“Hey,” she says sweetly. I try to clear the haze from my eyes as I drag my gaze to her hand clutching my shoulder. “I hate to wake you, but we are gonna have to make a move soon.” Tara smiles and I let out a deep breath at the thought of the meeting with the Savages. I’m going to them through pure desperation. They are the only ones I can reason with. The chance for them to get their beloved drugs. Well, I get my beloved girl, and that’s worth more than any amount of drugs. I’m under no illusions that I can trust them. They are rotten to the core. They talk about loyalty to their own, yet they know nothing about loyalty. They fuck women like they are born purely for their enjoyment and take whatever they want, recklessly and without fear. The exact reason why I want them on my side.
“Shit,” I grumble, rolling onto my side, dropping my feet to the floor as I try to stretch out my weakened muscles.
“What? Are you okay?” She squats in front of me.
“I’m fine,” I’m quick to dismiss. “Stop being so fucking nice, it’s making me feel nauseous.”
“Fine,” she says with a tut. “Get your lazy ass outta that bed, motherfucker. We have your girl to save.” She stands, turning to make her way out of the room, stopping for a second, looking back over her shoulder at me. She gives me a sarcastic smile, you know, the kind a younger sister might do when annoying the fuck out of you.
“I know,” I retort with widened eyes. Shuffling my feet, I make my way to the closet. Pulling out a shirt, I slide it over my head, catching sight of her name in the mirror. Even in reverse it’s beautiful. Just like her. I take in a huge breath, my nostrils flaring and my chest expanding. I have to remember why I’m doing this. Why I’m fighting for her, again. And without any doubt, I will fight for her until my last breath. That sick bastard is no match for me and I can’t wait to be the one to see him begging with his last breath. I need to be smarter, work harder to make sure they all die. I won’t be happy until the three people responsible are nothing more than rotting corpses. Walking back over to the table beside the bed, I grab my handgun, checking the barrel. I close it and shove it inside my jeans. I bend down pulling out the metal case, retrieving another handgun and two knives. Lifting the leg of my jeans, I strap the holder around my ankle. Dropping the leg of my jeans, I make my way out of the room.
“Tara,” I call out for her as I make my way down the stairs. “You need to take these.” Holding out the gun and knife, she glances down and then back up to meet my eyes.
“No way,” she gasps, her hand resting against her chest. “Why… what… I have no idea what to do with them.”
“It’s protection,” I say, pushing them a little closer, urging her to take them from me.
“What, like hold them for you?”
“No,” I snap harshly. “Listen, if you are adamant you are coming along then you need to be prepared and armed.”
“I have no idea how to use a gun…”
“Trust me,” I cut her off, “if you need to, you’ll figure it out.”
“But I’m wearing a dress,” she says twirling on the spot as the skirt lifts and shows off her slim legs. “I thought the old man might be easily persuaded in this little number.”
“Fuck, Tara, You’re playing with fire. What if the old man doesn’t take no for an answer, huh? What if he takes you to be one of his little whores? It’s a fight I won’t be able to win.”
“I thought we agreed?”
“NO, we didn’t agree. You suggested and wouldn’t let it drop, so I gave in. But, and this is a big but, I won’t have your life in danger. Go change.” I stub my thumb over my shoulder in the direction of the stairs. “There are a few things you left, bagged up in the spare room. I suggest you find something that will conceal your weapons.”
“Okay, conceal weapons but still look sexy, I can do that.” She winks, speeding past me and all I can hear is the thud of her feet against the steps. I make my way over to the kitchen, grabbing the bottle of Tylenol tablets. I let two drop out onto my hand and grabbing a soda from the fridge, I quickly gulp down the tablets.
“Better?” she asks, drawing my attention to her new outfit. I nod as I look at her wearing jeans and some sort of floaty top that has her tits all on show.
“Let’s go,” I instruct with a nod. “Oh, and you’re driving.”
“Really?” she asks with a subtle tilt of her head. “I’m the chauffeur now, am I?”
“You bet,” I say with the slightest of smiles.
“Stop the fucking press,” she says with one hand against my chest and the other held up in the air. “Is Braxton actually smiling? Can this really be true?”
I give her the bird and make my way out of the door grabbing the new key fob. I head over to my car that barely gets any use at all. I’ve always favored the motorcycle, but right now, this will have to do. I unlock the door, slowly sliding myself into the passenger seat. I look down at the complicated fucking key fob, trying to work out what half of these buttons do. I press the buttons, finally working out which one opens the gates. They open remotely and I sit impatiently waiting for Tara. God, I can’t believe I’m allowing this to happen. But the fact of the matter is this; I need her. I need some leverage, and she offered. She wants to help, so who am I to turn that kind of help down?
