But if I could stop her before she got there, I would.
“Come on,” I murmured.
With each shift of the gears, the bike revved a little harder. With each screeching turn, the bike wobbled a little more. I turned off the main road and kept to the back roads, keeping an ear trained on the engine of my bike. She was still far away. At least a mile ahead of me. And every time I turned down an alleyway that drew me away from her, I backtracked like a bat out of the fires of hell.
“Where are you?” I murmured.
Finally, after speeding around the damn city for almost thirty minutes, I spotted her. It was a quick motion, but enough to tell me where she was headed. I saw her pull into the parking lot of a restaurant; and judging by the sputtering of the engine, I knew she’d ground down my gears. That didn’t matter, though. The only thing that mattered was spotting Amberly and keeping an eye on her. I stopped revving my engine and walked the bike across the road, trying not to make so much noise. Even though Ryker’s engine was probably the most silent one I’d ever heard in my damn life. I didn’t want to spook her. And if she was in trouble, I didn’t want to give Vlad—or whoever she was meeting—an excuse to hurt her.
Because they’d bleed out on the pavement if they did.
I walked the bike slowly around back, following the sound of my bike. And when I saw Amberly park in a darkened parking space out back, I inched myself behind a massive truck. Completely concealed, with a great vantage point to see what the fuck she was doing. She was at a nice restaurant, too. One I wouldn't be caught dead in because their portions were never big enough for someone like myself. I sat there on Ryker’s bike with it propped underneath my legs just in case I needed to make a quick getaway.
Or follow after Amberly again.
I watched her as she put the kickstand down on the bike. She completely turned it off, too. Which wasn’t a good sign. I saw how nervous she was. The furrow of her brow. The permeation of sweat against her skin. She kept running her fingers through her hair. Fluffing it out. Straightening her eyebrows. She even got off the bike and straightened up her clothes. She was trying to make herself look presentable, and that told me everything I needed to know.
She was definitely meeting up with that Vlad character.
“I’ll murder him if he lays a finger on you,” I murmured to myself.
If that fucker showed up, I’d intervene. If he laid a hand on her, I’d down him in a second from where I was sitting. But, if for some reason he didn’t show up? I’d keep a tail on Amberly. Just to make sure she went back to the clubhouse. I didn’t think Vlad would do anything, though. This restaurant was packed for their lunch rush. The parking lot was full and cars kept slowly driving by, trying to find parking spaces. I got some ugly looks from people, too. Especially since I was taking up prime real estate on the side of the restaurant.
But they could go be pissed somewhere else.
I wasn’t sure whose idea it was to come to such a crowded place, but it was smart. Either Vlad wanted it this way because he didn’t want her starting a scene, or she wanted it this way so he wouldn't pull anything. Either way, it’d keep both of them in check. Which meant this might not turn out as bad as I figured it would. Still, I was on my guard. Ready to jump, fire, cut, or race off at a moment’s notice.
Then, a thought occurred to me.
What if Vlad doesn’t show up alone?
I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed Ryker’s number. If Vlad didn’t come alone, I’d be outnumbered. Which would be a bad time for me and a very shitty time for Amberly. I held the cell phone to my ear, watching as Amberly paced beside the truck. And when the sunlight hit her just right, I saw the tears in her eyes.
I’m here, beautiful. You’re safe.
“You find her?” he asked, picking up the phone.
“I got her, yes. You know that fancy ass restaurant with the red shutters and literally no windows?” I asked.
“I fucking hate that place. Not enough food.”
“Exactly. I’m here, and I’ve got eyes on her. Can you get here in case I need backup?”
“Already heading out the door. You want me to bring anyone else?”
I paused. “Not right now. Not until I figure out what the fuck’s going on. I appreciate it, though. Thank you.”
“You know it’s never a problem. I’m on my way, man.”
“I’m parked on the left side of the building if you’re facing it head-on. Behind a dark green truck.”
“See you soon,” he said.
“Yep. See you soon.”
18
Amberly
I kept my head on a swivel, looking out for that car I knew I’d never forget. A crimson red SUV with fully tinted windows, chrome accents, and a sunroof that was always open and blaring classical music. With each passing minute, my hands trembled a little more. I kept wiping at the sweat on my brow, hoping I didn’t look too unappealing for his tastes. For all I knew, Vlad would want to “exchange goods” instead of simply letting me see my son.
Which meant if I had to “perform” for him, I’d have to look a very specific way.
“Come on, where are you?” I whispered.
As time passed, I grew more anxious. More nervous. More fearful that he wouldn't show up with my son. That he wouldn't hold up his end of the bargain. Three years. I’d dreamt of his face for three years but hadn’t seen it in person. Only on camera a handful of times. I brushed at the fearful tears rushing down my face. My stomach turned over, threatening to throw up the rest of whatever breakfast I’d had that morning. I paced faster, which caused me to sweat more. Which caused me to wipe at my brow more. Which caused a raw, red spot to form against my skin.
“Shit,” I hissed.
That definitely wouldn’t be attractive to Vlad.
