by C. M. Steele
"Hey, Pen, I'm going to hang with Sophia for a bit. What are you up to?"
"Same ol’ thing. I just put another batch of cookies in the oven, and now I'm going to my office to feed the baby."
"I'm sorry, girl. You need to hire some more bakers or staff, period. I ditched you and so did Roxie."
"It's okay. I love baking. I just really need a nap. Jackson is supposed to come to get the baby in twenty minutes so I can finish my work and then head home." She sounds so exhausted that I feel terrible that I abandoned her all those months ago.
"Well, I love you, Pen." She’s been wonderful to me over the years, even when my stepfather kept us apart.
"Love you, too. Miss you."
"We should hang out soon,” I offer, and I truly mean to make it happen.
"I'll look at my schedule to see when I can stop by."
"Okay. Talk to you later." I'm not going to tell her that I'm going to try and go out. I want to see how today goes. Anthony's stealing glances at me.
"Why didn't you tell her?"
"Because she's so exhausted from working and the baby that I didn't want to wear her out. I'll tell her later."
"Okay. Do you want to stop by and pick up some goodies to take to Sophia?"
"Yes. That sounds like a good idea." We stop in the shop to see another cashier there that I don't know.
"Hi, is Penny in?"
"Yes, but she's busy at the moment."
The bell dings behind us, and it's Jackson. "Hey, I thought I saw you two pull up. Come on back."
"Um...Mr. Steele. She's busy," the cashier quietly remarks. She did say she was going to feed the baby. Then it dawns on him, and he nods.
"It's okay, Jackson. We'll wait."
"Thanks." He walks in back and we place our order.
"Jules, it's so good to see you out," Penny exclaims as the girl boxes up our treats for Sophia. She comes around the counter and we hug. "I missed you. Is that why you called? You wanted to know where I was?"
"No. I'm meeting with Sophia, so we thought I’d bribe her for being late."
"Elle, this is my cousin, Jules. She used to work here."
"About that. I'm wondering if you need any help."
"Baby, are you sure?" Anthony asks. We don't need the money, but I want to get over being scared.
"If that's all right with Blade, I'd love to have you baking again."
"If you want to, we'll double the security around here. I want whatever is gonna make you happy."
"Thank you. I was planning on waiting, but it felt nice to be outside."
"How does twice a week sound?"
"That could work for me."
"Elle works most days alone, so she could use some help."
"That would be great."
"How about I come for about two hours every morning to get the rush out and if you need anything else done? That way I don't work too much, but you have me during the important times."
"If you feel up to it. I'm not rushing you. I know that this is a big step."
"Okay. Good. And by the way, before I go, I wanted to tell you—we're having a baby."
We embrace in a big old hug before my phone rings again. It's probably Sophia, wondering where the hell I am. I pull it out of my purse. I look at the number and it's my uncle, Penny's dad. "It's your dad."
"Hey, Uncle Denver,” I answer with a bit of hesitation. I’m not sure why he’s calling me, but I get a bad feeling.
"Sweetie, where are you?" my uncle asks. I sense the tension in his voice, and it makes me a bit nervous. Yep. It has to be something bad.
"I'm at the bakery with Anthony."
"Take a seat, please."
"Okay." I walk over to the table and chairs and have a seat while Anthony looks on apprehensively. "What's going on?" I ask, gripping Anthony’s hand that he extends to me as he stands behind me.
"I don’t know how to put this, so I’m going to say it flat out.” With a long pause, he sighs and then says, “Your mother and stepfather are dead, and your stepsister is missing."
"Oh my God,” I gasp, catching the attention of everyone around us. I don't know how to feel, but shock is the first to hit me. Elle comes up to me with a bottle of water as Anthony bends down in front of me, cradling my face.
"Precious, what's going on?" Anthony growls.
"Let me talk to Blade, sweetie," my uncle says.
I nod as if my uncle can see me, and then I hand my husband the phone. "What did you say to upset my wife?"
