As expected, Mystic ran full speed ahead to a pond tucked away behind a small copse of trees in the far corner of the property. I had ridden out there numerous times and never once ran into another person. It had become my secret place to escape, and my visit was way overdue. We trotted around the property and explored a new trail through one of the wooded areas before returning to the barn.
After I tended to Mystic, I led her back to her stall and gave her a few treats. Then, I opened the door and led my baby out. Blink was technically Mystic’s baby, but I helped her deliver him and felt a special connection to both of them. At two years old, he was a beautiful thoroughbred colt. His coat was a warm grey with a slightly darker mane, and he had the most exquisite blue eyes. I spent some time working with him in the round pen. He was always difficult at the beginning of a training session, but by the end, he was typically much more compliant.
I turned to lead him back to the barn and nearly jumped out of my skin. Shaker was leaning against the railing of the pen watching me. When I startled, Blink did, too, and started to pull against the lead I was holding. He didn’t fully rear up on his hind legs, but both front hooves left the ground several times. I didn’t have to look to know Shaker would be climbing over the railing to help. “Stay back, Shaker! I can handle him,” I said in a calm but firm tone. I remained calm and gently spoke to Blink, waiting for him to settle. Once he was calm again, I turned to Shaker and said, “Stay there while I put him in his stall.”
I gave Blink some love and attention before leaving him with some treats. For the second time that day, Shaker’s sudden appearance scared the crap out of me. He was leaning against the barn door, arms crossed, and staring at me. “Damn it, Shaker! You’ve got to stop doing that!” I scolded.
“Consider it payback,” he muttered.
“Excuse me?”
“I didn’t know where you were, and you weren’t answering your phone. When I called Kellan, he told me you went to the farm and promised to call before you left. I’ve been looking for you for almost two hours. Then, when I finally found you, you were in the ring with a wild horse!” he said, progressively getting louder.
“He is not a wild horse; he’s a baby, and I’m perfectly capable of handling him. And since when do I have to tell you where I’m going or what I’m doing?” I yelled, my balled fists going right to my hips.
“Since you agreed to let me protect you,” he yelled back, pushing off the door and stalking toward me. “Since you became my wife!” He cupped my face with his hands and pressed his lips to mine, almost making me forget what an asshole he’d been.
Almost.
I pushed against his chest and took a step back. “Besides trying to slowly drive me insane, why are you here?” I asked.
He searched my eyes, for what I have no idea, before he answered with, “Are you upset with me about something?”
I huffed, “Answer my question first.”
“You weren’t answering your phone, and I needed to talk to you. Your turn,” he grinned.
Oh, I could play that game, too. I returned his grin and raised it with a smirk, “Yes, I am.” Question. Answered.
He threw his head back and laughed. I pushed against his chest again, trying to break his hold on me. Instead, he tightened his arms and pulled me closer. With his head nuzzled against my neck, he murmured, “I get it, wifey. Let me explain. I wasn’t there when you woke up this morning because Byte called and asked me to come to the clubhouse. I started looking for you as soon as I finished with Byte.”
He started gently kissing my neck, slowly working his way up. He placed his lips against the shell of my ear and breathed, “Still upset with me, wifey?”
His kisses felt so good. Being in his arms felt even better. But I wasn’t going to let him distract me with his talented mouth. I pulled away from him and narrowed my eyes. “Are you still upset with me? If you don’t have to tell me where you’re going, I damn sure don’t have to tell you where I’m going.”
His eyes softened, “I didn’t tell you where I was going because I didn’t want to wake you. I also thought I would be back before you woke up. I’ll leave a note next time.”
Well, shit. I wasn’t expecting him to have a valid excuse, or to offer a solution. “Okay. I guess I can send you a text and let you know where I am and what my plans are. Wait. You knew I was at the farm, so what was the problem?”
“The problem was that I couldn’t find you. The farm is huge in case you haven’t noticed. Where were you anyway?” he asked.
Did I dare tell him about my sacred little hideaway? I shrugged, “I was out riding Mystic. We started out riding through the open fields and ended up exploring a new trail through the wooded area. After that, I came back to the barn to work with Blink.”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“Honestly? When I have time to pleasure ride, I don’t like to be interrupted. I never take my phone into the round pen when I’m working with a new horse. Even if I put it on vibrate, the sound of the vibration could startle the horse. It’s too risky,” I explained.
“I understand where you’re coming from, on both points, but it’s also too risky for you to be out riding without any means of calling for help. Same goes for working in the round pen. I understand it’s your job, but you’re not alone when you’re working. Today, you were alone,” he said.
“So, now you’re telling me what I can and can’t do?”
“No, damn it. I don’t want anything to happen to you!” he roared. He closed his mouth, and a look of shock washed over his face before he turned on his heels and walked away.
Chapter Eighteen
Shaker
I had to walk away from her before I said something I didn’t mean. When dealing with women, my go-to reaction was to lash out with hurtful words to mask my own feelings. I didn’t want to do that with Keegan. When I couldn’t find her or get her on the phone, I was scared. Finding her at the farm, carelessly putting herself in danger pissed me off. I climbed on my bike and took off. I needed to take a long ride to clear my head and calm down.
