Jax's Dilemma:Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 2)

by Wilder, Chiah

  “She’s not home? Where the fuck is she?”

  “I dunno. She borrowed my car for some kind of family emergency. I didn’t even know she had family in the area.”

  “When did she leave?”

  “Beats me. She came to my room around midnight or a bit later, asking if she could borrow my car. I crashed and didn’t hear her go out.”

  Taking the stairs two steps at a time, Jax burst in Cherri’s bedroom and noticed her stripped bed. Opening the closet door, his heart twisted when he saw it was empty. Cherri was gone.

  Jax rushed out of the townhouse and jumped on his bike, riding toward Dream House. When he arrived at the darkened strip bar, the knot in his stomach tightened. Scanning the parking lot for Ginger’s car, dread slowly spread over him. Racking his brain, Jax decided to pay Sarah a visit. Jax knew Cherri would never split without Paisley in tow.

  As he made a half-circle in the lot, he noticed a dim light in the back office. Approaching the back of the building with caution, Jax let himself in. Walking in the office, he sensed something wasn’t right. As he looked around, he saw one of the wood panels didn’t fit snuggly against the wall. Frozen in his tracks, his heart beating wildly, Jax feared what he may find when he opened the panel and checked in the safe. Taking a deep breath, he punched in the code and the door swung open. Staring into emptiness, Jax exhaled before he slumped down on the leather loveseat next to the wall. Fuck, Cherri! What the hell have you done?

  Stealing from the Insurgents was a very stupid thing to do. Jax knew what was in store for Cherri once her theft was detected—a severe beating or death. Blowing out a big breath, Jax rubbed his hands on his jeans as he tried to formulate a plan. Knowing his first loyalty was to the MC, pangs of guilt ripped through him. He should call Banger or Hawk and report the theft and his suspicions at once, but he wasn’t going to do it. No doubt Cherri needed to be dealt with, but he’d handle it. The tricky part was finding Cherri and replacing the money. Not sure how much was in the safe, Jax hurriedly scouted around the office, trying to find the ledger and any receipts. He found nothing; Emma sometimes took the ledger home with her to finish the paperwork. The money had to be replaced, and he knew the club never kept more than twenty thousand dollars in the safe. He’d have to go back to the clubhouse to get the money.

  Jax usually kept a lot of money in his room since he distrusted banks. The MC profited very nicely from the recreational weed dispensaries they owned. Slamming the office door shut, Jax left Dream House quickly. He didn’t have a second to waste. The last thing he wanted was for Emma or one of the brothers coming in early and finding out Cherri ripped them off.

  As he rode to the clubhouse, he thanked the voters for passing the law legalizing marijuana. Since the Insurgents ran two legal dispensaries and had a grow license through a straw man, the members were reaping in the money. Since all transactions were cash, most of it was not declared to the IRS. From just the dispensaries, the club pulled in over six million dollars a year, and each of the brothers received a share of the proceeds while the rest of the money rolled into other businesses, like strip bars, restaurants, ink shops, and the latest, a construction project in West Pinewood Springs. The Feds left the Insurgents’ dispensaries alone because the Insurgents made sure crank and crack stayed out of the county. Even though it was a tenuous line between the Feds and the MC, it worked. And the best part was each member and the MC became richer legally. America was home of the free and wealthy.

  After Jax took the money out of his safe, he headed back to Dream House. The faster he rode, the more pissed he became. His gut told him Cherri took the money to get away from McFahey, but Jax didn’t understand why Cherri was so stubborn and refused to come to him for help. Even though he told her a bunch of things he really didn’t mean, he couldn’t believe how quickly she forgot their good and intimate times together. It seemed like she was okay with taking money from Gunner and McFahey, but not from him. Her explanation of him being a real relationship and the others weren’t didn’t make sense to him. Cherri was his woman and she needed help. The way he figured it was he was the only one she should go to for help. He had her back, always.

  Once the money was back in the safe, Jax turned off the office light, engaged the alarm, and locked the door. Hauling ass on the early morning streets of Pinewood Springs was easy since the town was just waking up. Taking the back roads, he rode to Dexter.

