Esme wasn’t confident what he was saying was a compliment.
“Was there ever any doubt about that?”
“Hell yeah there was, sweetheart. Considering the man himself, and then there’s you- you do realize you came here a complete basket case, right? So, fuck yes, it’s a damn good surprise to see you two where you are now. Love is a funny thing, Esme. It’s kind of miraculous to see it actually heal people and leave them better off than they were before.”
Esme realized that he wasn’t insulting her but praising her and Prettyboy, so she wrapped an arm around his shoulder and leaned her head against him.
“Thank you for being so sweet to me, darlin’. I really needed it today.”
“What’s got ya down?”
She shook her head because nothing had her down.
“I’m just acclimating to the idea of staying here for good. I miss my home sometimes.”
“What about your parents?”
“Dead. Nothing tragic, they were just old and passed on. Axel walked me down the aisle when I married Chris.”
She remembered the moment fondly, only now she could see that he was obviously in love with her back then, too. The idea made her sad, because she hadn't understood why he tried so hard with her. Even when she wasn’t ready to try on her own, he was always there.
“Axel’s a good man. Maybe he’ll walk you down the aisle with Prettyboy, too.”
Her head snapped up.
“We’re not gettin’ married. Not yet, at least.”
She didn't have to voice her fears, Green seemed to understand.
“Ah, don’t shoot down the idea just yet, baby girl. You don’t have to be afraid that you’ll lose him too, Esme. What happened with Chris was a freak accident no one could have foreseen.”
She knew that to be true, but her heart still feared the idea of saying ‘I do’, and losing her man all over again.
“Chris was different, Green. I loved him very much. He meant the world to me, but if something happened to Prettyboy…,” She trailed off, fighting to keep her voice controlled.
“Hey now, don’t cry. I didn't mean to upset ya. What I’m tryin’ to say is that you can't let the past scare you out of havin’ a future. You two deserve to be happy, so if gettin’ married is gonna make you happy one day, don't write it off. Do it. Like I said before, life is too short.”
Esme laughed as she peeked up at him from beneath her lashes.
“You’re a good man.”
He feigned a frown, growling under his breath.
“Don’t be tellin’ people that! I have a reputation to uphold.”
She patted his arm comfortingly.
“Don’t worry. It’ll stay between us.”
Chapter 24
Esme was just finishing her hair when Prettyboy joined her in her bedroom. He stopped short the second he laid eyes on her.
"What? Don't I look okay?," She asked as she tugged on the hemline of her sapphire blue dress.
His crooked mouth lifted into a grin. As she set the curling iron down and turned it off, he tugged her into his arms and spun them around in a slow circle.
“You’re gotta be the most beautiful thing my eyes have ever laid eyes on.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the giggle that escaped.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
She patted his chest, played with the edges of his cut. Prettyboy was wearing a tight black button down shirt that fit him a little too well, but she didn't mind the sight. It practically had her mouth watering.
“I’m flattered that you think I’m beautiful,” She murmured.
He pressed their foreheads together while his hands gripped her thighs beneath her dress.
“That’s like saying that I know the sky is blue, Esme. The sky may be blue, yeah, but haven't you ever seen a sunset?”
Esme tightened her hold on him at his sweet words.
“So, what kind of movie are we seeing?”
“Um, a scary movie, duh. That way you’ll be cuddlin’ up against me and it'll heighten my chances of gettin’ a little action in the theatre,” He joked.
Her eyes widened as she laughed, her hand reaching for his.
“Oh, yeah? You better buy me an extra large popcorn if you think you’re gettin’ those hands down my panties inside the theatre.”
Prettyboy wiggled his eyebrows and she couldn't stop herself from kissing him again.
“Come on, you weirdo. Let’s get going. Unlike most, I like to watch the previews.”
With a gentle swat to her ass he motioned for her to go ahead of him.
The clubhouse was full of people as they meandered towards the exit.
“Hey! Where are you two goin?”
Slayer practically shoved Rider over in his attempt to get to them.
“We’re goin’ on a date,” Prettyboy said.
“Ohhhh, okay. You two have fun,” Slayer said with a wink.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Esme wave a hand towards him.
Slayer made an obscene gesture with his fingers, laughing all the while.
“You’re impossible! We’re going on a date,” She said.
Slayer snorted.
“Mhm, sure. Either way, have a good time,” He sang.
Prettyboy tugged on her hand as he led her towards the parking lot. His bike greeted them silently as he handed her a helmet before putting on his own.
“Where are we going to dinner?”
“Some little Italian place that’s so romantic it’ll knock your socks off,” He said confidently as he buckled her helmet.
“I’m not wearin’ socks.”
“Good, then hopefully it’ll knock your panties off, and make my job that much easier.”
She playfully smacked his arm and sighed in contentment when he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her soundly.
Her palms flattened against his chest, the birds were singing in the trees, and that contentment was back and bubbling beneath the surface of her skin like an old spring.
“I love you, ya know.”
He gently chucked her under her chin.
“I love you, too.”
