by Dawn Martens
“What do you need us to do?” one of the officers asks.
“Just wait here, we’re casing the place, going in from all sides, once we have him we’ll bring him out to you,” Reaper replies.
“Sounds good, we know you guys are good at this stuff, we’ll just wait here until it’s done,” the second officer says. We’ve worked with these two a handful of times, so they don’t give us any trouble when we tell them what to do.
Chin lifts go all around as we break from each other and get into position. From my place in the backyard, I can hear Reaper break through the front door. Moving quickly, I storm in through the back door, and brace, thinking the piece of shit might try to run from Reaper.
“Got him!” Reaper yells. Well that was easy. If Zippo or I had gone in as lead, he most likely would have taken off. But with Reaper going in first, the guy was probably frozen in fear.
Man is on his knees in front of Reaper, hands cuffed behind his back. “I’m taking him to the car, you guys go make sure everyone is okay. They should be upstairs.”
Without a word from the man, he goes quietly, no resisting. Fucker knew this day would probably come.
**
“Where will we go? Everything is in his name?” Mrs. Mayhew questions quietly.
“As we speak, your husband is signing the deed over to you, we looked into your financials, and paid off any bills that had your name attached. We also opened up a new account for you, put in some money until you can find daycare for your kids, and yourself a job. House is paid, we couldn’t find out by who though,” I tell her, a bit confused.
“The house was my parents, when they passed, it was fully paid off, and Hank made me transfer the deed in his name,” she whispers.
Zippo leans forward and grabs her hands. “Mrs. Mayhew, he won’t get out of prison, I promise you that.” It’s true, he’ll most likely die within the first month, once the others in there find out what he did. “We have a judge fast tracking a divorce for you, you will be clear of him within twenty days.”
Tears fall down her face and she looks up. “Thank you, none of this would be possible without you.”
We leave her, the kids, and her friend that came over to help her out, alone and head back to our bikes. “Well, that is done, we have to come back for the hearing, but thank fuck that asswipe won’t even get bail,” Reaper says.
“You got anything to say? You didn’t say a damn word the whole time we were here?” Zippo asks Scraper.
“Just taking it all in man. So fuckin’ different from the Untamed. Not used to shit like this.”
Hangman
It’s been too fuckin’ long since Vicky left, and it’s pissing me off more than anything. We’re getting fuckin’ nowhere. Patterson wasn’t at his office and no one has seen him since he served me the divorce papers. Right now, I have Dirty out looking for that fucker, if anyone knows where Vicky is, it would be him. Dirty is good at hacking shit, and since our tracker took off, fucking Scraper, I’ve been using Dirty as his replacement. Really don’t wanna patch in a fucking prospect right now just to do that job.
“Yo, Pres,” Slammer says, coming into my office. “Got some news for ya. Dirty texted me, he’s got Patterson. Where d’you want him?” Slammer has been my enforcer ever since I gave Rage his VP patch about ten years ago. Rage still takes on a shit load of the ‘enforcing’ that needs to get done, but usually the fucker kills everyone instead of just hurting them. Slammer at least has control over his temper.
I check the time and see that it’s almost ten at night, dark enough to be brought here without someone seein’. “Bring him here. Where was he?”
“He was hiding out in his damn hidden room at his house. No one knew about it, not even his wife, but Dirty was able to get his hands on the blueprints for the house, and realized there was some extra shit going on in there, and found him.” He shrugs as he texts Dirty. “He’s just down the street, he’ll be here in two.”
I get up and walk out of my office and see Rage checking a few shipment crates. “Patterson’s here.” Nodding, he closes up the last crate and tells another brother to take over and hands him the clipboard.
“I swear I don’t know!” Patterson cries out as Dirty forces him inside. He looks up and sees me. “Hangman, I swear, I have no idea where Tori is.”
“You gotta know something, asshole, you’re her lawyer.” I punch him in the gut and he drops from Dirty’s hold.
