by Nikki Landis
He managed to clear his throat enough to speak. “I understand, Trish. I wish you well.”
“You, too. Always, Grim.” I let the suitcase drop to the floor.
He didn’t ask where I was going, and I didn’t say as I leaned in and hugged him around the waist before picking my suitcase back up and walking out the door.
“I’m happy for you,” I announced as I slapped Bodie on the back. “Don’t take a single moment for granted, brother. A woman like that is a rare find.”
“I know,” he acknowledged. “I won’t.”
My chest was so tight I didn’t know how I was upright and breathing. My light was gone. My Trish leaving my life for good this time. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.
“I’m sorry, Grim.”
“Don’t be,” I replied with a tight smile. “Maybe someday I’ll find what you have and then it will all be worth it.” I walked away before he could answer.
My head and my heart were stirring with emotions I didn’t want to acknowledge tonight. When my Reaper was this restless and I was left with that twitching under my skin and the achiness deep in my bones, only one thing worked. Every member of the club felt the same pull.
At night, when the sky was pitch black and not a soul stirred outdoors, that was when the Bastards of Tonopah, NV liked to ride with a little Hellfire spinning on their wheels. It was the one option above all others that appealed to my Reaper. He was scratching at the surface of my skin, nudging my body for some kind of release. If it wasn’t inside a woman – specifically my Trish – then it would be on the back of my Harley.
The sky had darkened to pitch by the time I left the Crossroads and the only things visible were the stars as I drove way out into the desert. By the time I reached my destination, I was one with my Reaper. He rushed forward as my bike caught fire and the three of us merged together as one. I let my thoughts drift away as I unleashed the rage, pain, and bitterness anchored deep in my blackened soul.
More bikes joined my own and I knew that ache in my chest and the haunting need to release tension had been felt by the entire club. We rode out in the desert for hours until a serene calm descended over my body and mind. Trish needed time. I could give her that. She never said she didn’t accept me. In fact, she rejected my life in the MC but never me or my Reaper.
That was an important distinction and one I needed to remember.
Time would march on and I needed to be the man that my Trish felt like she could come home to when she was ready. The next day, I had meetings and my schedule was full. Up early, I walked the length of the compound and opened the repair shop, taking my time and letting the normalcy of life creep back in. I’d forgotten the man that I was and who my father raised me to be.
I’d been lost in darkness and the need for revenge. Acid’s death proved the only peace to be found was the one I made with myself. Losing Trish proved I had changes to make and I wanted to be the president this club deserved so I could be the protector my woman counted on.
Weeks turned into months and I kept the same routine. I opened the shop every day. Got up early and took care of my business. When the Russians made their appearance and fucked with Azrael, I let him seek his own vengeance. He found a sexy little nurse named Nylah and she stuck by his side. Both Solonik and Voltoy learned fast that our Reapers didn’t mess around. Jameson was home in NOLA as pres of the RBMC and life was crazy but manageable.
Patriot was no longer suffering from PTSD and Nylah’s sister Naomi found her savior in Patriot. He was fiercely protective over her and a side I’d never seen of that Marine shined through. Brothers were finding love and it was a bittersweet reality for me. I didn’t begrudge their happiness. I just wanted a little of it for myself.
When I got back from NOLA, we found a shit show waiting for us. That Russian Solonik knew we took out his nephew Voltoy. He attacked the Crossroads while we were gone. Ended up a brutal showdown when I found Solonik and Rael and I ended that sick motherfucker. Brothers were injured in the attack, and Patriot had been shot in the chest trying to save Nylah and Naomi. Naomi was also in critical condition in the hospital after Solonik shot her up with drugs and she nearly overdosed.
I was on my way to Mt. Grant General Hospital this afternoon to check up on both Patriot and Naomi. Later in the afternoon, I planned to sit everyone down at church and figure out how we were gonna handle the attack on the Crossroads. We needed to send a message to those Russian assholes as well as Razr and the rest of the Scorpions MC.