  When he turned into Sarah’s driveway, he noticed a light in one of the front windows. He crept up the stairs and knocked on the door. No one answered. He knocked harder and said, “Cherri, I know you’re in there. Come out. We gotta talk.”

  Behind the door, he heard padded footsteps approaching. Several seconds passed, and as Jax raised his hand to knock on the door again, it swung open. Sarah greeted Jax with wild eyes, her lips quivering, and a red mark on her cheek. Sensing something was amiss, he said, “Hey, Sarah. I’ve come for Cherri.”

  Shaking her head, her hands covered her face, and she said in a broken voice, “She’s not here. They took her and the baby. I couldn’t stop them. I couldn’t do anything. I tried—I really did.” Breaking down in tears, Sarah leaned against the wall for support.

  Jax’s blood went cold. “They? Tell me exactly what happened.” He led the crying woman to the couch in the living room.

  After she blew her nose and wiped her tears, Sarah said, “I’d just put Paisley to bed when I heard a car in the driveway. I looked out the window and saw a black sedan. Sometimes, Cherri borrows a car and comes over here to tuck Paisley in bed, so I thought it was her. I was putting Paisley’s toys away when the doorbell rang. I opened the door but instead of Cherri, there were three men. I about died.” Bowing her head, she started crying again.

  Jax, anxious to hear the story and find Cherri, forced himself to be patient. “Go on,” he prodded.

  “The men pushed their way in, demanding me to give them Paisley. I was so scared, but I didn’t plan on giving Paisley to them. I told them she was with her mother tonight. One of the men punched me.” Sarah touched her bruised cheek lightly. “The other two men ran upstairs, and the one who hit me threw me on the couch, threatening to kill me if I moved. He pulled out a gun to show me he was dead serious.”

  “Did you know these fucks?”

  She shook her head.

  “How did they get Cherri?”

  “While they were here, she called me to tell me she wanted to pick up Paisley. They were listening in on the call. I hoped she wouldn’t come, but I didn’t dare warn her because they threatened to kill me and Paisley.”

  “So, they waited until she came?”

  With shaky hands, she smoothed her hair as she nodded.

  “What time did Cherri come?”

  “Very late. It was around four. I don’t know the exact time, but it was something like that.”

  “What happened?”

  “She came into the house. All the lights were off, and when she came into the living room, the ring leader put a rag over her nose and mouth. There must’ve been something on it ’cause she passed out, then they carried her and Paisley out and put them in the car. After they threatened the shit outta me, they drove off. I’m so sorry.”

  Nostrils flaring, his hands clenched at his side. A surge of blood rushed to his head as his temples pounded, and an overwhelming urge for vengeance consumed him—he desired to hurt someone and draw blood. “Tell me what the men looked like.”

  “I didn’t see them too well since they kept the lights low. One of the men, shorter than the others, wore a brimmed hat pulled low, obstructing his face. He was the one who put the rag over her mouth and nose. I didn’t get a good look at him, but he was the ringleader. He called all the shots.”

  Jax’s gut told him McFahey was mixed up in this, and that the greasy fucker probaby had Cherri and her daughter. Jax made a vow to kill the bastard who dared to mess with his woman. Leaving Sarah motionless on the couch, Jax jumped down the stairs, hopped on his Harley,
and raced back to Pinewood Springs.

  * * *

  Moaning softly, Cherri opened her heavy eyes, trying to focus. With both hands, she squeezed her temples in a vain attempt to stop her head from pounding. Trying to sit up, Cherri’s head spun and everything around her was fuzzy as she looked out of bleary eyes. The room was windowless and simple with only a full-sized bed, two wood chairs, and a small chest of drawers. The small amount of light filtering in the room came from under the door.

  Where the hell am I? What happened?

  She pressed harder against her temples as if to force the memories. Slowly, the images of shadows coming toward her triggered her memory. Chest lurching, Cherri sat up, choking on shallow breaths as her vision blotched over like a snowstorm. Paisley! Where is Paisey? Her mind screamed as her body grew ice-cold. Clutching her stomach, Cherri slumped forward, her head hitting the mattress as a wail broke through her lips. Paisey! Paisey! Tears streamed down her face as she howled into the bed.