“I swear, she only gave me a PO box to send things to, nothing else. I have no idea where she is.”
I stare at him and nod. “I want that information. Now.”
Dirty moves away from him and grabs the briefcase that came in with the two. Opening it he finds Vicky’s information. “Not much, but we know she’s in Alberta. PO box is in Red Deer. Could mean anything, though. She could have set it up for there and live somewhere else. Have that shit forwarded through the postal system?”
“Rage, Slammer, I want you two to contact the charters we have in Alberta, get them to send prospects to every damn city, send them a picture of Vicky. If she’s there, we’ll find her.”
They both nod and leave to make their calls.
“What about me? Can I go now?” Patterson asks.
I’m tempted to say no, to dish out his death, but right now I ain’t in the mood. I’m more focused on finding my wife.
“Go. As of now, you’re cut off. No one from my club will sell you shit. You ain’t allowed in my club, in my businesses.”
“But, I can’t live without my—”
I cut him off. “Not my fucking problem. Dirty, get him the fuck outta here.”
I stomp back to my office and slam the door. A thought occurs to me: What if she’s hiding out in the Angels Warriors club? It would make sense, considering their line of work. But I highly doubt Vicky would go to them. All it would take is one phone call, and I’d be there within the week to get her back, she knows that. At least we have it narrowed down to which province, so it’s a start.
.
Chapter 9
Tori
It seems as if I have a protector. For the last few days, I’ve noticed that, any time I’ve gone out, Trevor has followed me. Jasper must think I need protection, in case Carson shows up. I kept expecting Trevor to talk to me, something, but he’s maintained a distance. It’s a little strange, considering the first night I met him he told me he wanted me, but I haven’t spoken to him since that night.
Maybe he’s heard about my mess and has decided to stay away. Part of me is thankful for that, but the other part is a little sad he backed off. Which is stupid of me. I shouldn’t get hot and tingly every time I look at him. I’m still a married woman. And I still have feelings for Carson. I know I shouldn’t, he hurt me too badly, but after ten years with him, those feelings don’t just go away.
I unlock my car when I hear feet behind me. Turning around I give Trevor a small smile. He grins at me, and oh my god, he has a dimple. It makes me think about the Trevor I knew, he had a dimple too, and every time he flashed it at me I would melt. Thinking about my Trevor, even after all this time, still hurts.
“Hey, Tori. Heard you started working for Eden,” he says, seeming to want to make conversation.
I smile shyly. “Yeah, it’s not what I want, not really, but it’s only temporary and is the best for now.”
“That’s true, but eventually you can go back to doing what you love and have always wanted to do. What grade did you teach before?” This is nice. Carson never did small talk like this. He couldn’t care less about my work.
“Grade one.” I smile. “Such a fun age.”
He chuckles. “I met Glenna when she was in first grade, I can tell you right now, you’re right about that.”
After a few moments of silence, I clear my throat. “I should probably head back to Lilly’s.”
He tilts his head, again making me think of my Trevor. “Why don’t you come out with me, grab a bite to eat.”
“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” It sounds nice but I don’t want to lead him on. It’s too soon.
“Why not?”
“Well, I’m married, it wouldn’t be right.”
He flinches, but quickly grins again. “Yeah, but I also heard you were divorcing him.”
I look to the ground, rubbing my lips together. “I’m sorry, but I can’t just yet. I’m not ready.”
“Fine.” He winks. “We’ll go out as friends, but just warning you now, I’ll wear you down, until you finally call us more.”
Those words momentarily shock me, and I’m stunned. I wince slightly, remembering the way my Trevor said those exact words to me once.
**
I spot my best friend Trevor down the hall, flirting as usual with that slut Jayna. Rolling my eyes and shaking my head, I sidle up next to him. “Hey, Trev.”
“Hey, babe.”
Jayna huffs out an annoyed breath and stomps off.
“Really, Trev, Big Jugs Jayna?”
