Sakura throws her hands in the air in frustration. “Why do you always have to be the blunt jerk? Jesus, Chaz. Not everyone who works for that company is part of their girlfriend or boyfriend program.” Here she comes to this stranger’s defense. That’s just Sakura though, the best person to have on your side.
“Right, and the others take nude pictures of themselves and post it on that program they have. Fuck, Ripper has a membership and just showed me this girl ridin’ a dildo on it the other day. Keeps beggin’ Rebel to introduce him to her friend.” OneEye is a great, safe platform for women to use . . . sure, but why am I the jerk for speaking honestly?
“Crina’s working for the publishing company and needed help, and you were the one acting like a fucking dick. Take ownership for how you were treating her.” Sakura grumbles, glaring at me with her narrowing eyes.
I shrug, not really caring to say anything else. “I know Cheyenne just left this morning, but you don’t get to use that as your get out of jail free card. She’s gone, Chaz. Accept it. Otherwise, you’re going to destroy every good relationship you have here, and you know it.” Sakura starts off sounding pissed, yet slowly eases her tone with me. Ultimately, she ends up sliding her hand into mine and holds it tight, pulling me in a way that causes me to direct my eyes back at hers.
“I wish Zane never wanted to start that clinic up there. I fuckin’ wish she could’ve stayed down here, Sak’.” I shake my head, more pissed than I’ll ever let on. The fact of the matter is there’s nothing I can do now, not with what I know, not with the life changing position I’m about to be offered.
Sak’ leans her body against mine, trying to comfort me. “I know you love her, and it’s okay to be sad she’s gone . . . but the people here love you too. Promise me you won’t ruin everything you have here because you’re bitter that she left.”
Poison walks into our view. I assume she was in the kitchen preparing a meal. Usually she is around there this time of day. She continues to stare at us like she wants to say something, but she won’t. She never does. Always the silent observer. Shit, she reminds me of Dmitri from the Skulls Renegade MC out in Tennessee . . . always leaning back, observing. Fuckin’ freaky if you ask me.
“What’s on your mind, prospect?” I spit her position out, slowly reminding her of her place here. It’s irrelevant. She can easily be replaced at any given moment.
“I’m only curious who Sakura’s ol’ man really is. You, or Mouser?” She snidely replies, keeping her glare focused on me.
I stand up, ready to tell this bitch how replaceable she is when Sakura grabs onto my forearm. She looks between me and Poison. “She didn’t mean anything by it. Our relationship is odd to some people.”
“Fuck what other people think. You’re practically my sister. I fuckin’ love you.” I grit, shifting my attention from Poison to Sakura.
From the corner of my eye I spot Poison going to the front door of the club, and just as she opens it, a familiar, unwelcome face comes walking through.
Lucian Bane.
What the fuck is he doing here?
“Lucian?” Sakura belts his name out, not happy to see her ex- . . . whatever they were. Fuck buddies. Dating. Who knows? It’s a different story depending who you ask.
He turns his attention our way and comes walking over. As he dips his hands into the pockets of his pants, I notice how he looks even fancier than ever before. I know the man has money, but the small diamonds shining on his enormous watch tell me he’s doing better than ever. I heard a rumor that the Steele brothers backed his cyber-security firm, which I’m sure only enhanced the grip he had on that business.
“Hey, we need to talk. There’s been an issue.” His tone is gravelly, putting me under the impression whatever this is about, it isn’t good.
“Well, alright. Cut to the chase.” Sakura stands, going over to him. She crosses her arms as she does so, putting on that metaphorical serious hat she’s always wearing.
“My system was compromised, and when it was, many things shut down. One of which was the ghost software I had running on your mother’s cellphone to make it appear as though she had fled to South America six months ago and moved your supposed whereabouts to the United Kingdom. Her cell officially stopped reporting to towers last week and I’ve been notified your father has booked a flight to Argentina, as well as Las Vegas . . . which is worrisome considering that was the last place Eduardo was known to have you . . . correct?”
