“That’s not necessary. You’ve punished yourself long enough.” Kayne's words surprise me and I’m caught off guard.
“Wait. What? Why?” I ask, flabbergasted.
“I know Steam and I know how he works. That motherfucker will answer for what he’s done to me, to you and to anyone else he’s controlled.” Kayne steps up next to me and stares down at me gripping my shoulder. “If you ever withhold anything else from me, I will end you.” A promise he will keep passes his lips.
“I’m sorry Kayne. I really am.”
“I know and I’m sorry too.”
“What are you sorry for? You didn’t do anything to apologize for.”
Kayne looks out into the traffic passing us by before answering me. “I’m sorry I let Steam come between us and I’m sorry for allowing him to use my best friend for his own sick reasons and not seeing it.” He walks to his bike and straddles it, slipping his helmet on his head. “Let’s go and get whatever it is you’re looking for out of this.”
He fires up his bike and I follow. Krimson pulls out into the busy street blocking traffic so we can all go together. Drivers honk their horns impatiently, but Krimson holds her place as we swing out onto the street and she follows close behind, keeping everyone off our ass. After a few minutes, we arrive at the corner of Pacific Ave and Sunset Ave. Kayne signals to turn left onto Sunset and parks across the street from the non-descript white washed building. I pull in next to him and Stryker on the other side. Krimson and Nolan park in the spot next to me.
People are walking up and down, not a lot of foot traffic but enough to make me nervous if things go sideways. We sit and watch the building for any signs of life.
“What’s the plan?” Krimson asks, leaning against the hood of her silver Shelby. Nolan is next to her, crossing his massive arms over his chest, staring at us.
“We wait a few more minutes until someone comes out, then we sneak in and find Monica.” Kayne answers.
The hot sun is beating down causing me to get warm enough to shed my sweatshirt. Removing my helmet, I slide my Savage Saints sweatshirt over my head and put it in my saddle bag. A light breeze picks up and the salty smell of the ocean fills my nose. I watch Stryker and Kayne do the same, removing their Savage Saints sweatshirts and stowing them away. Kayne slips his sunglasses back on and watches the building. A man comes out the door, slamming it behind him. His brown hair is slicked back, he has on a white wife beater tank top, a pair of stone-washed jeans and several gold chains hang around his neck. He looks left then right, not even looking in our direction. The sleaze ball walks left toward the ocean.
“What’s over that way?” Kayne asks Krimson.
“The Venice Beach boardwalk. By the looks of him, I’d guess we have about twenty to thirty minutes before he comes back.” Krimson answers.
Kayne looks over to me, “It’s now or never.”
I nod my head and climb off my bike. “Let’s do this.” I lead the way to the building and try the steel door. It’s locked. I bend down, retrieving my lock picking kit out of my back pocket. Kayne, Stryker, Krimson and Nolan create a semi-circle around me, letting me do my work. Once I have the tools in the right place and feel the tumbler inside give way, I open the door, stepping inside. Everyone follows me and once the door closes behind us, we’re plunged into darkness. I can hear Krimson whispering something to Nolan as we walk down the narrow hallway, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. My focus is on the dirty, dingy hallway in front of me. We come to a set of concrete stairs and walk up them. Once we reach the top, music is filtering to the right and I follow it. There are doors on either side of us, but they’re not being used. I try each one as we pass and they’re locked. I come to the last door on the left and the music is louder.
“This is it,” I whisper, standing against the wall next to the door.
“Last chance. Are you sure about this?” Kayne whispers back.
“Positive.”
“Alright. Do your magic. We’ll keep watch.” Kayne answers.
I bend down and fumble with the lock pick set a couple of times before the tumblers move and the door swings open. Not even bothering to look around, I step inside with Kayne, Stryker, Krimson and Nolan close behind. Wild kinky music vibrates around inside my skull before I hear grunts and moans come from the back of the apartment. I head that way with a fast pace. Once I reach the closed bedroom door, I grab the gun from my hip and pull it out, just in case. With my finger on the trigger, I kick the door open splintering it from the frame. A naked woman screams trying to cover herself up and a naked man jumps up looking around for an escape. I quickly glance around the room taking in the filming setup pointed at the bed before moving in fast. Grabbing the naked man trying to escape by the hair I hold the gun against his head forcing him on his knees.
