She pulled out every duffel bag, purse, and suitcase in the house and began filling them with clothing, identification, money, and food. She didn’t bother finding out whether or not anything was hers or Andy’s, just began throwing things in the bags until they were full. She found herself in a panic, feeling that at any time someone was going to bust through the door with a gun and take her hostage to lure in Andy. It was like a bad action movie was unfolding right in their apartment.
Once the bags were full she picked up her phone from the floor and thought of who to call, what to say. Caleb and Irene would worry for sure if they didn’t hear from her after a couple of days. But how much information could she give them? Would it put them in danger to know anything or to be connected to her?
Melanie decided to call them anyway and say something, anything so that they wouldn’t think she was dead somewhere in a ditch. Maybe she could get them to visit her mother from time to time. She started with Caleb, who didn’t answer, so she had to leave a message. “Caleb, it’s Melanie. I know you’re busy and out of town, but I needed to let you know that I have an emergency going on. I have to go and visit a relative in the hospital up north, so don’t be worried if you don’t hear from me for a couple of days. Have fun. I hope everything works out.”
As she hung up, she tried not to cry at the thought of not seeing Caleb again for at least a very long time. What would he think when she didn’t come back?
Melanie took a deep breath and dialed Irene’s number. She would have to trust Irene with a little more. She got her voicemail as well. “Hey, Irene, it’s me. I have some things going on that I can’t really tell you about, but I’m in a bit of trouble. I don’t want you to worry or anything, but I need a big favor. I’ll be out of town for a little while, so I won’t be able to visit my mother. While I’m gone, would you mind stopping in once in a while to keep her company and keep her updated on me? I just talked to her today, and she seemed to really remember you. I think she would like you and Milo. Anyway, I better get going. Bye.”
The tears began to flow freely from her eyes as she fell down into the pile of random bags full of things. It had only been twenty minutes since Andy called, but she was beginning to lose it. Where was he, and why wasn’t he there yet? She wanted to leave long before midnight, get out alive and together. That was the only way they were leaving California, no matter how many ties Andy thought she had to the town. Heck, she loved the man enough to leave the country with him, but hiding, surviving, that she knew nothing about.
Melanie jumped as she heard the familiar click of the lock. She ran to the kitchen and grabbed the first knife she could find. After all, it could have been anyone, not just Andy. She was pretty sure his club knew where he lived. How many of them would come to collect him? Or would they just give up his location and stand back like cowards as the Colombian criminals came for him?
When she saw Andy’s face looking around the apartment for her, she let the knife fall to the counter and ran for him. She wrapped her arms around him without saying a word as the tears ran down her face once again.
CHAPTER SIX
“I love you, Andy,” Melanie said, pulling away from Andy. Andy stayed still, looking at the tears in hers eyes and the packed bags that lay in the middle of the living room floor. He hated to admit it to himself, but he really had expected her to want to stay or at least have a hard time deciding. He certainly did not expect to come home to find her ready to go.
“I love you too, Melanie.” He had no idea until that moment how much he meant it and how little he deserved it. Melanie’s mother, friends, and excellent job were all there, but here she was ready to run with him at the drop of a hat. How had he gotten so lucky?
But it wasn’t the time to reflect on his love life. They needed to leave as soon as possible. He had no idea when the Colombians would come for him, how long they had known where he could be found. “Okay, I guess you’re ready to go, but you need to be sure. We probably won’t ever be able to come back here, Melanie. Caleb, Irene, your mother, you may not see them for a very long time. I don’t know if I can ask you to do that. I don’t even feel okay with disappearing without telling my family. You know I haven’t seen them in a long time, which somehow makes it worse. There won’t be a goodbye for me.”
He let Melanie lead him to their couch, a couch that they had made love on many times. That couch would have to stay behind. Their whole life would be left behind.
“Andy, I’m not saying I’m okay with the situation; that I won’t cry sometimes about the people and things I miss. But I can’t imagine a world without you. I know we aren’t married or even engaged, but I feel like our lives are already tied together. I go where you go. There’s no decision to make. I already left a voicemail for both Caleb and Irene. I asked Irene if she could visit my mother.”
Andy felt a chill run down his spine. While he loved how she felt about him, it worried him that she had talked to her friends. They could be in danger. They could be used to find him and Melanie. “Melanie, how much did you tell them?”
Her wide-eyed look showed him how worried she was as she gave her answer. He could feel the anxiety radiating off of her, and he hated himself for doing this to her. He’d spend forever trying to make it right just as soon as he got both of them out of the mess. “Caleb thinks there was a family emergency and I’ll be gone for a few days up north. Irene just know I’m in trouble and going out of town for a bit. Like I said, I asked her to visit my mom. I tried not to say too much, but I couldn’t leave without telling them something; they’d worry. And my mother can’t be left there alone.”
