Chapter 10 - Sara
When he leaves somewhere between night and early morning he tells me it's only because he's got to be sure Teddy wakes for his tutor job. That was the last I heard from him for several days. Hair mussed, eyes hungry, and the sweetest kiss. My cheeks blush thinking of my boldness when he had called me that evening after he didn’t show up. Then I sober thinking of how long it’s been since I heard from him. After day two I started to believe the kiss was sweet because he was saying goodbye for good, not just a goodbye until next time. By the fourth day I was exhausted from lack of sleep I was getting, aggravated from the lack of communication, so yes when I saw Teddy I had to ask him. Now I understood the rule that teachers don’t get involved with students families outside of the profession.
“No he hasn’t said anything, but I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him either. He comes home late at night, goes straight to bed, and then he’s gone right after he wakes me for school,” he shrugs, “I’ll try and tell him to send you a text or something if I can get a word in.”
“Thanks Teddy.”
“Sure thing Ms. Halaway.”
When the whole school week goes by without a word from him it convinces me this was my past repeating itself. God I was such an idiot thinking this could work. Here I thought I had learned from my mistakes, yet I wind up in the same position I had been in. At least I had stayed out of MC business this time. At least I thought I had, but when I get to my car, Bear sits next to it straddling his bike.
“Sara,” he nods , “Have you seen The Kid?”
“Who? Teddy? He left with the other kids. Why is something wrong?” I reach for my keys ready to jump into action if Teddy’s involved.
“No, sorry,” he waves off my concern, “Not that kid, I meant Vince. That’s what we call him in the club. Sorry I thought you knew.”
“Oh,” I deflate, “I haven’t seen or heard from him since Sunday.”
“Shit,” he says to the concrete.
“Bear? What is it?”
“We haven’t heard from Vince since Sunday morning.”
“What?!” my body grows cold. It wouldn’t take much if someone were to touch me for me to break.
“Tell me what you know,” he says breaking through my thoughts.
“He was with me almost all day Saturday at my house. He called me once on Sunday saying I wouldn’t see him. Since then nothing, but I haven't been blowing up his phone. I figured…”
“What did you figure?”
I bite my lip, “That he changed his mind,” I shrug.
“That boy loves you.”
My head jerks up, “What?”
“He does. He’s never worked that hard for someone's attentions, and he gets that gross starry eyed look when he’s thinking about you. Plus the Kid is not a quitter.”
“He loves me?” I say bewildered.
“That’s what I just said, you love him too.”
I snort, “I couldn’t possibly, we’ve only known each other a few weeks.”
He snorts right back, ”Time has nothing to do with love. It’s there or it isn’t, and both of you got it bad. But you guys can pull your head out of each other’s asses later. I have to find him.”
He kicks his hog to life. I reach out my hand, ”Wait, tell me whats going on.”
“I can't.”
“Then bring me to someone who can.”
For several tense seconds he stares at me, “Get on,” and not for a second did I hesitate. When we pull up to the seemingly abandoned warehouse I recognize it for what it is. I follow Bear up a flight of stairs. He doesn’t even try the knob, he just bangs on the steel door.
“I’m coming!” the door wrenches open, and I’m staring into the iciest of blue eyes, and the best looking older man I think I’ve ever seen. Comparing him to what I know of MC’s he shouldn’t fit. More like a model than anything close to an MC member.
“Who’s this,” I know he’s talking to Bear, but he doesn’t shift his gaze from me.
“The Kids girl,” at the mention of Vince his eyes soften, “Sara this is Ric the President of the Lost Angels.”
“That’s all swell, but what’s she doing here?” Ric gruffs out.
“I want to know what’s going on,” I say bypassing the talking over my head bullshit.
His well groomed eyebrow raises, “Is that so, and what makes you think I'll tell you anything?”
“Because I want to help find him.”
He takes me in for a long second, “No,” his tone is resolute, “Even if I wanted to you’re not part of the club, and we don’t talk club business with non members.”
“Then I’ll become a member. What do I have to do?” I must be out of my mind, or Bear was 100% right about my feelings for Vince.
A genuine laugh erupts, “Sweetheart, we know some clubs allow women to become members, but we’re not one of them. Secondly even if that weren’t the case, membership doesn’t come cheap, and we’re not talking about money. Nice try though. I commend your determination. Bear?” he finally looks away from me.
“You’ve got barn duty for bringing her here.”
“Don’t punish him for bringing me here. It was all my idea.”
A chuckle, “Man you are something else,” he gestures a hand towards Bear, “Look at him, no way did you make him do anything. He knew he over stepped, he’s man enough to take his punishment. Actually he’s damn lucky that’s all the punishment he’s getting. And I see your wheels turning, if you say another word I’ll punish him even more.”
My mouth opens, then shuts.
“Self-sacrificing. That’s commendable,” he looks again at Bear, “Take her where she needs to go, then start your shift.”
Bear grunts, taking my arm, he turns my body towards the stairs. Before we even take the first step the door is banged shut and the click of the lock audible.
“Sorry, I thought he might tell you something.”
I shrug, “I knew there was little chance. Being caught up in this kind of life before I know the rules first hand.”
“You have?” Bear looks shocked.
“Vince didn’t tell you?”
“Nah, he doesn’t repeat shit, that’s why Ric trusts him above the other officers,”
I nod, “I can see that.”
“So how’d you get mixed up in MC life?” Bear asks.
“Old lady once upon a time,” I could feel the heat in my cheeks as I admit the fact twice in such a short amount of time.
“No way. Who’s old lady?”
“I’m sure you don’t know him, but the Ripper from the…”
“Chicago Soldiers? Are you fucking kidding me?” Bear spits out.
“Ummm yeah that’s him,” I say hesitantly.
“Does Vince know?”
“I told him about being an old lady, but I don’t think I mentioned who I belonged to.”
“You’re not his anymore right?” there was actual concern in his brown eyes.
“No, I’m not.”
“Jesus, thank him for that, because he’s got the worst kind of reputation. He’s known to screw underage girls, get them pregnant, then leave them. He’s got so many kids up and down the coast it should be criminal, but since they’re 1%ers it's not going to be stopped within the club.”
“I wish I had known,” I really wish I had. It would have saved me from a lot of heartache.
“Well you know now, so stay away from him. I’m just glad he didn’t do the same thing to you,” No reason to contradict his statement. Telling my story serves no purpose. It’s done and over with. Part of my past now.
“I’ll take you back to your car,” Bear reaches out for my hand.
“Okay. Thanks.”
⨳ ⨳ ⨳
When I make it home I go straight for my bedroom I bring out the day bag that can hold a few pairs of clothes. First I'll head to his house, then to everywhere I can think of around town. I should grab a light jacket in case it rains, I turn back to the closet, and come face to face with the barrel of a gun. My first instinct is to duck, but my limbs are stuck in place. The man on the safe side looks at me with eyes that seem familiar. I knew before he swung his gun hand back what he was going to do, yet frozen as I was I did nothing. There was pain in my temple, then nothing.