by Ren Parris
“Yeah, I heard she's a feisty thing, I look forward to meeting her.” His grin grows.
“You stay away from mine or I will kill you.” Fucking hell, I'm going to murder him. His reputation for how he treats his women is enough for me to want to do away with him. But Pepper—I'd have no regrets about protecting her.
“I told you no more of your women or children will be hurt if Moose was released, but I still want to meet her.”
Why is he so damn interested in Pepper? "Fuck no.” Before I can say anything else, I hear movement behind me and it isn't the heavy boots of my men. I turn to find Pepper stepping out from behind the guys. She walks right up in front of me, evading my attempts to pull her behind me.
Pepper turns and glares at me. “Maybe we should get those introductions done, and we can all go on about our business.”
Turning back around, she looks at Hitch. “So, Hitch, here I am. I understand you wanted to meet me. Now you have, you can go. Bye.” She waves her hand. Before she turns to walk away, Hitch touches his nose with two fingers. She turns around with her head held high and starts walking back to the club house.
They all watch as she sashays away.
I turn to Hitch. “I guess that’s your cue to leave.”
“Well, fuck. Your woman is something,” Hitch mutters. “Mount up,” he tells his men. “It’s time to leave this hell-hole.” Then he turns to me. “We'll be watching you.”
We don't move until all the Dwellers are out of sight.
“Son of a bitch,” Bull states.
All of them start to laugh. I'm not fucking laughing.
“Did you see Hitch’s face when she did the little wave, and turn to walk away?” Bear says. He's about to piss in his pants from laughing.
Growling, I stomp back to the club house. I plan to tan her bottom red, but right now we need to have a meeting. I tell Shooter. “Get the guys together. We have church in about fifteen.”
I know for damn sure we have a mole. Moose was let go without anyone outside the club knowing it. The newest prospect, Bill, is my pick. There's always been something off with him. None of the other prospects knew about Moose being released, except for Bill. I send a quick text to Ghost to make sure there's a clear view outside the door. Maybe we'll catch our mole listening in.
Before I go into the meeting, I need to find Pepper. I see her about to go upstairs. “Can you come to my office for a second?” I say nothing else and head in that direction without looking to see if she's following. As soon as the door shuts, I turn around and push her against the door, grabbing her face. She starts to say something, but I shake my head at her. She knows I'm not happy with her right now, so she stands there until I decide to speak. Rather than say anything, I lean in and kiss her harder than I have before.
“Do not ever do something like you did again!” I spit out, breathing hard. I shake my head again, stopping her from talking. “Those men are some of the meanest you’ll ever meet. They would not even think twice about pulling out guns and shooting.”
Her eyes widen. “I'm sorry, but I don’t regret what I did at the gate. This shit needs to come to an end,” she says in a shaky voice.
“I know baby, we're working on it. By the way, I guess you know Moose was released. Who told you?”
“Yesterday, when the prospects got back from their errand, Travis had the duty of bringing up the laundry. I passed him in the hall talking to Roxie. He was telling her that Bill told him about Moose being released.”
Not sure what to make of that, I nod. “Go on and get ready for supper. The club members are going into a meeting, and when we finish I'll come get you.”
On the way, down to the meeting, I keep thinking about Bill, Travis, and Roxie. I thought Bill was the most likely suspect, but now there's a possibility it's Roxie. Travis is family so I would be surprised if it turns out to be him. There's no way it could be a brother—at least I hope not. I hate that to even be in my head, but also can't leave it out of the picture.
I get to the meeting before everyone else starts to come in so I can watch them, and I send a text to the prospects. Then, I put Travis on guard duty and let Bill free for a while.
Tank and Ghost show up first. I go over my thoughts with them about catching the mole. Ghost sets the feed to come through his laptop and then we wait on everyone to enter.
”You guys go along with whatever I say.” Before the other men now present can ask anything, I answer the questioning looks. “Everything will be revealed by the end of the meeting.”