“Ready?” she sings, swinging her legs inside the car, dropping into the seat. She positions the seat closer to the wheel and I’m sure her face will be touching the windshield if she gets any closer. “Let’s do this.” She smiles widely reaching over her shoulder for the seat belt.
We set off making our way the short distance to the Savage residence. It’s out in the sticks and is fucking huge. I’ve only been there a handful of times. A handful too many. These guys are hard to handle, and I know negotiating with them is going to be hard work.
We pull up outside the gates. Tara lowers the window, reaching out and pressing the buzzer.
“Hello,” the voice booms over the receiver.
“It’s Brax,” I inform. The line goes dead and the gates slowly start to open.
“Chatty bunch?” Tara comments with a wiggle of her brows.
“Not exactly,” I say with a scoff. We slowly drive through the gates, parking up outside the house.
“Jeez,” Tara says with an exaggerated breath. “This place could do with a touch of paint.” Her eyes roll, and I can’t stifle the laugh bubbling to the surface. Then, instantly, a wave of guilt washes over me. I shouldn’t be laughing. Somehow, being happy without Izzy just feels wrong.
“It’s a fucking shit hole. Always has been. I’m not sure keeping a tidy house is at the top of their list of priorities.”
“I guess not,” she says with a loose shrug of her shoulders. “It’s like rape, murder, and drugs are their main priority.” I watch as her face drops, and she swipes her hand across her brow.
“Hey, if you don’t feel comfortable or if this is too much for you, drop me at the fucking door and go home.” I know my words sound harsh, and I really don’t mean them to, but the last thing I need is to make this chick feel shit about what happened to her. “If this is a reminder of what that cocksucker did to you, I can handle this alone.”
“I want to help. I’m fine.” She shoots me a quick smile, but she’s not fooling me.
“Only if you are sure. I know what happened to you was fucking awful, and he paid for it with a bullet. That’s the only reassurance I can offer you.”
“Like I said, I’m fine,” she repeats, stopping the car just outside the door. Stepping out of the car, I catch a glimpse of someone. Whipping my head to the side, my eyes land on one of the Savages, one I recognize from the party a few weeks ago.
“Brax,” he calls over, holding out his hand for me to take. I can’t help but notice how he twirls a matchstick with his tongue, moving it from one side of his mouth to the other. “How are you holding up, man? My name is Match, it’s good to see you again. I know we didn’t get to speak at the party the other week.”
“I’m okay,” I say with a nod, taking the hand he has offered me and giving it a firm shake, squeezing ever so slightly. “Good to see you again.”
“You’re looking good; word is that you and Carter have gone your separate ways?”
“Oh really?” I lift my brow, pursing my lips as I narrow my gaze on him. “Who said that exactly?”
“It’s just the word, man. So, is it true?”
“We have a difference of opinion on something. That’s all,” I reply, hoping to dispel his curiosity. Fuck knows what is happening with Carter. All I know is that when it came to it, he didn’t have my back. Something I never thought would happen. He’d always been the one that stuck by me. Now, I wasn't so sure.
“Come inside,” he instructs with a wave of his hand. “Boss is waiting for you.” I follow him, Tara falling in beside me. The instant smell of weed hits my senses and music blares loudly.
“Bit early for a party,” I say when the guy turns to me.
“Never too fucking early, man.”
“I just hope Jeffries is taking this fucking meeting seriously, I ain’t here to party. This is business, serious fucking business.”
“Chill, man. It’s all good.”
“It will be when I’m out of here and business is done.” I continue to follow him into the living room where the music is coming from. Naked women float around holding trays bearing drinks. Jeffries spots us walking in and throws his hand in the air. I’m sure I saw his mouth moving, but I couldn’t hear a damn word because of the music. I close the space, taking his hand and pulling him into me for a loose man hug.
“It’s good to see you, Brax,” I hear him say as he shouts over the music.
“Shall we go somewhere a little quieter?” I say with a flick of my head.
“Sure,” he replies casually turning to the naked blonde behind him. I watch as he picks up the rolled up twenty-dollar bill, shoving it inside his nostril, inhaling the white substance already cut into lines. Turning his attention back to me, his eyes widen when he sees Tara standing just behind me. “You brought the girl?” A smug look on his face spreads as he looks past me and straight at her.
“She drove me here,” I say, holding onto the part of my torso where I was shot.
