Bo rolled a bottle of beer back and forth between his palms. He’d been nursing this thing for over an hour, and still had half left. He liked the quiet solitude of having a beer—it combined nicely with the sappy music he’d put on, like an angst-ridden homage to Dakota. If only she were at his side sharing a beer…if only he could find out what the fuck had happened to her.
He took a sad pull at his beer. It had gone warm a half hour ago, but he should finish it, at least. His phone vibrated with a call and he fished it out of his pocket, eyebrows shooting up when he noticed the caller was Red.
He answered it on the fourth ring. “What’s up?”
“Bo.” She was breathless. “I need your help.”
Her tone made his belly take a nose dive. “Red, what’s wrong?”
“I have a lot to tell you but you can’t get mad. You have to promise me you won’t get mad.”
Bo pinched the bridge of his nose. So this was going to be some bad news. “Fine. What is it?”
Red sighed. “I…Shit. I don’t know where to start.”
“Just start,” he commanded gruffly. Every second spent waiting for an answer sent him deeper into a panic.
“Bo, I’ve been lying to you. Dakota was with me.”
The phone slid partway down the side of his face before he caught it. Relief and outrage trickled through him, and he wanted to laugh. Thank the fucking lord. And somehow, he’d known it all along. “Jesus. I fucking knew it.”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. She just didn’t want you to know. I had to listen to her, Bo, you know? She’s my girl. I want her to be happy. I just—”
“I get it. Now what happened?”
“Well she’s gone now. I left her at home this morning when I went to work and when I get home, my apartment door is busted open and hanging wide open and she’s gone.”
Bo sat up, heart racing. “Jesus Christ. What else?”
“My apartment is fine. They didn’t take anything…just her.”
“So she was kidnapped?” He rubbed at his forehead. It had to be Demon Seed. There was no other option.
“She was. But here’s the thing—I know who did it.”
“How?”
“A while back, Tony was telling me I needed to install security cameras, because of my neighborhood and all. And after he got on my case enough about it, I finally did it. I installed a camera by the front door. I checked the footage as soon as I was home and I got a clear shot of the guy.”
Bo swallowed knot in his throat. He was afraid to know, but already had a strong guess. “Tell me who.”
“It was Ray.”
Bo let the phone slip onto the table and he slammed a fist into his hand. Rage pumped through him, and he had to slow his breaths to see straight again. He picked the phone up again, muttering a string of curse words.
“I’m gonna go find her,” he said, his voice coming out raw. “I fucking promise. But don’t you do anything about this. Just get your door fixed and hang tight. Come to the clubhouse if you don’t feel safe.”
Red sighed. “Thanks, Bo. Just find our girl. I’m so sorry about all of this, I just want her to be safe.”
“Trust me, I’ll find her, and I’ll make sure Ray never meddles in anything again. This is war.”
Bo hung up the phone, squeezing it between his hands as he sifted through roiling, angry thoughts. Already he could see the way his fist would connect with Ray’s face the second he got ahold of him. Could already feel the visceral relief of punching his brains out, and then shooting him in the crotch just to make it a little worse before he took his last gasp.
Bo pocketed his phone and stormed through the clubhouse, calling all the brothers to a meeting. Turbo and Marty trickled in, confusion etched on their faces. A few moments later Yeti showed, and some of the prospects.
“Meeting. Now.” Bo strode to the door of the sanctuary, pushing it open with a flourish. His brothers filed in quietly behind him, settling into their normal spots. Bo pressed his palms against the wooden tabletop, struggling to control his careening thoughts so he could present a half-coherent address.
Once most of the brothers assembled, inquisitive eyes forced him to begin.
“Ray kidnapped Dakota.” His nostrils flared as he battled a new wave of rage. He balled his hands into fists. “Red just called me, told me she caught him on tape breaking into her apartment today and taking Dakota with him.”
“Jesus,” Turbo said, brows knit into a line. “We’ve gotta find them.”
“You’re damn right we do.” Bo slammed his fist into the table. It didn’t relieve even an ounce of the anger pumping through his veins. “And this means war. We are launching a full-scale war against Demon Seed. He’s been an operative on their behalf for too damn long, and it’s time we wiped out this problem once and for all. It’s on, today, starting now.” He slammed his fist into the table again and looked at each of his brothers for confirmation. “Take a vote?”
The group nodded and Bo began. “Everyone in favor of launching war against Demon Seed say ‘aye’.”
One by one, every member voiced their agreement. When it came back to Bo, he said “Aye” and slammed the gavel against the table.
“Let’s go find Dakota,” he said, “And make sure this pitiful excuse for an MC never steps on our toes like this again.”