I was already on edge after talking to Byte. He called earlier that morning and asked me to come by the clubhouse. When I got there, he played a recording from the bug in Lawrence’s office from the night before.
“No. It did not go as planned, but there is no need for concern. I have a contingency plan, and we still have plenty of time before the deadline,” Lawrence said.
“Yes, you have mentioned that several times. However, it does not matter who is to blame; it will be both of our asses if our client does not receive his compensation on time.”
“He did what?” Lawrence yelled. “And you are just now telling me?”
“I swear, Harold, when this is over, you and I are going to revisit the terms of our business agreement,” Lawrence growled.
“Because I am the one doing all of the work while you are doing nothing other than reaping the benefits. I have no interest in that kind of partnership.”
“Then, I suggest you get off your lazy ass and help me fix this. Especially now that the amount has increased!” Lawrence yelled followed by the sound of a phone slamming onto its base.
If we had made the calculations correctly, they had approximately one week left before they had to provide some kind of compensation to a male client. What kind of clients could Hensley and Hastings have? Obviously, they had some sort of business together, but we had yet to discover what it was. Until we had a name or location, we were at a standstill.
Regardless of how many times I went over the information we had, I couldn’t piece it together. Nothing made sense. Hastings was involved in politics while Hensley was an investment banker. Both were involved in the horse industry, but each had their own farm. Something had happened leaving them responsible for compensating a client. Their original solution involved Preston, but he screwed it up. I presumed they meant Preston marrying Keegan, but how would that help them compensate a client?
The bottom line was we needed to find out what kind of business they were involved in and who their client was. From the sounds of it, they owed him money, but also some type of product. With only one week left, the danger to Keegan was at an all-time high. I just wish I knew what that danger was.
I rode for a few hours before returning to the clubhouse. The ride had calmed me, but I was no closer to figuring out what was going on. I entered the common room and was surprised at the number of brothers present. Usually, the place filled up much later in the evening.
After finding a seat at the bar, I got a beer from our newest prospect. It was shitty of me, but I couldn’t remember the kid’s name. I’d only taken two sips of my beer when my phone dinged. I wanted to ignore it, thinking it would be Keegan trying to continue our fight, but on the off chance it wasn’t her or something was wrong, I needed to look.
Nope, not a message from Keegan. Instead, it was a video message from an unknown number. Chills ran down my spine as I tapped the message icon. When the message opened, I touched play and nearly choked at what was playing on my screen.
My mother was tied to a chair in her dining room. She had a gag in her mouth, and tears were streaming down her face. “Fuck!” I roared, getting to my feet.
The brothers in the common room fell silent at my outburst. Then, an electronic voice broke the silence, “Have $2.5 million ready for transfer in two hours, and your mother will remain unharmed.”
I vaguely heard Coal’s voice in the background as my vision blurred briefly before sharpening again. There was no room for emotions. I had to shut those off completely and focus on saving my mother.
“Phoenix is on his way,” Coal called out to the room. “Emergency Church, now.”
The following moments were a blur of activity. Phoenix came barreling into the clubhouse. I played the video for him, and he immediately started barking orders. He turned to me, “Do you have access to that kind of money?”
“Yes,” I said and heard a few sharp inhales from the brothers in the room. “I could transfer it now if I knew where to send it.”
“Good. Can you tell where they are in the video?”
“Yes, they are at my mother’s house, in her dining room,” I answered robotically. I’d managed to get control of my emotions and shut them down. I was in work mode and would stay that way until my mother was safe.
“Where is Keegan?” he asked.
“She’s at the farm, working with her horses. Kellan is on her,” I replied flatly.
Phoenix clapped his hands together loudly, “Byte, load whatever Shaker will need for the transfer in a cage. Edge, I want two cages following us. I need someone to stay behind with Harper and Annabelle. They’re over at my house. Ember, Reese, and Keegan will be safe on the farm. The rest of you, we’re rolling out in five.”
“I’ll stay with Harper and Annabelle,” Badger volunteered.
“I’ll ride with one of the boys taking a cage,” Ranger announced. My head jerked in his direction, surprised by his declaration. Ranger hadn’t ridden out on a mission like this with the club in several years. He claimed he was getting “too old for this shit.” He shrugged, “I feel like I need to go. When I get a feeling about something, I don’t ignore it.”
I nodded, “Understood.”
The brothers scattered to gather their things. Before I knew it, we were pulling out of the forecourt headed for my mother’s house. It would take us longer than two hours to get there, but Byte had his equipment set up to make the transfer while we were on the road. He had my phone with him in the cage with Edge, so we didn’t have to stop when the instructions for the transfer were sent to my phone.
About an hour and a half into the ride, the sound of a ringing phone filled my helmet. I had taken one of the club’s extra phones and synced it to my helmet for the ride. As soon as I accepted the call, Byte started talking. “I’ve got the instructions. Your mother appears to be fine. She is still bound and gagged, but I don’t see any physical damage. I’m ready for your account information when you are.”