“Fuck, man, take a seat. How are you holding up?” He moves his head from side to side, yelling to one of the guys over in the corner. “Turn down the fucking music. We have business to attend to.”
The level of the music drops completely, and it’s like some unspoken order was just given. All the woman scurry to leave the room, the guys all finding a seat on either barstools or couches. I sit down, guiding Tara with me, making sure she is sitting beside me. She drops down heavily, giggling a little and I notice all eyes on her.
“Hey, what’s she doing here?” one of the guys asks, his eyes narrowed as though he’s trying to scope it out.
“This is Tara Mellano. Carter’s cousin. She brought me here since riding the bike is off limits.”
“She should have stayed in the car, man. This is business, and she’s too much of a distraction.”
Shit. The guy is right but I’m not going to let him know that.
“She fucking stays. Now talking of business…” I turn my attention to Jeffries who sits in the chair beside me.
“What is it you want from us, Brax?” he asks with wary eyes.
“Help, but it comes with plenty of reward.”
“We usually deal with Carter. Why should we trust you when there is so much friction between the two of you?” The guy flips a coin across his heavily tattooed knuckles, over and over.
“Stains is right,” another guy pipes up and before I can reply, they are all talking loudly, grumbling between themselves.
“Wait,” Jeffries roars. “Hear him out,” he says commanding the guys.
“We were dealing with Alvrez, as you know. The deal went wrong, and I soon realized that he was keeping a girl hostage. My fucking girl. I managed to get her out of there, but we lost the money and the fucking deal didn’t happen. The bastard sent his men after me, gunning me down and taking Isabelle again. I lost the girl, the money, and your drugs; now I need your help in getting all three back.” My main focus is Isabelle and always will be, but I have to play this to their advantage.
“Not my fucking problem.” He drops back in his chair, pulling his leg onto his knee. “Why is this the first I’ve heard of it? I know Carter let us down on the drugs, but there was no mention of the girl.”
Fuck. I had no idea what Carter told these guys about that day. “Guys, I know you’re pissed. You’re businessmen. I get it. You rely on us bringing in the stuff for you to earn a living. I fucking get it.”
“So go get the fucking drugs. Why are you wasting time here?”
“We need to bring this guy down and I can’t do that alone.”
“You want us to back you up?” Jeffries’ eyes are narrowed on me as he reaches in his pocket, pulling out a packet of cigarettes. He taps the bottom, ejecting a cigarette and placing it between his teeth. One of the men reaches forward, lighting it for him and he takes a huge drag. Smoke billowing around him.
“Yeah, fuck, this is going to have to be a team effort. I can’t fight him alone. The only thing I have on my side is that the bastard thinks I’m dead.”
“This is Carter’s problem, not ours. He promised us the drugs and never delivered. Every motherfucking day we go without the goods is a day we ain’t making fucking money.”
“The drugs are yours. You just need to help me get them. You keep all the money. Just think about it for a second. Million-dollar deal, all yours, for free.” I lean forward, holding out my hand and nodding to the pack of cigarettes he’s still holding.
He hands me a cigarette. “Fuck, I don’t know,” he sighs heavily, pushing his hands through his hair and slumping back in his chair. “Brax, you know we don’t get involved at this level. We handle the street dealers. We work hard with the little people bringing in the big money. I’m just not sure we can back you on this.”
I feel the negotiations slipping from my grasp. He ain’t buying it and I’m running out of things to say.
“What are you not sure about?” Tara chimes in. “This is pure fucking profit for you guys. You help Brax, he helps you make a fortune.”
I turn to her, my eyes widening as I give her an unspoken warning.
“Why, you’re quite a sassy little thing aren’t you?” He cocks his head, a small smile stretching across his face as he ogles the fuck out of her. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
“All I know is that Brax deserves the help, and this is a win-win situation for you. My cousin is being a dick about the whole thing, but you guys, I can see how loyal you are.” She leans forward, clasping her hands together between her knees, her tits practically falling out of the top she’s wearing.
“I think you and I should go talk. Somewhere private,” he says, lifting his eyebrows suggestively.
My heart’s pace picks up a little as my annoyance grows. “Listen, Tara is a big girl and I’m sure she would like to take you up on your offer, but right now, we talk business,” I say sternly, bringing the focus back to the real reason we are here.
“Oh, sure.” He smiles at me. “Listen… this is what I’m going to offer you. My son, and five of my men. I’ve been waiting a long time to give him a chance to prove to me he can be a useful part of this family and that he ain’t just some useless pussy.”
