Amy
I was still amused by the banter the following evening. Last night’s meal had been fun. For a while, I’d forgotten what was happening in the outside world.
The brothers teased each other mercilessly, especially the guy who’d just returned, Tracker.
Tracker threw his own taunts back, and it was nice to see everyone getting along. Nanci was as bad as the rest. She could sling insults with the best. However, despite my amusement, Iwas feeling a little pensive. Vortex had to go to Rapid City for a memorial unveiling, and I was left here alone.
He’d given me the option of going, but I couldn’t. Hundreds of attendees would be there, and my picture was everywhere. People wouldn’t be paying attention to the service; they’d stare at me. Nope, I couldn’t face that. Nanci had explained what had happened in detail when we’d spent the afternoon together yesterday.
She and the others deserved this and didn’t need to be on edge, worrying someone might approach me. Vortex had assured me Drew was staying at the clubhouse, but even so, I was uneasy.
After they’d ridden out, Drew took me to view the sheriff’s office. I hadn’t seen it when we’d done our tour, as it had been locked and Drew had been out of the office. Despite keeping the wooden interior and looking like a Wild West jail, it had modern-day amenities. Printers, laptops, and filing cabinets. Everything a sheriff’s office required to operate.
“Just wish we could find a deputy,” Drew said as we headed back to the clubhouse.
“Is it really that hard to recruit someone?”
“The club had no luck finding anyone for the sheriff’s job. It had been up for months. I was lucky. I needed a change of scene and met Fanatic and Willow at a car meet. They told me about it, and the rest was history. I’ve got feelers out, but no takers.”
“That’s a shame because this town is amazing.”
“Yeah, I agree.” We hit the wooden sidewalk and continued to the clubhouse.
“What’s that?” I asked and pointed. Something was sitting slumped in a chair outside it. Drew looked and turned me around.
“Amy, there’s been some trouble here, nothing to do with you. But I’m taking you back to the sheriff’s office, and need you to secure yourself. No matter what, don’t open the door.”
“But I—”
“Amy, trust me. This is about the war and somebody holding a grudge. Please, will you lock yourself in safely?”
I studied Drew’s demeanour. His stance had changed, and a hand rested on his weapon at his waist. Drew was deadly serious. His eyes scanned around us as he positioned his body to protect me.
“Yeah, I can do that,” I agreed, and he nodded. Drew quickly led me back across the dirt road and to the sheriff’s office. I shut the door behind him.
“Lock it, Amy!” Drew ordered. I did as I was told. “Don’t come out until either a brother or I come for you. Okay?”
“Okay,” I replied. Through the frosted glass, I watched Drew walk away. I yanked my cell out and went to call Vortex, but paused. If this were a false alarm, I’d ruin his evening. I put the phone back and waited for Drew to return.
Chapter Eleven.
Drew
Iwas torn between leaving Amy alone and investigation whatever was outside the clubhouse. But I had no choice; the best thing I could do was ensure Amy was locked away safely. As I neared the scene, I could smell the copper scent of blood, and I prayed this wasn’t a body.
Hand on my gun, I approached cautiously and relaxed when I saw it was another scarecrow. It was dressed in jeans and a tee with a mock Unwanted Bastard MC cut. Around the neck was a pool of blood, and a knife was stabbed into it. The warning was clear, as was the message pinned to it. ‘Murderers.’
Shit, the mystery asshole had returned. Last time he’d hung an effigy from the Hanging Tree. Now this. It hadn’t been there an hour ago. I needed to return to Nanci. I yanked my phone out to dial RCPD when I saw flames from the car park.
Fuck, now what?
I grabbed an extinguisher from outside the clubhouse and ran over. The fire grew bigger as I ran, and I wondered what the hell was on fire. As I jogged around the corner, I was surprised to see that Amy’s car was burning. I aimed the extinguisher andbegan putting out the blaze. Was this the same person or Amy’s stalker? I didn’t know, but planned to find out.
Amy
Drew had been gone about ten minutes when I heard the first noise. Watching out for his return, I ignored it. I sat at the reception desk, ready to bolt into Drew’s office, which was unlocked, if I needed to. The second scratching noise made me sit up. Was someone outside?
A bang on the walls caused me to jump, and I shrieked. That sound originated from the jail section. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and my skin crawled. I quietly rose and shifted around the desk. Another thud had me heading to the entrance. Louder scratching sounds echoed, and fear took hold. Silently, I unlatched the door just as a shadow appeared in the entrance leading to the cells.