It takes about fifteen minutes for the rest of the members to get there, including the members from Louisiana since this is not a meeting just about our chapter. I have no idea what is going on anymore. Pepper has me thinking maybe it’s not about the Dwellers—it could be something else entirely. For now, I'll let everyone think the problem is limited to the Dwellers in case it’s one of the guys in the meeting.
I start the meeting going over the topic of Moose’s release to see if anyone has anything to add. Not everyone is happy with us letting Moose go. Some of the guys think we should have gotten rid of him, particularly Gunner, Dog, and some of the men from Louisiana.
I go over the fact we had a prospect who we thought was from the Dwellers get on our property. “I'm not sure if the prospect was sent for something, or to spy on us.”
Before I can say anything else about this, Snake, one of the guys from Louisiana, interjects, “There's no way that we would have let the prospect live. Not sure we would've even let Moose live.”
"I agree with him," Dog says
“How is your sister doing?" Ghost changes the subject.
"My sister is doing somewhat better. She still can't speak because of her mouth being wired shut. But as soon as she names her attackers, somebody will pay with their life.”
“Something was not right about Hitch showing up at the gate,” Bull points out. “I think he was not surprised that Moose had been released.” Everyone agrees with Bull.
I let them all talk over each other, letting time go by. After twenty minutes of nothing, I decide to wrap things up. I'm not ready to disclose my suspicions to everyone yet, so I prepare to close the meeting.
“Does anyone else have anything they need to say?” When nobody speaks, I hit the gavel on the table. “Meeting adjourned.”
Emptying the room takes another ten minutes. Everyone has left except for Tank and me. Tank is and always will be one of the only people I trust completely. We check out the stream from the video camera outside the door. I can't believe nobody showed up. Makes me rethink the culprit being Bill or Roxie. I know they are both free and knew about the meeting. Which leaves prospects Travis and Hank or one of my club brothers. I hope it's not the latter.
There's still an hour before supper, so I decide to get some work done in my office, giving Pepper time alone.
CHapter Tweny-one
Pepper…before meeting Hitch
I'm gathering my things to take a shower when I hear someone frantically knocking on Wolf’s door. The pounding of my heart is a sure sign I'm still shaken up from before.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Crystal.”
I open the door and Crystal comes in like a bat out of hell. She's out of breath. "We don't have a lot of time. Hitch is out front. I need to get a message to him.”
“What do mean, Crystal?” I don't understand why she wants to get a message to the person I've gathered isn't a good man.
“I'm so sorry but I haven't been telling the whole truth to any of you. Hitch and his dad, Tadpole, have always been good uncles to me. After my dad died with my brother, Hitch’s dad took us in. He paid for my schooling and moved us away so we wouldn't be near the club. Something happened and he needed help that only I could help him with. I know this is a lot to take in but I was planted here not only to give him Intel but to watch the Freedoms’ back. My uncle had Intel that the Freedom MC was under attack but he didn't know who was after them. To make a long sto
ry short, he was approached by another motorcycle club wanting to take out this chapter in Newbern. He told them he wasn't interested in going after them.”
“What does this have to do with me?” I ask curiously, a little shocked that everything she's told me before wasn't the truth.
“Everything right now. I need your help. I need to get a message to Hitch,” Crystal pleads.
“Are you sure this is important?” I need to know this is legit before I commit to anything.
“Hitch told me if he ever shows up at the gate, something bad has happened or is about to happen and I need to get to the gate and give him the wave. He will give me a signal back so I know what needs to be done.”
I know I'm naïve sometimes and too kind hearted, but I believe her. “Okay, how can I help? Let’s get out the door and see what we can do to make that happen.”
“You aren't mad at me or going to question me at all?” Even with widened eyes in disbelief, I see her body relax a little.
“Not right now. We need to see if we can help get this crap over with.” I just wish I knew what was really going on around here.
