by London Casey
twenty-two.
Jordyn ran a brush through her hair and then wiped a tear from her eye. She wore a black dress, not just for the passing of Gram. The color symbolized the leather cuts, the dark heart that beat in Mr. Strokner's chest, and the fact that today was going to be the last day Mr. Strokner could touch his chest and feel that heart beating.
Jordyn dropped the brush to the bathroom floor and gripped the edge of the sink. She stared at her reflection, following the tear running down her cheek. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
I trust him. I trust them.
If anything went wrong today, Jordyn would be gone. She’d never feel Jace’s strong arms around her. She’d never have the sensation of his lips against hers, his tongue commanding hers, or the feel of his lips and tongue traveling along her body.
Jordyn wanted this though. She wanted the risk. The adventure. She wanted to know that there was a chance that someday she could sit with her family and share stories about her young life, just like Gram had done with her.
Picturing Gram as a biker chick made Jordyn smile.
When Jordyn tried to laugh, she choked up and started to cry. There was a soft knock at the door and when it opened, Jace stood there, his hair slick and clean, his eyes cutting right into her. He was as dressed up as he’d probably ever be.
“Hey, babe,” he said. “We’re all out there waiting for you.”
“Okay,” Jordyn said.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just thinking of Gram as a biker chick…”
“They’re usually called old ladies.”
“Am I an old lady?”
Jace smiled. “I don’t know what the hell you are, Jordyn. But you’ve taken everything I’ve known about life and tossed it out the window.”
“Do I have to ride on the back of your motorcycle in a dress?” Jordyn asked.
“No. You do what you want. But I’m not getting in a car. I’ve got two wheels. That’s all I need.”
Jace backed away and shut the door.
Jordyn collected herself and knew she was purposely just trying to kill time. Of course Back Down Devil knew the funeral director who was handling Gram’s services. He made sure to tell Jordyn to take her time. The guys waited for her outside, the hearse at the funeral home. It was all planned out, even the small details were cared for by the MC. None of the guys had even met Jordyn’s grandmother yet they were doing this for her. As Jace told her, it was out of respect. For all the times Mr. Strokner touched her, spoke to her, and made her feel uneasy.
But it’s not done yet… not done yet.
Jordyn sucked in a breath and left the bathroom. She nodded to Jace and they left.
Jace offered Jordyn his helmet and she took it.
So much for doing my hair.
Of course she was going to ride on Jace’s motorcycle to the funeral. It was where she belonged.
The other guys all split apart, creating a path for Jace’s ride. At the front was Miller, who was facing them. Jace started the motorcycle and crept forward. He went right up to Miller. Miller slowly walked his ride backwards. He turned the wheel and pointed to the spot next to him and that’s where Jace pulled up to.
Jordyn wasn’t sure what it all meant, but it was touching to watch.
Miller started his motorcycle and then everyone else did too. There were nine motorcycles running at once. The thundering roar of each motor was almost deafening.
They stopped once at the funeral home in Frelen, where a black hearse waited. There were no words spoken, just silent action commanded by Miller.
Jordyn watched it all happening from the back of Jace’s ride.
The procession began again and traveled through the heart of Frelen. The east side of the town was where the cemetery was. It was a massive cemetery that dated back at least two hundred years, if not more. Certain areas were sectioned off where people weren’t supposed to go because they were trying to protect the oldest stones.
Driving through the cemetery felt like they had gone ten miles past the iron gates before they finally stopped.
Jordyn felt like she was watching it all happen from somewhere else. The black hearse pulled up and some of the guys took it upon themselves to act as pallbearers. Jace kept an arm tight around Jordyn’s shoulder and held her as the priest spoke a few words, a simple prayer, and then it was over. It wasn’t meant to be anything big, because Gram was very specific about her services in her will.
Jordyn looked around. Erik, Shay, Nate, Landon, Griffin, Gaige, Miller, Blaine, and Jace. She had met most of them, some she knew only by name and face. But they were all there for her. For Jace.
Jordyn touched Jace's face and gave a nod. “It’s okay.”
Jace looked down at her. It was the first time she saw fear on Jace’s face.
It should have made her feel uneasy that Jace wasn't confident in what they were about to do, but as she looked around, she never felt more safe and cared for.
“I love you,” Jace whispered. “It’ll be quick. Let it all fall into place, babe.”
“I know,” Jordyn whispered. “Don’t say anything else.”
Jace looked at Miller.
Miller turned and said, “Come on, guys. Let’s leave them alone.”
Back Down Devil, minus Jace, got on their motorcycles. The thundering cry fired up again. The hearse and the priest were already gone, and when the motorcycles headed down the dirt path, leaving a dusty trail, it was just Jordyn and Jace.
Jordyn licked her lips. She was nervous. No… she was terrified.
“I love you, Jace. Can…” She lost the words for a moment. “Can you leave me be for a minute?”
“Alone? Right here?”
“Yes,” Jordyn said. Her eyes were locked to Jace’s. “Why don’t you ride down to the entrance and I’ll meet you there. I need the walk to clear my head. It’s…”
Jace looked around. “Okay. If that’s what you need. I’ll be waiting.” They shared a quick kiss and then Jace leaned down to Jordyn’s ear. In a very faint whisper, he said, “I will always love you.”
