Shooter:I need to see you, I have something I want to talk to you about. If you’re a good girl there might be a surprise for you, too.
The message felt ominous. Knowing Shooter it was all good news, at least that was the vibe I got. But who knew, it had been a few days since the camera experience and I had worked a double, only to be welcomed by Tony and Gage for the weekly exchange. I knew they felt bad because when they approached me at work during one of my breaks to give me some bad news, I was ready to set the world on fire.
I couldn’t muster the sadness anymore. I couldn’t cry anymore tears. What I wanted at that moment was sleep, and plenty of it. I was lucky that I hadn't seen Chris. I hadn’t seen him and part of me wondered if that was due to Shooter or maybe Chris found a girl and had been mooching off of her.
One signature, that’s all I fucking needed.
I looked at my little notebook that kept the tally of how much I owed, and the number seemed to taunt me like I would never get out of it, no matter how much hope I had. Things were gettingtighter and I didn’t know how much more I could take, I was on the verge of burn out, regretting every day that I returned to the hospital. Sarah and Jennie were concerned, encouraging me to take PTO knowing that I had so much built up.
I looked at the woman in the mirror, though there was a hidden smile it was covered up by the exhaustion that darkened her under eyes and sunk in her cheeks.
The cursor on the text box flashed waiting for my response. After that day with the cameras, Shooter had been busy with club business, but never missed an opportunity to call me, even if it was for a few minutes. There was one night I swear I heard screaming or whimpers, and one of his brothers calling for his attention. I wanted to know, but when Shooter was able to. Unlike me who was waiting until the timing was right, and every time I wanted to tell him I chickened out.
I didn’t know what to message back so instead I showered, put one of the t-shirts I stole from Shooter on and curled into the bed. My lids were heavy pulling me into a nice deep sleep, well until a dream turned into a reality.
Chapter 31
Shooter
The screams of one of the mechanics we picked up from a shop echoed around me. But my attention was pulled in a different direction. She hadn’t responded back to the message. It was read like an hour ago.
“Daryl, this could be so much better for you if you just give up the name of the people who’s paying you.” B.B. said with his usual charm, but there was a cynical side to him. I pocketed my phone, knowing that I needed to tend to business first.
I trudged back to the man in the chair, hands behind him, a trail of blood from his temple. We had gotten word that the shop he was working for had an interesting shipment of specific tires and had a recent order.
Blaze was able to get the tracking number and we just happened to have followed the trail. It’s amazing when a plan comes together.
I gripped the man’s chin, tilting it back up so he could see straight into my eyes. He wasn’t trying to move or give any hints that he was writhing in pain. It was my favorite thing to watch,that and seeing Amelia sprawled out in my bed looking like the goddess she was.
“One simple name, and this nightmare could end.” I offered, but I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
He still shook his head, hiding the answers we needed to try to end this once and for all… again.
“You think they are going to show you loyalty? Like they’re some kind of knight in shining armor? Wake up, my friend, they used you. They can find other low life’s, trust me.” I shoved him away, pulling out my knife from my boot. “I’ll tell you what, you give us a name or even better a phone number, and I won’t slice you up like a butcher with a fresh piece of meat.”
“Low life? Takes one to know one, fucker,” he spit at us. “I don’t have anything you want.”
My brows furrowed. I didn’t have time for this; the club had better things to do and I had other people on my mind.
I’d probably regret this, but times calls for a desperate measure. I quickly extended my hand, grabbing his throat, feeling his heartbeat beat against my fingers. It raced faster and faster with panic.
B.B. stepped in. “Shoot, you think this is a good idea? I need to keep you out of jail.”
“They’d have to catch me first.”
“Yeah, but knowing you, you have a certain ol’ lady that you need to make your ol’ lady. And you can’t do that behind bars,” he whispered.
I tightened my grip on Daryl, my patience ran thin. “I suggest you start fucking talking because your life depends on it.” There was heat in my voice, a warning that my demons were on the verge of coming out to play.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Daryl tried to say again. But before I could retort, B.B. threw a right hook. I stood there looking at B.B. like he lost his damn mind.
He shrugged, “What? I got better things to do than to hear him deny again that he had nothing to do with the tires again.”
“You have better things? Like what?”
“I have a show to catch,” he muttered.
“A show? What show? AtFeathers? Hank said he had seen you a few times when he came to collect money.”
