’ talk.”
“You got me there, little man.” I say laughing. Prez joins in on the laughter.
“Okay, man. Wanna make a manly bet?” Prez asks.
“Like I did with Scamp?” He asks.
“No, Scamp is mentally younger than you.” We all laugh.
“Okay, I’m listening.” Caleb says. Ha, my little man has style. Like a tiny bad ass. He will do great around here, I just know it.
“I hear you’re going to breakfast.” Prez says. Caleb nods.
“Okay, if you can eat five pancakes in a row in one sitting, I’ll buy a case of chocolate milk, a month’s worth.”
He stares at Prez, thinking, then he finally answers.
“Deal, put in the order, Prez. You’re going down.” He chimes in, thinking like a winner already.
Prez nods with a smirk, impressed with him as much as me. Why does it seem he has grown in the few days I was gone? Makes me never want to leave again.
“Bring back coffee, will ya?” Prez calls out to me.
“Will do, Prez.” With that, we are on our way.
Sitting at the local diner, Caleb works on his third pancake. He might even win this bet. He’s eating slowly, a few sips of his orange juice here and there, like he’s a master at over eating. Who the hell knew?
Cole sits at a booth a few down from ours. I finished my meal over thirty minu
tes ago. So I decide to go have a word with Cole.
“Hey, see our friend over there?” I ask, pointing to Cole. Caleb nods and stuffs a bite of pancake in his mouth.
“I’ll be right back, I’m going to go talk to him.” he nods again, swallowing his food.
“Okay, grandpa, I’d come, but Prez said in one sitting. I can’t move until I eat all my pancakes.” I just shake my head. Kid is truly the smartest person I’ve ever come across. I bet he’d give Bill Gates a run for his damn money.
Walking towards Cole, his facial expression doesn’t change nor does his eyes leave mine. Intimidating? Sure. To me? No.
“Hey.” I say sitting down. Still eyeing me, he nods. Just nods. I’m determined to have this kid talk now, lay to rest these rumors of his ‘no talking or choice in it’.
We sit in silence for a few moments. Waiting for him to speak, asking me what I want or what the fuck am I doing. Nothing. A waitress comes and asks if I want anything or if he wants a refill on his coffee, clearly eager for his attention. He doesn’t even give her a side look, he just nods. She’s cute, not hot. But cute, girl deserves a glance. Nice enough rack to glace at, at least.
“I’ll take a coffee, sugar. Thanks. Also, I’ll take twenty to go.” She nods to me, a little less light in her eye. She had her sights set on Cole. Poor thing.
I glance back to Caleb, he waves at me stuffing another bite into his mouth—holding up four tiny fingers. On his fourth pancake I see. I nod and smile at him.
Turning back to Cole, he is just staring at me in confusion at Caleb’s finger wave. So, I give in and speak.
“Prez bet him he couldn’t eat five pancakes. He’s on a mission.” I shrug with a smirk.
The guy gives a slight nod. Something in his eyes tells me to continue. So I do.
“He suckered one of our prospects. Prez placed his own bet with the little shark. Told him he has to eat five pancakes in a row in one sitting.” He nods.
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