by Chiah Wilder
“Haul ass over there now. I’m on my way.”
“What’s going on?”
“I got an alert signal from her. She’s in trouble. I’m checking the GPS on her phone and she’s on the move. Fuck!”
“I’m there. I’ll call for backup,” War replied.
He called Army back. “Change of plans. The fuckers have Chelsea. Her GPS tells me they’re hitting the interstate. It’s just a matter of time before they find her phone. War’s going to her house now. Something doesn’t feel right. She was in her fucking house.”
“War didn’t see anything?” Army asked.
“He took a break to get some food. They nabbed her then. She’s been betrayed by someone close to her, I know it.”
“You think it’s her stepdad?”
“I gotta admit I thought Peter was involved, but it hit me not too long ago that her uncle Dave asked if I was going back to Colorado. How the fuck did he know that’s where I lived? Chelsea never told him. I got a bad feeling here. I’m gonna follow the GPS.”
“We’re with you. Where are you?”
“I just made a U-turn on Springfield.”
“Meet us at the motel. Chains is on the phone with Jacko and Sniper. They’re heading over to the house.”
“Tell them to keep us posted. I’m just turning into the motel lot. Where the fuck are you?”
“Right behind you. Bull Dog, Blue, and Dime Bag are behind us. Let’s go get your woman.”
As Paco waited for Chains and Army to get in, Bull Dog came over to the driver’s side. Paco rolled down the window and bumped fists with him.
“We know this area inside out. What direction are they going?” Paco handed him his phone and he looked at the map. “We’ll take the backroads and cut them off. You guys follow them from behind. You got enough guns and shit?”
Paco nodded. “Enough to blow up half this fucking town. We brought some assault rifles and grenades. Take what you need. The only ones getting hurt are those fuckers.”
Bull Dog chuckled. “I like the attitude, brother.”
Chains set it up so they shared the GPS screen, and Bull Dog jumped into his vehicle with his brothers and sped away. With jaw clenched, hands gripping the steering wheel, and eyes fixed ahead, Paco made a sharp turn and screeched out of the parking lot.
When they were ten minutes into their drive, Chains’s phone rang. “It’s Jacko,” he muttered, putting the phone to his ear. Silence filled the SUV, and then Chains’s voice broke through it. “He said there’re two people at your woman’s house—a Sandy and a Dave.”
“Tell him to blindfold them, take the fuckers to their clubhouse, and keep them on ice until we get back. I’ve got some business with them. Remind him not to mention any of their names, our names, or the clubs.”
Chains nodded and relayed the information, then put the phone down and chuckled. “The brothers are loving this. They don’t get this much action. They’re mostly into riding, partying, and stealing cars and bikes.”
“Let’s hope they know what the fuck they’re doing,” Army said as he lit a joint.
“They do.” Chains snapped his fingers and Army gave him two joints. He handed one to Paco. “Don’t worry. We’ll get Chelsea back okay. There’s no way we’re gonna let any fuckers slip from our fingers.”
Paco inhaled deeply and glanced at Chains. In that one glance, all the love, loyalty, and pride of the brotherhood were conveyed. They drove in a comfortable silence, Army messing with his phone, Chains watching the GPS map, and Paco staring at the road. I can’t lose her. She means everything to me. Chelsea, baby, hang on.
“They’re five miles ahead of us and just took Exit 281,” Chains said. “Wait. Bull Dog’s saying that the exit is where some abandoned warehouses are. There’s also an old quasi-airport in the area that was used for agriculture and small planes.”
“The fuckers have a plane waiting.” He pressed down on the accelerator. I have to get there in time.
“Bull Dog’s coming in on the side. He’s gonna park behind one of the warehouses. He said we should come in from the west.”
Paco nodded. “Army, start taking the guns out, and a couple of grenades.” From the rearview mirror, Paco saw Army bending over the seat and bringing guns over it.
“Once we get there, we’ll kill the engine and walk in. We’ll come in strong. Since they’re only in one car, I don’t think there are too many of them. Chains, get Jacko on the phone. Ask him to persuade the traitors to tell him where Chelsea is and who took her.”
