The Call

by Kathi Goldwyn

  Alex grabs me around the waist, and I’m pulled into her bedroom. I snatch her and toss her on the bed. I crawl up her gorgeous body and we kiss madly, darkly, deeply. My passion for this woman has risen to new heights. I take her face in my hands gently, smooth over her brow and whisper, “I love you, Alex.” Then we’re kissing with such passion I can feel her down to my very soul.

  I begin pulling the clothes off her gorgeous body. Alex is made for me; her skin is so soft and her curves fit against me in that perfect way. I kiss soft flutter kisses all the way down her body. Then I caress her breasts down to her belly. Her cunt beckons me. At the first swipe of my tongue, her smell, her taste, is utter perfection. I sigh. I slam two fingers inside her and she arches her back and calls my name loudly as she comes all over my face.

  I look up at her beautiful face and see her body contort in orgasm. She's stunning when she falls apart. I want to bring her to orgasm again and again.

  “Jack!” Rocco taps my shoulder, and I wake up with a start.

  “Is Jeremy okay?” I ask. “Did he wake up?”

  “No, but everything’s fine. Here are your crutches, dude.” Rocco hands me the crutches and helps me stand from that goddamn chair. Thank fuck, I can move on my own now. I take my first tentative steps towards where Rocco stands. My hand hurts, but at least I’m moving on my own.

  “Let’s go. Let’s go to the cafeteria,” I say, and we both make our way out of the room. We stop at the nurses’ station. “Susan, here’s my cell. We’re going to go grab some grub. Call me if he wakes up?” I ask, hoping it’s not too much to ask.

  “Sure, no problem. Yeah, go get some fuel. I’ll keep my eye on him.” She’s an amazing nurse, and I give her a small smile. Nurses are the unsung heroes—they’re the ones who hold our hands, take care of all the details, and speak to the comfort of each patient. They’re an amazing bunch, and I let myself think about how Susan has made things so much better for me and for Jeremy. My appreciation runs deep.

  Rocco and I make our way to the first floor and graze through the foods offered in this cafeteria. I grab a roast beef sandwich and some water and Rocco gets the same. We take a seat at a table and Rocco starts telling me about the call he made this morning.

  “So, I called Bark. They’re in a holding pattern. They have a team of six brothers hanging around where they found Alex. They aren’t moving in until we give the word.” I nod and think about that for a moment as I take a bite of my sandwich. My stomach is twisted in knots, but I know I need to keep my energy going.

  “Have they reported in with you?” I ask, hoping to hear something, anything Alex related. I need an update.

  “Yeah, they’ve seen that slimeball Norris go in and come back out. They said he stayed like, ten minutes. I keep thinking that’s enough time to...” Rocco's voice catches on itself. I look at him and see so much pain there. He’s hurting for Alex.

  “Rocco, we’ll get her.” It’s my turn to reassure him. My turn to help him through all this bullshit. Then I realize something.

  “Shit, dude, I don’t know if I should be there. This cast is going to slow me the fuck down. My hand’s a mess, too. Let’s think about this. What do you think?”

  “I trust the Prez. If he says his men are ready to go in, maybe we should both hang back. I’m moving slower than normal too.” He looks sideways, and it’s only now I notice the bruising showing under his shirt at his neck. I think his ribs might be broken for sure, the way he's moving extra slow. Damnit, I didn’t fucking notice before, and the guilt consumes me.

  “I think we’re both down for the count. It’s going to take more than a day to heal, you know this. I say we have them take her out of there tomorrow. You know, go with your guys. They can bring her to me when they get her.”

  We both eat more of our sandwiches.

  “Let’s see how we feel tomorrow at least?” I really want to be there, but I don’t want to slow them down.

  I pray we’re doing the right thing. I fear the longer that douche Norris has her, the more he can fuck with her—or even fuck her. The thought of her being raped by that disgusting asshole crosses my mind, and I feel the urgency to get her back now. But I see what he’s saying, that we’ll both have clearer heads tomorrow to be able to make decisions and instruct the Watchmen as to what to do and how.