Lucian is right. Eduardo having Sakura here was how the club ended up offering her protection, though, she’s a mess right now. Sakura is frozen in place. I can only naturally assume it’s from shock, so I stand and head to her side.
A couple years back, Sakura left her family behind in Japan. Her mother was the leader of the Yakuza, which is pretty much the Japanese mob. Meanwhile, her father is the Emperor of Japan. From what I gathered Sakura wanted nothing to do with her family, and while leaving them was peaceful at first . . . it quickly turned ugly. Long story short, Sakura’s mother came here to Las Vegas and she was killed with her team of men. We were meticulous in covering our tracks, burning their bodies until they were nothing but ash, then spread them across the desert. And that was after Sakura found out her mother was the reason her older sister, who we all knew as Saffron, died. She was our deceased national charter Prez’s woman.
Sakura nods her head and visibly gulps. “When did this happen?”
“Five days ago,” Lucian quickly responds, shame evident.
“When was the flight booked for Las Vegas?” Her father shouldn’t know where she is at all. We’d all went above and beyond to keep her location safe . . . though it’s obvious he located her, and now we have no idea what we’re facing.
“A month from five days ago. However, he already boarded his flight to Argentina. I have my team watching over their movements, but I felt it was my duty to come here and tell you everything face-to-face.”
Sakura shuts her eyes, no doubt wanting to avoid this conversation from ever happening. “How did this happen, Lucian? You’re supposed to be the best in the industry. How did this fucking happen?!” She hollers while pushing both hands against his chest in outrage. If I were her, I’d be terrified. She should calm down, though. She knows all of the Reapers will back her, as well as the allies she’s close with, including her godfather, Eduardo. Luckily for her, he’s cousins with the Mexican Cartel leader. If you ask me, she’s got two powerful teams on her side.
“Are you even listening?! How did this happen!?” Sakura’s holler turns to a scream and I find myself wrapping my arms around her waist, holding her back from getting to him.
Lucian wipes his hand across his mouth, visibly showing the turmoil he’s feeling. “I was hacked, Sakura. I was fucking hacked. That’s how, ‘cause I’m not the best, and the woman who is . . . she’s my fucking protégé.”
Sakura’s body grows still and suddenly she stops fighting. “No. There’s only one person you ever told me was . . . was even a fraction as good as you.”
Lucian nods once. “Yeah, it seems Joanna outsmarted me.”
“Fuck . . .” Sakura mutters.
“I thought about running the programs and ghosting as soon as everything got back up and running . . . but there wasn’t any point. By that time, it was obvious he knew something was going on. I only wanted to come here and tell you what I found out, and that my team is watching your father and his men. We’ll report back anything we find, considering it’s the least we can do.”
Sakura looks down at the floor and doesn’t say another word.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry this happened. You know it wasn’t anything we ever intended, Sakura.” Lucian speaks clearly, yet still Sakura doesn’t speak.
“Thank you, for coming here and telling us.” I dive into the conversation.
“Of course. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”
“Keep doing what you’re doing, and we’ll handle the rest.” I tell
him, releasing Sakura I escort Lucian out and walk him to his blacked-out SUV. I watch him ride off, scratching my head at how we’re going to get a grip on this. I need to speak to Damon and Dixon as soon as possible, and in the meantime, I hope Sakura calls her godfather.
Chapter Twelve
She is not broken anymore, she is stronger, wiser, and more beautiful than before
~ Relentless Woman
Crina
Alright. I thought I was going to sit back and wait until tomorrow before I went back to the club, or clubhouse, or whatever the proper term is . . . but I can’t do that. The way that Chaz guy spoke to me was far too infuriating. While I did manage to write some notes down when I got back to my apartment and set my new laptop up, I knew I couldn’t sit back and wait. He spoke to me the same way my father does, and . . . there was no way I was going to stay here and fester about it.