His club brothers followed in his wake, and he grabbed for his jacket before striding outside to hop on his bike. “We’ll check her apartment first, and then we’ll head to the Demon Seed headquarters if we have to.” He snapped the strap of his helmet, sliding his Aviators on against the husky evening sun. He made the bike roar to life, the rest of his brothers’ bikes rumbling in turn behind him. He waited until everyone was suited and ready before zooming off down the parking lot of the clubhouse, heading for the street.
This shit came to an end today.
***
Dakota’s eyes fluttered open and the familiarity of her surroundings was an odd relief. Beige walls, dingy carpet, the small kitchen that had been the place where she and Bo bonded over avocados and so much more. She blinked a few times, trying to think past the pounding in her head. But why was she here? Hadn’t she left this place?
Bo. Where are you?
She straightened and froze, finding her wrists stuck together behind her. And why was she on the floor? She glanced down and tried to open her mouth, but that, too, was stuck. What the fuck is going on here? Clarity made painful steps across her pounding skull and a fragment came back to her. Red’s apartment. The punch.
Ray.
He sat at the far edge of the room on the arm rest of a chair, smiling at her like this was some sort of game. He swung a gun by the trigger, his seedy grin widening into something that made the bile rise in her throat.
“Awake, finally.” His voice was eerily calm, like he was trying to pretend to be a concerned father instead of her kidnapper. She struggled against the bonds at her wrists, her voice muffled as she attempted a response. He’d tied her up good, however he’d done it. You motherfucker.
“I thought this might be a good place to settle, for now.” He came to standing, still swinging the gun. “Just until I figure out how to dispose of you. These are important matters, after all. I can’t just kill Bo’s old lady and expect that to be enough. Oh, no. I need to make it perfect for that man. So he really gets a feel for how much I fucking detest the very sight of him.”
Dakota struggled to speak, her pleas coming out muffled against the duct tape. Kill Bo’s old lady? This game had gone too far. But Bo truly was the only solution, any way she looked. And goddamnit, did she want Bo to show up and save the hell out of her. Tears pricked at her eyes and she slumped against the wall, watching Ray with blurry vision.
“This wouldn’t have been an issue, you see, if Bo hadn’t meddled where he never needed to meddle.” Ray strutted closer, the swinging gun like a metronome. “He’s forced my hand. First he kicked me out of the club…basically drove me to Demon Seed, since it was my only way off the streets.” Ray laughed bitterly. “My only shot at having a family again. Do you even know what that’s like?”
Dakota drew a deep breath, averting her gaze. The poor fucker needed an audience so badly he’d kidnapped someone to listen to him. And then would kill her afterward. What a fucked-up attempt at a memoir.
“Tony never accepted me, not since we were kids. That’s always stung, but I’ve loved him anyway. He was my brother. The only one I had. Until Bo took him from me.”
Dakota glared at Ray. That was blatantly untrue. She tried to scream the truth, that Demon Seed had killed Tony, not Bo. Ray smiled sweetly, like listening to a child’s explanation of why they’d chosen colors for a drawing.
“I know Bo didn’t kill Tony with his own hands, but he killed him because of his irresponsible actions. He killed him, because he killed Demon Seed’s president. So while Demon Seed went back to right that wrong, Tony was caught in the crosshairs. But what nobody understands—least of all anybody from that fucking ridiculous Burning Angels girl scout camp—is that Bo started everything. It’s always been him.”
Dakota struggled against her bonds, trying to get a feel for how they were wrapped. Ray kicked at her hands and she cried out against the duct tape, tears pricking her eyes.
“Don’t try to break free,” he warned, his voice turning acidic. He went over to the couch, leaning against the back. “How long do you think it’ll take before Bo notices you’re gone?”
She glared at him through tear-blurred eyes.
“Well, that’s okay. Maybe you don’t know. I came prepared for the long haul. Hopefully he even gives a damn about you.” Ray laughed bitterly. “That would really fuck up my plan if you’re just the flavor of the week.”
Dakota rested her head against the wall, looking toward the windows. Goddamnit Bo…come find me. I need you. Tears tightened her throat and she tried her hardest to avoid Ray, to not see him altogether. Like somehow it might make the worrisome reality less pungent without seeing his snide, evil face.
Ray pushed the couch sideways, so it faced her sitting against the wall. He sat down, gun trained at her. She stared at the barrel, panic rising in her chest.
He wouldn’t kill her before Bo got here. He couldn’t. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat, sweat coating her palms. Ray lowered the gun, setting it on the grimy couch cushion. Her entire apartment seemed to have developed a layer of filth in the two weeks she’d been gone; like her mere absence sent it into further decay, turned it into something she couldn’t find home in anymore.