Chains called Jacko and after a minute, he laughed loudly. “The fuckin’ pussies gave everything up. It’s Victor who’s got her. Him and two guys. They put her in a metal box in the back of their SUV. Bustos’s taking her to Pueblo on a private plane.”
Veering to the west, Paco parked behind an abandoned barn, killed the motor, and jumped out of the car. He took several deep breaths to calm down and focus, pushing all emotions far away and replacing them with ice cold detachment. He slung a semiautomatic rifle over his shoulder and carried a Mag sniper rifle while Chains and Army carried assault rifles. As much as he wanted to capture Victor and torture him, Steel had told him to do away with him and Bobby in a fast and efficient way. The brothers weren’t in their territory, and they didn’t want to mess with the badges or have too much scrutiny on them and the Twisted Warriors.
They came in from the back, giving the thumbs-up to Bull Dog, Dime Bag, and Blue. Victor stood behind two large men dressed in black suits, a small aircraft about three hundred yards away. He watched as Victor opened the back and motioned for the two men to come over. They took out a large square metal box. Paco’s heart splintered, but he pushed away the image of a terrified Chelsea folded inside.
“I have a perfect view of the fucker,” Army said in a low voice.
“I don’t want them to shoot Chelsea. Let’s wait until they start toward the plane.” He turned to Chains. “Tell Bull Dog that when the fuckers clear the vehicle and start toward the plane, I’ll give the signal and we’ll kill them. Tell them not to shoot at the box.” With the precision of their weapons, they could pinpoint exactly where the bullets would go. The guns they’d bought from Liam were Army issued and had cost a fortune on the black market.
As if sensing something, Victor turned and looked around the area. He stood staring for several minutes, then slowly turned away, bending down and unlocking the box before dragging a tied Chelsea out. When Paco saw the sack over her head, he wanted to kill the fucker right then and there. Victor placed her in front of him and slowly walked backward.
“He senses us,” Paco said. “I’m going to go around closer to the plane. He’s using Chelsea as a shield.”
“I’ll go with you,” Army said.
The two men went behind the buildings and dropped to their bellies, slithering across the ground as they had done numerous times overseas in Afghanistan. As Victor dragged Chelsea, she started screaming and struggling to break away from him. He punched her several times in the head and stomach, but she kept pushing away from him. He took out his gun and put it to her head. His mouth was moving, but Paco couldn’t hear what he was saying.
Stay cool, babe. I’m here. Feel me. I’m here.
Chelsea stopped and moved her head around as if trying to see if he were there. At that moment, he felt her. He couldn’t explain it, but a connection as strong as a current of electricity passed from her to him. The way she stiffened and turned her body in his direction told him that she’d felt it too. It was something he’d never experienced in his life.
Victor shoved her forward, and she stumbled and fell on the ground. Paco beamed. “That’s my girl,” he said under his breath. By falling, she’d opened Victor up like a bull’s-eye at the shooting range. Paco lifted his weapon, looked through the scope, and aimed at Victor’s head.
“I hate like fuck that the sonofabitch’s death’s gonna be quick,” he whispered to Army.
“I hear you. When you fire the shot,
the others know to take out the other two goons and the pilot.” The pilot was a casualty that couldn’t be helped. In the outlaw world, they never left any witnesses.
Paco pulled the trigger. The bullet flew out of the rifle and into the air, piercing the asshole’s skin, and he jerked back. Another bullet. Then another. Victor’s eyes bulged and he looked shocked, like he hadn’t expected to end his life that way on that day. Then he fell on the ground with a thump. More bullets whizzed through the air, and Paco slithered over to where Chelsea was on the ground. Her whimpering touched him deeply, and he reached out and yanked her to him, dragging her behind him to safety.
