His brows rose. “Is it, now? Do I get to give you a birthday kiss, then?”
Crash heard that one and leaned back on his barstool on the other side of Shannon. “Not a chance, brother.”
Red Dog laughed. “Did she get her birthday spanks?”
“Birthday spanks?” Shannon asked, frowning.
“Yeah, darlin’. One for each year. How old are you today?”
She frowned again. “Is that a real thing?”
“What? Birthday spanks? Sure is. Here, have another shot, honey.” Red Dog again pushed the shot glass toward her.
She whirled on Crash. “Is that why you asked me how old I was?”
Crash laughed and reached around Shannon to slug Red Dog in the arm. “Quit corrupting her.”
“What? I’m getting her drunk, and you get to take her upstairs and reap the benefits. How does that get me a slug in the arm?”
“Yeah, it’s all fun and games until someone’s puking her guts out in the toilet.”
Dog chuckled. “See your point.”
As the bar got more crowded and rowdy, the guys took up all the space surrounding her as they enclosed her, protecting her. It was oddly thrilling, being trapped between them, Crash’s hard body at her back. She felt small, feminine and sheltered.
Crash turned her and cupped her chin, bringing her attention back to him. “You havin’ a good time, Princess?”
She smiled up at him, leaning into him. “I’m having a blast.”
He grinned. “Good, baby. Tonight’s your night.”
She went up on her toes and brushed her lips against his.
“Happy birthday, bombshell,” he teased.
“Thank you, baby.”
Crash looked over her head to his brother, catching Wolf’s eyes on Shannon’s ass. “Wolf, how’s that pretty ass of hers you’re so intensely interested in?”
Wolf groaned behind her. “Fucking perfect, brother.”
“Look all you want, but don’t even think about touching it.”
Wolf raised his hands in surrender. “I ain’t touchin’ it, brother.”
Shannon giggled, knowing they were teasing each other.
Later that night, Crash pulled Shannon through the lobby toward the elevators. As they passed the in-hotel chapel Shannon pointed to the pair of French doors with beautiful inlaid glass. “Look, they do weddings here.”
“How about that,” Crash replied, smiling down at her. She was pretty tipsy, and he had found that Shannon was a fun drunk. She giggled a lot and generally found anything any one of his brothers said hilariously funny. She’d joined in the fun wholeheartedly and got into the fights as much as any of them had. She knew nothing of the MMA fighters, but for every fight they’d watched she’d looked over the contestants and picked one to cheer for. He’d asked her each time why she’d chosen this one or that one. Sometimes her answer was that she liked the color of his shorts better, or his tattoos or his smile. They placed a few bets, and she won a little money. He’d had a great time, and he was pleased that she’d seemed to enjoy herself as well.
Now she was stopped, staring at those doors. “Shannon, you okay?” She looked up at him with a smile, but also a sort of sobered and serious look on her face. No way in hell was he ready for what came out of her mouth next.
“Marry me.”
His brows rose. “Huh?”
“Let’s get married.”
He frowned with a smile. “Shannon, you’ve had a lot to drink tonight.”
“Haven’t you ever wanted to do something crazy and spur of the moment?”
“Yeah, sure. But getting married has never been one of ‘em.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body up against him. “We could have a really awesome wedding night,” she tempted him.
“Babe, I was hoping we’d have a really awesome night anyway, minus the rings.”
“Come on, Crash. Give in to me,” she purred as she kissed her way up his neck.
“I was hoping you’d be the one givin’ in to me, upstairs in bed.”
“Crash.”
“Shannon, baby, you can’t be serious.”
She pulled back and looked up at him. “I am.”
“Babe, you don’t even know what you’d be signing up for. The life I lead…”
“Crash, I know the life you lead.”
“Baby, it’s a real sweet offer, but that’s not the kind of thing you should do spur of the moment and under the influence.”
“You think I don’t know what I’m asking?”
“I know you don’t.”
She spun. “Fine. I’m not going to beg you.”