“Bo better show up,” Ray muttered, more to himself than to her. Dakota rested her head against the wall, staring out toward the window. Her racing heart made it hard to breathe through her nose, and panic made frequent surges. What if she couldn’t get enough air? What if she suffocated just from being gagged? She pinched her eyes shut.
“So. We should use this time to get to know each other, shouldn’t we?” Ray’s voice cut like a chainsaw through the air. He’d always been off-putting, but Dakota never knew just how loathsome he really was. He’d hidden his evilness—or illness, whatever it was—behind the tousle-haired façade of a motorcycle mechanic who seemed always just a little bit lost in life.
Dakota shook her head.
“Oh, you don’t want to get to know each other?” His voice rang with fake pity. “Well too bad. This is the perfect time to get closer. While we wait for Bo to show up.” His lips curled into a sneer. “Provided he shows. Stupid prick should have shown up by now, don’t you think? If he really cared about you, that is.” He laughed, springing up from the, couch, leaving the gun on the cushion. “So let’s see what you’ve got hiding here, lady.”
Ray came up to her and tore the sides of her blouse apart, buttons popping off everywhere. She froze, too scared to fight back and too shocked to move. Dread slunk through her limbs, stealthy fast and paralyzing, making her leaden. Ray sneered, nodding. Her head screamed at her, telling her to find a way to get away, but her body wasn’t hers all of a sudden.
“Yeah, that looks nice.” He bit at his bottom lip, sizing up her rack like it was a shiny new car or a steak dinner. She gulped, looking away. Please Bo. Come save me. Please save me from this lecherous man.
She’d never felt so helpless in her entire life. If this was part of Ray’s plan to hurt Bo, then her own wishes, or pain, or anything of that sort wouldn’t even register to him. She was just a pawn. Emotion clogged her throat and her nostrils flared as she struggled to breathe.
“Oh, come on. This will be nice.” He smoothed his hand over her shoulder. “Maybe we should make you more comfortable first.”
She glared at him when he reached for her elbow and his face went stern. “Don’t act like you don’t want this. I saw the way you looked at me in the studio those times I went in there.”
Protests and insults ran through her head like a marquee. She’d never looked at him more than to say hello or goodbye—the man was living in a fantasy world. This man is dangerous, and unhinged. But maybe you can use this to your advantage.
Her mind raced as he yanked her to standing by the elbow. He shoved her forward toward the couch, cackling as she stumbled. He shoved her by the shoulder into a sitting position and he loomed above her, licking his parched lips.
“Now this is going to be really fun.” He grabbed at the back of her head, lining her head up to his groin. “Yeah, this is perfect. It’ll be even better when we make Bo watch it.”
A few tears trickled out of her eyes. What the fuck could she do from here? The only thought that came to her was pretending to be into giving him a blowjob, so he’d take the tape off—but then what? Actually suck his disgusting penis? She shuddered at the thought. Though, if she could get him to do it, she could bite him, hard, maybe be in enough pain she could run. But if she tried that and he caught her, she had no doubt he’d kill her. But wasn’t he planning on that anyway? At least this way it would be fast.
No. No, she needed to stay alive, to wait. Bo would come. She had to believe in him. Bo would come, or Red, or she’d have a chance. She wasn’t going to end this way. She wasn’t.
“I guess if he doesn’t come here, we’ll just have our fun anyway, won’t we?” He grinned toothily at her. “That’s the best part about hostages. It’s usually a win-win.”
She arched a brow reflexively.
“Oh, don’t think I haven’t taken my fair share of hostages in life.” He tutted, like she’d responded to him. “That was my bargaining chip to getting into Demon Seed. I have skills, you see. That’s what I was great at in Burning Angels…until those assholes kicked me out. But I had to leverage those skills to get into the Seed. And, well, when I told them I could deliver Bo dead…you better believe they leapt at the chance to recruit me. Those fuckers hate him almost more than I do!”
Dakota looked away. So Ray’s only entry card into the rival club was hanging on the promise of killing Bo. Ray was crazy, but she hadn’t realized just how far off the deep end he’d gone.
“You know, when I think about it…” Ray sighed, almost nostalgically, like revisiting a childhood bedroom. “It’s gonna be really perfect that I kill him here, in your apartment.” Ray smiled down at her, smoothing a hand over her head. She shuddered. “This is where he killed my blood brother, so this is where he deserves to die.”
Dakota tried to shout against the duct tape--You’re fucking nuts, you’ll never pull this off you dumbass—but it came out a garbled mess. Ray lifted a brow, like he’d heard her perfectly.
“You seem to have some reservations. Don’t worry, you’ll see.” Ray paused, turning an ear toward the outward facing window. “Oh. Do you hear that?” A smile slowly spread across his face. “I think it’s them.”