"Her parents have been killed."
"Oh shit. Okay, and the sister?"
"Missing."
"Son of a bitch."
"The detectives want to meet with Jules today if possible."
"I'll drive her up there. The same station?"
"Yes."
"We'll be on our way."
"Sophia and I are never going to meet," I blurt out, feeling worn out.
Chapter Fifteen
Blade
We’ve just left the station, and I’ve nothing to tell my wife who’s confused and mentally exhausted. She’s been hit with so many blows lately that she hasn’t said a word in over an hour. Today was supposed to be a happy day, but now it’s a depressing moment. She didn’t like her stepfather, but she still loved her mother. Especially the woman she used to be. It’s that loss that bothers her. Frankly, I’m glad they’re dead, but my biggest concern is where the sister is. She’s the bitch I don’t trust.
Her sudden disappearance bothers me, and my guys need to discuss it.
“My precious Jules, please talk to me.”
“I’m sorry, Anthony. I don’t mean to be so silent. I’m just a bit overwhelmed by it all. I love you so much. I don’t want you to worry. I still plan to do what I said. I can’t cower in fear and well, I’m not as upset as I should be, and maybe that’s why I’m quiet. Please don’t fret. I’m sure I’ll freak out a bit later, but I need some normalcy.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to bring that sense of peace to you.”
“You need to talk to the Riders, don’t you?”
“I do. Do you want to come to the clubhouse this time?”
“Yes. I need to see something outside the walls of our house.” She frowns, biting her tongue. “I didn’t mean anything bad.”
I press my finger to her lips. “I know what you mean, my beauty. I get it. You’ve been cooped up too long. I want you to relax and take it easy. Your husband is going to do all he can to make you smile again.”
I kiss the fuck out of her before driving away from the station. I need to hold her all night long, but for now, matters need to be dealt with, and she's right. The guys and I have to talk. I learned a couple of things while we were there. It's obvious that the police believe that we have something to do with it, although they have no proof.
Honestly, after the re-arrest of Brandon, we left the matter in the hands of the police, avoiding all unnecessary trouble. After we left, they were less suspicious, but I'm going to make sure the guys know about the heat on us.
"So do you want to go to their funerals?" I have to ask, and I’ll do whatever she wants, even though I could give a fuck if their bodies are left out to be eaten like they used to do in Ancient Greece to their enemies—carrion for the vultures.
"Nope. My uncle said he'd handle everything for that. I want no part in it all."
"I know. You have the right to hate them even though they’re dead. Please remember that."
"Thank you. You're right. They tried to kill me, after all. At least my stepfather did. I'm not too sure that my mother didn't know." She doesn’t ask the question, but I’ve learned to read my woman. Jules wants to know the truth. As much as it pains me to tell her, she needs to know.
"She knew. I'm sorry, baby. She is the one the guys found meeting with Alan."
"Then I have no reason to miss her or even say goodbye."
"We can just remember that life carries on, and we have a baby on the way, someone we'll never turn ou
r backs on." I bend down and kiss her belly because I’m happy as fuck to have Jules and our little one here to love.
She cups my face and brings it to hers. "You're right about that. Anthony, I love you so much."
We share a brief kiss that I want to prolong, but we have things to do. "I love you, Jules. Do you want some dinner before we go to the clubhouse?"
"Please. I'm starving."
"Yes, ma'am." I take her to Whataburger, and we eat inside. The entire time, my eyes search for danger. Luckily, it seems the trouble hasn't followed us.
We get to the clubhouse shortly before midnight where a few of the guys are waiting for me. The rest are on patrol or staying with their wives.
I walk in, and Sophia's waiting for Jules. Sophia throws her arms around my wife.
Jules is the first to speak as they pull apart. "I'm sorry about this morning."
"Don't be. Girl, I'm starting to think I'm a jinx to your happiness."
"No, you've just been the only person I've tried to go out and see recently. But since you're here, I wanted to go over some ideas while the guys talk shop." She looks at Jules and smiles.