He grabbed her and yanked her back, her chest coming up against his. “Shannon, if I thought for one second I was what you really wanted…” His gaze moved to the doors, considering. To have a woman as beautiful as her, in his bed, in his life, permanently? He shook his head, trying to regain his senses. It was crazy, and one of them had to think clearly, rationally. Looking down at her, he knew her feelings were at risk here, even if it had started as a joke. If he said the wrong thing here, it could ruin everything between them, and all those walls he’d worked so hard to tear down would come right back up. “Make you a deal, the chapel will still be here in the morning. You still feel the same when you wake up with that hangover headache I know you’re gonna have, maybe I’ll take you up on your offer.”
That got a smile out of her. “You’re on, mister.”
At least that gave him until tomorrow for her to come to her senses. If not, hell…he’d have to cross that bridge when he came to it. He cupped her cheeks and pulled her face up to his, his eyes roving over her before he lowered his head and kissed her. The elevator dinged twenty feet away, and a couple stepped out. He looked up and broke the kiss. “You ever do it in an elevator, Shannon?”
She shook her head. “Never.”
He looked down at her. “You still up for something spur of the moment and crazy?” She nodded, smiling, and he tugged her into the elevator.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
The next morning, Crash felt little kisses press along his spine, and a slow smile spread across his face. His baby was awake. And apparently intent of seducing him. He lay on his side, his back to her and the sheet down around his hips. When she got to the base of his spine, he slowly rolled to his back, taking care not to roll on top of her. Her arm slid around his gut, and she lifted her head, smiling at him.
“Good morning.” He smiled back at her, his fingers threading through the hair at the back of her head. He brought her face to his, pulling her mouth down for a sweet kiss. When the kiss ended, he studied her face. “You don’t have a hangover, babe?”
“No. I feel fine. Guess it was all that water you made me drink last night.”
Crash nodded. His phone went off. He grabbed it off the nightstand and looked at the screen.
Mack.
He put it to his ear. “Yeah.”
Five minutes later, Crash knocked on Wolf and Green’s door.
Wolf pulled the door open. “Mornin’. How’s your lady feelin’ this mornin’?” The smile died on his face when he saw the somber expression on Crash’s face.
“I’m gonna need you, brother. Both of you.”
“Okay. What’s up?” Wolf replied.
“Mack called. I got some news to give Cole. When I do, he’s gonna lose his shit.”
“Christ. What is it?”
“Come on.”
Crash knocked on the next door. Red Dog answered it. Crash looked beyond him. “Where’s Cole?”
“In the shower. Why?” Crash walked in the room. Red Dog stepped back, his eyes moving to Wolf and Green who followed Crash in. “What’s up?”
They heard the shower go off. Crash looked around the room and then at Red Dog. “You packed and ready to roll?”
“Yeah. Why?” Crash shook his head. Dog pressed him. “Brother, what the fuck’s going on?”
The door opened, and Cole s
tepped out. His jeans on, but shirtless. He was rubbing a towel over his head. He looked up, taking in the group. “You guys anxious to hit the road?”
Red Dog, Wolf and Green all remained silent, their eyes all going to Crash. Cole’s eyes moved to him as well, and Crash felt his chest tighten. He hated like hell to be the one to lay this pain on the man who was closer to him than anyone in his life had ever been. He swallowed. “Brother-”
He could see Cole sense something was wrong. “Spit it out.”
Crash took a breath, knowing that his next words would shake not only Cole, but the other three men in the room, as well. “Mack just called. Someone took Angel.”
“What do you mean took her?” Cole snapped.
“What?” Red Dog blurted.
“Natalie was with her and the kids. They were in the mall parking lot. A van pulled up, and someone grabbed Angel, threw her in the back and took off. Natalie called Mack hysterical.”
“When?” Cole snapped.
“Brother-”
“When the fuck did this happen, Crash?” Cole roared.
“This morning. Half an hour ago, maybe.”