The rumble of motorcycles approached, distant but ferocious, like a cavalcade was en route. Ray tore off his shirt and tossed it aside, loosening and then sliding off his belt. “We have to be ready,” he said, his voice hushed, like this were some ceremony he’d been preparing for. He bent down, tugging at the waist of Dakota’s leggings. She screamed against the duct tape, wriggling away from him, making it as hard as possible for him to take her pants off.
“Let me take these off, you dumb bitch.” His voice came out edges with razors. After she writhed and twisted, the roar of the motorcycles growing louder, Ray stood up and slapped her. The impact stunned her and she froze, blinking dully. Prickles of pain radiated through her cheek and he smiled.
“Don’t fight me.” He tugged at her leggings and slid them down to mid-thigh. “Or I’ll have to do that again. But harder.”
She whimpered with fear as he tugged the leggings off and tossed them aside to join his shirt. She kept her legs pressed together, sweat making her palms itch, craning to see a glimpse of Bo, or Turbo, or anyone who might fucking be able to rescue her.
“They’re on the way,” Ray said, stepping over to the window. He peered outside, then grunted. “Yep. That’s them.”
Ray rushed over to pick up his gun, training it on her. His eyes took on a beady glaze. “It’s show time.”
Dakota gulped, anxiety and fear making sickening swirls in her belly. She glanced between the front door and the window, listening as the roar of motorcycles filled the parking lot outside. One by one they switched off; distant voices could be heard. The thud of footsteps on cement. Dakota tensed. Please, God, whoever, let make it out of here alive.
She watched the door, eager for something, anything, to begin. Anything that would lead her away from this dismal reality. A light knock sounded. Ray’s answer came lightning fast.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Bo.” His voice was muffled through the door.
Relief swept through her, and tears squeezed out the sides of her eyes. She sniffed, so eager to lay eyes on him she couldn’t stand it.
Ray straightened. “Are you alone?”
“Some of my guys came with me, but they’re outside. I just wanna talk.”
Ray’s jaw tensed. “Only you’re allowed to come in. Nobody else. And I’m serious about this. Don’t fucking push me, Braxton.”
There was a pause, then Bo’s voice sounded. “Okay. Now can I come in?”
Ray glared down at her briefly then looked up at the door. “Do it.”
The front door creaked open, Bo’s hand pushing at the door. He poked his head in, hands at his sides like showing surrender, and he stepped inside slowly. His familiar powerful build made her weak, bags under his eyes like he hadn’t slept since she disappeared on him. His gaze swept the room and his mouth fell open when he saw Dakota. Tears blurred her vision; she might never forget the look that seared across his face.
“What the fuck are you doing, Ray?” Bo stepped into the apartment, eyes riveted on Dakota. Her chest rose and fell quickly as she struggled to contain the emotion. She’d never been so goddamn happy to see anyone in her entire life. And right now, she never wanted to see anyone else other than Bo. For eternity.
“That’s not for you to question,” Ray hissed, pressing the gun into Dakota’s temple.
Bo straightened, his brows furrowing. “Put the gun down. We don’t need to involve her.”
“No, I need to involve her.” Ray pressed he barrel of the gun into her temple so hard it hurt. She whimpered, pinching her eyes shut. “It’s the only way to get to you.”
“What do you want?” Bo’s voice came out calm and measured, the exact opposite of every emotion coursing through her veins.
“I want you to watch.” Ray’s voice went sugary, like suggesting something as innocuous as a visit to the park. “I’m gonna fuck Dakota, and you’re gonna watch.”
Tears streamed down her face and she watched as Bo wrestled with this. Anguish sliced his face and he took a moment before he responded.
“What do you fucking want from me?” Bo’s voice came out hard, edged with tension. “I’ll give it to you. Whatever you want. You just need to let her go.”
Ray cackled. “Yeah, we’ll get to that. But first—your gun.”
Bo’s gaze didn’t waver from Ray as he fished a pistol out of his shoulder holster and then a Glock from the back of his pants. He slid them both on the ground toward Ray, his mouth a thin line. “There.”
Ray nodded toward him. “And the others.”
Bo hesitated, then reached down to each leg of his pants, extracting small pistols from a holster on either leg. He slid those across the room too.
“And the knives,” Ray said.
Bo’s jaw tensed and he reached under his shirt, fiddling with something before he revealed a long, sheathed knife. He tossed it toward Ray. “That’s it.”
“Come on.” Ray tutted.
“I swear. I’ve got nothin’ else.”
Ray narrowed his eyes. “Packing light today, huh?”
Bo’s dark gaze didn’t waver. “Now let her go.”
“Oh, no. Not yet.” He waved Bo over with the gun, a sickening grin spreading across his face. “Come here. I want you to get a front row seat.”