Chapter Four
Rachel
Walking into her room, Rachel looked around. It wasn’t much, but for the last two years, it had been home. She came to live with the Devil’s Henchmen when she was just seventeen. It was hard to believe that it was all now over. No more safety. No more protection. No more family. She had to leave.
Rachel sat on the edge of her bed and pulled her pillow close to her chest. She had no idea where she would go. Her mother’s house was out of the question. As a Code Talker for the federal government, her mom was always under scrutiny. Enemies would stop at nothing to get their hands on her; to use her as leverage. It was the reason she didn’t have her mother’s last name. It was the reason she and her mother kept their relationship hidden, even from the Henchmen.
She had no idea what to do. Lost in thought, Rachel was startled by a loud knock on the door. For a moment, fear gripped her. Rachel felt like she couldn’t breathe. It took a minute for her to calm herself, to remember she was inside. He would never make it into the house.
The knock sounded again. “Come in,” Rachel called.
Opening the door, Viper walked through. “You alone?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Rachel confirmed.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m alright, I guess.” Honestly, Rachel didn’t know what she was feeling. So many emotions swirled inside of her. Pain, Fear, hurt, but the most dominant emotion was anger. Rachel was pissed.
“So here’s the plan,” Viper started.
“No.” Rachel interrupted. “No more plans. I am leaving tonight. On my own.”
“No, you’re not,” Viper retorted.
“Yes, I am.” Rachel wouldn’t allow him to change her mind.
“Rachel, you’re nineteen. Where do you think you’re going to go?” Viper counter. “No hotel will rent you a room, remember?”
Rachel did remember. Hotels didn’t rent rooms to people under twenty-one, at least not decent ones. So what was she going to do?
“I’ll figure it out,” she finally answered.
“Right.” Viper didn’t sound convinced.
“You know, you don’t have to be an ass!” Rachel shot back.
“And you don’t have to be so damn stubborn!” Viper countered. “Rachel, if you leave here, the danger to you increases substantially. You are safest here.”
“Really?” Rachel asked sarcastically. “Because last night I was so safe, right?”
“We need to explain everything to Sledge and the guys. If they know what is going on...”
“No!” Rachel said, panic taking over her voice. “You can’t say anything.”
Running a frustrated hand over his head, Viper tried his best to maintain his calm. “Rachel, listen to me carefully.”
“No...” But now, it was Viper’s turn to interrupt.
“Shut the fuck up!” he demanded. “I have covered your ass for two years. I have lied to my brothers. I have kept you safe. All I am asking in return, is some faith and trust.”
Rachel sat back down on the bed, blowing out a heavy sigh. “I do trust you, Viper - with my life. But I can’t stay here. There’s kids here now. Babies. I can’t put them in danger. Please, you have to understand that.”
“At least let a Henchmen go with you.” Viper asked.
“I can’t,” she replied. Rachel wished she could, but the Henchmen were a brotherhood. They all relied on each other. She couldn’t take one of them away from the group.
Another knock sounded on the door, halting any reply Viper may have had. “Come in,” Rachel called, think it was Diesel coming to check on her. She was thankful for the reprieve, but that didn’t last long. As the door swung open, the President of the Devil’s Henchmen MC, passed over the threshold.
“Hi, Sledge,” Rachel said, hoping he didn’t overhear any of the conversation between Viper and her.
“Hey Rachel, mind if we talk?” Sledge asked, eyeing Viper.
“Sure.”
“I’ll just step out,” Viper said, walking toward the Rachel. “Rachel? We’ll talk later, yes?”
“Yep,” she replied, knowing later she’d be gone.
“I wanted to talk to you about what happened last night,” Sledge said, leaning against the wall.
“There isn’t much I can tell you,” Rachel lied.
“Really? Because I seriously doubt that,” Sledge disputed. “I watched the videos, Rachel.”
Silence filled the room. Rachel didn’t know what to say. For the first time in a long time, she wished her mother were here. Rachel was a horrible liar. It went against everything she personally stood for, her personal code of honor. Lying was bad - always. But, she didn’t have a choice. She couldn’t let the Henchmen get involved. So much had already happened to the MC this past year. Rachel refused to add to the chaos.