So, Crystal and I run down the steps. When we get to the door, nobody seems to be watching us. We continue to walk outside and hear Hitch asking about me. Maybe Crystal has mentioned me before. Thinking that this might be the best way to get the message from Hitch, I sneak up behind the men. I can hear Wolf telling the guy, "Fuck no." Before he can do or say anything else, I step around him and get the message to Hitch.
After I make it up to the room, I pace the floor waiting for Crystal to join me. The knock comes and I open the door without confirming it's her. Thank goodness I'm lucky enough and it is.
“What was the signal? she asks, anxious.
“He touched his nose with two fingers.” It's a silly signal, but her reaction shows how serious it is.
Crystal inhales sharply. “Shit. I need to call him right now.” She calls Hitch and puts the phone on speaker.
The man answers on the first ring. “Hey, baby girl, I'm glad you got the message. We have a big problem. We need to get Pepper out of there. I've found out she's a target. The club that wants to take out Freedom is going to try and kidnap her. They want something from Wolf.”
“Uncle Hitch, I have you on speaker and Pepper is here with me now.”
I cut in before either one of them can speak. “Hitch, I need to know one thing, and then we can decide on what to do.”
“Darling, I will try to answer the best I can.”
“Do you know who is behind all of this?” I don't know why that's my question, but if some crazy people have a need to kidnap me, I'd like to know something about them.
“Not exactly, but I have an idea who it is. I've been approached by a non-club member who says they represent a club in the Freedom chapter.”
“I'm guessing that I'm the latest to be used against the club?”
“Seem so. I'm sorry darling.” He's sincere and I can't imagine the harsher features of his face settling into an expression of comfort.
Screw it. I've been in danger it seems since I rescued little bit. “Okay, what do you want to do?”
“I need for you to come to the gate behind the garage and there'll be someone waiting. They will bring you to my cabin that no one knows about. It's safe there and you can stay in hiding until Wolf gets his shit straight.”
“What’s in it for you?” What if I'm being played right into the kidnappers’ arms?
“That’s a fair question. I want the backing of the Freedom MC, so I can take down a drug dealer who's come into my territory.”
“Now would be a good time as the guys are in a meeting. That’s if Pepper is in agreement with this,” Crystal says.
“I’m not sure of anything, but this may be the best option we have right now.” I think. Yes, it is. I trust Crystal. I know I can.
“Okay, see you in ten, Pepper. Go ahead a get your stuff together. Don't bring your cell. I'll have a burner phone for you to call Wolf. You can call him once we're about two hours away.”
“What do you want me to do, Uncle Hitch?” Crystal asks.
“I'm sorry, baby girl, but I need you to stay there to show good faith.”
“Fine, but you two need to hurry. If Pepper doesn't contact Wolf as soon as possible, he'll lose his shit."
Hitch grunts. "She's special to him. He's liable to start throwing fists until he finds her. We'll make this as smooth as possible."
"Why can't I tell Wolf now?"
"He won't let me help you then. We, including him, have no clue who's behind this. It could be someone Wolf would never suspect and you'll be gone in a blink. I'm trying to help and this is the best way I know how." He pauses a few seconds before continuing, "I know if we try and tell him now, he won't be reasoned with. Especially if I'm part of the source. Not going to happen."
I may barely know Wolf, but I can see Hitch's reasoning is all truth. I also think I'm falling for Wolf and if he feels anything the same as me, then I have to do this. If he knows I'm safe, maybe he'll be able to focus more on the secret takeover that seems to be happening.
Chapter Tweny-two
Wolf
Ghost comes running in my office without knocking. “They have her!”
I look up and respond to his outburst. “Calm the fuck down. Who is her and who is they?
“Pepper. She left with a Dweller.”
My heart skips a beat, or twenty. “What do you mean she left with a Dweller?”