As he helped her climb onto his bike, she recognized that her dress wasn’t practical for riding, but if she wrapped it around her thighs it would keep okay. Her heels weren’t open toed, so her feet would be protected from anything flying up at them as they rode.
The sun was hitting the skyline as they tore out of the parking lot, her fingers gripping his cut. His hair was tied into a small bun on the back of his head and she reached up to caress the back of his neck as they picked up speed. Her thighs gripped his tightly.
Her heart was pounding in her chest as they rounded a winding curve.
The day was a gorgeous one; it wasn’t too hot or too chilly. The humidity was bearable (which was a huge deal in North Carolina) and it made it easier for Esme to cuddle against Prettyboy’s back.
The sound of his engine was deafening, but it thrilled her.
She hadn't imagined loving riding again after Chris died, but she’d ridden enough times at this point to feel safe again, especially with her old man at the wheel.
Just as she was laying her head against his shoulder, something caught her attention in his rearview mirrors.
Three riders, all wearing Silver Bullets colors, were trailing them, and they were coming up fast.
Urgently, she gestured towards his mirrors.
Prettyboy’s mouth formed a curse that she understood all too well. Even if they didn't have any beef with the Silver Bullets, it wasn’t safe to be out there unprotected. Esme knew that, Prettyboy knew that-
What the fuck are we going to do?
Prettyboy seemed to think that the smartest thing to do was slow down, probably to see if they wanted to pass them. When the Silver Bullets caught up to them however, when they were just about to be parallel, Esme saw one of them holding a gun at her.
Her heart s
topped altogether as she pounded on Prettyboy’s back to get his ass moving.
She had no idea why the fuck they were after them, why they were leveling guns at their backs, but she didn't want to find out!
Prettyboy caught the drift a second after she did, and he stepped on it.
Esme’s attire was long forgotten as they sped their way down the mountain, hoping to reach town before the three men following them could catch up to them. Esme didn't have her phone with her which had her panicking, but there wasn't any way she’d be able to text and hold on to Prettyboy at the speed they were going. Her nails were practically gouging into his back as she fought to remain seated- heels were probably not a good idea.
The mountain around them was diminishing, but the men following them didn't seem to be slowing down any. Prettyboy was going to have to out maneuver them if he wanted to get them off the mountain safely, otherwise they’d ride into them.
Esme saw the city limits sign come into view and thought they’d get there safely. They were so close, so close that Esme could practically taste freedom, but at the last second one of the riders cut Prettyboy off and effectively crowded them between the front rider and the two men riding the rear.
Esme wanted to scream, but no one would hear her anyways, and they had no choice but to follow the Silver Bullets off the side of the mountain.
She could tell Prettyboy was trying to find an opening between the other riders as they transitioned onto the city streets, but the Silver Bullets made certain they stayed trapped between them.
“Fuck!,” Prettyboy growled under his breath.
Through the roaring of the other bike’s engines she heard that word slip past his lips and knew instantly they were trapped.
Prettyboy didn't even have his gun on him.
And, why would he?
They rarely ever left the clubhouse and they were just going on a date!
It was just supposed to be a date…
“Pull over!”
The second rider pulled up beside them and demanded that they pull over. Prettyboy hesitated, but when the rider held his gun up in Esme’s direction, Prettyboy knew he wasn’t joking.
Esme had no idea why they were basically being hoarded onto a deserted side street at gun point, but she knew she'd find out soon enough.
Just as Prettyboy stopped his bike, the first rider stepped off of his and walked right towards them. Even with the helmet on, she could tell it was Andy- the president of the Silver Bullets.
“Andy? What the fuck is this?,” She asked.
He motioned for them to get off the bike, but Prettyboy hesitated.
Andy lifted his own gun into the air and fired a warning shot that had her scrambling into the safety of Prettyboy’s arms.
“Next one goes in her fuckin’ head, Deadly.”
“What the fuck do you want? Seven Deadlies got no beef with the Silver Bullets,” Prettyboy said angrily.
Andy lifted his shades revealing a handsome face and chocolate brown eyes.
“Nah, but you’re their closest ally. We’ve been waitin’ to catch some of you in the wind for a week now, but now that Tango and Rebel are down for the count, we’re gonna have to work with Plan B.”
Esme was close to tears, but she was afraid to even breathe. If Andy said he’d blow her brains out, he meant it.
“Here’s what's going to happen here. You’re going to get into that car parked over there, and two of my men are going to drive you to one of our warehouses. You’re the bait, my friends. Sorry it has to be this way, but business is business.”
“Bait for what?!”
“Shut your fuckin’ mouth and do as I say, little girl. I got no trouble with you, but I will shoot you.”
Esme looked up at Prettyboy, who’s green eyes were narrowed into little slits.
“Okay. We’ll go. Come on, baby.”
Esme took his hand, thankful that they weren’t being separated.
“Don’t fight, okay? Just do as they say. We don’t know what they want, but we’ll find out. Try to stay calm,” He whispered into her ear.
Esme nodded numbly, unaware of how exactly she was supposed to remain calm. They were being kidnapped at gun point by Axel’s number one enemy. And, what the fuck did Andy mean about Tango and Rebel? Axel’s VP and Enforcer were hurt? Why didn't anyone tell her?