  “Let’s eat. We need to figure out where to stash her until we can take out that asshole. We can’t let him run around terrorizing our people, dude. You down?” Rocco asks. He’s dealt with shit like this before and is better equipped than I am, that’s for damn sure. He’s way more confident in this decision than I’ll ever be. I’ve never been involved with the death of someone, and I don’t know if I’m man enough to bear it. One look at him, though, and I know it must be done.

  “You’re right. I know this, but it doesn’t make it easier to swallow, man,” I say. I can’t let the club take all the responsibility for this. I need to sort out my thoughts, but as of right now they’re still scrambled as fuck.

  I’m exhausted. I need some rest. I forget the food and start wrapping it to go.

  “I’ve gotta get back to Jeremy. I say we have the Watchmen go in tomorrow. I can’t think straight right now. You can stay here if you want, but I have to get back.”

  I hope Jeremy’s still silently sleeping, but I don’t know, and it’s driving me crazy. I have to see him with my own two eyes.

  “Hey, I’m coming with. Let me grab my water.” Rocco gets up from the table and grabs his bottled water.

  Rocco looks down at his phone. “Oh fuck!” he exclaims. What now?

  “What happened, dude?” I ask, I’m freaking out again.

  Rocco looks up at me and says, “We’ve got a problem at the site, dude. A rival MC group, the Henchmen, showed up. These dudes are at war with each other.” Then Rocco screams, “Fuck!”

  I don’t know what this means exactly, but I can smell trouble from a mile away. From the way Rocco’s acting, this is bad fucking news.

  “What the fuck? What can we do?” I ask

  “Nothing, we have to wait and see.” Shit. This is some fucked up shit. We’re counting on his buddies to grab her. Now what can we do?

  “Look, we have to wait and see what happens. They could be in for a battle before they even move in for our girl. This could really fuck shit up.”

  Are you fucking kidding me? I’m thinking if there’s one more delay, I’m going to scream! I rip at my hair and grab onto the bottled water so tight it spills all over the floor.

  We both leave the cafeteria, limping along as we go. I kind of chuckle to myself and Rocco hears me.

  “What’s so funny? I could use a good laugh.” Rocco looks over at me. Stress lines show across his face.

  “Oh, just thinking about how we must look, all banged up, trying to move out of here.” I laugh even louder, and Rocco joins in. Yeah, pretty fucking funny, that picture in my head. It’s a relief to let loose for a minute.

  We make our way through the halls and find Jeremy’s room. Susan runs up to us just as we’re about to walk in and says, “I was just going to call you. Looks like he’s waking up, Jack.”

  I go to the side of his bed just in time. His eyelids flutter, and soon his eyes are open. He’s wide awake for the first time since surgery.

  “I’m right here, Jeremy.” I take his hand and give it a good squeeze. He squeezes my hand back and I’m so relieved I barely stay up on my own two feet.

  “What happened? Where am I?” Jeremy’s voice comes out like sandpaper, but I don’t give a fuck. The sound is like a beautiful sonata to me. He’s awake and talking.

  I look over at Susan, and she says, “I’ll call the doctor.”

  Thank god, Jeremy seems fine. He’s talking and seems pretty damn coherent to me.

  “Mom, he’s doing fine,” I say as my mother rushes into the room. She looks all stressed out and goes right to his side.

  “Oh, my baby!” she cries, and I know she won’t be lea
ving him. It feels so good to have her with us. Mother love is one of the most powerful loves that exists, and we are lucky to be together, holding Jeremy up with our love.

  I see Bob peek into the room and wave him in. He comes around and hugs me. I’m so relieved to have them here and feel the tension I’ve been carrying since I first arrived at the hospital drain away. Together we are strong as fuck, and I can finally breathe.

  Nurse Susan comes into the room and says, “I’m sorry, I know you all want to be in here, but I can only let two of you stay at a time.”

  I look over at Rocco, and, with a nod, I follow him out the door.

  “Come on, we’ve got plans to make.” Rocco and I find a small, dark corner and both of us sit our asses down. It's finally time to make our plans. Time to focus on Alex. The relief spreads through me as I look over at Rocco.

