I noticed the parking lot was devoid of motorcycles; however Ryder’s BMW sat in the red zone. I could only assume Ryder took Reese’s bike and left the car. “Go home, Reese.”
“Takin’ you to your aunt’s.”
“I’m fine catching the bus.”
He shook his head. “Don’t do that, Sadie.”
“Reese, seriously. I don’t need a chauffeur.”
“Don’t need my brother’s woman dead ‘cause she decided to make a bad call, either,” he responded.
“Pretty sure I’m not his woman anymore, Reese, so you’re off the hook.”
He dropped his head back and muttered his usual series of curses before studying me again. “Sadie, don’t pull this shit, okay?” He tugged the bag from my shoulder and I locked my front door.
I wouldn’t admit it, but Reese driving me to the abbey helped assuage the panic somewhat. In that moment, though, I wanted Ryder. I wanted to curl up in his arms and just cry, but I’d completely pushed him away, so I had to figure out what to do next. The only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn’t return to my apartment. I had no idea how to get out of the lease, but the thought of going back there made me sick.
* * *
Ryder
As ill-advised as it may have been, particularly without Reese at his back, Ryder didn’t head home as originally planned. He’d left Reese with his car and Sadie, then led his crew straight to the compound. It was time for a long overdue meeting with dear old Dad.
They pulled in, parked, and Ollie frowned as he dropped his helmet on the seat. “Looks shut down.”
Bennie, Axel, and Blake hung back with the other guys, giving Ryder and Ollie space.
Ryder nodded. “Which means only one thing...”
They’d be meetin’ with another club, their bikes somewhere out of sight so no one would know they’re there.
“I don’t think this is a good idea, Ride.”
Ollie was the son of the club vice-president, and the latest one to distance himself from the illegal dealings of the club.
“He threatened Sadie, Ollie.”
Ollie sighed. “Yeah, got it, brother. Just not sure it’s a good idea to barge in when they’ve got a soiree goin’ with another club. We’re outnumbered, and I get that it’s our parents in there, but not one of them have our back, especially now.”
Ryder seethed with rage. Ollie was right, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to wrap his hands around his father’s neck and squeeze.
“I wanna know how the hell he got out without me bein’ notified.”
“I’ve got a call into our guy at the prison to find that out, Ride,” Ollie said.
“Whatever you want, Ride,” Blake said. “We got your back.”
Before Ryder could respond, the storm door at the side of the building opened and Hatch and Brick walked out. Unfortunately for Ryder, there were more than a few men watching from inside.
“Well, lookie here, Brick. The prodigal son returns.”
Ryder saw red, but before he could unleash his rage, Ollie laid a hand on his shoulder. “Steady, Ride.”
“I see you got my message,” Hatch said, crossing his arms and stopping a few feet from Ryder... Brick beside him.
“What do you want, Hatch?”
Hatch sneered. “I want my property.”
“Sounds like a personal problem,” Ryder retorted.
“It’ll be your problem, you don’t return ’em. I’ll let you keep Scarlett. She’s more trouble than she’s worth. But the others? You got forty-eight hours, son.”
“Not your son,” Ryder hissed.
Hatch chuckled. “Forty-eight hours, Ride.”
Ryder moved his hand, but Ollie squeezed his shoulder again. “Not worth it, brother. We’re outgunned.”
Hatch and Brick walked back into the building and Ryder pulled out his cell phone.
“Hey,” Reese answered.
“You got Sadie?”
“Yeah, brother.”
“You at the abbey yet?”
“Nope,” Reese said.
“Meet you there,” Ryder said.
“Okay.”
Ryder hung up, swung onto Reese’s bike, and led his crew away from his old home away from home. They split off at the entrance of the freeway and Ryder headed toward Sadie.
Sadie
AS SOON AS Reese pulled the car into the parking lot, I jumped out. He swore and turned off the car, climbing out as well. “Sadie, calm down.”