“What the fuck!” I hear a familiar voice screech from behind me. The music is turned down and now I can feel the rapid beat of my heart against my chest. Heels click on the hardwood floor until two tiny blood red shoes are in my line of sight. “Blayde? What the hell are you doing here?” Monica asks.
“I’m here for answers,” with my gun still pressed against the guy’s head, I look up from the man I grabbed and stare Monica in the eyes. She’s wearing a pair of black dress pants, a flowy red dress shirt and her hair’s pinned up on top of her head. She’s scowling at me.
“What kind of answers?” She looks really confused as to why I’m here.
I press the gun tighter against the man’s head, “First off, what the fuck are you doing in the porn industry? Second, why did you leave without a word and third, what was with the blood all through your apartment?”
“Ok, Ok. Let’s talk,” Monica puts her hands up, palms out. “Let James go and I’ll explain. There’s so much you don’t know.”
“Oh you mean the biker gang you were meeting with behind my back?” I growl. Her eyes widen in surprise. “Yeah, I figured that out too. So, start talking or his blood is on your hands.”
“It’s not what you think,” Monica’s voice trembles. She releases a deep sigh. “They found me in Detroit and dragged me back here.”
“The whole time you were trying to get me to leave mine and you’ve been involved in one. Are you fucking kidding me?” I roar. I’m beyond pissed. I’m so angry red clouds my vision. The man I’m holding at gun point snivels. “You disgust me. After what I did for you with Senator Graham and that’s how you repay me?” I release the naked guy and shove him away. He scurries past Kayne and Stryker, grabbing his clothes along the way.
Kayne steps up to him with a glint in his ice-blue eyes, “You don’t know anything, see anything or hear anything. If you so much as breath any of this, I will pay you a visit and you won’t enjoy my own little porn shoot.” The man named James nods his head in rapid succession. His eyes ping-ponging between Stryker who moved in behind him and Kayne who’s not giving him any breathing room. “Good. Now get gone and don’t come back. Keep fucking whores and your dick will fall off.” James scurries past them like his ass is on fire and leaves the apartment.
Monica tries to sneak around me but the clicking of her heels on the floor alerts me. I swing my gun in her direction so she’s staring down the barrel. She doesn’t even bat an eye. “You’re such a lying bitch. Tell me why I shouldn’t end you right here, right now.”
“Because if you kill her, I’ll have to kill you,” a deep voice booms from the doorway behind Krimson and Nolan. Kayne and Stryker spin on their heels pulling their guns out simultaneously. I can’t see who answered and I don’t take my eyes off Monica. Relief and something I’ve seen on Siren’s face when she looks at me pass when she hears the loud voice. “Now, let’s talk like rational human beings without bloodshed and get this shit settled.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Kayne growls.
“Name’s Xander. I’m the V.P. of The Royal Bastards MC. Los Angeles Chapter and you currently have my Prez’s sister held at gun point. Now put down the weapons
and let’s have a chat.” I get a good look at Xander when he steps into the room. He’s around my height with tattoos and muscles bulging out of the cut he’s wearing. His blonde hair is shoulder length and a light goatee covers his strong face. His green eyes are aimed right at me still holding my gun on Monica. Kayne nods his head and I put my gun away. “Good, now let’s settle this.”
“I’ve already asked her what I want to know and she’s avoided the questions,” I say to Xander.
“Hello, I’m right fucking here,” Monica’s annoyed.
“Shut the fuck up, Monica. Let the men talk.” Xander snarls and Monica scowls. She crosses her arms, lets out a huff and sits on the edge of the messy bed.
“This is fucking bullshit. Don’t shush me. Who the hell do you think you are?” Monica pouts.
“I’m the V.P. You respect me or I’ll put you in your place.” Xander’s voice is low. He’s at his limit with her and I know how that feels. I can’t help but release a deep chuckle.
