Link

 

  My bike used to be freeing. Now it feels like the road is closing in on me. I’ve looked everywhere for Jordyn. She’s nowhere to be found. I pull into the clubhouse parking lot and hop off my bike before storming inside.

“Any of you heard from Jordyn?” I roar as I walk inside. My heart thuds louder and louder by the second.

“No. What the hell happened?” Micah shoves off the stool he was sitting on and stalks toward me. I run my hand through my hair before I say, “She’s gone, brother. I thought she was goin’ out on one of her jogs but she never came back.” Micah blows out a breath before Bash chimes in.

“Maybe she had enough.” My hands clench and I want nothing more than to snap his neck.

“I left my laptop open for her. She took the fuckin’ bait like I thought she would. She’s runnin’ from her dad. He beat the hell out of her for years. She had him locked up. Six month stretch. He’s out in a few weeks.” Micah whistles before tipping his head back.

“Looks like daddy’s in with the mayor. That’s how he kept gettin’ her back. She’s fuckin’ runnin’ from him,” I grunt under my breath.

“Let’s talk it out with Bomber,” Micah says. He slaps a hand on my shoulder before we both head toward his office. Micah shoves the door open before we both walk in.

“Nice to see you asshole!” Bomber chuckles when he sees me. Then he takes in my stature and that changes. “What the fuck happened?”

“Jordyn split. She’s runnin’ from her dad. She got him a six month stretch in county. He beat her most of her life. Friends with the mayor.” Bomber lowers his head blowing out a breath.

“You look everywhere?” he asks without looking up. He has to know the answer to that already.

“I need you on a run tonight, Link. Club business.” His head finally comes up and his eyes meet mine.

“You think I’m puttin’ my family second?” Why am I so pissy with everyone? He never said a fucking word and here I am ready to rip his balls off.

“Never said that shit. I just need your head right,” he says calmly.

“Yeah. I can handle that.” I start to turn and walk back out when he calls me back.

“We ain’t done motherfucker!” he rumbles. I turn and step back into the room and look at him.

“You wanna find her or is this shit over? You think she walked for that reason alone?” Damn, his question is the one that’s been running wild through my mind.

“You got ESP, brother?” I ask getting a laugh from him and Micah. “I don’t know, Prez. I don’t like the circumstances.” That’s not a lie. I don’t.

She could have told me about her dad. He is a nobody when it comes to protecting her. There’s something more. I can feel it.

“You’re the best at what you do, Link. We’ll back you, brother. Whatever way you choose, but family comes first. We need to handle this fucked up shipment tonight. Tomorrow’s another fuckin’ day.” I nod my head, somewhat happy with his answer. I walk out into the main room and see Trinity sitting at the bar with Shannon. I miss that girl, too. More than I should but I connected with Shannon on a level that no one else could touch.

“Can I steal her?” I ask Trinity with a smile. Shannon beams up at me with that bright smile of hers. God, I missed that.

“Of course.” I wink at Trinity before reaching for Shannon’s hand. I pull her along with me until I get us out onto the back porch.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispers.

“Missed you too, darlin’. You got Bash, though. I need to step back, you know?” She nods her head before we sit. I put my arm around her shoulders and she lays her head on my shoulder.

“What’s going on, Link? You’re tense.”

“She left. Took off this mornin’. I thought she went for a jog.” Shannon sighs before I tell her what I learned.

“You think there’s more to it?” she asks knowing me better than I know myself most days.

“Yeah. Not sure what, though. I feel content when she’s there, Shannon. Fuck....” I blow out a breath before she looks up at me.

“You’ve been the best friend I could have ever asked for. You brought me through more than anyone else. I love you, Link. If you think there’s more, find her. Let her tell you.” That’s easier said than done. I pull her closer into my side and lie my head back.

“She’s fuckin’ with my head, Shannon.” She giggles a little knowing exactly what I mean.

I know what I mean. Since the day I laid eyes on her broken body, she has touched something in me. I know the guys think it’s because she’s my first but that is so far from the truth. She makes me feel like I’m worth something. She makes me want all the good things in life that the other guys have. She makes me dream of a future that holds more than just death and this club.