So, I found out Tildi has a client who lives up around that area who she was going to see. I asked if she could give me a ride back to the club and she was all for it.
She giggles in the driver’s seat beside me, “Are you sure you want to go in alone? I mean, aren’t they tough and all?”
I scoff, trying to refrain from rolling my eyes. “I wouldn’t say that. They seem like little bitches to me. Ironic how I have to write a book about them, right?”
Tildi giggles even louder, “I really like you, Crina. Something tells me we’re going to be very good friends. But I do have a question for you.”
“Is it about Gia?” I ask, dreading the thought.
“Alright, I have two questions.” Tildi glances over in my direction with a smirk.
“Shoot.”
“When you got back to the apartment, I overheard you filling Bea in, but nothing was exactly clear. Why’re you so determined to go back? I mean, I was under the impression some guy pissed you off.” Tildi looks back to the road, speeding up a bit since we’re on the highway.
I take in a deep breath and relax my shoulders. “This one guy there, he insinuated everyone that works for Crave is a slut. It pissed me off.”
Tildi breaks out into laughter. “You have to be kidding me. You got mad at him because of . . . oh goodness, this is hysterical. Yes, we’re all sluts and we know it. I’m totally fine with being called a slut, because it only means I’m embracing my sexuality, like I damn well should. So, if some idiot wants to call me a slut, I’ll let him, ‘cause I know the power I possess. You know, this dude is probably one of those jerks hating on Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s song ‘WAP’. Please, he’s not even worth the effort.” Tildi motions with her hand and I listen to her words, realizing she’s right.
“Okay, I get what you’re saying . . . but I’ll be damned if I let him think he can speak to me like that again.”
“Now onto the juicy stuff.” Tildi wiggles her eyebrows in excitement. “Why’d you think I was asking about Gia?”
It might seem crazy, but I feel like everyone knows about my past with Gia. We dated for a while and I was always around. After all, when you date a workaholic, when else are you going to see them unless you’re the one making a massive effort. Looking back now, I know I shouldn’t have done so much to keep our relationship alive, but I did. She isn’t a bad person, but I know we weren’t right for each other. Gia making the choice she did . . . it put the nails in the coffin that was our relationship. Though, it was for the best.
“Oh, nothing really. Gia and I dated a couple years back.”
“C. C is for Crina. Oh. My. God!” Tildi shrieks, taking the exit off the highway. As soon as we’re off the highway she makes a left like the GPS tells her.
What the hell? I must be missing something.
“What don’t I know?” I question her.
“I’ve only been around for about a year now, but when I first started at Crave, the girls told me about Gia’s ex, C. Said she was the love of Gia’s life and she went into this depression after they broke up. Apparently, Gia went really deep into the rabbit hole because of something she couldn’t change. Her family, I think? I can’t remember it all, but I got the idea Gia’s family was part of the reason for the breakup. But that could be wrong.”
It isn’t wrong. It’s so, factually, correct. I had no idea about Gia going into a depression. Honestly, based on her personality I figured she would recover the next day. Not that she was an emotionless bitch, but she’d always been stronger than me.
“It’s not, wrong I mean. Our families are a little different, specifically the way I interacted with mine opposed to hers. It was part of the reason for the breakup I suppose.” I shrug, glancing at the GPS for a second. We’re going to be at the club in a minute or so.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean for you to tell me or anything.”
Turning my head to look at Tildi, I smile. “It’s fine. There was no pressure to answer, so no biggie. You can drop me off here though if you want. I see the driveway leading to their club now.”
Tildi pulls over to the entrance of their driveway and I exit the vehicle. As I’m exiting the passenger seat, she leans over to look at me. “You need a ride home, too?”
“No thanks. I’ll figure something out.” I smile, confident I can get Sorin or Rebel to swing by and grab me. Worst case, I could call a taxi.
