by Tonya Coffey
I ignored the factory since it set right next to the road. If anyone was inside, they would be seen by a passerby. There was nowhere to hide a light or a body.
On the far side of the tracks was the homestead. I pulled up to the crossing as a train passed by. The horn rang out as sparks danced along the gravel from the iron wheels rolling along the rails.
Luca pulled his motorcycle up next to mine. “How we doing this?” he called over the commotion of the train.
I looked over my shoulder at Reid and Cole who were listening to my orders. “Reid and Cole check out the house. Luca and I will ride around the yard where the buildings are. I think there are a few tool sheds left on the property.”
Cole smiled, took a draw from his cigarette, stubbed it out on his boot and then tucked it behind his ear. “We’ll take up the backside.”
As the tail of the train bounced across the road we revved our motors and pulled across the tracks. A mile out, Luca and I turned into the logging yard while Reid and Cole continued on to the house.
There were ruts dug into the road where heavy trucks indented trails in the yard. Skidders and backhoes had cut trenches along the paths. Their tires sunk into the ground as they hauled logs, creating pools of stagnant water from old rains. Along one side, there were piles of old trees, decaying brush and stumps as far as one could see in the dark.
A large building where a temporary sawmill had been set up was still present. We pulled up to the structure and eased off our bikes. As I surveyed the land, listening to anything out of place, we pulled our pistols from hiding. We checked our safeties and began our search.
Moving stealthy, we made a sweep of the building with a small flashlight. Behind the warehouse, a few barrels stood outside a couple of sheds. I motioned Luca to the first of three structures. One barrel held a fire, casting an orange glow around it. We ran up to the side of the first one and peeked in the small square window at the back. The inside was empty just like the yard.
The barrel that held the dancing flames and lit up the area, sat next to the second shed. I pocketed my flashlight and smiled to Luca. He nodded, as I moved slowly to the window of the building.
A small lantern illuminated the interior. Two men sat at a table playing with a deck of cards. Cora was nowhere to be seen. Where are you? Feeling frustrated, I scooted to the edge of the building and looked out at the last shed. It was farther away from the others. A good place to keep someone hostage, I noted.
I nodded toward the last structure and hurried to the shed with Luca on my heels. With each step, I begged God above for her to be in there and to be safe. I didn’t know what I would do if I didn’t find her. Rip the county apart…
Cautiously, I slipped around the windowless building and stopped at the door. A padlock the size of a softball hung from the newly reinforced door. Bingo, I thought. I wanted to celebrate but first I had to lay eyes on Cora, alive and well. Then I could be happy.
I motioned to the door. Luca nodded then faced the shed with the kidnappers inside. He held his pistol out in front as if he was waiting for them to step out.
I holstered my pistol because I needed both hands for the lock. I gripped the clasp. My heart hammered with the speed of a piston.
“Cora,” I whispered at the door. “Are you in there?”
“Dante?” Her voice stuttered from the cold or the fear. “Is that you?”
Hearing the fear in her voice made my fists clench. “Are you hurt?” I looked around for a tool to remove the lock. The first thing that came to mind was to kick the door in but I was afraid of alerting the ones who took her.
“No,” she let out a breath. “Please get me out of here.”
It tore at my insides, hearing her fear. “I will.” I grabbed the boards and pulled. The wood screeched against the nails but wouldn’t budge. My frustration grew so I punched the board. Knowing it wouldn’t help, I tried jerking at the slabs.
The sounds of laughter caused me to stop. Luca motioned at the two occupants of the shed. They were exiting the building and headed our way. Luca stepped back into the shadows of the hut. I cursed at myself for having to leave Cora in there a little longer. Not forever.
“Cora, get back in the corner and low,” I told her.
She didn’t answer but I stepped to the side of the building next to the door, peeking around at the men who came closer.
When they reached the corner, passing Luca, he stepped out behind them. “How’s it going gentlemen?”