  He says, “We need to hang tight for a few and see what happens. He’ll contact me as soon as he knows anything, anything at all.” Rocco takes a deep breath. “I just fucking hope nothing happens between these two clubs. It can get ugly pretty damn fast.”

  Damnit! It’s like this entire day is determined to mess with my mind. I don’t know much about MC life, but the thought of these two facing off with Alex just a few feet away is screwing with me big time. I want to scream. Thankfully, Rocco breaks my train of thought.

  “You ready for this?” he whispers.

  “Hell yeah, I’m ready,” I growl. “I was born ready.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Alex

  When the fuck am I getting out of here? I’m struggling, trying so hard to keep my spirits up, but they begin to waver. I want the fuck out now! It feels like I’ve been here in this creepy, dark, shadowed room for a long-ass time. It feels like forever, honestly, and I try to think back to how many days since that horrible monster took me, but my thoughts stall right out from under me. I really don’t know for sure, but it feels like a very long time. A week? Maybe two? Fuck if I know.

  Norris hasn’t been around, and I’m grateful. It’s feels like it’s been ages since his vile, scum-filled presence invaded my space. In other words: where the fuck is he?

  I know in my heart if Jack knows I’m missing—and wouldn’t he know by now?—that he would do everything in his power to free me, to get me back. I just don’t know how. And I don’t know the why. Why did Norris even steal me that morning?

  I was home alone, taking a relaxing soak in my tub when he suddenly appeared in my bathroom. I had locked all the doors and windows to my place, so he took me by complete surprise. His slimy presence always gives me the creeps, but this time fear hit me fast and hard. If only I wasn’t naked and vulnerable, maybe I would have taken some action. But he caught me on the back foot, grabbed me before I could struggle. I would have won that day. But instead, I lost everything.

  He slithered like the snake he is into my bathroom and jammed a needle quickly into my neck. My neck is still sore from him slamming whatever narcotic into my veins. I didn’t have a moment to react, and I woke up here in this room, tied down like an animal, like he was afraid of me. He dressed me in the clothes I’d laid out for the day. I’m still wearing the same jeans and T-shirt, but they’re filthy now. I feel the grime in my eyeballs, and my jeans are covered in filth. My T-shirt is drenched in sweat.

  After all these days with so little food, I’m feeling weak and dehydrated. I’m going to have to dig deep, but I know I’ve got this. I just need a single moment in time. I want him to see me as meek and weak. I show him only the vulnerabilities stacking up inside my mind. But fuck him. I’m not weak, and I’m going to fucking show him.

  I’ve tried to unknot this rope, but it’s thin and tied too tight, digging right into me. My skin broke days ago, and blood is oozing out of my wrists. I watch the droplets as they trickle steadily and fall to the cement floor. The puddle of blood is growing, and my heart flutters. I want to scream for help, but what good would that do?

  All the experts say to win your kidnapper over, or be disgusting, or just plain fight. I know timing’s everything. But my time’s running out. My energy’s waning, and my focus is fucked up. My mind keeps drifting back to better days.

  The day I met Jack was the best day of my life.

  Best fuck, that’s for sure. He became more. I know he’s the one for me. I have to find the strength inside to get out of this mess. Back to Jack, the love of my life.

  I know if things were flipped around, I would do anything to get to get Jack back. I worry that if he goes up against the Cribs, it could cost him more than I’m willing to see him pay.

  I want to see him again, goddamnit. I want to tell him that he broke down my walls and wormed his way inside. He's inside my heart now. It’s where he lives.

  I kind of chuckle at that thought. I think back on my hard-as-fuck exterior. I wasn't going to let any motherfucker hurt me like past boyfriends have. Now, I think of life in two stages: Before Jack and After Jack. I have loved my life since I met my true love. After Jack. I didn’t see it coming, but out of the blue he made me fall in love. He made me notice him in a way I haven't noticed any man in years.

