Addilyn

I was in a big dog cage, I think. There were other guys and girls in here too. I don’t think anyone was my age, they all seemed older. Some of them weren’t that much older. A guy came into the room with another man in a suit. The man in the suit walked across the room looking into all of the cages.

When he reached mine, he stopped and paused. “Let me see her.” He said.

The other man unlocked my cage and grabbed my arm to yank me out of the cage. My head banged against the top and I yelped in pain. He circled me and looked me over. My body began to shake in fear. “How old are you?” he asked.

“Ten.” I responded.

He grinned, and I don’t think I like it. “I think I might want this one.”

“Sir, why not me?” Danny said. They had him in the cage besides mine. He’s been talking to me since I got here and keeping me company. I watched as the men bought guys in here to look at us and then take someone from the cage. Danny had to go a few times and each time he came back he wasn’t happy. He wouldn’t tell me what they took them away for, but whatever it was it scared me.

The man looked Danny. He kicked his cage, “Shut up.” He growled.

The man in the suit turned to Danny’s cage and grinned. “You want me?” he asked.

Danny nodded. “Yes, plus she ain’t never do it before. She don’t know what she’s doing.”

The man in the suit seemed to think about it before agreeing. I was tossed back into the cage and they took out Danny. He followed behind them with his shoulders down and I felt bad. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but he didn’t like it and I knew he went so I didn’t have to. I didn’t have Sy and Sia, but I have Danny.

 

*****

 

Siarra

 

I followed them all the way to a warehouse. When they got out of the car, I was able to get a good look at the man’s face. I would be able to recognize him anywhere. The scar from his forehead through his eyebrow was an unusual marking. I turned on my phone briefly so that I could pin the location on my map and save it.

Now, I was playing the waiting game again. I watched as a man in a suit wrapped on a side door. Another man answered, they exchanged words and then he entered. What the heck was a man like that doing here? The possibilities sent chills down my spine. I was almost certain that Addie was in there, but after the first two hours watching the traffic of people going in and out I knew that I was in no way able to just waltz in there, find her and just walk right on out.

I’d seen the guys on the guys I assumed worked here. I didn’t see any cuts or emblems like how Psycho’s MC had, but I knew they were some type of organization. A gang or the mob or something possibly. I didn’t know much about that stuff to be sure. I saw the guns and stuff, so I knew they weren’t above violence and possibly mayhem.

I’d been sitting out there for four hours before I saw the man with the cut face emerge. I didn’t know if he was the same guy that spoke to Sy, but he was involved. He was the only sure thing at the moment. I followed him as he drove further into the City where the nightlife was hopping. He got out of his car and made his way into a club called Acid. I’d heard about it before, but I don’t go clubbing. He was granted immediate access and I knew I needed to get in there. That would be the only way for me to get close to him without it being obvious.

I parked Sy’s bike and looked down at my outfit. Then I looked at the women lined up waiting for entrance. Yea, this may have been ok for the airport but not for a nightclub. I sighed, this was getting ridiculous. Couldn’t this man have just picked a restaurant? I scanned the streets vaguely familiar with them. I spotted one of those cheap little stores that sell nothing but spandex and made my way there. I quickly located a worker in the store and told her what I needed. With a nod and brief once over, she had two dresses. I looked at the black one, then the red. They always said that you needed a little black dress, but the fire engine red would stand out more.

I paid the twenty bucks for the dress and threw it on in the dressing room. I shoved my other clothes in a bag that I had on into a bag and went back to Sy’s Bike. I lifted the seat to stuff my bag into the compartment I’ve seen him use a few times. Just as I was about to put it in, something caught my eye. I looked closer and realized it was a gun.

I reached in for it then hesitated. I wasn’t a fan of them and I only owned one because I was a paranoid freak and figured it was good to have in case someone ever broke in or something. When I was in college and my parents died I was really alone. I’d gone to the range a few times thinking I needed to know how to protect myself. I wasn’t comfortable with them, but I learned the mechanics of it.

I thought about the situation I was in and figured that I did need to be able to protect myself, and Addie. Plus, Sy said that the man supposedly had a gun and I’d seen all of his people with them. It would be stupid not to take it. I looked at my bag and considered putting it in there. Then I frowned. I’d thought to some of the parties I’d let my friends drag me to and they searched bags and stuff on a few occasions. If they found it, they wouldn’t let me in.

I contemplated my options and figured out which one made the most sense. I took the gun, and put my bag in and closed it. I moved further into the shadows and bushes and bent down to search my bag. Once I found the hair scrunchie I was looking for, I took off my left boot. I checked the gun to make sure that yes, the safety was on and yes, there were bullets and then rolled the scrunchie up my leg.