Their eyes widened, as they spun around to face him. The one closest to Luca reached into his waistband, wrapping his hand around the grip of a pistol. The other crouched, twisting toward me. I stepped out with my gun aimed at him.
The thought of pulling the trigger hurt. I didn’t want to take someone’s life or wound them. From the time when I went to Cora’s mom’s funeral, I felt as if life was precious. But what could you do in this position? It was me or him.
I didn’t hesitate, pulling the trigger. The thought of my dad being in the crosshairs slipped through my mind. I wasn’t going to take a chance on getting killed and leaving Cora alone. What if they came for her next?
Luca smiled, waiting for his opponent to pull his weapon before he fired two shots. Both men fell to the ground, blood pooling around their bodies.
“Dante,” Cora screamed.
I flipped on the safety before I slide my gun back into the holster under my cut. I stared at the man on the ground. My insides twisted up. I’d never had to shoot someone; however, to save Cora…my family, I would do it again.
“I’m getting you out.” I flipped the man next to me over and rummaged around in his pockets. When he didn’t have the key I went to the other. Finally, I found the key along with a cell phone.
The roar of Harley’s came down the line as I unlocked the padlock and jerked the door open. Cora stood in the middle of the small dark room, her arms wrapped around her body. Her skin was pale, her lips blue. Her eyes were wide as cups as she stared at me. I wondered if she was surprised I came for her?
I went to her and wrapped my arms around her. “You’re frozen.” I couldn’t believe she’d been out there all night with no heat and no coat. I turned slightly to glare at the dead men. Who could treat another human being this way?
I quickly removed my cut and the hoody underneath. I had to get her warm so I pulled the sweatshirt down over her head. After putting my leather cut back on, I gripped her arms and rubbed them, trying to get some heat flowing.
“I’m OK.” She tried to look up at me.
I wanted, needed to see her eyes, to really look at her. I felt as if it were my fault she was here and with her not meeting my gaze it made me feel as if she felt that way too.
Putting my arm around Cora’s shoulders, I led her out the door and into the night. The fire highlighted my friend’s with grim stares that were pointed at the men on the dirt. I turned Cora from seeing the aftermath, hoping she didn’t think differently of me for what I had to do.
I glanced down at the men. I wanted to send a message to the ones who took her. “Put them inside and set it on fire.”
Reid smiled. “Junkie roast?”
Cole stared at the man for a moment then laughed as he picked up one man’s leg and pulled him into the shed. “We get to have all the fun, Reid.”
“Damned straight we do.”
I glanced at him. “When you’re finished, catch up with us.”
They nodded as Luca and I led Cora to the front of the yard away from the danger and hopefully into a place where I knew she would be safe—with me.
Chapter Eight
Cora
If I wasn’t so terrified, I’d be jumping up and down with joy. Dante was a fairytale. My very own knight in shining armor and yet I couldn’t stop being afraid. Even though he killed my kidnappers, I wasn’t scared of that. It might have been wrong to take someone’s life but he was protecting me. Was that wrong? Because I’m pretty sure they were going to kill me.
When he came through the door, he had a look in his eyes I’d never seen before. It was determination, maybe even rage. I’d like to think he worried about me and the look was because someone wanted to do me harm.
I was surprised when I heard his voice outside the door. I expected Dad to find me not the boy I had a crush on.
When I was younger, Dad warned me about the club. He told me they were vicious killers with no souls. However, when I talked to Dante and saw the softness in his eyes, I forgot all of Dad’s warnings. I couldn’t fathom the idea he was evil. I never saw it.
Wrapping my arms around my body, I buried my nose into the thick material. The scent of mountain breeze Tide filled my nostrils. I closed my eyes as I leaned into Dante, letting him lead me forward. With each step, I thanked God for answering my prayers, for sending my savior to me. Maybe Dante was my soul mate. The thought made me smile.
Dante stopped next to his motorcycle. It was mostly black with some chrome. Harley Davidson was written in its famous logo on the tank. Along the fenders, there were a few thin lines in a gray tone. I bet in the sun, there were more details.
