Pepper…before meeting Hitch
I'm gathering my things to take a shower when I hear someone frantically knocking on Wolf’s door. The pounding of my heart is a sure sign I'm still shaken up from before.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Crystal.”
I open the door and Crystal comes in like a bat out of hell. She's out of breath. "We don't have a lot of time. Hitch is out front. I need to get a message to him.”
“What do mean, Crystal?” I don't understand why she wants to get a message to the person I've gathered isn't a good man.
“I'm so sorry but I haven't been telling the whole truth to any of you. Hitch and his dad, Tadpole, have always been good uncles to me. After my dad died with my brother, Hitch’s dad took us in. He paid for my schooling and moved us away so we wouldn't be near the club. Something happened and he needed help that only I could help him with. I know this is a lot to take in but I was planted here not only to give him Intel but to watch the Freedoms’ back. My uncle had Intel that the Freedom MC was under attack but he didn't know who was after them. To make a long story short, he was approached by another motorcycle club wanting to take out this chapter in Newbern. He told them he wasn't interested in going after them.”
“What does this have to do with me?” I ask curiously, a little shocked that everything she's told me before wasn't the truth.
“Everything right now. I need your help. I need to get a message to Hitch,” Crystal pleads.
“Are you sure this is important?” I need to know this is legit before I commit to anything.
“Hitch told me if he ever shows up at the gate, something bad has happened or is about to happen and I need to get to the gate and give him the wave. He will give me a signal back so I know what needs to be done.”
I know I'm naïve sometimes and too kind hearted, but I believe her. “Okay, how can I help? Let’s get out the door and see what we can do to make that happen.”
“You aren't mad at me or going to question me at all?” Even with widened eyes in disbelief, I see her body relax a little.
“Not right now. We need to see if we can help get this crap over with.” I just wish I knew what was really going on around here.
So, Crystal and I run down the steps. When we get to the door, nobody seems to be watching us. We continue to walk outside and hear Hitch asking about me. Maybe Crystal has mentioned me before. Thinking that this might be the best way to get the message from Hitch, I sneak up behind the men. I can hear Wolf telling the guy, "Fuck no." Before he can do or say anything else, I step around him and get the message to Hitch.
After I make it up to the room, I pace the floor waiting for Crystal to join me. The knock comes and I open the door without confirming it's her. Thank goodness I'm lucky enough and it is.
“What was the signal? she asks, anxious.
“He touched his nose with two fingers.” It's a silly signal, but her reaction shows how serious it is.
Crystal inhales sharply. “Shit. I need to call him right now.” She calls Hitch and puts the phone on speaker.
The man answers on the first ring. “Hey, baby girl, I'm glad you got the message. We have a big problem. We need to get Pepper out of there. I've found out she's a target. The club that wants to take out Freedom is going to try and kidnap her. They want something from Wolf.”
“Uncle Hitch, I have you on speaker and Pepper is here with me now.”
I cut in before either one of them can speak. “Hitch, I need to know one thing, and then we can decide on what to do.”
“Darling, I will try to answer the best I can.”
“Do you know who is behind all of this?” I don't know why that's my question, but if some crazy people have a need to kidnap me, I'd like to know something about them.
“Not exactly, but I have an idea who it is. I've been approached by a non-club member who says they represent a club in the Freedom chapter.”
“I'm guessing that I'm the latest to be used against the club?”
“Seem so. I'm sorry darling.” He's sincere and I can't imagine the harsher features of his face settling into an expression of comfort.
Screw it. I've been in danger it seems since I rescued little bit. “Okay, what do you want to do?”
“I need for you to come to the gate behind the garage and there'll be someone waiting. They will bring you to my cabin that no one knows about. It's safe there and you can stay in hiding until Wolf gets his shit straight.”
“What’s in it for you?” What if I'm being played right into the kidnappers’ arms?
“That’s a fair question. I want the backing of the Freedom MC, so I can take down a drug dealer who's come into my territory.”
“Now would be a good time as the guys are in a meeting. That’s if Pepper is in agreement with this,” Crystal says.
“I’m not sure of anything, but this may be the best option we have right now.” I think. Yes, it is. I trust Crystal. I know I can.
“Okay, see you in ten, Pepper. Go ahead a get your stuff together. Don't bring your cell. I'll have a burner phone for you to call Wolf. You can call him once we're about two hours away.”
“What do you want me to do, Uncle Hitch?” Crystal asks.
“I'm sorry, baby girl, but I need you to stay there to show good faith.”
“Fine, but you two need to hurry. If Pepper doesn't contact Wolf as soon as possible, he'll lose his shit."
Hitch grunts. "She's special to him. He's liable to start throwing fists until he finds her. We'll make this as smooth as possible."
"Why can't I tell Wolf now?"
"He won't let me help you then. We, including him, have no clue who's behind this. It could be someone Wolf would never suspect and you'll be gone in a blink. I'm trying to help and this is the best way I know how." He pauses a few seconds before continuing, "I know if we try and tell him now, he won't be reasoned with. Especially if I'm part of the source. Not going to happen."
I may barely know Wolf, but I can see Hitch's reasoning is all truth. I also think I'm falling for Wolf and if he feels anything the same as me, then I have to do this. If he knows I'm safe, maybe he'll be able to focus more on the secret takeover that seems to be happening.