"Of course, girl.” Her Tennessee accent kicks in strong.
I follow Boomer into our meeting room. "Everyone, thanks for coming. On the speaker phone is Beast and Ghost. Blade, you've got the floor."
"So, I just wanted to let you all know that her parents were tortured before they died. House ransacked and a lot of valuables missing. The cops are looking for some of the stuff, but Jules hasn't been there in months, so she has no idea if things are missing, or they got rid of them. Last you looked, Cyber, their finances were shit and they were in the middle of looking for a new cash flow and borrowing funds from a known bookie. I'm wondering if payment was due."
"If they were after Jules's life insurance policy and lost out when you canceled it, then they would have tried to find the money elsewhere."
"That's what I'm thinking. I haven't told Jules about the money or the drugs her mother was on, although it would explain her growing indifference and hate of her daughter." My heart breaks for my wife, who should have had a mother’s unconditional love. Still, my mother adores her.
"We need shit to quiet down already. We're supposed to be causing trouble, not the other way around,” Cowboy barks out, slamming his fist down on the table.
"Damn right, Cowboy."
"Are you still hung up on that one chick that skipped town?"
"Shut up," he snarls at Cyber.
"Never." Cyber winks.
"Asshole." They both smile and flip each other off.
"Guys, another thing. The cops are looking at Jules and me for this. Although once we provide proof that we've been hermits for the past month, we'll be in the clear. I've done twenty-six blade orders in a month. It's clear I'm too busy for any of that shit, and my wife hasn't gotten over the last time she left."
"We've got your backs. You have the exterior surveillance outside your home if they require more proof."
"Speaking of, I saw your bank records being pulled today."
"When was this?"
"At eight a.m."
"Shit. That wasn't the cops. Her parents weren't found until nine-thirty."
"Do you think the bookies ran your info, looking for possible payment?"
“It’s possible. I need to call the cops.” I ring the detective while I’m still sitting there with the guys.
An awake but exhausted Detective Mathers answers. “Hello, Detective Mathers speaking.”
“Mathers, this is Anthony Santini. I’ve just learned that my bank records were pulled today.”
“We didn’t pull your financials at all. You’ve given us access to your phone records, but they came back clean. When was this pulled?”
“According to the intel, eight in the morning.”
“Damn it, whoever pulled them must be connected to the murder.”
“That’s what I’m figuring.”
“Okay. I’m on it. Can you send me whatever trail you have on it? I know you’re friends with an expert computer guy, so I’m assuming that’s where you got it.”
“I’ll have it to you in the morning. Get some damn sleep. These dead people aren’t worth it.”
“You’re happy they’re dead?”
“It’s better for my wife in the long run. We know they were instrumental in the attacks on her even though we don’t have concrete proof.”
“Then it is for the best. I’m headed home now. Thanks, Mr. Santini.”
I end the call, and we decide it’s late for all of us. I’ll keep them abreast of the situation when I get some more info, but we need to keep our noses clean.
After taking my wife home, I eat her out until she falls asleep. I swear I’m fucking addicted to her pussy. It’s like my personal treat. Snuggling in close, we fall into a deep sleep.
****
Three hours later, we’re awakened by the sound of my alarm going off. Someone’s climbed over the newly installed fencing. I jump out of bed and grab a gun from the side drawer and whisper for Jules to be quiet.
All of a sudden, I hear a commotion outside as two people argue. I recognize the girl immediately. It’s Jules’s stepsister. She’s not all tied up, but she sure as fuck looks beat up. Damn it. I have a sinking feeling about what’s going down. I smell a setup. I’m on the phone with Law, who’s on his way. He got the notification about my home when I did. I forgot that it’s all on the same network that Cyber installed for us.
"Hey, this is Santini again; I have a couple intruders on my lawn. One is the missing stepsister. They're armed with a knife and a gun, from what I can see. I'm not letting them get into my house. I called the local police."