Then, I heard it. The swelling sounds of a flute solo before an orchestra kicked in. I practically had that damn song memorized. It was Vlad’s favorite. It brought back so many disgusting memories that made my stomach lurched into my throat. But when I saw that gaudy, crimson red SUV come into view, my heart stopped in my chest.
He was here.
Vlad had arrived.
I watched as the vehicle pulled up next to me. Those chrome accents shone in the sun like they always did, and the smell of food wafting from the restaurant behind me made me sick to my stomach. No matter how hard I looked through those windows, though, I couldn't see anything. Not Vlad. Not Mason. Not… anyone.
Until I heard a door open.
“Vlad? Is that you?” I asked.
The sound of lumbering footsteps came around the SUV, and there he stood. Tall, lean, in a clean-cut black suit with a black undershirt and tie to match. He had his hands clasped behind his back. His long, black hair was slicked back, falling just behind his ears. His steel gray eyes shivered me to my core, and I watched him look me up and down. I watched him case me with his eyes as he licked his lips.
“Please, let me see him,” I begged.
He snickered. “I’ll never get tired of hearing you be so polite.”
“Where’s my son? Please tell me you have him.”
“I do. I’m a man of my word.”
“Can I see him now?”
“Only if you agree to some new… terms.”
I wanted to melt into the pavement as his eyes lingered on my chest.
“What are these terms?” I asked.
“Well, you’re in a very precarious position right now. The boss is actually thrilled you’re with the Dead Souls. He’s been looking for a way in for quite some time now. And now, he’s got someone on the inside. Someone they want to keep around, or at the very least don’t want to kill just yet.”
I nodded slowly. “I’ll get you whatever kind of information you need. In fact, I already overheard a conversation taking place.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. They have a legal team. Or, a woman they consult for legal services. Her name’s Monroe. I think she belong
s to a man in the group named Knox, since the guys were asking him if he could talk to her about it. But they know she can’t do anything unless evidence is legally obtained. Knox said he’d talk with her, but he didn’t sound hopeful.”
“Anything else?”
I paused, trying to recollect what I’d heard. But there wasn’t anything else. Fuck, I hadn’t stuck around long enough to figure out what that “question” was. My face sunk as I shook my head. Vlad smiled at me, then reached his hand out to pet my head. I winced as he dropped his hand against my head, smoothing his fingertips through my hair.
But when his fingers fell against one of the bald, patchy spots on the side of my head, he grimaced. Yanked his hand away. Rolled his eyes before he cleared his throat.
He was disgusted with me, and I grew fearful again. I knew how quickly this man could change on a dime. And it looked like he was about to change.
“Please, that was just what I caught trying to get to you. Imagine what I could figure out if I stayed? Really listened? I’m small, so I can sneak into areas and listen to their group meetings. I can hunker down very easily and call you with anything I figure out. Please, Vlad. Just let me see my son,” I said.
He waved his hand in the air. “You sound pathetic now. You can stop.”
I held back my whimpers and tried my best not to show weakness. Not to drop to my knees and cry in front of him.
“The boss wants you to figure out some specifics. None of this trite uselessness you’ve brought me. He wants to know how they found out about the motels and what their plan is next. And he wants that information within the next forty-eight hours,” he said.
“Yes. Of course. I’ll make sure I get it,” I said.
But when I paused, he must have sensed it.
“What?” he asked.
“It’s just—I had to sneak out to get here. I had to run after being told not to. If I go back and they don’t accept me back, what happens then? Is there any other way I can do this?”
A wild smile came across his face and it caused me to take a step back. He reached his hand out, cupping my cheek as his thumb slid across my skin. It threw me back to a time when I used to enjoy that move. When I used to enjoy the feel of his skin against mine. Thinking about it now made me want to vomit all over his patent leather shoes. But I kept it together enough for him to be satisfied with my reaction.
“You’re a pretty enough girl, Amberly. Use it to your advantage. I figured we’ve taught you well enough.”
I shook in my shoes. “I want to see my son now.”
“Not until you agree to the terms.”
“I agree to all of them. Any of them, from this point on. Just let me see my son.”
I knew I’d regret my words later. As a bright smile crossed his face, I knew I’d regret the whole of my life from here on out. But I’d agree to anything if it meant I got to hold my son in my arms again. Vlad stepped away from me, his hand falling from my skin. He turned around and opened the door, and the whoosh of cold air blasted me in the face.
Then, I heard his voice.
“Mommy!”
“Oh, my god,” I sputtered.
I dipped down as the soft patter of his feet hit the asphalt. He barreled into me, but I couldn't see him. Tears clouded my vision as I wrapped my arms around him, feeling him cling to me tightly. And as tears poured down my face, I cried into his shoulder.
“Mason. I love you. Oh, my sweet boy, I’m right here,” I said breathlessly.
“Can we go home now? Please? I wanna be with you now, Mommy.”
“Soon. Mommy’s got one more thing to do, then we can go home. I promise,” I said.
“I wouldn’t make promises you can’t keep, little girl,” Vlad said menacingly.