Jace let her go and walked to his motorcycle. He rode away, where he would meet with Back Down Devil and prepare.
Jace told her to trust him. To trust the MC. To give them everything she had to offer. This entire moment was simply planned. Her dear Gram was gone but she was a part of all this too.
Slowly, Jordyn closed her eyes and lowered her head. She wasn’t going to pray. She wasn’t going to say goodbye. She was waiting…
And just like clockwork, just as Jace promised would happen, Jordyn felt something behind her. She heard a footstep and then a hand was around her mouth.
“I’m here,” a voice said. “I’ll never let you go again.”
Jordyn started to shake at the sound of Mr. Strokner’s voice.
But this was all part of the plan.
Now, Jordyn just needed to stay alive long enough for Jace to finish the job.
twenty-three.
The MC had friends all around town. They were close with the family that owned the cemetery. In fact, each member of Back Down Devil had their own private plot ready to go for when the time came. So when Miller and Jace talked to Mr. Harkley about his back road into the cemetery, it came as no surprise that someone had broken the lock on the chain.
Strokner was coming to get Jordyn. And with the worst feeling in the world, Jace had to let her go. He had to let her be taken by him. All he could do was trust that the crazy son of a bitch wouldn’t kill her before they could get to him.
Jace managed to count to a hundred before he looked at Miller and started his motorcycle.
“I can’t fucking wait,” he yelled.
Jace took off and Miller and the guys followed. Call it good timing or better instinct, but as Jace made the turn around the cemetery property, the black car came out of the back of the cemetery from the dirt road. It made an out of control right turn and the tires squealed.
Jace throttled his motorcycle and sped right up to the passenger window of the car. He saw two men in the front. The back windows were tinted black. Wasting not a second of Jordyn’s precious life, Jace pulled out his gun and pointed it at the window. The guy in the passenger seat started to yell something, but Jace pulled the trigger.
The car darted left to right, left to right.
Jace shot two more times before the car cut to the right and spun around. In seconds, the car was swarmed by the rest of the guys. They all drew their weapons and the driver put his hands up. Jace got off his motorcycle, walked up to the window, and shot again.
He was taking no chance right now.
The message was clear. If you fuck with Back Down Devil you will die.
Jace tore open the backdoor to the car and was ready to blow Strokner’s brains out.
But there was a big problem.
The backseat was empty.
“Fuck!” Jace growled. He looked up from the car and yelled, “It’s fucking empty!”
Before anyone could respond, a car came flying out of the cemetery.
A second car.
It turned left, almost lost its edge, but saved it at the last second.
“No!” Jace screamed.
Strokner had Jordyn. And he was speeding away with her.
Jace ran to his motorcycle and pointed to Nate. “Take care of what we said. Got it?”
“Jace,” Miller called out.
“No,” Jace yelled. “I’m getting her. I’m killing him. He’s not smarter than us. I can’t lose her.”
“Nate, Shay, and Griffin,” Miller yelled. “Go to the office. The rest of us, follow Jace.”
Jace was already on his ride and going. He flew down the road and when he came to the end of it, he hung a sharp right. If Strokner went left, he’d end up going east some more. There was nothing but windy roads and eventually a desert. That wouldn’t be the place to take Jordyn.
Unless he has a fucking helicopter waiting.
Jace started to panic. But he needed to stay focused. He could only trust his heart right now.
He sped back toward Frelen. There was no traffic this far on the outskirts which gave Jace full sight of any vehicles. When he saw one black car, he knew he had made the right decision so far. Strokner was now heading south.
Jace rode as hard and fast as he could, needing to gain ground so he could shoot out the tires and have his standoff with Strokner he so desperately wanted.
Fuck. This has to work…
Jace crept up a few more feet. He reached for his gun. As he started to eye up the tires, two men poked their heads and top half of their bodies out of the back windows. They were both holding guns.
“Shit!” Jace managed to yell before the men started to shoot.
Jace lost his edge. His wheel cut left to right, over and over. He was trying to keep the motorcycle up while he heard the zing of bullets flying by him.
When Jace finally dumped the motorcycle, it came down hard on his right leg. He started to spin, and his leg was being torn up over and over on the road. The pain was horrible.
The motorcycle stopped moving. Jace stopped moving. But Strokner didn’t. The car sped away as Jace screamed and fought to get the motorcycle off him. He heard the other motorcycles in the distance, but they weren't close enough. He couldn’t wait for them. If by some chance Strokner had a helicopter or any kind of getaway planned, Jace would lose Jordyn forever.
He closed his eyes and screamed as he pulled his leg from under the motorcycle. There was blood, and a lot of it. His jeans were mangled. He pushed himself up slowly. The pain in his right leg stole his breath, but there was one good thing - his leg wasn’t broken.
Jace gritted his teeth and fought to stand his motorcycle back up. He lifted his right leg over it, crying out in pain. He didn't hesitate though as he started it and sped off. Each bump in the road made his leg hurt worse. But this was about Jordyn. About saving her. About keeping his promise to protect her. Now and forever.