Andy nodded, letting out a sad sigh. He didn’t know how he was going to get her through leaving everything behind. They wouldn’t have AA, their apartment, her friends or family, and he was already missing Satan’s Cubs MC. “Melanie, I promise that as soon as I get the chance I will come back and get your mother out. I will bring her to wherever you are and help you take care of her. I’ll hire a nurse if I have to.” He held her face between his hands and kissed her forehead. “I won’t let you go through life without your mother or have her worry about you like that. We’re going to get through this and be happy and safe. Just you wait.” He gave a half smile, knowing it wasn’t just Melanie he was trying to convince that they could make it through this.
“I trust you, Andy. You just have to tell me what I need to do.” Andy could tell by the way she said it that she meant it. It was a good thing.
“I’m glad to hear it because to do this we’re going to have to trust each other infinitely. It’s going to be hard and scary for a while. I don’t know where we’ll end up or how long it will take. You’ll have to do whatever I tell you even if it hurts you or makes you feel unsafe. I will do everything in my power to keep both of us safe.” He was sure to leave out the fact that if it came down to it, he would choose her life over his any day. He was positive that it wouldn’t go over well with her because she probably felt the same way.
“So, when do we leave, Andy?” She asked the question with mock enthusiasm, trying to turn it into an adventure. He was happy to be around someone so optimistic. They were going to need a bit of that optimism.
“Well, I have a contact that can get us some new names and papers and everything. All I have to do is tell the guy how many to make, and we can go pick them up. That will have to be our first stop because our names will be too dangerous to keep. We need names no one will be looking for. We should probably look a little different too, at least; enough that our descriptions will change. As soon as that’s done we can leave. I have a cash car waiting in a garage downtown that I bought. Your car needs to stay here right now. I’m sorry. We just need a vehicle that isn’t linked to us.”
He looked at Melanie apologetically, but she looked stern and nodded. She was such a strong woman. He would owe her a lot when it was all over. “Okay, then let’s see what we can do to turn into different people.” She stood up and headed to the bathroom, pullin
g a pair of scissors from the drawer and clicking them in the air playfully. Only Melanie could make a crisis so fun.
“Just one minute, babe. Get started, and I’ll be in there for my makeover after I make that order we need.” Andy pulled out his phone and dialed the number, praying that the guy would still help him.
“Yeah?” he heard the guy’s voice come on the line.
“I need a red headed man and a dark haired woman both close to the same age. I’ll pick them up within the next couple of days. I can pay for the rush. Pick up name is A.M. Got it?”
“Yes, sir, see you soon.”
Andy made one more call for a taxi. They couldn’t be seen leaving in her car.
Andy breathed a sigh of relief and followed Melanie into the bathroom to find that she had chopped off all of her beautiful black locks. The slight curl was no longer visible as it began to frame her chin. Her eyes looked to be a bright, clear blue as well. She must have had colored contacts. She was still beautiful but looked very different. It was Andy’s turn in the hot seat as she motioned for him to turn around. He hated the idea of getting his hair cut, but it was the best way to look different. No one would expect to find a clean cut guy running from a drug cartel. He’d even brought some clothes with him so that he looked totally different.
He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt the weight being taken off of him, hearing the awful sound of the scissors snipping off a part of his identity. He kept them shut even as he heard the sounds of an electric razor buzzing around his ear, turning into something he never planned on being. But somehow it was all okay because not only was it going to give them the edge they needed to get away, but it also signified a new start for the both of them. Gone forever was the trembling addict that made his living on illegal schemes and adrenaline. He was going to be an honest man for Melanie from that day forward.
“Okay, I think that should do it, Andy. You can open your eyes.” Andy did what Melanie’s sweet voice suggested and glanced at himself in the mirror. He was completely unrecognizable other than his clothes; his jeans and leather jacket. He felt a deep rumble break from his chest, a laugh that he didn’t expect. “It’s not half bad is it? But I’ll always remember you as the hot bad boy.”
“Your hot bad boy,” he corrected, still chuckling. His hair was quite short, almost a buzz cut left longer in the front. He actually looked years younger, with a clean shaven face as well. Then, he looked at Melanie and frowned. “You still look like you, Melanie. I don’t think it’s going to be enough. I love your hair, but it’s very distinctive against your light skin. You’re going to have to change it. And your clothes should probably look more common for right now. I’m sorry.” Andy felt bad, asking her to get rid of all the things he found strikingly beautiful about her. But clothes could be changed, and her hair would grow back. Safety came first.
She gave him a sad smile. “I’ve always wondered what I would look like as a blonde.” She snaked her arms around him, and it suddenly felt sensual. What he wouldn’t do to have her body, feel her bare skin against his and taste her soft, wet flesh. But there was no time for that, even if it might be the last time they got to experience that. “I love you, Andy. Are you ready to get going? We can stop off at a store along the way once we make it out of the metro at least. I’ll grab some hair color and maybe some mom jeans.”
The thought of her baring his children made his bulge grow even bigger, but again, they would never have that future if they didn’t get going. “It sounds like a plan. Grab everything you can, and I’ll get the rest. We’ll take a cab to the garage where I left the car.”
