“A long time ago, there was a woman named Cherry who lived with the Gods. She was a matronly figure to the guys, in a way. But she left a few years ago, moved to New Orleans to start a private investigations firm with her sister. A few days ago, Ryder got a call from Cherry’s sister, Hannah. Cherry had come to Savannah to investigate the two cases of the murdered girls. Apparently, she got too close to the investigation and she was involved in an accident. The cops won’t investigate and her sister, and us, don’t think it was an accident. Cherry’s been unconscious in the hospital ever since the accident. Derek is her doctor.”
I gasped again, my head spinning now.
“We came here to investigate and make sure Cherry stayed safe. We’re undercover, and we’ve spread out a bit. Derek doesn’t know I have anything to do with Cherry. He won’t answer Ryder and Hannah’s questions about her care and he’s very vague and evasive. I don’t know if he’s involved, but I suspect he might be.”
My eyes widened at his words.
“My god,” I said. “Why would he harm someone?”
“It gets darker, babe.”
He shook his head, then we started walking again.
“I didn’t want to tell you any of this shit. I didn’t want to worry you or freak you out. But after our misunderstanding yesterday, I realized if I wasn’t truthful with you completely, you’d never understand why I was asking the questions I was asking. I’m telling you all of this because I trust you to keep this between us. If our cover is blown, it will screw up our chances of getting to the bottom of what happened to Cherry, and maybe saving a life in the process.”
“Who’s life?” I asked.
He took a deep breath and shook his head. “That’s the million dollar question. We don’t know. But, as I’m sure you’ve heard, there’s a lot of talk about another murder happening, since it’s the same time of year as the last two.”
“Yes, of course, I’ve heard that,” I said. “I’d dismissed it all as just town gossip and hadn’t worried about it too much, though.”
“And it may very well be. But we’re not sure yet. The thing is, there’s a lot we don’t know yet. But here’s what led to me asking questions about Maggie, and I don’t want to freak you out, but again, I feel like I have to be honest.”
“Tell me!”
I was definitely getting freaked out now.
“Hank had a list behind the bar the other night. Some people in town have a running bet going on who is next.”
“Who is next for what exactly?”
“Who the next victim is going to be.”
“What!” I cried. “That’s disgusting.”
“Rose, Maggie’s name is on it.”
I gasped again, my stomach churning. “No!”
“Don’t freak out. The list doesn’t mean anything, just a bunch of drunk assholes trying to entertain themselves. Maggie’s name is on there, but so are a dozen other girls her age.”
“That’s such bullshit!”
“I know. I’m so sorry,” he said. “I wanted to protect you from that, but I needed to tell you everything. When I asked if she was safe the other day, that was why. Also, and at the risk of being a complete snitch and totally uncool, I saw her here yesterday during school hours.”
“Here? She skipped school?” I asked, incredulously.
“Apparently. I mean, maybe it wasn’t her, but she was a spitting image of you and her friend called her Maggie, so…” He shrugged.
“Dammit,” I said, shaking my head, tears filling my eyes. I’d tried so hard with her, and yet I knew things were slipping since I’d left Derek. She was mad about it, hating having to be shuffled off between the two of us like a piece of property. And I’d retreated into myself instead of rallying around her.
“Hey, skipping school isn’t a big deal. If it helps, they weren’t drinking or smoking pot or anything like that. They were just blowing off a little steam and having fun.”
“Thanks for telling me,” I said, grateful that I finally knew the truth about everything. “And I should tell you something, too. I cut my family out of my life years ago. I’m so sorry my father threatened you and killed Sera’s dog. I can’t believe that, Blade. I am so sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault and you have nothing at all to apologize for. I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger. Hell, I’m sorry I didn’t come kidnap you like I dreamed of.”
“That would have been fun,” I said, a smile stretching across my face.
“Yeah, it would have,” he whispered, smiling down at me. He bent his head, kissing me gently. “Are you okay with me being an outlaw biker?”
I laughed, nodding. “It sounds kind of bad-ass, to tell you the truth.”
“It is,” he chuckled. “I can’t wait for you to meet everyone.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Rose,” he said, growing serious. “I’m never going to let you go again.”
“Blade, there’s so much to talk about, I —.”
“—Rose, once more, I’m never going to let you go again. We can talk till the cows come home, but that’s not changing. Unless you tell me to leave. I’ll listen to you. I’ll fucking hate it. But I’ll leave. But under no other circumstances. Nothing is going to keep me away from you, not if you still want me.”
I smiled up at him, my heart swelling with love for this man. He’d grown so much. He’d lived a whole other life without me. And yet, he was here again with an offer I’d only thought would come true in my wildest dreams.
“I still want you,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around him.
“Good. It’s settled then,” he said.
“What’s settled?”
“You’re my girl,” he said, making it all sound so simple. But after everything he’d just told me, I knew it would be a good, long while before our lives were simple again.
“Hey look!” He gestured to the live oak stretching its long twisted limbs overhead, a long silvery drape of moss floating down towards us.