“Have you heard from her?” Red Dog looked at Cole.
Cole grabbed his phone up off the dresser and looked at it. “No. Nothing since last night.” He stared at the carpet, and then his eyes lifted, connecting with Crash. “This wasn’t random.”
“Cole…”
Cole spun and punched his fist clean through the plaster and drywall over and over until all four brothers pulled him back. He pulled his hand free and shook them off. Then he whirled on Crash. “Taz.”
Crash frowned. “Taz? You mean without the club’s knowledge?”
Red Dog shook his head. “She’s your wife, brother. It’s unwritten law. Families are off limits. Devil Kings don’t operate that way. Big Ed may run a ruthless bunch, but even he wouldn’t-”
Wolf cut him off. “Maybe Big Ed doesn’t know.”
“Taz is half crazy. You’ve heard the stories. And after the beat down I gave him Friday…” Cole paused, looking up at Crash. “Have Mack call him. Find out if Taz had anything to do with this.”
“If he did, would Big Ed give him up?” Green asked.
“There’s another possibility,” Crash said quietly.
Cole’s eyes connected with Crash, and then he spoke the single word. “Shannon?”
Crash nodded.
Cole’s eyes slid closed.
Crash looked at Wolf and Green. “Get your gear. Get Shannon, and meet us at the bikes. Hurry.”
They left the room.
Cole collapsed down onto the foot of the bed, his elbows hit his knees, his head in his hands.
Crash moved to him and laid his hand on his shoulder.
“I can’t lose her, Crash.”
“You won’t, brother. We’ll get her back.” Cole stood, and Crash hugged him. “We’ll get her back. Come on, let’s go.”
They broke apart.
“My bike’s gonna be flying, and I’m not stopping for anything but gas. You and Shannon gonna be able to keep up?”
“We’ll keep up.”
They made the four hour ride in a little over two. At times, Crash looked down at his speedometer, and it was buried past the 120mph mark. Five bikes roared up the street and into the Evil Dead compound. Bikes already filled the lot. As Crash took them all in, he realized that Mack must have called in every member, every nearby charter and called in every favor with every affiliated club within two hundred miles.
Cole pulled up to the front door, the others right behind him. Mack was waiting, along with Natalie and Cole’s three children. Cole climbed off his bike and went straight to his kids. He gathered them up in his arms, hugging them tight. He had no idea how much they knew or understood of what was happening. He stood, and Natalie flew into his arms. He hugged her tight.
“Oh, Cole. I’m so scared.”
“I’ll get her back,” he whispered to her. “I promise you, I’ll get her back.”
She nodded, still clutching him tightly, trembling. Finally, she stepped back. “Should I take the children home?”
“No,” he said emphatically. “You’re all safer here for now. Take the kids inside, okay?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Looking over at Mack, he asked, “What do we know?”
Mack motioned over his shoulder. “Church. Now.”
Crash put his arm around Shannon and kissed her. “Go with Natalie. Help her with the kids. I’ll find you when I’m done.”
She nodded, and he moved off.
When the boys were all settled in the meeting room, every chair taken, every inch of available wall space filled with shoulder to shoulder leather cuts, Mack slammed the gavel down. “Quiet down!” When everyone settled, Mack folded his hands and looked at Cole. “Talked to Big Ed. Devil Kings had nothing to do with this. He assured me Taz is still in Nevada and hasn’t left since your run in with him.”
“You believe him?” Cole asked.
Mack moved his hands apart slightly as if to indicate it was a toss-up. “My gut says it’s not them. It’s not their style.”
Cole looked down at the scarred wood of the table.
“You got any other enemies I don’t know about?” Mack asked.
“Too many to list.”
There was a pounding on the door. Mack nodded to Wyatt, President of the Dead Souls who was standing in front of the door. He turned, opened the door and spoke with the prospect on the other side. Then he turned back to Mack. “You’re gonna want to hear this.”
Mack nodded.
Wyatt turned to the prospect. “Bring him in.”