I tucked the gun into it and checked to make sure it was secure. I’d put it lower, in a spot where my leg wasn’t so full and had a bit of space, so it wouldn’t be visible. I pulled my boot back on and nervously made my way to the club. I looked at the long line and realized that I couldn’t chance waiting since I didn’t know how long he was going to be there or if he still was there. I took a quick glance to where he parked and saw his car was still there. So that answered that.

I opened my coat and made sure that my breasts were proudly on display. The dress was skin tight, and it made me look like I was booming with curves. I walked towards the bouncers and watched as two women fluttered their lashes and gave them a nice look and were promptly let in. Well alright. I thought about the women at the club when they wanted one of the brothers. The movement and looks that said come hither.

I reapplied some lipstick then put on the act of all acts. I let my hips sway with my movements, my chin held high and I tried my best to pull off one of Sy’s cocky expressions. I didn’t dare bat a lash at anyone, but I didn’t miss the men and women gawking at me as I walked past them in line. The bouncer made eye contact when I was halfway there. He nudged the other man and I looked away as they both undressed me with their eyes. It felt dirty, but I couldn’t let them know that.

When I reached them, the one closest nodded his head at me. “Ma’am.”

I smiled. “Hey sugar.” I lifted my chin towards the entrance to the club. “Is this place everything that I heard about, or am I wasting my time?” I asked him.

He gestured inside. “Why don’t you come and check it out?” he asked.

I lifted a shoulder as if it didn’t matter to me one way or another and made my way in. I threw him a wink as I passed, and he gave me a toothy grin. I relaxed a bit when I was finally inside, that was done but now the harder part would be finding scar face – as I started to refer to him in my head – and getting his attention.

I went to the bar and scanned the area. It was jam packed and I knew it was going to take me forever to find him. I ordered a drink – a sprite with lime – and took my time sipping it as I looked around the room attempting to appear bored. I was approached by a bunch of guys, but I simply told them I wasn’t interested. I declined every drink sent my way and all invitations to dance. I have no idea how long I was sitting at the bar losing more hope every second when I finally spotted him. He was on the second level which was roped off. He was at a table with three other men, a bottle in the middle. They seemed deep in discussion so there was no chance in hell that he was going to notice me. At least not until they were done. Must be business related. No man can be that focused on something with a bunch of half-naked women around if it was anything but business.

After what felt like an eternity, they all stood and began making their way to the stairs. I was pretty sure he was leaving so I needed to act fast. I stood and took off my jacket before making my way towards the stairs. I began looking around like I was searching for something or someone. When they were on the ground level I began walking straight for them. When I was close enough I looked to the side and began craning my head as if I were looking for something and walked right into him – on purpose of course – but he didn’t need to know that.

I gripped onto him as I wobbled trying to steady myself – not faking it – and leaned back with a surprised expression. “I’m sorry about that.” I said.

He was too busy checking me out when he answered absently. “Don’t worry about it.” When he finally looked at my face he smiled. I didn’t find it at all inviting. “Are you lost?” he asked.

I shook my head then sighed. “Well, I was just looking for the restroom to freshen up.” I told him.

He pointed a thumb in the opposite direction. “Couldn’t find it because you were going the wrong way.” He looked me over again. “Have a drink with me.”

Score! But then, he might be suspicious if I agreed too soon. “I already had quite a few already…” I hedged and pretended to think it over. I let out a careless shrug. “I guess one more wouldn’t hurt.” I agreed.

He grinned then nodded. “After you, we can go to my table upstairs.”

I walked ahead of him on the stairs and stopped at the top waiting for him to lead the way to the table I’d seen him sitting at earlier. “So, I take it, you’re here alone?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yep.”

He leaned forward. “What’s a lovely lady like you doing here all alone?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I prefer to move alone. It prevents the awkwardness when you get bored or annoyed with whoever you’re with.”

His lips quirked. “I like you.”

I gave him a half smile. “I do too.”

He chuckled at that. He motioned someone over and told them to bring a bottle of champagne. “So, what are you doing here?” I asked.

He took a minute to decide how he wanted to answer me. “Just some business. I was heading out until I bumped into you.”

I smiled. “Well, that was lucky for you hmm?”

He nodded his agreement. “Lucky indeed.”

The man came back at that moment with two glasses and the bottle of champagne. Scar face opened it and poured some into both of our glasses. “So, who are you?” I asked as I took a sip.

He grinned. “The name is Acid.”

I frowned. “Like the club?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yes. Seemed right to name this baby after myself. I knew it would be a hit.”

Oh God. That was not a good sign at all. He obviously had money, and people with money have connections. “What do you do?” he asked.

I almost said a librarian, but I caught myself. “I work for myself.” I went with.

He looked intrigued. That wasn’t good, I didn’t have a story together and I was winging it. I was not a good liar. “So, what would it take to get you to leave with me?” he asked.

