“Shut the fuck up, Chayse.” Deacon’s words sound like steel.
My blood freezes immediately from the hard and serious tone of Deacon’s voice. The fact that he hasn’t called me by my first name since I became a member of Baxtown Iron also raises my antennas.
“What happened?”
“They got Nicole,” Deacon says, and those three words cause me to momentarily lose control of the SUV as it swerves to the right.
“Whoa,” Jariyah says.
“What the fuck did you just say?” I bark into the receiver without addressing Jariyah.
My heart beats erratically as I grip the steering wheel before Deacon speaks again.
“According to someone familiar with our club, a group of guys snatched Nicole before she could enter Sizzling and Grubbing.”
“Fuck!”
In my effort to ensure Jariyah’s safety, I neglected to do the same with my sister. I have done a great job at keeping Nicole out of club business and activities. So I’m unsure how Midnight Eagles are aware of her connection to me.
“Come to the clubhouse so we can get some shit set up.” Deacon disconnects the call without another word.
“What’s wrong?” Jariyah’s shaky voice causes my jaw to clench because I know I need to tell her what’s going on, but it’s also gonna taste like acid when it leaves my mouth.
“They took Nicole.”
Jariyah’s gasp causes my foot to mash down on the gas as a sense of urgency fills my body. My chest feels like it’s sinking with every tree that passes on the route to Baxtown Iron. When Jariyah’s soft hands land on my thigh, my throat tightens as a hollow weight settles in my stomach. I can kick my own ass for not foreseeing this and doing something to prevent it. Nicole is innocent, and it kills me to know what she’s possibly going through as a result of being my sister. Before long, we arrive at the clubhouse, and the sea of motorcycles lets me know that this isn’t a dream.
“It’s going to be alright. I know someone who might be able to help,” Jariyah says.
Words fail me, and all I can do is nod before I exit the vehicle and swiftly move to her side to assist her out. The names and faces of the few men on the door are lost on me, as my mindwhirls with thoughts of Nicole’s despair. All conversation ceases the minute Jariyah and I enter the room with all eyes on us.
“I have a connection who can assist with gathering intel on Nicole’s whereabouts,” Jariyah says before anyone can speak or address the elephant in the room.
“We don’t want the?—”
“Now isn’t the time.” I grit my tight teeth as I squeeze Jariyah’s hand and nod subtly to allow her to finish her train of thought.
“I know I’m an outsider, and you all believe I’m out of place. But I promise my person will help us, and they’re not connected to my mother,” Jariyah adds.
“Do your thing, cuz. We trust you,” Deacon says.
Jariyah releases my hand and walks away while she pulls her phone out of her purse. My eyes peer intently into her back as she paces while speaking in a low tone. With the knowledge of Nicole’s kidnapping, I can’t afford to let Jariyah out of my sight. I already failed Nicole and will never forgive myself for it. Jariyah won’t suffer the same fate. The sight of Jariyah’s dainty hand pumping in the air causes my head to tilt as she turns toward me with a wide grin.
“Looks like we might have to make room for another woman on our roster.” The sound of Diesel’s voice behind me almost causes a smile to form. But I’m too anxious to hear what Jariyah has to say to acknowledge it when she walks back toward me.
“One thing I love is men who don’t have the sense the good Lord provided to them. Now, I have some information, but I’ll only tell you if you allow me to join the rescue.”
“Hell no!” I say before anyone can respond to Jariyah’s words.
“Why not? Something tells me she might be useful for more than intel.” Shadow interjects.
I shake my head repeatedly because there’s no way I’m about to put Jariyah in the line of fire. I don’t give a fuck what her motives are for suggesting such a condition.
“Hear me out, Righteous.” Jariyah’s open palms, along with the plea in her eyes, do little to sway me from changing my mind.
“Nah. I ain’t going for that shit. I can’t fucking worry about you and Nicole. Tell us what’s good and then sit your pretty ass down until I get back.”
My damn blood pressure already has pain bouncing like a basketball in my head from Nicole’s kidnapping. There’s no way I’m about to try to extract Nicole from the Midnight Eagles with Jariyah’s little ass in tow. Fuck that. Jariyah can either tell me the information she knows, or I’ll fuck it out of her. Then I’ll leave her asleep in my bed in the back of this clubhouse.
