Looking around to make sure the nurses weren’t paying any attention to me, I walked into Cherry’s room. Her sister was fast asleep in the recliner near the window, just as she usually was every night at this time. Quickly, I pulled out the vial and injected the mixture into her IV. I was done in seconds, and I stood for a moment, staring down at her copper curls, laying wild and unruly on the white pillowcase. Her eyes were closed and I wondered what she was dreaming about.
I hoped, at the very least, that they were good dreams.
She deserved to have a few good ones before they were gone completely.
Chapter 20
SLADE
I passed out in my clothes. The booze had done me in, and I’d drank a little too much too fast. I slept like a rock for a few hours, then woke up in a cold sweat in the dark.
I stumbled to the bathroom without turning on the light, trying to gain stable footing as I stood in front of the toilet and peed.
My head was throbbing and the alcohol-induced cobwebs had only slightly been reduced by the small amount of sleep I’d gotten.
I was just beginning to button my fly back up when I felt the distinct slap of a hand on my ass.
I screamed like a little girl and jumped forward, turning around with wide eyes. With the exception of my reflection in the mirror, I was completely alone.
“What the fuck?” I growled, walking out of the bathroom. The faint smell of perfume hung in the air, a light rosy scent that I’d not noticed when I’d woken up.
My ass still stung from the slap.
Unnerved, I quickly pulled on my boots and grabbed a leather jacket and my key, leaving the darkness of the room as fast as I could. The fresh air outside felt like absolute heaven and I breathed in big gulps of it.
Shaking my head, I walked back across the street where I’d talked to the man earlier. The park was empty of people at this late hour, the streets lined with parked cars. I sat down near the fountain, the sound of the splashing water and chirping crickets the only thing breaking the silence of the night.
The moon had traveled to the other side of the sky, but it still lit the park up with an eerie golden glow. I lit a cigarette and leaned back on the bench, inhaling the sweet tobacco deeply. I would have killed for a fat joint right about then, but the last thing I needed was to get busted for weed in fucking Georgia. The cops most likely weren’t quite as forgiving as they would be in a legal state like Oregon.
I missed Oregon. I missed my wife, my quickly growing son.
I had no idea how long we’d be here, and that was the hardest part of my job. Never knowing how long we’d be gone. I hoped like hell Cherry woke up soon, so this whole ordeal could be over. But more than for me, I just hoped Cherry woke up. If anything happened to her, Ryder would be beside himself.
I knew she reminded him of his past. Of his father, who was the president of the Gods before he was. She’d always meant a lot to him, even if it wasn’t really romantic for him. Before he’d met Grace, he went through women like water. Cherry might have been one of many back then, but they were good friends, before and after Grace came along.
My gaze turned up at the buildings surrounding the park and Zelda’s story came rushing back to me. I looked up at the balcony the man had pointed at and for a flash of a second, I thought I saw a white billowing figure in the window.
I shook my head, trying to shake away these thoughts. Had someone — something — really smacked my ass up there? I brought the cigarette to my lips and realized my fingers were trembling.
Whatever was up there couldn’t hurt me, I reminded myself. If I fled now, it would only give Riot a pleasure I wasn’t willing to give to him. I’d stick this out and if I had to endure another smack on the ass, so be it.
I’d just do my best to drink enough to sleep through it, and spend the days working elsewhere.
I took another drag and watched as a sleek, black Porsche pulled up at the edge of the park and cut its lights. A moment later, a Rolls Royce rolled up behind him, its lights illuminating the inside of the Porsche for a flash before going dark. The door of the Porsche opened and I saw a man slide out and walk back to the passenger side of the Rolls and hop in. Still deserted, the park was quiet and dark and I stayed put, trying not to move as I watched carefully.
The two men inside were talking animatedly, their voices raised in anger, but I couldn’t hear their words. Three or four minutes later, the first guy got out and slammed the door before getting back in his Porsche and squealing away. The Rolls followed shortly, not nearly as rushed as the other car, driving off and leaving me alone in the square again.
I finished my cigarette and eyed the hotel warily as I walked back across the street. Quietly opening the door, I couldn’t help but stop and look up at the portrait of Zelda as I passed by the bar this time.
I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and broke the seal, taking a big gulp right there.
“Don’t fucking hit me again, woman!” I growled to Zelda, heading back up to my room with the bottle.
Chapter 21
BLADE
After getting on my bike, I ended up driving around town all day.
First, I drove down Bull Street, comforted to see that nothing had changed in the Squares, a 20 block area of historic landmarks framed by beautiful parks and expensive homes, then I passed Forsyth Park, the fountain still going strong.
After that, I headed through Oakdale, slowing down at all the familiar spots of my youth. We’d lived there for a short time before moving to Rose’s neighborhood, renting the cheapest house we could find in the area. I passed by the schools I went to, the parks I played baseball in, and everything was the same.