I shot a look up at him as fire churned in my gut. But I knew I couldn't do anything about his words. About his statement. About where my life went after this job. So, I turned my attention back to my son. Back to the beautiful baby boy I had in my arms again after three solid years of nothing. I peppered kisses along his neck. His cheek. I buried my nose into his dirty blonde hair and breathed in his scent. A mixture of sweaty socks and baby powder, which made me giggle. I didn’t know whether to rejoice, cry, or curse.
All I knew was that I didn't want to let go of him.
“Are they taking good care of you? Are you eating?” I asked.
He nodded against my skin before I pulled away. I cupped his cheeks, gazing into his gorgeous eyes as a smile drifted across my face. I’d always loved his eyes. They never quite turned away from their freezing blue color. Speckles of my brown eyes had crept in, mixing in with the crystal clear blue of his orbs when he was first born. But they’d never fully changed. Two eye colors, and one beautiful little boy. With a smattering of freckles across his nose that mimicked my own.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I whispered.
“Mommy, don’t leave again. Okay?” Mason asked.
I choked back a sob. “I have to work. I have to provide for us. But I promise you, it won’t be this long before we hold each other again. Okay?”
You look so much like your father, sweet boy.
“All right. We have to wrap this up,” Vlad said.
“Just five more minutes, please,” I whispered.
“You’ve got two,” he growled.
“Mommy, no. Please. Please, don’t leave me. Take me to work with you. I promise, I’ll be good. I won’t get in the way, I swear,” Mason said.
And as he threw his arms around me, I held him tightly. I relished the time we had together and tried to block out the sound of his crying. The feel of him shaking. I picked him up and felt him wrap his legs around me, trembling as his fingernails dug into my back. And as I covered him in kisses, I saw Vlad in the background. Leaning against his car. Grinning at me wildly. Enjoying the fact that he could manipulate me with my own fucking flesh and blood.
I’ll slaughter you where you sleep, mark my words, you piece of shit.
Then, his voice filled the air. Causing me to cry out as Mason started sobbing.
“Time’s up.”
19
Saint
“What the fuck is going—”
“Shh,” I said curtly.
I heard Ryder’s bike from off in the distance, but I didn’t think he’d really come in, engines a blazin’. I shot him a look that told him to shut the fuck up, then I went back to watching Amberly. There was something I was missing. Something big. Something I needed to know. And the pit of my gut told me it was this thing Amberly still felt as if he couldn’t tell me.
“You gonna tell me what’s going on now? Or am I gonna have to cut that damn hand off to get you to talk?” Ryker asked.
I sighed. “Thank you for coming. I appreciate it.”
“Finally. And you’re fucking welcome. Now, you gonna tell me what’s up?”
I paused. “I think Amberly’s waiting for someone from the mafia right now.”
“What?”
“A guy by the name of Vlad.”
“Are you—”
I shot him another look and he drew in a deep breath through his nose.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” he whispered harshly.
“Trust me, I’m just as pissed as you are right now. She’s putting everything in jeopardy. But there has to be a reason. I know there’s something she isn’t telling me, and I think it has to do with why she left in the first place.”
“You told us she was captured when she was younger.”
I nodded. “After she was kicked out of her parent’s place. Look, it’s a long and complicated story. But Amberly had plenty of resources if she’d just come back to school. And she didn’t. Her parents kicked her out, and she stayed gone. Does that sound like a scared eighteen-year-old to you? A scared and sheltered eighteen year old?”
He shrugged. “I went through some rough shit at eighteen years old.”
I rolled my eyes. “Never mind.”
�
��Look, I get it. I get what you’re saying. But this is fucking serious. Is she about to turn on us? Is she about to tell him some shit she shouldn’t be? Why is she reporting to this guy? And where the fuck did she learn how to ride a motorcycle?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I’m hoping to get some answers simply by looking.”
The both of us turned our attention back to Amberly. And the more she paced, the more worried I grew for her. Yes, I was upset. Yes, I was struggling with all this. Yes, I kind of wanted to pop out, throw her over my shoulder, and drag her the fuck back to the warehouse. But I needed answers.
And I had a feeling this encounter would give them to me.
“So, we just gonna hunker down and wait?” Ryker asked.
“Yep,” I said, popping the “p”.
“You know how long we have to be waiting?”
“If you’re going to keep asking questions like this, I’ll be good on my own. Just try to fend Diesel off once y—”
Loud classical music went off in the distance and paused. Ryker furrowed his brow, and I noticed that Amberly stopped pacing. Every single part of her perked up. She kept looking around, whipping her head from side to side. As if it were on a desperate swivel. She recognized that music. She knew what was coming. And as I turned the engine of my bike off, I slipped away from it. Crouching behind the truck just in case I had to run after her.
Then, a gaudy-ass red SUV pulled up.
“Yep. Looks like the mafia all right. Way too much money, and not enough sense to use it,” Ryker murmured.
“Shh,” I said.
I put my gun on my holster as Amberly started trembling. Even from a distance, I saw her shaking. My heart ached for her. Even though I was pissed off with her, I still wanted to pull her close. I still wanted to soothe her. I still wanted to tell her it’d be okay. And as I watched some grimy, black-suited motherfucker climb out of the SUV, my blood boiled.
Saint: Dead Souls MC: Prospects #3 Page 11