Jace followed the road, which turned and split into two directions. To the right would wrap back around to Frelen near the land Strokner wanted to steal. And it was in the direction of where Shay had his final stand with his brother Caius. To the left was a small commercial development that was mostly shut down. There were a few small factories that still operated and a small junkyard that was managed by an old miser who was rumored to have ten million in the bank even though he lived in an abandoned car.
But all Jace could think about was the flat, open space next to the junkyard that would be perfect to land a helicopter.
Jace turned left and when he spotted the black car, he slammed on the brakes. There was a small office building smack dab in the middle of the abandoned factories. Jace had never noticed it before and it scared the hell out of him. Strokner had been building in secrecy.
Jace parked his ride and put a new clip in his gun. Miller and Gaige pulled up right behind him.
Jace put his hand out and said, “Shut those fucking things off. What the fuck is this place?”
Miller looked. “Son of a bitch. He’s got a hiding spot.”
“Wonder how many he has,” Gaige said. “We can’t let Jordyn out of our sight.”
“Happened once already,” Jace said.
Christ, for all he knew, Strokner had already moved her. This could just be another ploy.
Jace pointed. “Go that way and start killing everyone you find. I’m not fucking around anymore.”
Jace knew he was going to catch hell for talking to Miller like he just had, but he had no choice. He would take a beating if it meant getting to Jordyn and saving her. This was not part of their plan. They were supposed to get Jordyn, kill Strokner, and leave him on the road. Then he would be buried in the back of cemetery. No one would ever find him.
As Jace ran toward the car, he still got an uneasy feeling that the damn thing was going to blow up.
Jace took a deep breath and opened the backdoor.
It was empty.
The front was empty too.
A side door to the office building opened and a guy came out. He had a cigarette between his lips, on his cell. The cigarette wasn’t lit. He was still holding his gun.
“I don’t know,” the guy said. “He’s in a meeting, okay? Working on some details on a big deal. Yeah. Land. Town. Everything. Busy for us, okay?”
The guy turned and crouched down. He put his gun to the ground and Jace took his chance. He ran toward the guy, kicked the gun out of his reach, and then slammed his gun down on the guy’s head, splitting it open and knocking him out cold.
“Peter?” a voice yelled from the phone on the ground. “Peter?!”
Jace stepped on the phone and shattered it. He took a black glove out of his pocket. It was time for a new plan.
Jace ran and got the guy's gun. He held it with his gloved hand and shot the guy in the head, making sure he was definitely dead. Then Jace held up his gun and started to shoot. One. Two. Three.
Someone from inside the building screamed. Jace dropped back around the corner. He crouched and waited. The door flew open again.
A second guy came out. He tripped right over his dead buddy.
“Fucking Christ!”
Jace shot his gun two more times and then charged up to the sobbing baby who had just found his friend. With both guns aimed at him, the guy put his hands up and got to his knees.
“Fuck, please,” he said.
The tears were pouring down his face.
What a fucking baby.
“Where is he?” Jace asked.
“Back corner, his office. But it’s bulletproof. Bombproof.”
“What is this place?”
“It’s his shelter,” the guy said. “That’s what he calls it."
“The woman with him?”
“Yes.”
“Is this how you wanted to live your life?”
“He told us you kidnapped her. Offered us a million each to protect hi
m and her. He told us he was going to marry her. I don’t know, man, I’m just doing my fucking job.”
“Yeah. So am I.”
“Jace pulled the trigger with his gloved hand.
Two dead. One to go.
Jace opened the door and went inside. It looked like a normal office. There was a desk against the back wall with a computer and a phone. There were chairs as though this were a waiting room. The walls were a pale white and the place smelled very clean.
But when Jace started to walk down the hall, it got darker. There were four small offices, each with all the lights off. The back corner one had a sliver of light showing through. He approached with caution, wondering what Strokner could be doing right now. Jace touched the door handle and closed his eyes for a second.
Please… please… please…
Jace started to put pressure on the handle but then he felt something hit him in the shoulder and drive him into the back wall.
Everything went dark.
twenty-four.
Jordyn stood in the corner of the office. Mr. Strokner sat in a chair behind his desk. His hands were folded. There were two pictures on his desk. He’d shown them to Jordyn; a picture of his wife and a picture of his daughter.
He stared at the pictures hopelessly.
Outside, Jordyn heard the sound of guns firing. It scared her, but Mr. Strokner didn't even flinch.
“No worries,” he whispered. “Nobody can hurt us. My guys will kill them. The helicopter will be here soon.”
“Helicopter?” Jordyn asked.
Her body still shivered from him touching her. Grabbing her. Taking her to the car. From the second she saw the other black car, she knew this was going to end up bad. She tried to fight back. She tried to slap Mr. Strokner and he slapped her back. So she had calmed herself down, knowing that if she acted rash, she’d die.
Or end up in the corner of an office.
Mr. Strokner tied her hands behind her back and then to the closet door in the office. She couldn’t move, but that didn’t matter. She had nowhere to go.
“I want to show you something,” Mr. Strokner said. He opened the top drawer of his desk. He took out what looked like another frame and turned it around. “See this?”
