She says it casually, like she’s just stirring the pot.But her eyes flicker with something else.Fear.
I shove a wad of cash into her open palm.
“I want to know everything,” I say, before my hand leaves hers.
She nods.And then she struts back to her friends, leaving me with the taste of dread in my mouth.I drink half the bourbon in one swallow.She could be stirring shit.But I’ve heard the whispers too.Strange lights in the trees.I’ve seen fear settle behind the bravado of the club’s ol’ ladies.
Outside, the cold air hits me like a slap.I take a slow breath and steel myself.Hiring a club bunny to be my eyes and ears is only smart.One who hates Becki and won’t hold back.
Not just because I’m jealous, leaving my biker with his old flame locked up in his clubhouse.Something’s wrong.Something bigger than Becki.Bigger than the fights and the jealousy and the old blood between her and Legend.Bigger than the Reverend wanting my land.
Returning to the clubhouse, I search for Legend.The office door is open, yellow light spilling into the hall.Royal sits on a bench, head hanging low like he’s praying, but the look on his face ain’t holy.It’s raw.Bruised.Like he left a piece of himself somewhere he shouldn’t have gone.
He looks up when I walk in.For one split second, I swear I see guilt.That alone makes my stomach twist.
“You’re still keeping her here,” I say.
Legend rubs a hand over his face.“Sophie.”
“No.Don’t calm me down this time.Don’t feed me excuses.Another girl is dead.Another one gone.And Becki is still locked in that room while y’all pretend, she ain’t the center of this mess.”
“She ain’t involved,” Royal says quietly, staring straight ahead, not meeting my eyes.
“How would you know?”I snap.“You act like she’s some helpless angel chained to a bed.”
Legend steps between us.“We’re watching her.Nothin’s getting past us.”
“Are you watching her?”I hiss.“You personally?”
He better not be.
Silence stretches like a blade.Neither of them answers.Something cold slides through my chest.Something that feels like truth even though I want it to be a lie.
“She goes,” I whine, sounding like a broken record.“Or I do.”
Legend winces.“I just need more time.”
“You’ve had enough time.”
My voice cracks.I hate that it does.I turn and leave before the crack becomes a shatter.
While Legend’s watching Becki, no one’s watching me.The fact settles heavy in my stomach.
Later that night, I leave without any protection, but the gun at my hip.Walk through Hell into Official over to the Pearly Gates compound like young women ain’t being picked off one by one.Like I’m not still recovering from being kidnapped myself.
Closing my eyes, I fight the memories of waking up in a van to beatings.And I pray I ain’t walking into a trap again as I reach the gates.
Like the sign says, Church is always open.The door is unlocked.Of course it is.Men like him never believe anything can touch them.Reverend’s office is quiet when I sneak inside.Too quiet.The kind of quiet that feels deliberate.
Inside is all cedar polish.The place is humble with wood paneling.Nothing but a façade.I move carefully, keeping to the shadows.Then I hear voices.
Reverend’s voice.
“No, I said no delay.We move them now.”
My stomach drops.
Them?