“Stick it, Reese. Oh!” Shocked a little by my outburst, I walked to the back of the car and tried to soften my attitude. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have been so rude.”
He chuckled.
I forced a smile. “You’ve delivered me to my aunt... you can go now.”
Reese shook his head. “Walking you to your door. You know the drill, babe.”
“Guess what, Reese? I’m a little over ‘the drill.’”
“Yeah?” he retorted, opening the trunk. “Too bad I don’t give a rat’s ass, huh?”
“I’ll carry my own bag, thank you very much,” I snapped, grabbing it from the trunk and heading to the abbey door.
I knocked, and as soon as the door opened, I was pulled into the warm embrace of Michael. “Hey, Sadie. You okay?”
I shook my head and wrapped my arms around him. I heard Reese in the background mutter a few choice words, but I didn’t care. I took comfort in my friend’s arms... I didn’t question why Michael was in the abbey that late at night (he shouldn’t have been, no men past eight o’clock), or why he opened the door instead of my aunt, I just let him hug me.
“I’ve got it from here,” Michael said, holding me close.
“No, man, I don’t think you do,” Reese argued.
I turned and faced Reese still standing on the doorstep. “He’s got it from here, Reese. Thanks for the ride.” I closed the door and dropped my bag to the floor just as my aunt shuffled into the foyer.
“How are you, sweetheart?” she asked, pulling me in for a hug.
“I’m good now.” I smiled. “Where’s Molly?”
“In bed.”
“How about you fill us in?” Michael suggested.
I filled him in on what I knew, leaving out the parts about my fight with Ryder.
“Wow,” he breathed out.
I nodded. “I just need a few days to figure a few things out.”
“I’d like to help.”
“I don’t know how you can,” I said. “But really, it’s fine.”
Before he could say anything else, someone pounded at the door. Michael pulled it open and Ryder shoved his way in.
“What are you doing here, Ryder?” I asked.
I was shocked when Michael grabbed hold of Ryder’s shoulders. “If Sadie doesn’t want you here, you’re gone.”
“Man. You need to get your hands off me,” Ryder said, his voice low and lethal.
“Ryder, I told you I need space,” I reminded him.
“We’ve got bigger issues than us right now.”
I frowned.
“You seriously need to get your hands off me,” Ryder said to Michael again.
“Michael, it’s okay,” I said, reaching for his arm.
“Some priest,” Ryder said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
He glared at my hand touching Michael, but I squared my shoulders and asked, “What’s going on? Why are you here, Ryder?”
“Let’s take this into my office,” my aunt suggested.
“I’m sorry, Sister. I’d hoped this wouldn’t reach you,” Ryder said.
“Well, let’s see what we’re up against before we worry about all of that,” Auntie said.
It wasn’t lost on me that Michael kept himself between me and Ryder as we walked down the hall to Auntie’s office, but Ryder somehow maneuvered himself to be standing behind me when I sat in one the chairs facing my aunt’s desk.
Auntie sat at her desk and smiled. “So let me know what’s going on.”
; “Without going into too many details, the girls we liberated from Savannah were the “property” of a local motorcycle club and they want them back,” Ryder said.
I shrugged away from his hand on my shoulder. My aunt raised an eyebrow but didn’t press for details.
“I’ve contacted a buddy in the FBI and a couple of acquaintances in the Dogs of Fire MC,” Ryder continued.
“Another motorcycle club?” I ground out. After his experiences with the Spiders I was a little surprised he’d trust another club.
“They’re cool, baby,” Ryder assured. “We’re trying to keep the local cops out of it... the club has a few in their pocket.”
“So that’s why...” I let my sentence trail off. I recognized that I might not know everything that was going on right now and I trusted him enough to wait until we were alone to ask questions. Now, if I could just calm myself enough not to puke on Ryder’s shoes, I’d feel a lot better.
“Where are the girls now?” Michael asked.