"Try not to kill them. I'm gonna hurry back. Fucking shit." I hear the sound of a glass falling onto the ground. "Sorry, sweetie. Go back to bed. I'll be home as soon as I can."
"Be careful," I hear faintly in the background. That's when I remember that he's married. Damn, that's a shitty job to have. I'd hate to have to leave Jules alone all the time.
"I'm on my way. I'm still forty minutes out, so I'll be there in thirty. Remember, I need them alive to get the information."
"Fine, but if they come near my wife, I'll end them."
"Understood. Now, protect her and knock them out or something." I like this guy.
I creep closer to the front door. The back that leads to my workshop has a much sturdier system because I need to protect everyone. I can't let someone into my dangerous workshop without my presence. I drop down and watch them peep through the front window. They can't see me from that angle, so I wait. They jiggle the handle, but not all of us small-town people leave our doors unlocked.
"It's locked. How the fuck are we supposed to get in?"
"Ring the bell. They'll be so frightened when they see the gun in their face that they'll comply. Our plan is going to work for sure."
"It's stupid. How are they gonna believe that he kept you here and raped you with your sister here?"
"Stepsister. Besides, she could be in on it, you know? Some married couples are freaks like that. It'll look like I escaped with your help and we can blame the whole thing on them." I do my best not to laugh the angry laugh that's building in my chest as she plans to say I abused her. I never knew how many people have fucked up families, but a lot of people do. Thankfully, my family is just comical. This is a whole new level of fucked up.
They ring the bell, and Jules comes out of our bedroom. I wave her to go back inside, and she does what I say without a fight. Seconds later, Law comes pulling up with two other squad cars.
"Freeze," Law shouts over the bullhorn, flashing their floodlights at my unwanted guests. "Put the weapons down or I'll put you down," he demands. Her sister drops the machete she has, which I'm betting still has her parents' blood hidden in the handle. It falls onto my porch, sticking to the wood. Fucking assholes are messing up my new stain I put on there.
"You're trespassing on priv
ate property." The guy puts the gun down, but as he does, I can see the twenty-two hidden under his hoodie stuffed in his pants. I shoot a text to Law while he’s standing there to give him a fair warning. I’ll bust right through this door and kill the son of a bitch if he starts shooting.
"I just escaped. We were sneaking away before he killed me. That big brute in there is planning to murder me. I've been trapped for days at his mercy while he violated me.”
"Save it. I got a call because the perimeter fence had been breached. The owner's not even home, so do you want to try your lies again?” he says, approaching closer.
"That's how I escaped. He forgot to lock the basement door,” the girl keeps on. I roll my eyes because she most certainly hasn’t been caged up. Her clothes look pristine. I’m guessing she was planning on waiting until she was in the house to start dressing the part of a kidnapping victim.
"There is no basement." Damn, Law’s good with the lies. There’s one, but it’s fully furnished and there are no hidden corners for someone to be tortured in.
"I mean the cellar, of course,” she continues, trying to lay it on thick, but I’m over it. I want this bitch off my property and in custody. I’m betting she and her sidekick butchered her parents before leaving.
“Enough. Put your hands up.” He’s reaching for his gun. “I said put your hands up,” Law shouts, no longer protected by his car. I undo the latch on the lock ever so slowly, holding the twist so it doesn’t make a sound as I open the door. I just need to get him on the ground and unarmed before he pulls that trigger. Law sees my movements, warning the guy one more time. Frankly, I’ve had enough. Tossing the door wide open, I tackle the fucker to the ground, but then she runs past me into the house. I toss my blade at her leg, catching her calf and causing her to fall. She’s not going to die from that injury, but I stopped her from going after Jules.
Ten minutes later, they’re all cuffed in the back of a patrol car, headed to the Steeleville Police Station. Detective Mathers commends me for not killing the guys, but I’m just grateful that they didn’t get to my wife. She’s all that matters, along with my tiny little baby growing inside of her.