“What? She gives good head.”
I wrinkle my nose. “That’s gross, dude, I did not need to know that.”
He shrugs. “If you would agree to just be my girlfriend and not just my friend you wouldn’t have to hear about that shit.”
“Not gonna happen, buddy. I know where that dick of yours has been.”
He smirks and pulls me in for a hug. “Fine, we’ll stay friends, but I’m warning you now, I’ll wear you down, until you finally call us more.”
I snort. “Doubtful.”
“Nope, I mean it. No more other girls for me, I’m gonna wear you down, until you’re mine and we’ll get married.”
I shove him playfully. “Stop being a dork.”
**
I smile at the memory. It only took him a week of convincing, what with his random kisses that caught me off guard and his clear devotion to telling all other girls to back off.
“Whatcha thinking about there, Tori?”
I shake my head. “None of your business!” I snap, without really meaning to. I quickly get in the car and take off, leaving Trevor behind. He’s making me feel things, things I can’t feel right now. He’s making me remember things that hurt too much to remember.
Trevor
I said those same words, exact same words, I told her years ago. A look of sadness crossed over her face briefly, and I knew she was remembering when she dazed off and then smiled a small smile. And inside, I’m boasting. Thrilled she hasn’t forgotten me completely.
But then I ruined that moment by asking her what she was thinking, and she snapped at me. Like she was pissed that I interrupted her good memory.
Which in turn pissed me off, because that memory is mine, too. I should just fuckin’ tell her. Come clean. But I know her, Tori is as stubborn as Eden is, or I should say, the old Tori used to be stubborn. I know I have to wait. When the time is right, I’ll tell her everything, and hopefully she’ll forgive me and we can move on, together.
After watching her drive off, I decide to grab a bite to eat, and since I get a discount, meaning free, from Eden at her diner, I head there.
“Hey, Trevor,” Eden calls from the back as I come in. I have no clue how she knew it was me, but she always says that each time I walk in. “Take a seat anywhere and I’ll send someone to you with food. You want your usual?” She should be at home with the new baby, but she’s stubborn, refuses to let anyone else run the place for her. At least this time she lasted longer, the last kid she had she was back the very day she was let out of the hospital.
“Yeah. Thanks.” I take a seat in a booth. I always order the cheesesteak platter whenever I’m here, no matter how many times Eden tries to tempt me to order something different for once.
Fifteen minutes later, my food comes out and I dig in.
“Hey there, Trevor,” a voice calls out.
I look up and notice it’s Jasmine, the woman I’ve had an on and off, friends with benefits relationship with for the last two years. She’s beautiful, can’t deny that, any man would be stupid to think otherwise. Perfect tits, long pure black hair down to her ass, and skin the color of milk chocolate. We’re currently in the off stage, and I told her three months ago we were done for good. But here she is, trying to get back on. Which won’t happen because Tori is back, and I’m not passing on my second chance with her.
“What do you want, Jasmine?”
“I wanted to see if you would come over tonight. We can get together, I can rock your world,” she purrs, leaning close. “You know you love that thing I do with my tongue.” Usually her sexy talk turns me on but today it has me looking at her in disgust.
“Not gonna happen, told you months ago we’re done for good. I have a woman now, a woman I’m gonna marry. You need to leave.”
She stares at me in shock. “You don’t have a woman. I’m the only woman you’ve had in years.” She crosses her arms.
Sighing, I sit back in my seat and stare at her. “You might have been the only woman I’ve fucked in years but that doesn’t mean shit. I needed to get off, and you were there. That’s all you were to me.”
“But this doesn’t make sense. Two years, Trevor. You’re giving us up for something new that just came to town? Because I know it’s no one that already lives here, if it was I would have heard about it.”
“I’m not giving us up for someone new. There was no us to give up. We’re done, over. And not that it’s any of your business, but I have a second chance with my childhood love, my ex-fiancé, and I’m not screwing it up again.”