“They’re safe for the moment, but that won’t last for long.” Ryder slid his hand to my neck. This time, I didn’t shrug him off. “We’re going to need to move them.”
“What about their families?” Auntie asked.
“They don’t have families,” Ryder said. “That’s what the club counts on when trafficking them.”
“Scottie has you,” Auntie pointed out.
“That was payback for her running.”
“What about Hayley?” I asked.
Ryder squeezed my neck. “She’s safe, honey.”
“Just what is this ‘club’?” Auntie asked.
“The Rockwood Spiders, out of Gresham,” Ryder said. “They have a couple other chapters around the country, including Savannah, which is why the girls were there.”
I shuddered and Ryder stroked the back of my neck. Much to my irritation, I couldn’t stop myself from leaning into his touch. I was still mad at him and I didn’t like it that he was anticipating my needs right now. Why couldn’t he just be a jerk? It’d be easier to take.
“And why is Sadie sitting in my office, pale as a sheet?” Auntie demanded.
“Ryder’s father broke into my apartment and threatened me.”
“What?” Auntie cried.
Ryder’s hand stilled and I heard Michael curse. I was so shocked by his use of language, my mouth dropped open as I stared at him.
“Sorry,” Michael said to me, then added to Ryder, “I think you should leave.”
I lost Ryder’s hand on my neck.
“I’m okay,” I rushed to say. “It was scary, but I’m okay.”
“How long until they track her here?” Michael asked, his voice low and lethal.
“They won’t,” Ryder said.
“And how do you know that?”
“Because I do.”
“Holy mother of—I mean... ah, sorry Auntie,” I grumbled, and glared up at Ryder. “Will one of you please fill me in on whatever it is you aren’t saying?”
Before anyone could answer, Sister Maria walked in. “Sorry to interrupt, Reverend Mother, but there is an FBI agent here to see you. A Cameron Shane.”
“Send him in, Sister.”
“You called Cameron in now?” I asked, my stomach roiling. This must be way worse than I thought.
“I told you I called in the FBI.”
The second Cameron walked in (with Reese, I might add), I stood. Partly in an attempt to put space between myself and Ryder, and partly because I felt less vulnerable standing.
“You said you called him for information... if Cameron’s here, then...” I was going to be sick. “Is Hayley in trouble now? Real trouble?”
“No.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Sadie,” Ryder whispered, reaching for me.
I raised my hands to ward off his touch. “Don’t.”
He frowned, but did as I asked. I leaned against the desk and waited for everyone to be introduced. As I watched Michael and Cameron shake hands, something about their introduction bothered me. I couldn’t put my finger on it, so I chalked it up to being frazzled.
“Do you have the girls?” Ryder asked.
Cameron nodded. “They’re secure, but we can’t keep them there indefinitely.”
“Why not?” I snapped.
“Because we can’t guarantee their safety, even in the well-guarded safe house Cam has them in.”
“What will guarantee their safety?” Auntie asked.
Ryder shook his head. “Honestly, I have no idea.”
“Here would be safe,” Michael said.
“How so?” I challenged. “Ryder’s dad knows I’m an ex-nun—”
“He doesn’t, actually,” Cameron said.
“I don’t understand.”
“Electronically speaking, your time as a nun isn’t recorded in any database,” Ryder said.
“Because her name change and other information is filed here in paper form, rather than on any computers?” Auntie asked.
Ryder nodded. “Exactly. When I started dating Sadie, I knew there could be issues with her connection to me, so Cameron flooded the Internet with false information and job histories that wouldn’t flag the school or the Spiders when they ran background checks on her.”
“Without asking me?” I snapped. Even though he had the decency to look somewhat contrite, I was livid. “Get out!”
“Baby—”
“Don’t you dare call me baby!” I threw my arm out and pointed toward the door. “Get out!”
“Not goin’ anywhere just yet, Sadie, so you need to wrap you head around it.”
“Then I’ll leave,” I said.