He pulled off the sack and her wild eyes searched his face; then recognition settled in, and she leaned against his chest and sobbed. He took out a knife from his boot and cut the zip ties. Her arms flopped down by her side and he embraced her tight, rubbing her back and whispering in her ear over and over again, “It’s all over. You’re safe. I’m here.”
Chains came up to him. “They’re all down. We’re gonna get rid of them. Bull Dog says they can take the plane to sell the parts. He says Blue’s a pilot and he’s gonna fly it to a nearby strip a friend of his has. Why don’t you go back to the SUV and take care of her. Army and I will take care of everything.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.” Chains gripped his shoulder, then took off.
Paco carried Chelsea back to the SUV and slipped into the back seat with her. He took out the first aid kit and cleaned the blood and dirt from her wrists and face, then kissed her gently and pressed her close to him. “I’m so sorry this shit happened to you. It killed me when the alert signal came through. One of the guys dropped the fucking ball.”
“All that matters is you came. I knew you would. I felt you out there. Is that crazy?”
“It is, but I felt a charge pass between us. You did too. That’s why you fell down, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “I never felt something so strong in all my life.” She looked up at him through her lashes. “Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dave were the ones who sold me all those years ago. They arranged the whole thing, and Mr. Tarleton was the delivery person. They sold me to pay off drug debts they owed to Erik and Bobby. And they told Victor I was home. I can’t believe they did that to me. How could they? What’s wrong with people that makes them do that? I loved her.” She clung tighter to him.
“They’re fucked in the head. They don’t have a soul. To betray someone who loves you is the worst.”
“You have experience with that. First your dad killing your mom, and then Cassie leaving you for someone else.”
His hand stopped in the middle of her back. “How do you know about Cassie?”
“I snooped, but not on purpose. I was trying to make room for my underwear when I found the envelope. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist. I read some of the letters. Don’t hate me.”
Years of memories flooded into his head, bumping into each other: his mother’s butchered body, Cassie’s hair glowing in the sunlight, his father’s crocodile tears, him and Cassie riding on his Harley, his sister’s gut-wrenching sobs when their father was convicted, Cassie’s betrayal. As the snippets from the past tangled around each other, other memories pushed them away: images of Chelsea, sick and vulnerable, sipping hot tea in the diner on a rainy night; her beautiful eyes boring into his; her soft lips; her laughter; her kindness amid so much suffering; and her strength.
“Are you mad at me for reading them?”
He bent down and kissed her gently. “No, I’m not mad. That was a long time ago. It was because of her that I decided women couldn’t be trusted.”
“Do you still feel that way?”
“Not since I met you. You’ve touched me in ways I can’t explain. You’ve brought out so many emotions that I thought I’d buried a long time ago.”
“You did the same for me. Before I met you, I thought that all men did was cause great suffering, that they couldn’t be trusted. For years I thought my gender was a curse, and I would never enjoy sex and be normal again. You changed all that for me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ve only told one woman that I loved her, but since you came into my life, I’ve realized that the love I had for Cassie was not sustainable. Yeah, I loved her, but you’re the first woman I’ve ever been in love with. I’m crazy about you, baby. For a long time I fought it because I didn’t want to give up the bitterness, and I thought it would be better for you to try and build your life with your family. I didn’t want to be your rebound relationship. I didn’t want to get hurt again.”
“I’d never hurt you. I’m in love with you, and it feels wonderful. I think I’ve loved you from that very first night you let me sleep in your room because I was sick. I’m so dreadfully sad that you’re leaving. I don’t feel whole without you. You fill in the cracks that keep the darkness out.”
“It’s gonna be hard to let you go. It took almost losing you to kick some fucking sense into me.
She pulled his face closer to hers and kissed him passionately. “If you love me then why are you letting me go?” she asked against his lips.
“Because you need to live your life. You need to be independent, meet new people, and fulfill your life without me for a while. You have to get to know yourself again and your family.”
“But I don’t want to be without you,” she said softly.
He stroked her cheek, his eyes boring into hers. “I know, but I need to let you spread your wings. If we truly love each other then we can be apart for a while and come back together and still have the same feelings.”