The prospect came through the door, holding a teenage pizza delivery boy by the scruff of the neck. “This kid just showed up with this pizza.” He grabbed the box out of the kid’s hand and slapped it on the table in front of Mack.
“What the fuck?” Mack said.
“Look inside,” the prospect nodded to the box.
Mack flipped it open. There was a note taped to the inside of the box top. In bold marker was written:
You want Angel…
I want Shannon
Cole eyes took in the note, and then met Crash’s across the table. “Get her!” he growled.
“Cole-” Crash started to protest.
“Now!”
“Go,” Mack ordered Crash.
Crash got up and left the room.
Cole pushed violently out of his chair, crossing the room to the delivery kid. He grabbed him with two fists in the front of his shirt and slammed him against the paneled wall. “Who sent you here with that goddamn note?”
“I don’t know who he was.”
Cole pulled him forward and slammed him again. “Who put that note in the fucking box?”
“I-I was c-carrying the order to my car. S-some guy gave me twenty bucks. Said he wanted to slip a love note in for his girlfriend. I didn’t think anything about it. I didn’t even read it, mister.”
“What did he look like?”
“Just some guy in a ball cap and sweat jacket.”
“He don’t know shit, Cole. Leave him be,” Mack ordered.
Crash pulled Shannon by the hand through the club to that room in the clubhouse that had always been off limits. She knew it was the room where they held their meetings. The room no one but patched members were allowed in. The door opened, and Crash pulled her inside. It was wall to wall bearded, leather-covered men. And every one of them was staring right at her. And they didn’t look happy.
She looked to her left, near the head of the table. Cole had some young boy in a pizza delivery uniform against the wall.
“I said let him go, Cole!” Mack growled.
Shannon huddled close to Crash’s shoulder, terrified of the anger in Cole’s eyes. She watched as he violently flung the boy into the wall, releasing his fisted hold on his shirt. “Get the fuck out!” he growled.
The terrified boy didn’t waste any time
scrambling out the door.
Cole’s eyes fell on Shannon, and she shrunk back. “Come here,” he barked.
Crash stepped in front of her. “Brother, you got something to ask her, ask it.”
Cole’s eyes moved to Crash. “Don’t stand in my way, brother.”
Mack stood up, realizing the situation was deteriorating fast. He shouldered between the two, his eyes on Cole. “VP, sit down. She’s here, and we’ll get to the bottom of this. No sense scaring her speechless.”
Cole’s eyes moved to Crash and then Shannon. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”
Shannon took a deep breath and stepped around Crash. “I know you won’t.”
Mack turned, taking in Shannon’s face. Her head held up, eyes on Cole. Crash tried to take a step forward, but Mack’s hand went to his chest. “Let him talk to her.”
Cole took her by the upper arm and pulled her to the table. He slid the box in front of her. Her eyes fell to the note. “Oh, my God.” She tried to take a step back, but Cole’s iron grip on her upper arm held her tight.
“Where would he take her, Shannon?” he asked, his voice low and menacing.
“I…I…”
He shook her. “Where?”
“I don’t know, Cole. His office is in downtown San Francisco. He has a penthouse there, too. There’s a yacht. I…I don’t know. I can’t see him taking her to any of those places. He’d know you’d find her. He would know you’d be hunting him.” Her eyes moved to Mack. “You could have him arrested for kidnapping, couldn’t you?”
“We don’t work that way, lady.” Mack replied. “We handle our own problems.”
“I helped you, Shannon. And now everything I hold dear is on the line.”
“I’m so sorry, Cole. I never wanted to put your family in danger.”
“Did you even think about that when you held back all that shit from me? Huh?” He shook her again.
“Cole!” Crash made a move to get to Shannon, but Mack pushed him back.
“Okay. Clear the room. Now!” Mack snarled. The members all filed slowly out until only Mack, Cole, Crash and Shannon remained.
“I’ll go back,” Shannon offered.
CRASH: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Outlaw Series) Page 41