On the way out of the shop, my cell vibrated. A number I hadn’t see in a long time popped up. Grinning, I swiped across the screen.
“Venom! Where you been, brother? What do I need to do to bring you into Nevada?”
He chuckled. “Got my own special brand of shit here in Ankeny.”
Yeah, I could understand that. “Your club good?”
“Fuck yeah. Just heard some news I thought I’d share.”
“Share away.”
“Picked up a couple of Scorpions snooping around the clubhouse. Fuckin’ idiots weren’t even quiet about it. Damn prospects.” He paused as I snickered in response. “One of them squealed like a little piglet and spilled his guts. Trouble is comin’ your way, brother.”
Fuck. Not now. “Well, shit.”
“Heard your chapter took out Vladimir Solonik and his nephew Alexi Voltoy. Those Russian assholes are thick as thieves all over the U.S. Problems in quite a few chapters.”
“Not the kind of news I wanted, brother.”
He snorted. “We took down Ivan Miloslavsky. Turns out he’s related to those fuckers and another one is working his way through Nevada. Russian named Sergei Resnikov. He’s got his eye on Tonopah.”
“Let him come,” I spat.
“That Black Market Railroad is a problem, brother. We got to deal with it on all ends.”
I caught his meaning. “Yeah, I feel you. Consider it done on my end.”
“Good to hear, Grim. Stay in touch. Give a shout if you need backup.”
“Will do. You let me know if you need us. I’ll be there, Venom.”
“Got it, brother.”
Fuck. Shit was stackin’ up faster than I could take care of it. This wasn’t good. Out of the fryin’ pan and into the motherfuckin’ fire. It never seemed to end. Trish was right about that. Danger and the MC went hand in hand.
We ended the call and I sighed, pulling out a cigarette and lighting up. I could feel my blood pressure rising with the knowledge that my club was still being targeted. Right now, all I wanted to do was ride out to the hospital and check on my brother.
Mammoth, Hannibal, and Diablo traveled across Hwy 95 with me as we enjoyed the warm breeze and the freedom of the road. No man could understand the wind in your face and the simplicity of riding the way bikers did in a club. Once we parked our Harleys, we made our way up to the correct floor.
Patriot wasn’t in his room, so we made our way to Naomi’s. Sure enough, he sat at her bedside like he was keeping vigil. She still wasn’t awake yet. He looked up as we entered and ticked his head in our direction. I hung back until the joking around had settled down a little.
“How you feelin’, Patriot?” I finally asked.
My brother winced as he moved his shoulder. “Hurts like a bitch but I’ll get over it.”
I snorted with humor, knowing he’d dealt with much worse as a combat Marine. “You’re a tough Bastard. I have no doubt you’ll be just fine.”
He shrugged, glancing at the bed where Trixie was sleeping. Nurse told us on the way into the room that Patriot hadn’t left her side since she was admitted. I wasn’t sure what it was about her that drew him in, but I could see that he was growing attached. “Wish I could give some of my strength to Naomi.”
“I bet a lot of Reapers have wanted the same thing.”
He nodded at my words. “She’s special, Grim. I don’t know why we’re so connected. Doesn’t really make sense but my Reaper took a bullet for her and would do
so again without hesitation. She’s under my skin, pres. I don’t know what’s gonna happen but I’m not leaving her side.”
I knew exactly what he meant. There was only one woman who had ever done the same for me and she was like a revolving fuckin’ door. In and out. Hot and cold. Always leaving me hangin’. Didn’t make any sense why I wanted her, but Trish was my weakness. Had been since the first moment I kissed her sweet lips. If I was honest, I’d have to say she stole my heart the day we met. An aura like hers, light like her sweet soul, it was unique.
“Say no more. I understand.”
He reached for Naomi’s hand and held it, rubbing small circles like he was lost in thought.
I was about to say something else when my cell phone began vibrating my pocket. It was always located inside the inner pocket of my cut. When I saw who it was, my heartbeat picked up and kicked hard against my ribcage.
Trish.