I slam the door shut and head down the gravel lane. It’s only been a few hours since I’ve been here and yet so much is different. Where there weren’t many bikes around, or vehicles for that matter, now there are loads. Man. Are they throwing a killer party or something?
I head to the building I was in earlier today with Rebel and push the door open. While I’m entering, I don’t see anyone here. There are loads of motorcycles and cars outside, and yet, not a soul here.
What the hell?
The faint sound of a man’s voice causes me to walk toward it, leading me down a narrow hallway with photographs of members lining the walls. Though, I’m about ten feet or so from it when I pass through the kitchen and spot a group of people in there.
“Whoa. Who’s that?” A man asks then comes into the hallway, staring me down. “Who’re you?” I see his leather vest has the term ‘prospect’ on the right, which is his left side.
“Crina, a friend of Rebel’s. You?”
“Brick . . . either of you know this lady?” He questions to the group behind him.
One by one the people I passed file into the hallway. Eight in total, seven men and one woman. “Yeah, she was here with Rebel earlier. Her friend from what I can tell.” The woman with snow white dreads speaks up. She’s heavily tatted on her arms and I spot them going up her neck, and even on part of her face.
“Chaz around? He and I need to have a chat.” I state, looking to the group of them.
“Yeah, he’s in church with the rest of the guys. But if you wait a few, he’ll be out.” One with dark almond hair states.
I nod, though on the inside I’m furious. They want me to show an ounce of respect to the man who failed to show me any? I don’t think so.
He has to be in the room with the voices coming from it. So, I head off in the direction of the hallway when my forearm is pulled back. I shift my body in the direction I’m being pulled in and see the girl with dreads. “Listen, lady. I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but I’m not havin’ you walk in that room and fuck shit up for all of us.” She grits.
Dragging my tongue across the back of my teeth, I’m furious. Is everyone in this place a total asshole? “I’d suggest you remove your hand from my body.”
“Or what, sweetie? You’re nothing more than a delicate flower.” She laughs.
A delicate flower? I’ll show her.
I yank my hand back, arch my hand and shove it up quickly in the air. Within a second my palm collides with her nose and a cracking sound causes me to smile. “Fuck!” She curses, covering her nose with both hands. I spot blood seeping through and oddly, my smile grows. The men around her curse under their breaths and meet my eyes.
“
Now, this can go one of two ways. I can break all your noses while you try to grab me, or I can go see Chaz.”
“They won’t put a fucking hand on you, lady.” The bloodied one tells me.
“Great.” I turn and walk toward the room where the voices are coming from, push the door open and am met with a group of men with the deer in headlights type of look, dumbfounded at being interrupted, I suppose. This should be fun.
Chapter Thirteen
“She’s a badass with a good heart, soft but strong. Unapologetic and honest. She’s the type of woman you go to war beside— not against.”
~ Unknown
Chaz
“Alright, I’m glad we could finally get everyone back to the club. We need to talk about a few things, but the first—” In the middle of Damon speaking the door to church opens up widely, exposing the face of a certain woman I called a slut only a few hours before.
I think my eyes are deceiving me, but everyone else in the room is fixated on her as well. Never, not once in my knowledge has someone interrupted church and got away with it. The chick walks straight in after scanning her eyes through the room, heads around the table, puts a hand on her hip and locks eyes with me.
Fuck.
What was her name again?
“You and I need to have a discussion, Tiny.” What the fuck? Why is this bitch callin’ me Tiny?
“Tiny, huh?” Cobra stifles a chuckle from his seat.
“Listen, sweetheart, my name is—”
“When did I ever say you could call me sweetheart?” She retorts while she blinks away, waiting for an answer. Man, this woman must be the queen of sass, and I thought that was Zoe.
“Alright then, bitch. Why the fuck are you calling me Tiny?” I rise up from my chair, snarling at her.
Damon raises his brows, not approving of my behavior but who fucking cares. It’s not every day some pussy struts into church like she owns the place.
Chaz (Reapers MC Book 14) Page 7