  He’s a strong man. But gentle, too. I think of all the times he’s gently taken my face in both his large, warm hands and kissed me softly. My heart aches, I miss him so much. I want to hold him to me, to kiss him with all of me. I want a chance to kiss him one more time. I could die happy if I could be in his arms just one more time.

  I shake my head hard. I’ve got to stop thinking like that. I’m not going to die. I’m not going to let Norris take the only thing I own: my life. I’m a tough bitch, and everybody knows it.

  I think of Rocco. He stepped into my life when I needed a friend. I’ve gone to him with all the little things I never learned growing up. He taught me enough to live strong. He says strong and free—that’s his credo, and over the years it has become mine too. All I really know is he’s one badass motherfucker, and I’m glad he’s on my side.

  I miss him. I miss Jack and Rocco. They drive my thoughts forward. I’ll win this fight just to see them again.

  Strong and free is coming, baby. Hang onto that, I tell myself.

  I hear the key ease into the door. Fuck, it’s time, girl. Be strong, be free.

  Strong and free.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Jack

  This whole thing’s so fucked up. I’m on tenterhooks. Rocco has his brothers waiting for his call. We’ve decided we’re going to send in the Watchmen to grab Alex tomorrow, no matter what. We can’t waste one more minute. I’m worried about that other club, though. They could fuck up our plans, and I have no control over that.

  Rocco says he needs time to stop by the bar. I’m worried about him, though. I think his ribs are cracked. He refuses the doctor’s care—says he’s been down that road before. When he was Prez of his club, the OutKasts, he was in plenty of fights moving up that chain of command. He says the day he patched in was the happiest day of his life back then.

  He told me one day he sent the OutKasts on a run, but shit went bad. It was a trap, and his brothers got involved in a shootout with the Feds. He said he wasn’t there, that he stayed back because he’d grown old and soft. He was stepping down as the Prez soon. The survivors of that battle all got arrested and sentenced to long prison terms. The rest of his brothers died during the gunfire. He says he’s never really gotten over it. His heart was shredded to pieces that fateful day.

  Rocco said it was a shock to find himself without a club for the first time in his adult life. He scuttled back to his bar and put all his time and energy into that place. He moved out of the biker community that very same day and moved into the apartment over the bar. He was determined to make a real go of it. He said, “I shed my leather vest and put away my guns.”

  Thank fuck he still has a club to call. Rocco says Bark’s his closest friend and ally. He feels confident we can get Alex back and wants to be there to bring her home. She’s the daughter he neve
r had. Sure, he has kids, but they cut ties with him years ago.

  He told me, “Alex is a badass chick with a heart of gold.” I couldn’t agree more.

  He wants to go in with Bark tomorrow at dawn. He just needs one stop to pick up his guns. The plans are made. This is no new rodeo for either of them. He said they would execute perfectly. He makes it sound easy enough, but since the time he was a prospect, he learned nothing is as easy as it sounds.

  I need to know Jeremy’s recovering well. I’m half listening to Rocco right now. All I know is I can’t wait for this to be all over. Fuck, him getting us in a wreck stalled everything. Now that Mom and Bob are here, I can focus on Alex—thank fuck for that. I’m grateful Rocco took over. It’s in his nature. He tells me not to worry. He’s been running the show, and I think I’ll let him stay in charge. I feel weak as fuck; even with this cast on, my foot’s still killing me. My hand’s a mess and my ears are still ringing. I don’t think I’d be good for anything by tomorrow. I feel useless.

  I need to stay right here with my family. I hope Rocco doesn’t mind if I stay close to Jeremy. I know he loves Alex and will take good care of her. The main thing is he’ll get her out of this fucking mess.

  Rocco’s planning on killing that asshole, Norris. I’m sure there’d be no justice if he’s arrested and brought in. There are so many ways to play the legal system, ways to wiggle out of charges. I’m sure there’d be no true consequences for kidnapping my girl. I can’t be the one that puts a bullet in his head. I say more power to Rocco and his determination. And now we have to deal with a war between the two clubs? The situation feels dire, and I have no power to change it. We just have to wait it out. We have to see what goes down before we make our first move.