When I park, she’s off the bike faster than me, flipping me off as she stomps toward the gate. She doesn’t get far. I chase her down, pick her up, and toss her over my shoulder. As she screeches and squirms, I clamp my arms around her ass and knees, keeping her in place.
I’ve never heard such a pretty woman utter such insulting, venomous language as I enter the bar, not bothering to set her down. “Pres!” I call out as everyone turns my way. “We’ve got a situation.”
Natalya is banging her fists on my back and trying to kick her legs, but she’s not doing any harm. I’ve had worse from my club brothers, and I’ve never wanted to fuck any of them. This is justa little foreplay, and I’ll make sure she’s content by the end of the night.
“Put me down!”
“No, Fireball. We got shit to discuss, and you’re gonna listen.”
“Like hell I am!”
Someone shouts, “You tell him!”
It’s not helpful.
Scythe and Mountain are amused as they walk toward Scythe’s office, and I carry Nat behind them until we’re all inside and the door is shut. My woman tries to yell, and I slap her ass. “Hush. You’re gonna want to hear this, baby.”
She actually listens as I lower her to the ground and block the door, keeping an arm wrapped around her middle.
“We just spoke to Ellie at the Mayfield.”
Scythe takes a seat behind his desk while Mountain leans against the wall.
“She said Thad left with Rashell Allen.” I didn’t text that part, only that we were on our way to the clubhouse.
Scythe leans forward. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
I shake my head. “Nope. I got an address from Ellie. Get this, Rashell is a new hire.”
“How the fuck did we miss that last name?” Mountain asks. “We’ve been careful to flag the system ever since Virus told us about the Allenites.”
“That’s a good fucking question,” Scythe agrees.
Natalya turns to face me. “Hayride? What does all this mean?”
“Madam Serena isn’t the first murder.”
Her eyes widen, then fill with understanding. “There’s more, and it’s connected to Thad’s disappearance.”
“Yeah.” I tick my chin toward the chair in front of Scythe’s desk. “You’re gonna want to sit for the rest of this.”
Nat takes the seat, clenching her trembling fingers together. “Is my brother alive?” She doesn’t ask me. She’s talking to Scythe.
“I don’t know.”
Mountain takes pity on her. “I know this is a lot to process, but Hayride did the right thing bringing you here. It’s too fucking dangerous going to Rashell Allen’s house.”
“Why? Who is she?”
“Ever hear of the Hillside Stalker?” I ask, pulling up another chair and scooting close to Nat.
“Of course. That’s part of the reason I came to Raven’s Crest. I wanted to take the haunted tour at Mayfield, stay at the Hanging Tree, and check out the town known for the serial killer and the Fear Farm.”
“Do you remember his name?” Scythe asks.
“Yes. It’s Rayford Allen.” Her hands clamp over her mouth as the truth sinks in. “Oh, shit. Is Rashell a relative?”
“We won’t know for sure until Virus confirms it.”