I drove out to the wildlife refuge, one of my favorite places as a kid. There was something magical about heading out there back then, to the quiet that only exists in a place reserved for animals. I felt more comfortable among the birds and deer, just going along and doing their thing. Getting away from people was one of my favorite things to do when I was kid, but once I got out of Savannah and hooked up with the Gods, I realized that it wasn’t people in general that I disliked, it was the people of Savannah.
Everyone in Savannah has something to prove. It’s bred into them. Passed down generation after generation, the constant need to prove that you are better than everyone else around you. It’s exhausting, and ridiculous, and completely against anything my entire soul actually feels naturally.
So, I did everything I could to get away from most everyone except Rose, until I finally had no choice but to leave.
But now, here I am again. Still feeling like an outsider.
After hours of literally driving down memory lane, I finally was able to shake off the embarrassment of driving by Rose’s place. I parked in front of McDonough’s Lounge to have a few drinks before going back to my hotel.
I walked through the familiar door and was transported back in time. I’d left Savannah when I was eighteen, but that didn’t mean I didn’t spend a hell of a lot of time in this bar anyway. A home away from home for the locals, nobody really cared if I was underage back then. I’d order a coke and sneak frequent sips of my bar mate’s drinks, ending up just as drunk as they were by the end of the night.
So, I wasn’t surprised to see a familiar face behind the bar.
“Hank, you’re still here?” I asked, sitting on a stool at the end of the worn wooden bar.
“Holy shit, Blade, what the hell are you doing here?” He came around the bar and gave me a huge bear hug, banging on my back.
“Just visiting my sister, man,” I said, beaming at him. “It’s good to see you.”
And it really was. We’d gone to high school together, played baseball together and spent many nights getting drunk together in this very bar.
“I can’t believe you still work here,” I said. He’d started working there right out of high school.
“Manager now,” he shrugged. “Jenny popped out a few kids, so someone’s gotta pay the bills.”
“Shit, man, I had no idea,” I said.
“Well, you haven’t really been back in a while,” he said.
A twinge of guilt hit me. I’d left everything behind back then, without saying goodbye, or even telling anyone I was going. I’d not even said goodbye to Rose and I always felt bad about it. I never thought too much about the other people I left behind, except for Sera and Rosy.
“Yeah, man, it was just best at the time to take off like that,” I said. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s cool,” he shrugged, opening a beer bottle and placing it in front of me. “You want anything else?”
“Whiskey would be good,” I said. He nodded and grabbed the bottle, pouring a glass.
“Thanks, man. So, how’s Jenny anyway?”
Everyone was always shocked that Hank had snagged Jenny, the prettiest girl in school, but she was crazy about him. Hank was always a little awkward due to his huge linebacker frame, but he was a hell of a good guy.
“She’s great, man.” His smile could have lit up the room. “She’s the best mom ever. The kids love her. We have a really good life.”
“I’m so fucking glad to hear that, Hank,” I said.
“What about you? You took off and never looked back, huh?”
“I guess so,” I shrugged. “It was better that way. But life is good now, man. I went through some shit, but I came out of it stronger.”
The shit I went through was all a result of leaving Rose behind. Leaving everything behind. But I rebuilt my life, first with the Goddamn Gentlemen, but once that club went south, I was blessed with this second chance for a better life. Once I found out the Gods wanted us — wanted me — I jumped for the opportunity to be a part of their family. I slept a hell of a lot better these days now that I spend my time helping people instead of running drugs and guns up and down the West coast.
I wanted to tell Hank all about it, but part of being a God requires a good amount of discretion. I had no idea what Hank was into now. The city has a way of pulling the best people over to the dark side. Hank’s lived here all his life, he may have some valuable information to share. If I revealed too much too soon about why I was here, he may be less inclined to share anything with me.
“That’s good to hear, man,” he said. “Sera said you joined up with some club in Oregon.”
“Yeah, that’s right,” I said, keeping my answers vague. “Doesn’t look like much has changed here, though.”
“Got that right,” he said. “Although, the town is growing. Same old assholes in charge of everything, though.”
“Old money ain’t gonna let that power go,” I laughed.
“So true, man,” he said. “Do you know how much property Beddingham owns now? He’s snatching up houses like he’s playing fucking Monopoly.”
“I’m not surprised,” I said.
He shook his head, wiping the bar down with a white cloth while he talked. I took a sip of my whiskey, the warmth hitting my throat with its predictably pleasurable pain.
“Everyone’s losing their shit right now, though,” he said.
“Oh, yeah, why’s that?”
“You didn’t hear?” he asked, his voice lowering a little. He looked over at a group of folks at a table on the other side of the bar before continuing at a whisper. “The murders?”
“Oh, Sera said something, but I didn’t really get what was going on…”
I shrugged, sipping, giving him all the room he needed to talk.
“It’s been fucked up, man. I knew those girls! To think, they just fucking aren’t gonna be running around anymore. And their parents have to go on without them.” He shook his head again, his mouth twisting in disgust. “I can’t believe some sick fuck is just out there getting away with this shit.”
“The cops don’t know who did it?”
“Honestly, dude, I think the cops might be in on it. Do you remember Alan Bradley?”