After all these years, I still wanted to jump into action as soon as she needed me. Swiping across the screen as I left the room, I stepped out into the clean, empty hall of the hospital floor where Naomi was staying for the next few days.
“Trish?”
“Grim!” she yelled, sounding frantic.
“What’s the matter?”
“They took her,” she sobbed into the phone. “They took Stef.”
“Who?”
“Stef is my cousin. She’s only seventeen!”
I already knew who Stef was, but Trish didn’t remember, probably because she was freaking out. I only met the girl one time, but I didn’t forget. “Alright, calm down, baby.” I could kick myself for calling her that. “Where are you?”
“I can’t say.”
What the fuck? I hated when she did this shit to me.
“Trish, I need to come to you. Tell me where you are,” I ordered sternly.
“I can’t, Grim. They’ll do something to Stef. I have to stay put.”
I was beginning to lose my patience. “Trish, this is important. Tell me where you are. I can keep a safe distance.”
She started to reply when all I heard was a bunch of static like the line was trying to connect.
“Trish!”
Nothing but dial tone. She was gone.
Fuck!
I dialed Xenon, pissed off and worried at the same time. A terrible combination for my Reaper.
“What ya need, pres?”
“Trace the call that just came through on my cell.”
“Sure, right away. You good?”
“I will be,” I answered with a growl. “Once you tell me what location Trish is at.”
“Fuck,” he whispered. “Alright. I’ll be as fast as I can.”
He hung up and I began to pace, my agitation growing with every step.
Tricia Holloway was the only woman who could make me give up any and everything for just five minutes of her attention. It was fuckin’ pathetic.
I was the president of the RBMC Tonopah chapter. Wasn’t supposed to be so pussy whipped that I couldn’t dig my head out of my ass. Didn’t seem to matter. She’d been the cause of a lot of my problems and that hadn’t stopped since the moment she spotted and teased my Reaper.
That was exactly how this all began.
The Devil’s Ride.
The day I was dumped on the side of the road and everything changed.
I paced the hall for long minutes, waiting on Xenon to call back. When a few nurses kept glancing my way, I shot them a glare that indicated I wanted left the fuck alone.
Trish was back in Nevada and I was irritated but thrilled at the same time. Maybe our moment was finally coming. She called and asked for my help. That had to mean something. She needed me and I wasn’t about to let her down no matter what happened. I had to find my angel.
She was the light to my darkness.
Without her, I wasn’t whole.
The coordinates Xenon found led us to the outskirts of Hawthorne and close to the location of the Blacktop. An old, abandoned strip of warehouses were lined up in a row. I parked my bike far enough away not to tip off anyone in the vicinity that we had arrived. The others followed my lead. Creeping around the buildings, we had guns drawn as we slowly cleared each one.
Trish was crouched outside the final structure. Watching from behind a row of dumpsters, she hopped up and into my arms as I held her tight.
“Tell me what you know.”
“Stef was interested in a modeling contract. She took her portfolio with her. I found a note she left for my aunt and the address. She never came home, Grim.” Her voice wavered and I knew she was upset. “Stef would never worry us like that. She has to be here.”
“Hey, I’ve got this. I’m going to send you back to the Crossroads with Mammoth. He’s the biggest motherfucker I know. He’ll keep you safe on the back of his bike. You wait for me there, okay? No leaving,” I emphasized.
“Okay.”
I couldn’t resist stealing a kiss. There was a shit ton I wanted to say to her but now wasn’t the time. Sending her off, I made Mammoth promise to text me once they were on his bike and merging onto Hwy 95. He was supposed to text once they were safe and back at the Crossroads too.
The building ahead was old and rundown, full of old machinery and dust, cobwebs, and metal parts. Probably once helped supply military planes and vehicles but that hadn’t been true in decades. Diablo and Rael went left. Wraith and Exorcist to the right. I entered through the front with Lucky and Bodie while Hannibal watched the rear of the warehouse.