I tighten my fist resting it against my mouth. I’m not sure whether the fact he’s offering me his son is a fucking insult or whether I should snap his hand off. I’ve never even heard him speak of his son, but I guess with the promiscuous life he lives he’ll probably have about a dozen.
“Nate,” he bellows, Tara jerking beside me as she is startled by the loudness of his voice. “Where the fuck is he?” he asks angrily, his head whips back and forth as he checks the room.
“His cock is probably buried in some whore.” One guy laughs and the whole gang joins in.
“Go fetch the useless cocksucker,” he demands, reaching forward and stubbing his cigarette out in the ashtray on the table in front. I retrieve my lighter from my pocket, lighting up and relaxing back in the chair, thinking through my next move.
“Listen, I don’t want to think you just offered me your weakest hand, but it kinda feels like you did.” I take another drag, blowing out a cloud of smoke to add to the already smoke-filled room. I glance down to Tara and she looks at me with a squint as if questioning me. My attention is caught by Jeffries’ quiet chuckle growing into a loud bellowing laugh.
“What’s wrong, son?” he stutters through his fit of laughter. “Did you think the head of the Savages would hold your hand and save the girl you love?”
I jolt forward as the anger ignites deep inside me. He’s mocking me, and I don’t like it one bit.
“Listen, motherfucker. I owe you nothing.” He continues. “The fact that I’m offering you my boy, well, I’m offended that you are even questioning that.”
“There’s a lot at stake here. I need to know you are taking this fucking seriously. Useless cocksuckers aren’t gonna cut it.”
I see the look on Jeffries’ face darken and it’s like the whole room starts to close in on us. Men crowd him, and he shifts in his chair, leaning forward, his face so close to mine. I don’t retract; I counter his actions, closing the space further. I won’t ever back down from this motherfucker, no matter how many of his men have his back. Tara’s fingers grasp at my shirt as she tries to pull me back a little. I don’t move, I keep my eyes focused on Jeffries.
“What the fuck is going on here?” the voice calls over and all eyes land on him. He’s a tall guy with long black hair tied back. He has a pretty boy look to his face, the bare skin he has on show is completely covered in tattoos. But one thing I can’t help but notice is the gloves he wears on his hands.
“Glad you could join us,” his father responds with a tone of sarcasm. He strolls forward, stripping the plastic gloves off his hands and shoving them inside his jean pockets.
“I was busy,” he said, leaning against the back of the chair. “You know, chicks and tattoos. It’s my thing.” His eyes focus just past me and I look at Tara to see she is staring back at the handsome young man leaning against the back of the chair. He must be about nineteen if that.
“I need someone who can shoot a real gun, not a fucking tattoo one,” I grate out, growing more and more annoyed by what is unfolding. I’ve asked this cunt for help and he’s offered me a boy. A boy who seems to like to fuck girls and draw on bodies for fun.
“Fuck you,” the boy all but spits at me. “You know nothing about me or what I can or can’t do.” He raises his voice, his eyebrows drawn together as a look of disgust dresses his face. “I may not be as experienced as my old man, but I can fucking hold my own. Who are we fucking up today?” His tone lightens as he rubs his hands together animatedly.
* * *
I talk for what feels like hours, filling Nate in on what has happened and how I’m going there to retrieve Isabelle.
“Sounds like some sick motherfucker, this uh, this Alvrez.”
I purse my lips nodding my head in agreement. “I’m going to put out a call, get some men together. I think we need to be completely prepared when we get there. He isn’t going to go down without a fight.”
“We also need to be smart. If this guy has cameras and security, we need to get in and out of there fast.”
I nod, smiling at the kid who clearly seems smarter than his old man.
“How long before you’re well enough to make this happen?” he asks with a lift of his head, taking a drag on his cigarette. He lets the smoke seep slowly from his mouth as he focuses on me.
“If it was up to me, I would have gone there yesterday. It fucking kills me to know he has her and what he could be doing. Time is of the essence, but I’d be a dick if I didn’t admit that I’m not ready. Fucking wound is giving me pain. I’m weak, much weaker than normal.”
“You need time to heal, Brax. You are no good to her like this if you can’t fight, you’re out of breath just climbing the stairs…”
“But, fuck,” I roar, complete and utter frustration racing through my body. “She could be dead for all we know.” I squeeze my eyes shut, clenching my hands together so tightly in front of me it almost hurts.
“How long?” Nate asks. “Before you think we can make this happen?”
“Fuck knows. It could take months until I’m completely healed. And we don’t have a month.”
