“You loaned her money. What does that have to do with me?”
The back of his hand glides across my neck and my whole body freezes in place. “She can’t pay me back, Lo. She doesn't have the cash, and I’m not going to keep paying without something in return.”
I’ve wondered how she kept up the bills without me. She couldn’t remember to cash her paycheck, much less get the rent and utilities in on time. She’s in debt to Darren because of me, though I’m sure he planned it all out this way.
“I’ve got money saved up. Tell me how much and I’ll send you a check.”
“I don’t want the money anymore, Lo.” His mouth presses into my neck and he runs his tongue over my skin.
My body revolts. Acid fills my throat and my stomach sinks. I turn, smacking his face with one hand and pushing him away with the other. I’m reaching up to his shoulder for leverage while I bend one knee, ready to kick my other leg out and jam my foot into his junk, when Darren reaches into the front pocket of his black jacket and points the barrel of a gun at me.
I freeze. My hands go to my sides out of instinct. “You don’t know what you’re doing,” I start. I hope I can talk him down or get him to move away from the line of customers enough that someone sees the gun in his hands.
Darren is too careful. He keeps everything concealed from view. One hand is on my shoulder and he uses it to turn me to face the sidewalk towards my apartment. Then he takes Jonus’ cell from my hand and puts it in his pocket.
“I’m done playing games, Lotus. I want you back. I took care of your mother when you left her. I kept your home for you. I’ve searched everywhere to find you. If that doesn't show how much I love you, then…” He trails off and seizes up. “Don’t make me prove it to you, Lo.”
Darren shoves me in the back, and I trip over my feet but catch myself. We’re moving away from the restaurant and away from the lights. My heart is in my throat, but I can’t think of a way to get anyone’s attention without upsetting Darren more. So I do as he says and walk.
“What do you want, Darren? Why are you here?”
He laughs, then pokes my back with what I assume to be the barrel of his handgun. “You’re coming home to me, Lotus. You and your mother and me. We’d make a great family, don’t you think?”
I don’t answer. He’s more delusional than he was when I first broke things off with him. I’m afraid if I keep asking questions, I’m going to set him off, so I go with one more before I stop. “Where are we going?”
He steps up beside me and takes me by the elbow. “Your place. So you can get your things and leave a note. We don’t want anyone to come looking for you and causing trouble.”
I nod in agreement. Playing along may be the only way of getting out of this. I can’t trust that Darren will keep his word. I can’t believe he won’t hurt my mother if I don’t follow through. She doesn't know how sick he is. She’ll fall for whatever he tells her.
I have to put myself aside to save her. It’s the only way out of this mess.
Hawk
Lo isn’t in my apartment. I’ve been back to the restaurant and her stuff is still locked in my office, but no one has seen her in almost an hour.
I want to wring Jonus’ neck. He should have been keeping an eye on her. Hell, I should have been keeping an eye in her. I should have blown off tonight with the club and stayed at the restaurant.
But I didn’t. And I can’t change it now.
There is only one place Lo could be, other than my place and Hawk’s. I go for my bike, but it’s been blocked in by a sloppy parking job. I kick the SUV’s bumper and curse the owners before I pull out my cell and dial Gunner.
“Yeah,” he answers.
“Lo’s missing.” I’m out of breath already and I contemplate running instead of walking down the sidewalk to her apartment. “I may need back up.”
“Are the Devils involved?”
“I don’t know,” I answer. Christ. “What if they are? I’m on my way to her place now.”
Gunner mumbles something off the phone, then he’s back. “I’m sending Smokey and Scout over to your place.”
“Don’t,” I breathe out in a rush. My legs won’t stand to walk any longer. I’m in a full-out sprint. “The cops will take care of Hawk’s. I need someone at her place.”
“Done,” Gunner answers. He takes down the address and hangs up. I’m still blocks away from reaching her and my mind is racing. If she’s part of an initiation ritual, I’ll fucking kill them all. World War III can breakout between our clubs and I won’t give a shit as long as Lo is safe.
My cell rings and I barely have enough breath to answer, but I do. It’s Camila on the line and she’s screaming over voices. “Tell me you found her,” she yells.
“No,” I answer, too winded to say anything more.
“Fuck. Hawk. This isn’t the Devils. I called my boyfriend and told him we were through if they harm her. He had no idea what I was talking about.”
“And you believe him?”
She pauses, then answers. Her voice sure. “I do this time. He said they want no trouble with you guys tonight.”
I don’t believe that, but from what Lo has told me, there is possibly another explanation for her disappearance. One that puts her in even more danger. He could have called and upset her. He could have texted her a threat.
My feet move faster, and my thighs burn through the last quarter mile until I’m standing outside her apartment door.
He could be inside with her right now.
I dial Gunner again. “Where’s that backup?”
“Three minutes away,” he answers.
Too far. She doesn’t have that kind of time to wait. The club is my family, but Lo is my everything. If I lose her...after all the others I’ve lost in my life...I’m done.
I don’t even knock. I ground myself to the concrete sidewalk and kick out with every ounce of anger within me. The door buckles instantly and the wood splinters around the lock. It swings back to the wall and I step inside.
“Lo,” I yell. I charge through the place, checking the front area, the kitchen, the hall bathroom, each door in order as I reach them until the last one. “Lo,” I call again before I turn the knob.
She’s sitting on the floor on her knees. She’s been crying, judging by the tear stains on her cheeks, and the shadow of a bruise is blooming along her jawline. She sees me right away and her eyes go wide with fear before she begins to say my name.
Out of the corner, I spot the guy. He’s standing over her bed throwing clothes into a bag and talking to her, until the open door registers. He reaches for the bed and pulls back a 9mm Glock.
My hands go up and I freeze. I’m not worried about me, but this guy is agitated as hell and if I push, Lo will end up in his crosshairs.
“Take it easy,” he says to me, pointing the barrel at my head before his eyes shift and he turns to Lo. “I’m only here to take what’s mine.”
Lo is trembling. She’s pleading with me through her eyes. She’s afraid for me, but I don’t give a damn what this guy wants. He isn’t getting her.