As Prettyboy was shoved into one side of a blacked out SUV, she was shoved into the other side and they practically fell into one another’s arms.
Just as the doors were closing behind them, Prettyboy glanced at her and she recognized the look. She knew what it meant…they were fucked.
Club business is just that, club business- Esme had no idea why they wanted her or Prettyboy, but she knew they were about to find out.
She knew that wherever they were going wasn't going to be a fucking vacation, but she was speechless.
Unlike Rayna, Axel had always kept her safe from these kinds of situations. She’d never had to be a badass boss bitch like her. She didn't know what to do. She didn't even know how to assure her old man that she was okay, that he didn't have to worry about her, because she was ready to cry right then and there.
All of the pain and suffering she’d endured since Chris died couldn't have prepared her for this.
Rayna would know what the fuck to do.
She wouldn't cry, Esme.
Be strong, be strong like Rayna!
Prettyboy’s grip on her hand tightened as the SUV began to move.
Esme’s stomach was roiling, and she felt the need to roll down the windows, but there was a man in the passenger seat she didn't recognize pointing a gun at her head and…
What the fuck do I do now?
Are we going to die?
Esme knew that whatever happened after that point, whatever occurred after her and Prettyboy made it to the warehouse they were headed to, nothing would be the same.
Chris had never utilized the ‘full disclosure’ clause with her, and in his defense, she’d been just fine to be kept in the dark. Now, she wished more than anything that her and Prettyboy had discussed it more thoroughly.
I’m so scared.
Tonight, her life would be irrevocably changed.
She wouldn't be the same.
But, one question kept circling around in her head the entire time they were driving:
Am I strong enough to be Prettyboy’s old lady?
Chapter 25
Ox was in the process of making himself a White Russian when the doors to the clubhouse banged open.
“Ox!”
His head snapped up and he abandoned his drink altogether when he saw Tango and Rebel stomping towards him.
“Gentleman, what's going on? Where’s Axel?”
“He’s fuckin’ missing! The video feed on our surveillance system was cut from the outside. Silver Bullets must have done it during all the commotion earlier, smarmy bastards!”
Ox saw Limit and Rider walking towards them out of the corner of his eye; Fury wasn't far behind.
“How do you know he’s missing?”
“Found his bike on the side of the road just an hour ago. He ain’t answerin’ his phone, man.”
Ox took note of the fact that Tango, the biggest motherfucker around apart from Limit, was panicking. A man like him didn't panic unless he had a damn good reason, and Ox knew it.
“Alright, take this down the hall. Church is now in session, fuckers! Round it up, everybody, the party is over!”
Much to his satisfaction, everyone within shouting distance of him started moving. The doors to the clubhouse were closed, the gates were locked, and every man in a cut was headed for church.
“Ox, wait. Before we go in there, there’s something else you should know.”
Ox waited to hear whatever Rebel had to say, his mismatched eyes steely.
“What is it?”
“On the first side road off the mountain, we found another bike. Has your colors on it.”
Ox’s
eyes widened when he realized exactly what the fuck that meant. Prettyboy and Esme were now officially missing, too.
“Fuck!”
He checked the clock to see that they’d been gone around four hours, which didn't bode well.
“How long did you say Axel’s been gone?”
“He only left a couple of hours ago. We found his bike first, tried calling his phone, we got nothing. Can’t find him anywhere, Ox. This has the Silver Bullets written all over it,” Tango said adamantly.
“Which means that Prettyboy and Esme are probably with Axel, wherever the fuck they are.”
Tango’s eyes widened.
“Esme’s with them too? Fuck! My God,” He rasped as he ran a hand through his hair. He kicked a chair out from under the table nearest to him and swore a blue streak.
“We ain’t got time to waste right now, men. Call your brothers, get them here as fast as possible.”
Ox didn't stop to wait for a response, but he did hear Tango on the phone as he headed for church. The room was packed full of people, but he sought out Rider immediately.
“Rider! Track Esme and Prettyboy’s phones immediately. See if you can find Axel’s too,” He shouted as he stomped towards his chair.
Rider’s eyes widened but he hastened to do as Ox said.
“What’s goin’on?,” Fury asked.
“Axel’s missing, so are Prettyboy and Esme. Tango and Rebel found his bike parked in town when they were looking for Axel. Found his bike too,” Ox said.
He had no idea what to do, where to go from there.
It didn't make sense that the Silver Bullets would kidnap one of his men and his old lady…
Why would they do that?
The Seven Deadlies and the Silver Bullets had no beef. The only connection they had was the Lone Rangers, but Ox and his club would always back Axel and his men.
“Shit, this is so fucked! Why would they take Prettyboy and Esme?”
Ox glanced at Green and shrugged.
“I don’t know. I have no fuckin’ idea what’s going on, Green.”
“Do you think this is about the black book?,” Fury asked worriedly.
“No. Axel is the only one who knows about that right now. He hasn't even taken it to the table.”
Envy (Seven Deadlies MC Book 1) Page 16