“Let’s give it a week. One week for you to rest and recover some more.”
“No, man. It’s too long.”
“Listen, Brax. I’m on board. Look, I want to help, but you have to start by fucking helping yourself. I ain’t carrying you, bro. You need to be strong enough to do this!”
“He’s right,” Tara cuts in. “I know how hard this is for you, but you need longer to recover. Your body has barely had chance to repair itself.”
“Fine, fine,” I concede. “One week, then we go storm that fucking place and take back what is ours.”
“If we can pull this off, my old man might actually give me a break.”
“Yeah. What’s the deal with him?” I quiz, thinking back to how Jeffries had spoken about him earlier.
“It’s just how he is,” he answers, brushing off my question. “I guess I’m more calculated, less reckless than some of the other guys. He doesn’t like that I question things and don’t just automatically bow down to everything he says.”
The more I get to know this kid, the more I’m warming to him. He is different, that much is obvious. He seems somewhat educated, less gang-led and impulsive. It’s like he doesn’t really follow the pack. And I haven’t missed how Tara is looking at him. She’s barely taken her eyes off him the whole time, but this is dangerous shit getting close to the Savages. He’s the heir to all that comes with being part of the MC.
“It’s been good meeting with you.” Tara stands, holding out her hand to him. He lifts the back of her hand to meet his lips, a little kissed pink color sears through her cheeks as she blushes. I frown a little, letting out a huge sigh as I watch the two of them looking all fucking flirty and shit. I clear my throat realizing that it’s time to make a move.
“We should get back. Let you guys resume the party we interrupted.”
“Life is just one big party around here. You should stay.” He looks at Tara with widened eyes. A sudden rush of protectiveness comes over me as I pull back on Tara’s arm.
“I need to get her home,” I inform him, glaring at him intensely in warning. He stares back at me, but gives me a nod of understanding.
“Maybe some other time then?”
“I’m sure it can be arranged,” she replies a little coyly.
He walks us out of the house, stopping just beside the car. “I’ll be in touch,” he simply states. I shake his hand before making my way around the passenger side and jumping in.
Sitting in silence, we drive the short distance to the house.
“You’re awfully quiet, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I dismiss. “You seemed to take a liking to the young Savage back there,” I say with a tip of my head.
“Yeah, he seemed really nice,” she replies casually. I can’t help but narrow my eyes on her.
“Nice? He’s a Savage, I’m not sure those two words even go together in the same sentence.”
“I’m a Mellano, would you say the same about me? Don’t judge him because his dad’s an asshole,” she chastises. I glance at the girl for a second, realizing that there is something quite endearing about her. I have zero romantic feelings for the girl, but the friendship she has offered has touched this black old heart of mine.
“Listen, this is some Montague and Capulet shit you are talking about here…”
“Jeez,” she cuts me off. “I think he’s hot, I ain’t in love, jerk.”
I laugh at her, nudging her arm a little while lifting my brow. “Fuck, I may be a little messed up right now, but I recognize the looks you were giving each other. But, seriously, be careful. The lifestyle these guys live isn’t one I’d want for you. I don’t want Carter on my case about this shit.”
“Listen, the main priority is for you to heal that body of yours.” She wiggles her finger at me. “Then we go kick fucking ass.”
“We?” I gasp. “There ain’t no we about this. No fucking way.”
“I’ll be your getaway driver. I want to help.” Her head flits between the road and me. “Brax, believe me, I’m not Jessica. I’m not playing games; I genuinely want to help. What happened between us was just sex.” She whispers the word ‘sex’ as if she’s embarrassed about what happened between us. “But I can’t turn my back on you like Carter has. I see how much she means to you, and you weren’t to know you would find her at that fucker Alvrez’s house. No one would have known that. You were the only one there for me in my darkest times. After what, well, you know, what happened.”
“I’m grateful for your loyalty, and your friendship, but there is no fucking way I’m getting you involved in this. Carter would blow my fucking head off if anything happened to you.”
Sinking back into the chair, I realize what a fucking mess this whole situation is. I’m dancing with the devil in an attempt to fight the bastard that took Izzy. I hope beyond hope that she’s holding on, that he hasn’t done something terrible to her. I’ll never be able to forgive myself. It was my job to protect her, but I didn’t. I failed to keep her safe when she’d already been through so much. I was stupid. Careless. And now I’m paying the price. Just when my dark days were becoming sunny ones, the storm came and ripped away my sunshine.
I will do whatever it takes to get her back.
To find her again.