He watched as she strained to pick up all the smallest bags she could, letting them sit over her arm and walked quickly out the door. He was sure she scurried away so fast because she’d already said her goodbyes and couldn’t handle anymore. He had yet to do so. He picked up the remaining bags, glancing back at the home they had made together. Melanie had only lived with him for a short time, but she had made the place her own with her furniture and décor they picked out together. The whole place was a testament to their relationship and how hard they worked to become one. But it also spoke volumes as to what they could do together in the future. They would make a new home, he was almost sure of it.
Andy sucked in his breath and shut the door, locking it behind him. Not that they were worried about anyone breaking in and stealing. They would never be back, but it was the best he could do to keep composure; to pretend that he was just leaving for a little while.
He dropped the bags in the trunk of the cab and squeezed into the backseat with Melanie. He had his new clothes in his hand, ready to change when he got to his new ride -- their new ride. He didn’t need the cab driver getting a good description of him either. He wouldn’t put it past the Colombians with their never-ending financial resources and connections to find their trail still and shake the poor driver till he caved.
He squeezed Melanie’s hand as they drove off, knowing that forward was the only direction they’d be going for a while.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Melanie summoned all her strength for the second time and pulled as much as possible out of the back of the cab. She was glad to be out of it, though. They had only traveled a few miles, and she felt like she was going to die with the way the old man whipped in and out of traffic. Not to mention he squinted like he couldn’t see anything.
She followed Andy up to the garage that was across from the line of hotels of all sizes downtown. He’d picked a smart place to be dropped off at. It would just look like they were staying at a hotel, like they were tourists. Melanie was glad to see that he stopped near the back of the first floor. No way could she carry the bags any longer.
It was an ancient-looking truck, probably from the 1960s or 70s. It was in desperate need of a paint job and some new tires, but it looked like it would get them from point A to point B. Trucks were generally reliable in that way. It also was not conspicuous at all. Though, Andy standing next to it had a certain charm. If she could picture him in anything other than his motorcycle, an old beat up blue truck was it.
She gave a sly smile as she let him open the door for her and help her in, dropping all the bags into the back. Their bags were quickly covered with a shell. No one would know they had a plethora of bags with them to get out of town.
The engine roared to life easily, but there was an unpleasant vibration that shook her to her core. She felt like if she talked it would sound incredibly ridiculous. So, she stayed silent as Andy took off to who knows where. She hadn’t thought to ask exactly where they were going. Melanie only knew that they were going to get new identities. What would her new name be? What would her new identity’s personality be? The one positive in all of the darkness was the fact that she could start over and be whoever she wanted to be.
No longer did she have to look in the mirror and see an addict who lost everything. She wouldn’t have anyone to remind her who she had been and what she had been through before Andy. It was such a cleansing and sobering thought.
“What are you thinking about?” Andy asked her after about an hour or two of driving. She hadn’t paid much attention to road signs or mile markers to know where they were. As she looked around she saw mostly desert and a long stretch of highway. She had lost herself in thought about the future and Andy. There were a few cars around them, but the highway was no longer full of cars like it was when they left.
“Just what our future might be like now; who I’m going to be with my new name and everything.” She smiled shyly at Andy as he took an exit to a small rural highway with a low speed limit. It looked like it veered off further into the desert. It was a good thing she didn’t need to use the bathroom.
“Oh yeah? Sounds like a great thought. We may have to have the guy take a new picture when we get there. You’re going to look so unlike yourself with blonde hair. I just look like I cleaned up a bit for a job or something. I’m pretty sure the picture I sent has me in a suit.” Melanie chuckled
with him, looking him up and down for the millionth time. When they got in the car he had stripped down real quick and put on slacks and a sweater, like the kind you got from Calvin Klein or Banana Republic. He cleaned up nice, and Melanie hated to admit it but she thought it was pretty sexy.
“So, I’m taking a little detour. There’s a tiny town a few miles south of here that has a few things we need, but no one will know us there. It’s mostly just a restaurant, a store, and a gas station. There are maybe 400 or 500 people that live there. I figure it isn’t somewhere that the Colombians would even think to come through if they’re on their way.”
Melanie nodded, looking out her window as they headed towards whatever town he was taking them to. She found herself looking for tumbleweeds and coyotes, never having seen such things. It was amazing how you could live so close to nature and not experience it. She had a feeling she would be experiencing a lot of new things on this journey with Andy.
It didn’t take long for him to pull into a parking lot in front of a small store. It had a dilapidated sign read SuperMart that flickered on and off in the setting sun. She watched as Andy pulled into a handicap space and parked. He pulled a handicap tag from behind the seats as well as a black cane. “Part of the disguise,” Andy explained as they hopped out of the truck. Melanie was sure to come around and make it look like she was helping him out. He was smart enough to make his limp on his left since he had obviously been driving.
Recovery (Satan's Cubs Motorcycle Club Book 3) Page 4