Her face turns to rage, but before she can say another word Eden comes barging over. “Get the hell out, Trevor said no, so take your skank ass out of my diner, and don’t come back.”
“Fine, I’ll leave. But, Trevor, this isn’t over.” She walks out and Eden turns to look at me.
“She’s gonna cause problems if you don’t shut her down. She’s one of those stage fifty clingers you’ll never get rid of. I swear. Not to speak ill of the dead, but she reminds me of Monica and her slut cousin, Roni.”
“Don’t worry about it. Jasmine’s all talk, only thing she’s pissed about is that she lost her favorite toy. She’ll find a new one soon, she always does.”
“I hope so, ‘cause if not, your chances with Tori are non-existent. She won’t put up with jealous bitches trying to have you.” With that she walks away.
Eden is right about Tori and jealousy, even in high school she wouldn’t put up with it, refused to be anything more than friends until I put a stop to it.
I go back to my food and decide to talk with Reaper. Maybe sending him to give Jasmine a warning would be best.
Everyone is scared of that fucker.
Chapter 10
Tori
One week later
Aunt Ann picks me up to take me out for a shopping day. She says I needed some new clothes, not old stuff that is from my life with Carson. I agree, since I didn’t really take a whole lot with me when I left. We stop in at Haylix 2, the Salon Lilly manages, to get my hair done. I decide to go drastic, getting one of those inverted bobs styles, which is crazy for me, because I’ve never cut my hair before, except to get a trim, and I have them dye my red hair black. I look in the mirror when the girl doing my hair is done and fall in love with it. I don’t even recognise myself, which has me hoping that if Hangman is looking for me, he won’t either.
When we finish up with everything, we decide to go eat at Subway. “I swear, Eden’s food is going to make me as big as a house, so don’t tell her we ate here today, or she’ll have a hissy fit,” Aunt Ann tells me as we sit in the booth to eat.
I laugh. “She won’t hear it from me.”
Halfway through eating our lunch, she wraps her sub back up. “Watch that for me? I have to use the washroom.” I nod and continue eating.
The second Aunt Ann disappears behind the washroom door my personal space is invaded. Trevor is seated across from me, in my aunt’s seat. “Um, hi?”
> “Hey, beautiful.” I can feel my cheeks redden at his calling me beautiful.
“What are you doing here?” Now, more than ever, I’m certain he’s keeping tabs on me. It makes me nervous but comforted at the same time. I don’t know what to think about it, to be honest. I know my husband has had his fair share of his men watching my every move for years. But Trevor isn’t like those guys. He’s safe, almost familiar, but I’m not sure if that is the right word.
He shrugs. “Saw you and your aunt sitting in here and decided to come say hi.” A weird silence overcomes us, and I feel like getting up and running to the washroom myself. “Let me take you out tonight,” he finally says.
My eyes bug out of my head. Is he seriously asking me out again after I already told him no? “I can’t.”
He shoots a smile at me that makes my stomach flutter. Trevor is cute, but I can’t be thinking of him like that. “You can, you’re just choosing not to. I know you’re still technically married, but you’re divorcing him, so going on a date with me doesn’t mean you're cheating.”
I flinch when he brings up my marriage. “I’m not ready,” I tell him.
He shrugs. “I’ll wear you down eventually.” He sends me a wink and gets up as Aunt Ann comes back. They say hi to each other, and he kisses her cheek. “I’ll see you later,” he tells me and walks out.
“What was that about?” Aunt Ann asks as she slides back into her spot.
“He asked me on a date. I said no.”
She looks at me with disappointment. “You gotta move on, sweetheart. Trevor is a good one, you should just give him a chance.”
She lets it go after that and we finish our lunch. She drives me back to Lilly’s and gives me some more advice. “You might think it’s too early to move on and start dating, but think about it. You’ve been ready for years, you just didn’t know it. Go out with Trevor.”