“Yeah, I remember that asshole,” I said. Alan Bradley was the quarterback of our high school football team and his dad was the sheriff. Alan thought he could do whatever the hell he wanted and get away with it. He thought that because it was true, unfortunately. He was rude and arrogant and most people couldn’t stand him.
“Well, his old man died and now he’s the sheriff.”
“Oh, fuck,” I said.
“Exactly. So, he doesn’t seem to be too interested in solving the cases. He and his buddies spend more time drinking in here than doing their jobs.”
“Wow,” I said.
“Everyone’s freaking out because they’re wondering who’s next. In fact, some of these dicks have a fucking bet going.”
“What kind of bet?”
“They’re betting who’s going to be next. Because both girls were just out of high school, they put together a list of other girls who are about to graduate and they placed bets on who’s next.”
“That’s so fucking sick,” I said, reeling.
“It really is,” he said. “Here, look…”
He turned around and reached behind the cash register, pulling out a small white binder. He opened it up and showed me a page inside with a list of names.
“This is it.”
“The list?” I asked, incredulously.
“Yeah, the fuckers make me keep it back here.”
“Who made this list?” I asked.
“Bradley. His buddies on the force. Hell, even Beddingham placed a bet. A few other assholes. Everyone thinks it’s funny.”
I looked down the list and my stomach churned when I saw Rose’s daughter’s name at the number one slot.
“Why the fucking is Maggie on here?”
“Dude, it’s a free-for-all. Any girl her age is fair game. She’s at the top because her birthday is coming up. Both girls were killed on their birthdays.”
“This is fucking morbid and sick.”
“Blade, you know Savannah. Pretty and proper during the day, and dark and twisted when the sun sets.”
I thought of the sunset I’d seen tonight. The beams of light shining through Rose’s dress as she watched me from her porch as I drove by. I regretted not stopping with a renewed strength now. There wasn’t anything dark and twisted about that view.
“Fuckers,” I said.
“I’m with you, man. But some things never change, and it seems like all this death is just entertainment to these assholes. Or, a quick way to make a buck with this bet. They value that even more.”
I nodded, understanding well — too well, unfortunately.
Chapter 22
CHERRY
The darkness had been so lonely, I was so glad to have an old friend with me. Doc’s laughter kept me company and comforted me. Time stood as still as my body, and while we waited, we remembered.
“Ah, Cherry, you were so beautiful back then. Full of fire. Didn’t take shit from anyone. I’d never seen a woman so in control of her life.”
Doc’s voice purred in my ears. I reached out to him, wrapping my arms around him.
“I didn’t feel in control. It was all an act.”
“Well, you were the best fucking actress then. I think I fell in love with you that first time we met. Do you remember?”
“How could I forget?”
“You were wearing a leopard print bodysuit, your hair wound up in tight curls around your face. Those green eyes were brilliant and as soon as you flashed them my way, I felt like you could see right through me.”
“I could,” I laughed. “You pretended to be so tough. With your leather and your wild hair and your loud bike. But I saw your heart, Doc. You could never hide that, no matter what you did. No matter who you tried to impress. It was like you wore it on the outside of your cut. Your goodness literally pours from your eyes.”
“Ah, Cher, you’re so sweet.”
He pulled me tight, his warm body enveloping me in love.
I’d never felt as loved in my life as the time I spent with Doc. His smile alone was enough to turn a bad
day around in a heartbeat.
Maybe living in this darkness here with him would be enough.
Chapter 23
RYDER
Hannah stood beside me and I sensed she was as frustrated as I was.
Talking to Cherry’s doctor was like pulling teeth. His answers were vague and his attitude sucked.
“Look it’s been five days now since the accident. Isn’t it unusual that she isn’t waking up?”
“A little,” he said, waving away my question.
“I haven’t seen anyone else but the nurses taking care of her. Do you have some other doctors you can consult?”
He didn’t like that question, but I didn’t care if he was offended.
“I’m the Chief of Staff. There is nobody better here, I assure you.”
“I didn’t say better,” I replied, pointedly. “But sometimes two minds are better than one. Is it possible you’re missing something?”
“Your friend had a serious concussion. Sometimes it takes a while to recover. You’ll just need to be patient, I’m afraid.”
He walked away before I could question him further. I wanted more details on exactly how they were treating her. I wanted to know what the plan was. I wanted to know what they expected, what they’d tried and what they could still do for her. Hell, they wouldn’t even let us look at her medical chart.
Something wasn’t right, and I was beginning to think it started with that sketchy doctor.
For the millionth time, I wished Doc was still with us. He’d have charmed the pants off the nurses and gotten the answers he needed right away.
I laughed to myself, thinking I might just have to employ some of his methods myself. While I didn’t plan on ending up in the supply closet with one of them, a little flirting might go a long way.
“I think we need to look into getting a second opinion on Cherry’s condition,” Hannah said.
SURVIVING SAVANNAH: GODS OF CHAOS MC (BOOK 16) Page 7