  The lock clicking stopped Cherri. Wiping her wet face, she held her breath and glanced at the doorknob as it turned. A hand switched on the overhead light; the flickering florescent tube hurt her eyes. McFahey closed and locked the door. McFahey! Fuck, I shoulda known he was behind this shit. Cherri sat up straight, pretending to be cool and collected.

  Throwing a large towel at her, he said in a gruff voice, “Go on and wash up. I want you to be pretty and sweet-smelling for me.” He pointed to a closed door next to the chest of drawers then set down a neatly folded stack of clothes. “Put these on when you’re finished showering. If you take too long, I’ll come in and get you.”

  “Where’s Paisley? I’ll do anything you ask, just please, tell me where Paisley is.”

  “All you can think of is that brat. You didn’t even say hi to me when I came in.”

  “Just tell me where she is. I need to know she’s safe.”

  “Shut the fuck up about the brat.” Leaning in close, he roughly turned her head toward him. “You better do as I say or you’ll never see your daughter again. Got it?”

  Staring blankly, Cherri nodded.

  “Good, because we got a lot of time to make up for. I’m going to fuck you, not like the lady I cared about in Denver, but like the whore you’ve become. Get cleaned up. I got an itch you need to relieve.”

  After a quick shower, Cherri came out of the bathroom, her hair still damp, dressed in red patent high-heels, fishnet thigh-highs, a very tight and short spandex skirt, and a leopard-print bustier. Pulling down on her skirt, she stood in the middle of the room, watching McFahey as his heated gaze raked over her body.

  “Get over here,” he said in a thick voice.

  As a lump formed in her throat and her eyes welled, Cherri thought of her daughter—her precious daughter whom she would do anything for. She inhaled, stood up straight, and walked over to McFahey.

  Grabbing her arms he pulled her down on the bed. Rubbing her bottom with his hand, he hissed in her ear, “That’s what I like—you looking like a slut and me touching your ass. Brings back memories, doesn’t it, honey?”

  Gritting her teeth, Cherri gave a quick nod. The buckle of his belt clanged when it hit the floor, followed by the swish of his pants as they hit the ground. Pulling her up, he flipped her on her back then ran his hands all over her. She twisted under his touch; she wanted so bad to get away. Shoving her top up, he patted her breasts as he whispered against her neck, “We’re going to have some fun, honey. Some real fun.”

  A half-hour later, Cherri held a sheet over her nakedness, her gaze fixed on the floor. Whistling through his teeth, McFahey smiled as he lifted her chin then placed a hard, wet kiss on her mouth.

  “You haven’t forgotten what I like, honey. That was awesome. Reminded me of the times we used to spend together. I’ll let you rest up then we’ll kick it up a notch. What do you say?”

  “I want to see Paisley. I did what you wanted, so now I want to see her to make sure she’s safe.”

  “Is that all you can fucking say? You’re like a broken record. I said you would, but all in good time, sweetheart.” Cherri watched him as he walked to the door, dumbfounded.

  “Where’re you going?” she asked. “Don’t go. Please, let me see Paisley. Please.” Her voice hitched.

  “Not yet.”

  McFahey slammed the door behind him. Cherri ran to the door and put her ear against it. Hearing muffled voices, she strained to make out some words. Picking up isolated snippets of the conversation—“paid for the brat,” “couple coming tomorrow”—Cherri’s body went rigid. Dozens of needles danced their way across her skin as the gravity of the situation hit her. Her sweet baby daughter trusted Cherri to keep her safe, and she’d failed her. Pounding on the door, she screamed and begged someone to let her out, let her see Paisley. The muffled voices grew dimmer until silence replaced them. Cherri pounded the door until her red hands began to bleed, screaming until she was hoarse.

  Still, no one answered her pleas.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Sir, I’m sorry, but you can’t go in there. Sir, do you have an appointment with Councilman McFahey? Sir?” The forty-something assistant leaped from her chair, trying to keep up with Jax’s long strides. Before she could reach him, Jax kicked the door open to the councilman’s office.

  McFahey, eyes wide and hand going to the phone, sat behind his large desk.

  “Don’t even fuckin’ think of picking up the phone or I’ll break all your goddamn fingers,” Jax snarled as he slammed the door shut.