Not a sound echoed in the wide, open space. The roof was caving in and there was rust everywhere. Birds squawked as if we were interrupting their peaceful existence.
We found a locked door about halfway down the main hall. Diablo worked his magic, and the lock was cut off as we held our guns ready. A set of stairs led underground into a damp basement area.
The stench was the first thing I noticed as I coughed, followed by the others. Something rotten was down here and it smelled an awful lot like remains. This was going to be bad. I knew it before we stumbled upon a scene so horrific, I wasn’t sure if I would ever be the same.
Twenty young girls and teens were all chained to the walls in a row on both sides of the room. Every single one was filthy and stripped down to their underwear. They were all too thin. It was obvious they had been assaulted repeatedly. Cloudy eyes stared back from blank faces with no emotion.
“They’re all dead,” Rael whispered, his voice choking on the words.
My gaze swept the room, and I found the last girl on the right fit my memory perfectly. Trish’s cousin Stefanie. She wasn’t as thin as the others and hadn’t been here long. There were slash marks across her wrists and stomach. She was killed separately from the others but brought here to find among the others.
As I moved closer, I could see there was something written on the flesh of her abdomen.
For Solonik.
“Fuck!” I roared, not bothering to stay silent.
No one was here but us. Our Reapers would have sensed it. This was staged for us to find. Trish was led here on purpose. A little game of hide and seek.
A great big boo from Resnikov.
“Grim?” Rael swallowed hard and ticked his head toward an object knocked over on its side a few yards from the feet of the girls.
A half full water bottle had rolled over a single granola bar wrapper. The lid was on at an angle and much of the contents had already spilled from the plastic container.
“Motherfucker!” Bodie shouted, his fists clenched at his sides.
Blinking, it took a few seconds to realize why he had that reaction.
Wraith rolled his shoulders as his neck cracked. “They fuckin’ tossed the water bottle to the dehydrated and starving girls and watched them fight over it. See the claw marks on their skin? The blood on their arms and faces? They fought over the water.”
“They were starving,” Ex whispered.
Rage simmered below my skin and I felt the Reaper
of every single man in the room rise to the surface once more. Snarls, curses, and growls of revenge filled the room.
We would end the cowards who dared to harm these young girls.
“Solonik and Voltoy,” I spit out, clenching my jaw. “This isn’t over, my brothers. The Black Market Railroad is still trafficking girls through Nevada. Venom said Sergei Resnikov wanted revenge for his Russian brothers.”
“We ain’t standing for it,” Rael added. “No fuckin’ way.”
After all that had happened with Nylah’s sister Naomi, I wasn’t surprised to hear him say it.
I was so overcome by rage it took a minute to gather my thoughts and process what this threat meant. Our club was about to venture down the same dark road of human trafficking, vengeance, and gruesome torment we just finished with Voltoy and Solonik.
And now they knew about Trish.
Fuck!
“No one says a fuckin’ word about this,” I ordered. “Not a damn word about what we found today. Trish doesn’t need to know every detail. I’ll be the one who tells her and only how much I need to say.”
My angel wasn’t going to take this well.
“You got it, pres.” Wraith’s voice was low, but I felt the emotion churning within his tall frame. His aura flickered and the onyx shimmer of the Reaper was close to breaking free.
None of us expected to find this kind of unforgivable and heinous crime.
We’d witnessed a lot of fucked up shit before, but this was one of the worst we ever stumbled upon. Bruises marred the thighs and arms of the girls in addition to all the cuts and nail marks. They’d been violated numerous times. I didn’t have to do a close inspection to know this. Someone else in that Black Market Railroad was on my shit list now.
I would find him and end that motherfucker Resnikov.
The deaths of Alexi Voltoy and Vladimir Solonik didn’t change a damn thing.
Young women were still be trafficked and harmed in the state of Nevada.
This was my fuckin’ state. My hometown. These assholes had no idea the war that had started between us, but they would soon.
Blood would be spilled. Souls reaped. And the guilty? They were going to learn a whole new meaning for the torture.