“What’s so funny, Blayde?” Monica spits my name out like it’s a disgusting piece of food. Any other time I would end a life for that snarky comment, but I can’t help but laugh. I’ve lost my fucking mind. Monica pouts even more, crossing her arms over her chest.
Once I have myself back under control, I wipe the tears from my eyes and straighten myself. “I’m sorry. I’ve been through it with her and it’s funny she’s aiming her sights on you.”
Xander’s head whips in my direction, shaking it quickly. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh, I know so. She used the same shit on me to lure me in. Played me the entire time.” Xander’s head snaps in my direction. “That’s right, your Prez’s little sister is a lying, manipulative little bitch who left me with tons of questions she needs to answer for.”
Monica huffs and glares at me, crossing her arms over her chest. “I did no such thing. I knew what the biker life was like and didn’t want you in that situation.”
“Listen to yourself. You sound like a petulant child, Monica. Got caught living one lie and I’m calling you out. What happened in your apartment that last time we were together? You begged me for a year to leave my club, my life and all along you belonged to another club and never breathed a word. Never talked about your parents, family, nothing. So, fucking excuse me for not believing a word you say.” I spit out in anger.
She opens and closes her mouth several times trying to answer. “I had no choice. The Royal Bastards were in the middle of a turf war and my brother felt it was safer for me to get away from it all. To get out of the crosshairs. Detroit seemed like the best option.” Monica stands up and paces the floor from one end of the room to the other. “If I didn’t leave, Chains, the old Prez would have used me to bring my brother down.” She stops talking and stands in the middle of the room, pleading with me to understand. Her brown gaze shifts to Xander, “I didn’t know about the connection until I was already involved with Blayde. I tried to keep Savage Saints out, but Chains found me. Paid me a visit for a couple of days every few months.” She wraps her arms around her waist and sighs. I’m watching her carefully. Something isn’t adding up.
“What connection? Stop stalling, Monica,” I grit out through clenched teeth.
“Chains and Steam have a long history and they both tried using me to take the two of you out. But I refused.” Monica stares off into space lost in her own memory before she starts talking again. “The night we were last together, Steam paid me a visit. He was out of his mind, thinking Kayne and you knew about Kayne’s father. How he was responsible for his death. I didn’t think you two knew so I kept my mouth shut, protecting you. He beat me within an inch of my life and left me there to die. That blood was mine. All of it. I don’t know how I survived, but I did.
“I crawled my way out of my apartment and made it to the bottom of the stairway. I passed out and when I came too, Xander and Derek were there. I was in an apartment on the first floor. I had a concussion, three broken ribs, a broken wrist, several cuts and bruises and stitches in my head and abdomen. I still don’t know how long I was unconscious for and most of the time is a blank space in my head. No memory, only darkness. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t bring anything back. Just Steam’s fists raining blows down onto me.” Tears are swelling in Monica’s eyes and she wipes them away. Xander moves quickly to her side and tucks her against him, soothing her.
Kayne steps forward, “How do I know you’re not lying? With everything you put Blayde through, how in the fuck do I know this story isn’t something you’re spewing to get us to leave you be?”
Xander’s jaw ticks from Kayne’s words, but Kayne doesn’t back down. Monica pats Xander on the chest and looks into his green eyes. “It’s OK, Xan. They have every right to be skeptical after all the shit I put Blayde through.” She looks at me with sadness. “I’m really sorry about everything, Blayde. I really did care for you. And Kayne, I’m not lying. I know it’s hard to hear something about a man you’ve known your entire life. But I have proof he did kill your father.”
She pauses before deciding her next move. “Senator Graham didn’t just like kinky, rough, dominating sex. He liked to boast about his dirty little secrets and I taped him every chance I got. Which is why I would only meet with him at that strip club. As for Steam,” Monica hesitates before lifting her shirt up, revealing a small patch of skin. She then pulls the waistband of her pants down. “I can never have kids because of what he did to me.” Scars crisscross along her lower stomach.
