Hank
Myeyeskeepdriftingup to the clock on the wall across from me. The one we have there when customers want to argue about whether it’s closing time or not. We stop allowing anyone in at two, and last call is at two thirty. At three, we’re kicking their drunk asses out the door.
It’s dragging toward closing time and I’m dreading having to go sit with Bash and Jennalyn while we get lectured. I’m sure that’s what it’s about. She was practically fucking me right in front of the bar. A huge no-no if a cop were to walk in the door.
I’m staring off into space when Doc and Luke walk inside the club. Immediately, something feels off. Not the fact that they’re together, but that they’re here. Especially since Vee isn’t.
They step over to the counter, shoulders tight, eyes scanning the room as if they’re looking for someone.
I raise a brow at them, giving them a nod. They’re my brothers, regardless if they want the same woman as me. I have to be civil and make sure there’s no tension between us. That’s the last thing the Hellions need.
Doc leans against the counter, ignoring my sign that says ‘No Leaning On The Counter’ as he runs his fingers through his hair. Luke stands beside him, arms crossed, jaw tight.
“How’s the night been?” Doc asks. “Nothing too wild?”
I shrug, standing from my stool, resting my hands on the countertop. “Steady. Couple bachelor parties. Couple drunk frat boys. Same ole, same ole.”
Doc and Luke exchange a look.
Yeah.
Definitely something wrong.
“Do you know where Veronica is?” Doc asks, always using her full name versus the nickname everyone else calls her by.
My eyebrow lifts.
“She left.”
Luke speaks up quickly. “Yeah, she messaged that she was heading home. Once we were done with what we were doing, we headed over to her place, but she wasn’t there.” His voice tightens. “We waited, but she never showed. She didn’t answer her phone when we called her so we came here. Her car’s outside.”
I freeze. Nope, this can’t be happening. Not again. What the hell is it with the women in our lives and this fucking club?
“What do you mean it’s outside? She walked out the door and left hours ago.”
“Yeah, that’s what she texted us. But she’s not home and her car is in the parking lot.” Luke’s voice rises as he speaks, and I can hear the panic in it.
My stomach drops. I don’t think, I just react. I’m around the counter and racing out the front door, straight to where she parks her car every fucking night she works without fail. The cold night air slams into me as I run across the parking lot to her car.
Her car. Still parked where it was earlier.
“Shit,” I mumble.
I can hear Doc and Luke stepping up beside me. I reach out and grab the car handle to the driver’s side door. It’s unlocked. Opening it, I glance inside. Nothing looks out of place. There are no broken windows. No signs of a struggle.
“What the hell…” My pulse starts to hammer in my ears.
I turn and see the two of them behind me, their faces mirroring mine.
“Wait a second.” Luke steps to the back of the car. “The trunk’s open. Not by much, but it’s open.”
“Maybe she had some car trouble. Let’s call Luca and see if she’s with him.” Doc says, trying to stay calm, but I can tell he’s worried. That as much as he hopes she’s with Luca, he knows she’s not. Just like I do.
Doc pulls out his phone and calls him, placing it on speakerphone. We listen to the ringing and almost give up hope he’s going to answer until we hear his deep voice.
“What the fuck you want?” he all but shouts.
“Is Veronica with you?” Doc asks.