My eyes lit up when I realized where we were.
“It’s our tree!” I cried out.
“Our kissing tree,” he said, his lips falling on mine.
He kissed me so gently, a silent promise of a million future kisses.
Chapter 39
MAGGIE
Not being at home was my favorite thing. I was so happy to have good friends where I could crash at their house for days at a time with their parents being cool about it. Things hadn’t been good at my house for a long time. Sure, I loved Clem and my mom, but it was like there was always a constant fight going on and I hated it.
Mom was controlling and Dad was the exact opposite. It was clear he didn’t really want anything to do with me, he was just forced to hang out with me because of a stupid court order or he’d go to jail or have to pay a fine or something.
I told myself I’d never put my own kids through this kind of drama.
If I ever had kids, that is. I’m a long way from that.
I haven’t even had sex yet.
But all of that was about to change. I wasn’t about to go into adulthood without experiencing all that being an adult was about, so I’d finally decided that Finn and I would go all the way on my birthday.
I was determined to figure out a way to get out of hanging out with my dad that day. I hadn’t gotten out of it just yet, but I would. And, if my plan to get out of it didn’t work, I’d just wait until he drank himself to sleep and then sneak out to go to the cemetery with my friends.
So, I braced myself as I drove back up our driveway to get some fresh clothes, knowing that most likely I’d end up fighting with my mom again. I was surprised to see an old beat up motorcycle in the driveway as I walked up to the front porch.
I was even more surprised to hear a long peal of my mother’s laughter floating out of the house. When it was followed by a low unfamiliar chuckle, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. I opened the door and was shocked to see a very large, very tattooed man standing
in our living room. When he turned my way, I recognized him as the man I’d seen at the cemetery with my friends.
“Maggie! You’re home!” Mom called out, a strange smile on her face.
“Uh, yeah, I needed to get some fresh clothes,” I said, eyeing the guy.
“You’ve been gone all weekend, you should spend the night here tonight.”
“Mom, I —.”
“—I want you to meet someone,” she interrupted.
He smiled at me, his eyes kind and familiar. I felt like I’d seen him somewhere else, not at the cemetery, but somewhere else before that, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
“This is Blade. He’s an old friend from high school.”
“Oh, the famous Blade, huh?” I asked, sounding a little more sarcastic than I meant to. I’d heard all about him throughout my life. Almost every story my mom told about her childhood and teen years began with, ‘Me and Blade’.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, with an outstretched hand.
Why was he here?
“You, too,” I replied. I looked from him to Mom for an answer, but neither of them said anything, they just smiled at me.
“I’m going to my room,” I mumbled, shuffling down the hallway with my confusion. I knew my parents would start dating other people sooner or later, but this guy? He looked a lot tougher than anyone I’d ever seen my prim and proper mother hang out around. He seemed nice enough, it was just weird.
Whatever. It was none of my business what she did, I finally decided. If she was happy and distracted by this guy, then that meant she’d wouldn’t be on my ass as much. Eighteen was just around the corner, and then I could do anything I wanted, no matter what she said.
After throwing my backpack on my bed, I pulled out my phone and texted Finn.
-Okay, it’s official. We’re doing it on my birthday. Be ready!
My heart skipped a beat as I hit the send button. When I saw the three little dots that indicated he was writing me back, I held my breath as I waited for his message to appear.
-I’ve been ready for a LONG time! Can’t wait, Mags. Xoxo
“Okay, then,” I announced to my empty room as I looked around at all the things I’d collected over the years — a lifetime of things that represented me at every age.
So much pink it looked like the Easter bunny lived there.
It was time to move on. To grow up.
I laid back on my bed and stared up at the ceiling, tears forming in my eyes.
All I’d ever known was Savannah.
And all I’d ever wanted to do was leave.
I reached into my backpack and pulled out the plane ticket I had hidden there. I ran my fingers over the thick paper, reading the words over and over. By the time anyone noticed I was gone, I’d already be in Hawaii.
I’d been planning this for weeks.
My own little secret. I hadn’t told a soul, not even Finn or Tara. The last thing I needed was Finn getting all sappy before I left town. I needed one more thing from him before I began the rest of my life.
Using Dad’s credit card, I’d purchased the ticket online, knowing he never looked at his credit card statement before paying the bill.
I just wanted out. And once I formed a plan, it was easy.
I’d go to Maui and just disappear. I didn’t want to be Magnolia Rose Davenport anymore. I wanted to be someone else, start a new life, in a place where nobody knew my parents and I could create a life that I wanted to lead, not live my life according to someone else’s rules.
I’d get a job, find a place to stay, maybe camp out on the beach in the meantime, then once I was settled, I’d go to school and get that marketing degree and start my own design firm, just like I’d always dreamed, only on my terms — it was going to be paradise.
I could just be me.
Whoever that turned out to be.
Chapter 40
DEREK
After Beddingham’s wife died, he moved out of their sprawling Antebellum plantation and into a three-million dollar townhouse just off Forsyth Park. He loved to have meetings there, because the veranda in the back was like a bricked off fortress from the rest of the world.