Bile climbs up to the back of my throat and I’m going to puke. I can’t look at Steam’s handiwork any longer and I turn around. Bending over I rest my hands on my knees and breathe through my nose. I will kill that motherfucker for everything he’s done. Not only to me but to Monica and Kayne. He’s going to pay for ever fucking with me.
“Once I was OK to leave, Xander and Derek brought me back here. I kept track of the two of you. I knew you guys were out of that awful place and started your own chapter in Mt. Pleasant. Steam knew after what he did to me, you’d eventually figure it out and he wanted you far away. Tides changed out here and Derek became the President of The Royal Bastards. My life wasn’t in danger anymore and getting me away from Steam was Derek’s number one priority. I was to never contact you again.”
Monica leaves the comfort of Xander’s embrace and steps next to me, resting her tiny hand on my arm. “I don’t know what else to tell you, Blayde. That’s everything. I came here and started doing what I know. I’m their porn queen. I don’t do scenes but I direct them. I belong to The Royal Bastards. I always have and I’m sorry I’ve ever hurt you.”
I look down at Monica, realizing I never really knew her or who she was. This was a mistake coming out here, but it needed to be done. “Thank you for being honest.” I swing my gaze to Kayne, Stryker, Krimson and Nolan standing near the door. “This was a mistake coming out here and putting her life in jeopardy again. Steam knew we were coming here and said he reached out to your Prez. Is that true?” I ask Xander.
“What? No, he never called Derek.” Panic crosses Monica’s face. “Don’t worry, I’m not letting you out of my sight. You’re on lockdown until further notice. Pack a bag, you’re coming to the Clubhouse.” Xander leaves the room and pulls out his phone making a call. I can’t hear what he’s saying but my guess it’s to Derek to inform him what’s going on.
The front door slams open, making us jump. “Monica, baby? What’s going on?” A male voice filters through the room. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Step back John if you know what’s good for you,” Xander’s voice is low and threatening.
“Fuck if I will. I’m so sick of you sniffing around my girl. Monica.” John shouts causing her to jump into action and scurry out of the room. The five of us are close behind. The man we saw leaving earlier on the street is standing before us with wide eyes. He narrows them on the five of us and a scowl forms on his face. “You gang banging all of them, you slut.” Xander
growls low in his throat, the tension radiating off him in waves.
Monica’s face pales and she shakes her head. “No John, I’m not. How about a, ‘hey is everything ok? What are all these strange men doing here? Is your life in jeopardy?’” She mimics him and that pisses him off.
“You know what? I’m so sick of him,” John hitches his thumb at Xander, “coming around here when you’re mine. And now there are four more and a bitch.”
Nolan releases a deep snarl from the back of his throat and is on John in a flash. He has him pinned against the wall, Nolan’s fingers digging into his windpipe while John claws at his fingers trying to get him to let go. “I think you better retract that statement. You have no idea who you’re fucking with. No one and I mean no one calls my woman a bitch and lives.” His voice is full of rage and fury.
Krimson rests her hand on Nolan’s straining forearm, “Nolan, he isn’t worth it. Thank you for standing up for me. Let him go and we’ll wait outside.” Nolan’s body is vibrating with rage. He gives John one last squeeze and drops the little weasel to the ground. “That’s it. Come back to me. Focus only on me. It’s fine. My feelings aren’t hurt at all.” Krimson cups his cheeks with both her hands. “There you are. Come on, let’s go outside.” She leads him out of the apartment and out of our sight.
“What the fuck was that about?” I ask shaking my head.
“There are a few things about Nolan not a lot of people know. That’s their story to tell though,” Kayne answers looking in the same direction I was.
Sniveling and gasping for breath, John stands up. “Monica,” he croaks. “Get over here now.” She takes a step toward him but Xander stops her.
“No, go do what I said and leave this little worm once and for all.” Xander grits out through clenched teeth. “You’re coming with me even if I have to throw you over my shoulder and hog tie you to my bike.”
Blaydes Betrayal (Savage Saints MC Book 2) Page 16
