Jagger drives down a lonely stretch of highway and eventually pulls off to a parking lot full of motorcycles and a few cars. I find an empty spot to park in and exit the car. I open Gus’s door for him, and I can’t look into his angelic face knowing what I do. That Choke kidnapped his mother in hopes I will trade her places.
Jagger strolls over to us and all vibrancy of his cobalt eyes has died. I need to make this right. Only I don’t know how. “All right, bud, you’re gonna hang out here for a while with Patience. Some of your buddies will be here. Won’t that be fun?”
His shoulder lifts. “I wanna go home. Where’s my mom?”
“You know how you told me she gets those headaches earlier. Well, Jag went to check on her and she’s not doing so hot, but the second she feels better I’ll drive you home, okay?”
“Kay.”
“Go on in and find Owen,” Jag tells him, and he goes inside.
“Are you sure they’ll be okay with my being here?”
“Babe, you’re with me and under my protection which means they want to protect you too.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I’m trying to get to know you, but I know you like it when I do this.” His hand moves to my throat as he backs me toward the building. Warmth pools in my belly. He leans in close, voice grating in my ear. “When this is over, I’m gonna lock you up in that house of yours like it’s a damn fortress and fuck your brains out.”
I let out a breath and he dips his mouth to mine, giving me a quick peck on the lips.
“I gotta get in here and talk to Prez so I can find my sister.”
I nod and reality settles back in the pit of my stomach like a rock. I follow Jag inside to the bar. There’s a few women with young kids. A couple of teenagers are playing darts and occupy the pool table. Gus and another little boy who doesn’t appear to be that much older than he is have claimed a corner where they have their handheld gaming devices out playing.
Jag pulls out a stool. “Babe. Ass. Seat. Karly will get you a drink.”
A redheaded woman behind the counter smiles at me. She has the most intriguing shade of honey whiskey eyes I’ve ever seen. “My friends call me Baby. What’s your poison?”
“Um. Just a beer is fine.”
“You got it.” She reaches into a cooler and smacks the cap off with a bottle opener.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Jagger squeezes my thigh and disappears down a set of stairs that must lead to the basement.
Baby eyes me. “So, you’re the woman who has Jag all twisted up and going to war with a psycho.”
“I guess so.”
“My husband’s VP of the club. Jag’s a good guy. Bit kinky from what I hear, but to go hard at Choke like he did, he must care a lot about you.”
“We just met.”
“Something to know about these Black Rebel men. When they see what they want they just know and when they get a lock on you there’s no turning back. Best to embrace it and enjoy. You can’t fight it, hide it, or run from it. These men love with all they have. But hear this. You fuck with my family or do anything to hurt that man, I’ll make you wish you were never born. He grew up rough. His sister and that little boy over there are all he has outside of the club. Treat him right.”
Her words punch straight through me. Because of me Jag might lose his sister. I can’t just sit here and wait for the news she’s been found. I gotta do something. I look around the bar. There’s a big bad ass biker guarding the door and every window. “Hey, Baby. Where’s the bathroom?”
“Down the hall there.” She points to the other end of the bar.
“Thanks.” I slide off my stool and am thankful I brought my purse in. I find the bathroom down a narrow hallway. I duck inside and lock the door behind me, hoping to find a window but there isn’t one. I need a plan. I put the lid down on the toilet and sit. Digging my cell phone out of my purse I know this is perhaps one of the stupidest things I’ve done and a longshot, but I have to try.
I tap the screen and bring up the app for the dating site I used to meet Choke through. He’s one of the few men I messaged with. His profile is still up. The green bubble next to his name indicating he’s online is lit up.
FreckledCheeks: I know you took Jag’s sister. I’m willing to take her place.
BikerDaddy69: How do I know it’s you?
FreckledCheeks: You don’t. But here’s proof.