Luca Michaels, Dante’s friend, straddled his own black bike. Together the machines were sleek and beautiful. I loved the smooth lines and the chrome. Dad detested motorcycles. He’d told me they were only ridden by gang members. Insinuating the motorcycle club was a gang that abused the law but I knew better. The children’s hospital a few counties over also knew better because of the donations they received from them each year.
I was glad Dante found me. If he hadn’t I’d still be in the shed or worse…dead.
I glanced at Luca as he ran his hands through his golden hair. I didn’t think either of them fit into the club stereotype. They were smart, good-hearted and loyal. The special investigations on TV portrayed motorcycle clubs to be dumb, muscle freaks that beat women and killed people for spite. Dante and his friends weren’t like that. They were good.
Dante handed me a helmet then he pulled out his cell phone. He took a few steps away. “I got her…Fine but cold.” He looked at me. “Where do we go?” He frowned. “You sure?” He nodded. “OK.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket.
I waited for him to tell me what was going on but he just threw his leg over the bike and stared at me. I wanted to ask him but I felt a little self-conscious not knowing why he watched me so intensely. It was as if he thought carefully about what was said on the phone.
“You’re coming back to the club with us.”
Luca started his bike as the headlights along with the rumble of Reid and Cole’s motorcycles came into view. I glanced at an orange flame that crawled up into the sky from across the yard. Cole and Reid had done their jobs. The shed was on fire.
Dante revved his motor. I looked at him as he said, “Climb on so we can get out of here.”
I hurried to pull on the helmet and climbed on behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I swallowed the lump in my throat and held on tight, hoping I didn’t fall off the back.
Chapter Nine
Dante
It was the first time Cora and I had made contact, other than me walking her to my motorcycle. My body was acting in ways it shouldn’t, especially, since there was no way I was giving in to what it wanted.
Cora’s face was plastered to my back and her arms were wrapped around my waist. Her hands were inches from my groin. When I leaned into the curve, she squeezed, putting pressure on my waistband and other things. Not good at all. So I had to make myself think of the grossest things possible. Cole in a dress… Yep, that did it.
When I called Dad and informed him of finding Cora, he told me the sheriff decided to let her stay at the club. He felt it was the safest place for her. No one would ever consider her being at the most dangerous, law-breaking place in town. After all, the police had tried to shut it down more than once in the last month, but they couldn’t because we never did anything wrong.
I understood why Cora’s dad wanted her to stay with us. He could hunt down Abbott and arrest him with no worries of Cora being hurt further. He had nothing to worry about. I would keep an eye on her.
We rolled into the parking lot of the Night Hawks clubhouse. Friday nights were the busiest since most of the members wanted to unwind after a long week of work. Most times, they partied until dawn, sleep for a few hours and continued the party until Sunday morning when they went home and on to church.
The music boomed into the lot from speakers along the roof line. It vibrated off the block walls. I helped Cora off the bike then we followed Luca into the club through the double black doors. Cole and Reid took up the rear, following as if they were her bodyguards.
My insides twisted as I walked next to Cora through the chaos of sin. I didn’t want her to judge me based on what she saw. Yeah, there were women that were half-naked and alcohol was everywhere but the club wasn’t just about sinful things. We proved to the town of our good parts. I hoped one day I could show Cora the true meaning of the life I lived. I wanted her to see all of me.
Reid and Cole went toward the pool tables at the left and Luca stopped at the kitchen door on the right. I opened it so Cora could continue on inside.
“Your dad wants you to stay here for a while.” I pulled out one of the four chairs for her to sit in. “It’s not what you’re used to but…” I didn’t know what to say to her. It felt awkward trying to make conversation.
“It’s warm.” She smiled at me, as she sat, pushing a thick curl over her shoulder but I sensed some fear in her voice.