“After the meeting, I decided to look at the video feed, thinking we might have missed something. I saw Pepper walking behind the garage, so I looked at the other camera on the fence side. Two guys with Dweller cuts on held the fence open for her, and she walked through and got in a huge four door pickup truck with them. They drove off with her. She left on her own."
My chair flips when I jump to my feet and run upstairs to my bedroom with Ghost following behind me. Tearing into the room, I look everywhere, not wanting to believe what he told me. She's gone along with her stuff. Everything else seems like nothing compared to her leaving me. I drop onto the bed, not believing what she’s done. When I'm about to get worked up and turn my anger out onto my room, I see a note on the nightstand.
With a sinking feeling, deep in my stomach, I grab the note and read.
Wolf, I wouldn't have left if I didn't think it was a good idea. I know you can take care of me, but we needed to remove me so I can't be used against you. I'll call you soon, so don't do anything until then. I'll explain when we speak. Love, Pepper XOXO.
I hand the note to Ghost, who reads it. “What do you want to do?” he asks.
“We'll do exactly what she asks and wait for her to call. If I don't like what she says, we'll go find her. I want to go over all the recordings and see if we missed anything before she calls." What the fuck does she mean by someone using her against me? Someone said something to her. And whoever it was is about to get their ass whooped when I find out who. They should've come to me with any info about my MC or my woman.”
“I'll go set up for us to look them over again.”
“I'll be there in a few minutes.”
Sitting on the bed, I try to piece together the situation, wondering who's after the club, and who's brave enough to even try. Something inside me believes the Dwellers aren't a part of this. If not, then they kidnapped my woman and I don't think even Hitch will cross that path with me. For right now, I’m still going to let the rest of the club believe it is all about the Dwellers, though. Before I leave my bedroom, my cell rings with an unknown number. I flip it open. “Speak.”
“This is Bane. I'm calling to let you know your woman is safe. She'll be calling you in just a little bit.”
“Thanks man, but don't think someone won't pay for this going on behind my back. Nothing better fucking happen to her on the Dwellers’ watch or it'll be a war like you've never seen.”
“I know but this is the best way. You'll understand more
when she calls. I got to go.”
I lock my door before leaving the room, not wanting anyone to know Pepper is gone yet. Ghost is ready to go over the footage when I get there. “Before I left my room, I got a call from Bane. He wanted to let me know Pepper is safe.”
“You believe him?” He's shaking his head in disbelief.
“Out of all the Dwellers, I've always respected Bane, so I feel like we have no other choice but to trust nothing will happen to Pepper,” I answer even though I'm still doubting the whole situation. If I knew where she is, I'd be gone already to drag her back. But, I have no clue, and if I leave, it'll be a wild goose chase and then wasted resources that could be used protecting the club and figuring out what the hell is actually going on.
Ghost has the video at the point when I'm outside with Hitch. He switches to a different screen and we see where Pepper and Crystal came out into the yard while Hitch stood there. Then, Pepper engages him and I'm pissed all over again before she goes back into the club house.
I know what happens after that. "Find out where Pepper and Crystal were right before coming out."
When the screen comes up, it shows me leaving our room and then Crystal showing up not long after.
Pepper lets her in, and about five minutes later, they come out and go downstairs. "Now show me after Pepper went back upstairs." Speeding up the camera, we watch Pepper go back up to the bedroom, with Crystal following her right after.
Another fifteen minutes pass. The door opens with Pepper and Crystal coming out. Both walking down the steps carrying Pepper’s stuff, they go out the back door. They didn't run into anyone with the meeting happening at that time. Ghost switches the cameras as they move to each area. When they came out of the garage, Pepper hugged Crystal. Crystal went back into the clubhouse while Pepper crawled through the hole in the fence.
Ghost switches cameras again to where they see Pepper coming out from behind the garage. She walks up to the gate. Waiting for her are two Dweller club members. They have cut the fence so she can walk through it. Taking her suitcase and the rest of her things, one of the guys puts it in the back of a black pickup Ford for her.