Wow, the man didn’t waste any time. Normally this would be a total turnoff but right now he was saving my butt from being caught. “You couldn’t afford me.” I said. I don’t know what made me say that, but it seemed to be just the right thing.

“I’m sure I can.” He leaned in closer. “Do you work for anyone?” he asked, and I knew what he meant… do I have a pimp. He took the prostitute story hook, line, and sinker.

I smiled. “I already told you that I work for myself.”

“Would you consider working for anyone?” he asked.

I scrunched up my face. “I think I like working alone.” I said.

He cocked his head to the side like he was considering. “How bout you come see what type of ship I run? Then make a choice…” his smile was supposed to be reassuring but it was cold and calculating. Something told me I didn’t really have a choice and he would probably keep me like he’s doing with Addie. I was able to hide the shiver that ran down my back.

“Alright, it won’t hurt to take a peek.” I was now really nervous and needed a second to figure out my next step and compose myself. “Let me just run to the restroom first, I never did get a chance to go.”

He stood with me like he was actually a gentleman and pointed to the restroom sign on this level. I grabbed my bag and made my way there. By the time I closed myself into the stall I was in a full-on panic. Crap, get it together Siarra. Addie needs you and you need to get to her. You can figure it out once you have her.

With that little pep talk, I was able to pull it together. I pulled out my cellphone and turned it on. I pulled up the location and attached it to a text message.

Me: This is where me & Addie are. Come to get us or send cops ASAP. His name is Acid and he’s not alone. If you find my phone, your bike is here too.

I hit send on the message that I sent to both Tank and Psycho. It was my only chance to communicate and I needed to ensure that someone saw it. I put the phone on silent and pulled out the scarf I always carried around in my bag to clean my glasses out. I wrapped my phone in the scarf and hid it behind the toilet.

With that, I washed my hands and made my way back to the table. He stood. “Ready?” he asked.

I nodded and shrugged. “Sure.” Just don’t piss your pants Siarra.

 

*****

 

Psycho

 

Jagger walked in and gave me a nod. That was reassuring to say the least. “Church?” he asked me, and I nodded.

Everyone gathered around the table and as soon as I sat I nodded to Jagger. “What you got?” I asked.

“Turns out they know about this Acid guy. He deals mostly in drugs and prostitution. He’s mainly in Georgia, but he’s got his hands in shit out here. Definitely some prostitution. That club downtown, Acid, is his… that’s why they can’t move in on him. Every time they do he uses his legitimate businesses to cover. They don’t know the location though for his business otherwise they would’ve moved in on him already.” Jagger explained.

That was definitely something. “Alright, so let’s get our asses down to Acid and see who we can get to talk. There’s always someone willing to save their life more than – “

I was cut off by my phone going off. I noticed at the same time Tank looked down at his. I picked it up and my heart raced when I saw Siarra’s name. Fucking hell, thank God. She’s had me going the fuck crazy. I opened the text and read it. My stomach dropped completely.

“Prez?” that was Tank.

“Did you just get a text from Siarra?” I asked.

“Yea, what’s the plan?” he asked.

I stood. “We’re riding the fuck out now.” I looked over to the newly patched in members. “Shank and Flip, go over to the Sheriff and let him know what the fuck is up. They need to send some men out there, only the ones in our pocket. Also have him run that trace again on Siarra’s phone to find out where it is. My bikes out there too. Got it?” he asked.

They nodded and in a minute, we were all out. As the guys went towards their bikes I shook my head. “Nah, cages only. They’ll hear us coming on the bikes.”

We all piled into the vehicles and headed off. The place seemed to be about an hour or so away and I’m just hoping that we’d get there before anything happened. Swear to fuck, if even a hair is out of place I was going to fucking rip every one of their mother fucking throats out. Those are my bitches, and nobody fucks with what’s mine.

“Prez, this is it.” Rip said breaking into my musings.

I looked around and the only thing in sight was a warehouse a little further up. I checked to make sure I had all my knives and my guns were all ready to go and full. I pocketed some extra clips and we began making our way to the warehouse. I watched for any signs of movement. The place appeared to be still at first, but the closer we got, we began hearing noises. The sounds of talking and TV’s began to waft through the air

We had no idea how many mother fuckers were in there or what we was about to walk into but fuck me if I wasn’t going to just do it anyway. When we were all gathered around guns raised and ready to go, I couldn’t help the feeling of gratitude. This is why I loved the fucking club. This wasn’t club business, this was my business… but here all my brothers were ready and willing. And not just cause I was the fucking Prez, but because it’s what we fucking do. If it had been anyone of these motherfuckers I’d be in line right, there with them. I gave them a nod and Tank kicked the door in. with no hesitation, we stormed the place.