Her lips trembled and he embraced her to him, his resolve melting with every breath he took. He wanted nothing more than to take her back to Alina and make her his old lady, but he knew she had to make sure what they had was real. For the past eight years her life had been suspended, and she needed time for reflection, for healing before they could come together.”
“I love you, Paco.” Her voice hitched.
“And I love you, Chelsea. Don’t ever forget that.” Warmth spread through him as he held her close and listened to her light breathing. “You should call your mom and let her know you’re okay.” She pulled away and he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“What am I going to tell her about Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dave? Will she believe me? I have to call the police.”
“I’ll take care of them. You just let your mom know you’re okay.”
“How will you take care of them?” She glanced up at him. He didn’t answer. “I don’t want them hurt. I know what they did to me was despicable, and I still can’t believe it. I hate them for it, but I don’t want their suffering to be on my conscience. Promise me you won’t hurt them.”
“I can’t promise shit like that.”
“Paco, please. Let the law handle this. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one they did this to.”
He sat rigid, looking out the window. I can’t let them go. They betrayed my woman, and they know too much. “Did you tell them I was a Night Rebel?”
“No. I didn’t say anything about you. They kept thinking you were a trucker. They knew you lived in Colorado and I was surprised about that, but I never confirmed that either. They told me today that Bobby had told them I was in Alina. I think Bobby thought you were a trucker.”
“Where is the fucker? I’m surprised he wasn’t here.”
“I think Victor killed him. He didn’t say it, but he hinted at it.”
“Call your mom now.”
She nodded, and a tacit understanding evolved between them. Then she picked up the phone and dialed while Paco pulled her back into his embrace and held her close.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Paco stared at Sandy as she sat tied to a metal chair, her eyes bulging. Dave sat slumped over in the chair next to her, his face cut and bleeding.
“Let’s try this again,” Paco gritted as he pushed away from the concrete wall. Chains and Army leaned against a long, metal table while War, Bull
Dog, and Sniper smoked joints in the corner of the basement room. “What the fuck is Erik’s last name, and how do I get a hold of him?”
“If I tell you, will you let us go?” Sandy asked feebly.
“You got a better chance of leaving this room if you talk.” Paco took out a hunting knife and ran the flat side of the blade over the side of her face.
“Don’t tell him shit,” Dave growled. “He’s not going to let us go.”
Like lightning, Paco’s fist punched his face, and Dave’s head tipped back.
“I thought you were a trucker. That’s what Bobby told us,” Sandy said as she looked at her husband.
“Shouldn’t believe what that fucking scumbag tells you. How do I get a hold of Erik?”
“He has a cell phone, but he won’t pick up unless he recognizes the number.”
“How does he get johns for the women?”
“He puts ads in an internet newspaper—Backstreet.”
Paco looked at Chains who was already tapping the name into his iPad.
“Found it. The site is for employment, houses for rent and sale, and… here it is—the adult section.” He handed Paco the tablet.
Reading the section given to him, numerous names and phone numbers appeared on the left side, and very suggestive photos with names and phone numbers were on the right. Shoving the screen in front of Sandy’s face, he asked her if she recognized Erik’s ads. She looked at them and nodded.
“Which ones?”
Sandy glanced over at her husband again, who still had his head back with his eyes shut. “He made me do this,” she said in a low voice. “I never would’ve done this to Chelsea or any woman, but he threatened and beat me. He got me hooked on coke. I love Chelsea. I never would’ve done this to her. I swear.”
“I’m not gonna repeat myself again. Which ones?”
“You’ll let me go, right? I mean, I’m cooperating with you. I didn’t argue or anything. Not like Dave did. I swear he forced me. Bobby and Erik threatened to kill me if I didn’t do what they wanted. Erik had seen Chelsea at a high school basketball game. She was a cheerleader, and he wanted her real bad. He told Tyler to make a play for her. He did.” Sandy kept rambling on, “Did you know that was the only reason he went out with her? He knew what was going to happen to her. I had no choice.”