“Babe—”
“Lose my number, Ryder.” I rushed out of the office and toward the private nun quarters. I didn’t even know where I was sleeping for the next two days, so I just kept walking until I hit the communal living area.
“Sadie?” Michael called.
I peeked into the hallway and saw him standing at the threshold. He wasn’t allowed any further. The nun’s area was off-limits to men, so I walked toward him.
“Hey.”
He smiled, pulling me in for a hug. “I’m worried about you.”
“I’m okay, Michael, I just need a minute.”
“What can I do?”
“Honestly? Nothing.” My stomach grumbled.
“How about we grab something to eat?”
I smiled. “I’m not really in the mood to go out. Rain check?”
“You’ve got to eat.”
“I’ll make something here. I’m good, Michael.”
“I’m right next door if you need me.”
“I know,” I said.
“Anything, Sadie, okay?”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
He studied me for a few seconds and then turned and walked away.
How the heck had my life come to this? Less than a year ago, I was living a sheltered but happy existence, and now I was in some weird romantic suspense novel I couldn’t get out of. Admittedly, I didn’t really want to, because I’d never felt so alive, but there was no way I’d ever voice that out loud.
Right now I just needed a break.
My stomach rumbled again.
And food... I needed food.
As I headed into the kitchen, my phone rang and I glanced at the screen. Since I was apparently a glutton for punishment, I answered it. “I thought I told you to lose my number.”
“Babe, I know you’re pissed—”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious, but I don’t think we need to rehash all of that.”
“There are things you don’t fully understand.”
“You were part of a gang, Ryder.”
“I wasn’t part of it, Sadie, this is what I’m trying to tell you. I got out.”
“Saying that kind of indicates you were in something that you had to get out of!” I snapped, frustrated with the back and forth.
“Look, recruits are chosen around eighteen. I was out be
fore then. Most of us were. Bennie and Ollie were the only two who didn’t get out early.”
“I don’t know what any of that means. And honestly, I don’t really think I want to. This is all way too bad-movie plotline for me.”
“Whatever, Sadie.” I heard him take a deep breath. “I’m gonna say this once, and then you can have your space. You don’t leave the abbey for the next three days.”
“You don’t really have any—”
“I swear to Christ—”
“Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain,” I scolded.
I heard him bellow an expletive (away from the phone, luckily), and I couldn’t help a devious little smile. Hopefully, I was making his life just a little more difficult... give him a small taste of his own medicine.
“Sadie,” he started again, after another deep breath. “If you’re not willing to stay with me, I need you to stay put until I can sort things out with the club. Do you hear me?”
“Oh, I hear you, Ryder. I’d imagine anyone within a three-mile radius can hear you.”
“Woman, are you purposely trying to piss me off?” he snapped. “’Cause I will not be happy if I have to put a man on you. I will if you push me, but I’d like to keep all my resources working to figure all this shit out.”
“Well, you do you, Ryder. I’m going to take the next few days to figure out what I want. Does that sound agreeable to you, sir bossy pants?” I walked through the kitchen and pushed open the double doors out onto the patio at the back of the property. The sun was low but hadn’t yet set, and the day had been a mild one, so I drew in a deep breath and tried to relax.
“Stop being cute.”
“I’m not trying to be cute, Ryder, but I won’t be bullied into doing something I don’t want to do. Do you hear me?” I mimicked.
“Right,” he said with a sigh. “So I need to put a man on you.”
“And draw a big red arrow pointing to the abbey for your father to find? Gosh, Ryder, that doesn’t sound very smart at all,” I droned. What Ryder didn’t know was that there were tunnels under the church and outbuildings, which meant I could lose his “man” if I was so inclined. They were also a good hiding place should anyone find me here. “You need to focus on making sure those girls are safe. Including Hayley. They’re what’s important here. Not me.”
“All of you are important, Sadie.” I heard footsteps on the gravel and turned to find him walking towards me.
A Nun Walks into a Bar (Nun-Fiction Series Book 1) Page 15
