Page 5 of Hammer’s Fall

“No. I expected at least one, but we didn’t see anyone.”

“Do they ever leave you alone?”

She lifted one shoulder and let it fall.

“Not that I know of. Often at night one will be gone while the other stays, but they don’t talk to me, unless it’s to relay orders from Papá or make threats, so I don’t know where they go or what they do. I was in bed for the night, though. For all I know they always leave once I’m asleep.”

“What about this Maria? Where does she live?”

“In a little house on the other end of the property. Papá says he needs her close enough to take care of our needs, but not too close.”

Hammer nodded and turned his attention back to the screen. What she was telling him about the housekeeper fit what he’d been able to find about the older woman. As far as he could tell, Camila hadn’t lied to them about anything he could check, and that was far more than most people would know, so it looked like they could believe her. That didn’t mean they could trust her. The only thing that would garner trust was time. He wondered how that would go.

“What are you going to do with me?”

“Well, that depends.” He rubbed the scruff on his jaw as if considering what they would do with her.

“On?”

“A lot of things. How you act, how honest you are, whether or not you betray us.”

“Betray you? How would I do that? I don’t know who you are. The only name I have is Goliath. And somehow I doubt that’s his real name.” She tilted her head to the man sitting on her other side.

“You’re right.” He sighed. “You have answered every question I asked. I guess it’s time to at least give you our names. I’m Hammer. That’s Vicious” He pointed to the man in the front passenger’s seat, then to the one next to him. “Frank and Sparrow.” He ended with the driver.

“Why does only one of you have a normal name?” she asked.

“Because he’s a prospect and hasn’t earned his road name yet. He’ll get it when he’s patched in. If he’s patched in.”

“Road name Is that like a...” she paused, “apodo?”

“A nickname? Yeah, but we earn them. It’s an MC thing.”

“MC?”

“Motorcycle club. We’re the Sons of Sin, chica.”

She fell silent. He wished there were more light so he could read her expression and know if she’d heard of them, if she was afraid of them. But they would be back to the compound before too long, then he’d learn more about her.

Chapter Six

“Come on, chica, it’s time to wake up. We’re here.”

Camila blinked awake. After having been frightened awake once tonight, then that trek across the border, she’d thought she wouldn’t sleep for a long while, but somehow she’d fallen asleep while she waited to get to wherever these men were taking her.

Now, it seemed they’d arrived. She slid out of the truck and followed Hammer inside. She’d seen things on the television about motorcycle clubs, and she’d heard whispers around town about some group that called themselves the Hijos de Pecado. None of it had been good. Were these the same men?

The idea should terrify her, but after watching Papá beat her Mama to death in front of her, she couldn’t bring herself to feel much more than relief to finally be away from him.

Inside the large building, she found the light wasn’t a lot better than outside. Certainly not enough for her to be able to make out much, but at least there was enough to keep her from walking into things as she stuck close to Hammer.

“Come on. I’ll put you in my room tonight. We’ll figure out what to do with you in the morning.” He led her up a set of stairs then along a hallway. He paused, then pushed open a door. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a shower, then at least four hours’ sleep.”

She stepped inside then stiffened slightly when he followed her inside and closed the door.

“Relax, chica. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. But I can’t leave you alone, not until I get the okay from my president. And I know better than to wake him at this time of night unless there are lives on the line.” He moved to a pair of doors and slid one aside before pulling several things out. “This is all I have for now. I’ll talk to the girls about finding more for you in the morning.” He handed her a t-shirt and pair of shorts. “They’ll be too big, but the shorts have a string. The shower’s through there.” He motioned to a door she hadn’t noticed. “Towels are in the cabinet.”

Camila was grateful for a chance to wash the dirt out of her hair, so she didn’t question him, instead went in the bathroom and locked the door behind her.