All the times I saw Cora, I imagined what her hair would feel like as I ran my fingers through it. I bet it’s soft as velvet. “Hot chocolate?” I snapped out of the thought. “I have some.” I hurried to the cabinet and pulled out a mug and then the cocoa.
There was a laugh behind me causing me to look over my shoulder. Luca stood next to the door with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the wall.
I’d actually forgotten he was standing there. Cora did that to me. I lost all train of thought and she was the only one in my vicinity.
“I’ll leave you to it then.” He turned and walked out. The swinging door filled the room with the swaying motion.
I frowned but went back to fixing Cora some hot chocolate. If nothing it would help her warm up. I loved my chocolate with milk, not water, so I grabbed it from the fridge and poured some into a saucepan. Now I had to wait for it to boil.
Turning back to Cora, she had her hands tucked under her thighs, glancing around the room. She probably thinks I’m trash. The thought was placed into my head as my own eyes glimpsed around the small kitchen. It wasn’t much but it held some food for the club when they stayed late.
I turned back to the stove, checking the liquid and then emptied a pack of hot chocolate into a mug. Next, I poured the hot milk into the cup with the cocoa. Stirring the drink, I set it down in front of Cora on the table.
“Thank you,” she said as she wrapped her hands around the mug. Her eyes darted around the room as if she waited for someone to bust down the door and grab her.
“Maybe it’ll warm you up,” I told her. Seeing her lips turn up and the slight pink of her cheeks made my heart beat in a strange way. “We have soup if you’re hungry.” I quickly turned to the cabinet.
“No,” she added, stopping me. “This is great.” She sipped the drink. “It’s good.”
I sat down in the seat next to her. I didn’t know why she made me feel like I couldn’t talk. I usually didn’t have any trouble. Why was she being here, in my domain, so hard?
“I didn’t see you at school today.” Her green eyes were bright as spring leaves looking up at me.
It was hard to breathe while she stared at me. “I’ve been busy.” I tried to act cool about it as I sunk into the chair next to her. I’m like a lovesick puppy…
She took a drink. “Is your dad keeping you busy with the new house?” Her cheeks reddened as she looked down at the cup.
&nbs
p; “You don’t get enough of me at school,” I smiled, “so you have to walk by the job site too?”
She wouldn’t look up at me. “Maybe.”
I stared at her, letting my eyes work over her features. I wanted to sketch every feature of her into my head, so I wouldn’t forget. Even down to the smallest detail of the mole that was on her left cheek next to her earlobe. Most people wouldn’t know it was there unless they really looked. I knew from the first day I laid eyes on her. When I stood next to her and she tucked her hair in behind her ear, I saw it.
The door swung inward. Mom came through with her arms loaded with brown grocery bags. Her blue eyes widened in surprise. “Thank heavens.” She sighed, as she set the bags down on the counter and lifted her shoulder length blonde hair up as if she were hot. “I had hoped you hadn’t left her out there with everyone else.”
I stood up. “I have more sense than that, Mom.” I kissed her cheek. “Cora, Mom. Mom, Cora.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Black,” her voice still held a hint of fear.
Mom smiled. “It’s Leah dear.” Mom put her hands on her hips. “It’s nice to finally talk to you. I’ve watched you grow up with my kids.”
I unloaded the bags, setting containers of food out for Mom. She had cooked at home and brought the leftovers for everyone to eat. In the last bag, Mom pulled out some clothes and other items for Cora.
Mom set the objects on the table next to Cora. “I brought you some clean clothes.” She looked at Cora. “Darin told me you were cold and I’m sure you’d love to take a hot shower.”
Cora nodded. “A hot shower would be nice.”
“Good.” She picked up the clothes. “When you’re finished, you will eat. I brought chicken and dumplings for everyone.”
I smiled at the look on Cora’s face. Mom might not have understood but Cora was feeling a little overwhelmed. Mom could do that to a person. Her personality beamed over everyone. I believed it was because she was everyone’s mom here.