This is what a trapped animal feels like, I thought, as I parked my car on the street in front. I hated coming here, but I had no choice.
I felt like I’d had no choices in my life for a very long time.
After being practically thrown into an arranged marriage with Rose by our families, we’d both done as was expected of us. None of it had been easy.
Getting married right out of high school was not in my plans.
Having a kid so soon wasn’t either, and I was shocked, to say the least, when Maggie was born.
Medical school was the last thing I wanted to think about, too, but I went because my father had arranged it and insisted I needed a proper occupation if I was going to be a family man.
Because I wasn’t interested in any of that, I was never any good at it.
I was a terrible doctor. I was a terrible father and husband, too.
Fuck, I’m a terrible human being in general, but I can’t help but wonder how things would have turned out for me if I’d gotten to follow my own dreams and live my own life. I always wanted to be an airline pilot. I hated myself for being weak and staying here and listening to them, living out the life they planned for me.
That’s why I hated Blade so much. I was fucking jealous. He’d gotten out. Hell, look at him, he’d turned into a real man. He looked tough, and that right hook told me he was strong as fuck. I was furious and humiliated and my fucking face still stung from his punch, but goddamn was I envious, too.
“Fucker,” I muttered to myself as I walked up the stone stairs that led to Beddingham’s front door.
Jasper, his butler, opened the door with a formal nod and a smile.
“Mr. Davenport, they’re waiting for you out back,” he said.
“Thank you, Jasper,” I replied. I’d always wondered why Jasper stayed. Anson was a bastard to be around.
I walked through the stately mansion, past the wide wooden staircase, past Anton’s tomb-like study full of heavy wooden antique pieces and hundreds of books, the shadows of past residents lingering in the air, endless flames flickering in the stone fireplace.
The entire house was surely haunted, with unexplainable creaks and other sounds coming from all corners of the old place.
I exited through the French doors on the side of the house, making my way around to the covered veranda.
The group of men standing around was made up of all the familiar faces.
I hated each and every one of them for different reasons.
The five men represented the worst of the worst in this town. They weren’t drug dealers or low-life criminals. They were the kind of criminals that smiled to your face while they robbed you. And they didn’t just take your money, they took your dignity and reputation and any sense of safety you may have thought you had.
They did it in the light of day for everyone to see. That was the trick to getting away with all the dirty deals they did, nobody batted an eye at their corruption if the lights were on.
Their real secrets are the things they did at night when nobody was watching.
Anton sat in his usual chair as the activity swirled around him while they waited for everyone to arrive.
Alan Bradley, the Sheriff of Savannah, stood by his side. Alan’s dad had been the sheriff before he died, and his old man had been Anton’s most loyal partner. He’d never have gotten away with half the shit he did without the cooperation of the Sheriff’s Department over the years.
The Mayor, Tyree Finley, was pouring himself another drink, and by the looks of the way he was struggling with that snifter, it was probably his third or fourth drink of the day.
I hated him most of all.
He was Rose’s father and without him meddling in our lives, neither Rose nor I would be as miserable as we are today. Hell, I wouldn’t be here w
ith these assholes at all if it wasn’t for him.
Carl Rothstein, Beddinham’s personal lawyer, was yelling into his telephone in the corner. He was a very busy man and rarely spoke during our meetings, lingering like another one of Anton’s ghosts in the corner.
Michael Carlisle held court front and center, his usual whiskey in his hand as he boasted about the exorbitant amount of commission he’d made on a real estate deal this week. He and his wife had whisked into town a few decades ago and he’d latched onto Anton as fast as he could. Once Anton had him hooked with the kind of favors Carlisle needed that only Anton could provide — mainly women and coke — the two of them quickly realized they shared the same sick religious beliefs, too, if you could even call them that.
Anton was able to eventually convince Carlisle to give up his daughter Josephine to his sick game, just as Beddingham had given up his own granddaughter, Lily.
Their secrets were buried deep, with only the people in this room knowing the true depravity they possessed.
And, unfortunately, I was next.
I hated being involved. I hated knowing them. More than anything, I hated being related to Finley, even if it was only by marriage.
Of course, I was a Davenport, and I was just like them. Only I wasn’t a true believer, not in their eyes. They only wanted me involved because I had something that they wanted. They only trusted me because they knew I couldn’t betray them without destroying myself in the process at this point.
“You’re late, Davenport,” Anton barked. With his impeccably-tailored three-piece suit and arrogant tone, he knew how to put a man in his place with one look. That didn’t work with me, though.
“I have a lot on my plate right now,” I snapped. I didn’t hide my displeasure with any of them. They knew that I didn’t want to do any of the shit they were making me do.
Rothstein hung up the phone and joined us and Carlisle finally shut his mouth so we could begin the meeting.
“Alright, first things first. Why is the red-headed bitch still alive?” Anton asked, giving me a pointed look.
SURVIVING SAVANNAH: GODS OF CHAOS MC (BOOK 16) Page 12