“Well, since you won’t talk, let me start. I’ll tell you some of what I already know,” Sledge began. “A man, and I know you know who that man was, showed up on my property and assaulted you. The reason I know that you know who that man was, is because I could see the look on your face. The shock and fear. Those aren’t emotions people can hide well. I also watched him grab you by the hair, yank you out of a chair, and then smack your head against the chair’s armrest. Hence, why you have that pretty bandage on your head,” he indicated by wagging his finger in Rachel’s direction.
Rachel just continued to stare. What could she really say? She couldn’t ask for help. It was too dangerous.
“Still nothing?” Sledge asked. When it was clear that Rachel had no intention of talking, he continued. “So, I figured you would like to tell me what exactly has been brought to my home. I mean, either you can explain it or I have other means of finding out information.”
“I’m sorry,” Rachel finally said.
“Sorry?” Sledge asked. “What exactly are you sorry for, Rachel?”
“I...” Rachel didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t explain anything. The Henchmen were already involved too much.
“I’m listening,” Sledge encouraged.
“I’ll leave. I am sorry any of this followed me here. I didn’t mean to put you and anyone else in danger,” Rachel blurted out, then slammed her mouth shut. That was all he was getting. If Sledge wanted more, he would just have to follow through on his threat.
“Rachel, I don’t want you to leave. I want you to tell me what is going on so we can help you,” Sledge replied.
So many emotions swirled inside of her. Rachel wanted to empty her soul to the man standing in front of her. She wanted to tell him every deep, dark secret that she held on to so tightly. But she couldn’t. Nothing good would come from that. So again, she remained silent.
“So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?” Sledge asked, disappointment clearly visible in his expression.
Rachel nodded her head once. An obvious indication that there wouldn’t be any further discussion on her part.
Straightening from the wall, Sledge pulled his cell phone from his pocket and tapped a few buttons on the screen. Rachel could hear the line ringing; Sledge had the device on speaker phone.
“What’s up?” the faceless voice answered on the second ring.
“Banjo, I have something I need you to do. It’s top priority,” Sledge spoke, maintaining eye contact with Rachel.
“Whatcha got?” Banjo replied.
“Rachel Moore.” Sledge raised his phone and Rachel heard the distinct sound of a picture being snapped.
“Hey, you can’t send him that!” Rachel exclaimed, jumping up from her spot on the bed.
“Why not?” Sledge returned, arching a brow.
“You just can’t,” Rachel said, crossing her arms over her chest. She knew she looked like a pouting child, but she couldn’t explain the situation to him. Frustration started to fill her.
“Banjo, I just sent you a photo. Do facial recognition. And contact me A.S.A.P. when you get anything at all, and I do mean anything,” Sledge ordered.
“Got it,” the voice indicated.
Sledge pocketed his phone and continued to look at Rachel. “Anything you would like to tell me before Banjo has a chance to? And let me explain, there is nothing that Banjo can’t find,” Sledge warned.
“It doesn’t matter what he finds or tells you,” Rachel shot back.
“Oh?” Sledge asked.
“Nope. Because I will be gone by then,” Rachel replied, walking to the small closet and removing her bag from the top shelf.
“Rachel, you don’t have to leave. That isn’t what I want,” Sledge sighed in frustration. “But I do need you to be honest with me. I can’t help if I don’t know the enemy.”
“That’s just it,” Rachel said turning to face Sledge. “It’s not your enemy to fight. Heck, it’s not even mine!” she shouted in frustration.
“What?” Sledge asked in confusion. “If it’s not yours, then whose is it?”
“Never mind. Just forget I even said anything.” Rachel turned back to the closet and started shoving clothes into her bag.
“Rachel, please.” The pleading in Sledge’s voice almost broke her - almost. Rachel wanted desperately to let him in. To have another person help her carry the load, but that would never happen. She was destined to carry this burden alone.
Hearing a heavy sigh behind her, she turned in time to see Sledge walking out of the door, and closing it softly behind him. Rachel dropped the bag on the floor and slid down the closet frame. Burying her face in her hands, she cried.