I rattled off my login and password for the account that contained the majority of my assets immediately available for use. I braced myself for his reaction, and he did not disappoint. “Holy motherfucking shit, Shaker!”
“I know, but not now, okay?” I grumbled.
“Gotcha. All right, brother, it’s ready to go when you say the word,” he said.
“Did you set it up like we discussed?”
“Sure did. The money will show as pending in his account for one hour, which will give us plenty of time to get to your mother’s house. If we find that she has been harmed, a few mouse clicks will void the transaction.”
“Do you think we should tell him that?” I asked.
“Yeah, brother. I think it will ensure your mother’s safety.”
“Okay, do it,” I said.
“Done. I’ll let you know if I receive any more messages,” Byte said and ended the call.
It took everything I had to focus on the road. My mind was working in overdrive. Was my mother okay? How did someone get past her security team? Why would someone target my mother?
Phoenix’s voice filling my helmet broke me out of my thoughts. “Take the lead, Shaker.” I glanced around and realized we were less than a mile from my mother’s estate.
I broke formation and pulled in front, leading one of my worlds right toward the other. At least my mother already knew about the club. Hopefully, the club would be too focused on the situation at hand to worry about where I came from.
I led my brothers down the long, winding driveway that led to my mother’s house. I came to a screeching halt and almost dropped my bike when I saw Keegan’s car parked in the circle drive in front of my mother’s house. “Fuck! Somebody find out where in the fuck Kellan is!” I roared as I burst through the front doors. I didn’t concern myself with anything other than getting to my mother. I knew my brothers would cover me until each room was cleared.
I rounded the corner to find my mother still bound and gagged and thankfully, unharmed. Tears began pouring from her eyes when she caught sight of me. I pulled out my knife and quickly removed her gag while Phoenix was working on her hands and feet.
“Jacob,” she shrieked as soon as I pulled the gag from her mouth. “You have to go get her! Don’t waste time on me. I’m fine. Go! Now!”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, wondering if she truly was unharmed.
“Keegan! Lawrence took her! He told her he wouldn’t harm me if she took my place. She arrived right after you transferred the money. He had everything timed perfectly. You have to find her. I don’t know what he has planned, but it can’t be anything good,” she cried.
“Okay, okay. I can’t leave you here alone. Where is your security team?” I asked.
“Not here. I’ll tell you when there’s more time,” she said. “Now go find her!”
There was a commotion behind me. I turned to find Carbon and Duke struggling to hold back my mother’s trusted bodyguard, Ronan. Ronan was snarling and cursing them for everything they were worth.
“Ronan!” my mother gasped.
“Let him through, brothers,” I ordered. Carbon and Duke immediately released him.
He ran to my mother and cupped her face in his hands, “Jacquelyn, are you okay? When I discovered we had been deceived, I came as quickly as I could.”
“I’m a bit shaken up, but otherwise, I’m unharmed,” my mother said softly, tears staining her cheeks. Ronan wrapped her up in his arms and whispered soft words to her while she buried her face in his chest. Clearly, there was more to my mother’s relationship with Ronan, but I would have to deal with that later.
“Mom, did Lawrence say where he was taking Keegan or why he needed her here?” I asked.
“No, nothing specific. He didn’t say much while he was here. I think he thought he was keeping his identity hidden by wearing a mask and not talking, but one of the two men he had with h
im called him Senator, and Keegan called him Lawrence when she walked in,” my mother said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, son. That’s all I can tell you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I said and leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead. “I’m going to leave a few of my friends here with you and Ronan while we’re out looking for Keegan.”
“Okay. Please be careful and bring her back. I love you, Jacob,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“I’ll do my best. I love you, too,” I said and turned to find my brothers so we could get a game plan together.
I found most of the club gathered in the kitchen, drinking coffee from my mother’s antique fine china. I hoped Ronan kept my mother out of the kitchen until we were gone. She didn’t place a lot of value on material things, but her china had sentimental value as well as monetary value.
“Mom confirmed it was Lawrence who held her for ransom. She didn’t have anything to help us other than that. Has anyone gotten in touch with Kellan?”
As if on cue, Phoenix’s phone rang. “Where the fuck are you, boy?” he growled into the phone. “Slow down. I can’t understand you. Start again,” Phoenix said as he placed his phone on speaker.
“I tried to call, but no one was picking up, and I couldn’t keep calling while I was riding and tailing Keegan. She left the farm without telling me. I was waiting around outside the gates and followed when she tried to sneak off. She drove to some big ass house in Kentucky. She went inside the house and came out maybe two minutes later with Senator Hastings and two other men. Hastings grabbed her, shoved something into her neck, and she went limp. He put her in the car and drove to a barn in the middle of nowhere. I could see activity at the barn, but I couldn’t tell what they were doing. I tried to call, but I couldn’t get a signal out there. I’m about a mile down the road now. What do you want me to do, Prez?” Kellan spewed frantically.
“Text the location of the barn and go back to where you can keep an eye on the barn. We’re at the big ass house now, and we’re coming to you. If Hastings tries to leave before we get there, shoot him. I’ll make sure nothing comes back on you,” Phoenix said.
Shaker (Blackwings MC Book 5) Page 13