  Moving his hand away, McFahey eyed Jax and said, “What do you mean barging in here and throwing your weight around? I’m going to be talking to Banger about this—you can count on that.”

  Standing next to the councilman’s desk, Jax pounded his fist on it. “Where the fuck is Cherri, you piece of shit?”

  McFahey licked his lips, his eyes darting around the room. “Who?”

  Taking a few steps closer to him, Jax hissed, “You know who she is. Don’t fuck around with me. Tell me where the fuck Cherri is, or I’ll make sure you regret the day you ever came to Pinewood Springs.”

  “Now, there’s no need for threats or violence. So, your friend is missing? I can see if the cops can find—”

  In one swift move, Jax had McFahey up on his feet, his shirt’s neck bunched in Jax’s steel fist. Leaning his face level with and close to the councilman’s, Jax said, “Let’s do this again. Where in the fuck is Cherri?”

  White-faced, he struggled to swallow. Pointing to his throat, he croaked out a raspy, “I don’t know.”

  Throwing the asshole back in his swivel chair, Jax sat on the desk and placed his steel-toed boot between McFahey’s legs. Coughing, the councilman grabbed a crystal glass on his desk and gulped some water. After he set the glass down on the desk, he narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know where she is. I haven’t seen her since the bachelor party at Dream House.”

  “Fuckin’ liar! I know you had lunch with her, and I also know you snatched her early this morning. I’m giving you a chance to tell me or I’ll beat the shit outta you, you crooked motherfucker.”

  “I told you, I don’t know where she is. I also don’t appreciate you getting in my face. You know, you work for me. The Insurgents are on my payroll, and you are out of line.”

  “I don’t work for any one, and I don’t take shit from no kind of man like you. For the last time, where the fuck is Cherri?”

  Shrugging, he cried out when the force of Jax’s fist crunched against his jaw. McFahey stood up in a feeble attempt to confront Jax, but he fell back in his chair, the wind knocked out of him from Jax’s punch to his stomach. Dragging him up on his feet, Jax slammed him against the wall then pushed his full weight in McFahey’s chest. “I know you’re the fuck involved. I’ll find Cherri, and if you touched her in any way, your fuckin’ crooked ass is dead. Got it?”

  Struggling to catch his breath, the councilman nodded, his eyes bulging. Before Jax could give him a final punch
, the door flew open and Peaches walked in. With her mouth flying open, she shuffled back a couple of steps. Jax’s eyes bored into her as his posture stiffened, and a sudden coldness ran up his spine.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” Jax’s voice dripped ice.

  Stammering, Peaches, eyes downward, said, “I… uh… I just came by, you know?”

  Tightening his jaw, Jax pursed his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.

  Wringing her hands, Peaches backed up further, trying to reach the semi-closed door.

  “Why the fuck are you tryin’ to leave? Are you fuckin’ this scumbag?”

  As she nodded, Jax laughed dryly. “It fits, the two of you. You deserve each other.” Pulling McFahey away from the wall then slamming him back in it, Jax growled, “For your sake, you better have clean hands in this, ’cause I’m not the forgiving or understanding type.” Spinning around, he left without looking back.

  When he got outside, Jax’s hands jerked as he grabbed hold of his bike’s handlebars. Spittle built up in the corners of his mouth as guttural roars shook him. Staring straight ahead, he peeled away from the parking space, his ears pounding and his blood pumping. If it was the last thing he did, he’d make sure McFahey paid for whatever involvement he had in Cherri’s disappearance. The first thing he needed to do was to remain calm, even though every nerve and muscle in his body wanted to beat the shit out of McFahey then kill him. Deciding to go to Dream House to see if Emma knew anything, Jax turned his bike in that direction.

  When he walked into Dream House, he had calmed down a bit, but his blood still pumped and his muscles were as tight as a virgin’s pussy. Spotting Emma and Holt talking, Jax went up to them.

  “Hey, what’s wrong? You look like shit,” Emma said.

  “That’s about how I’m feeling,” Jax replied.

  “Too much partying?” A smile crossed her lips. “You know, Cherri didn’t show up for her shift. I’m a little worried about her because she’s not like that. You know, she’s super reliable. I was gonna take a quick drive to her place to make sure she’s okay. You wanna do that for me?”