I narrow my eyes. We’ve never seen this man before. Then it clicks; Kennedy’s words ring out in my head. “You ain’t the only ones looking for that girl.”
Fuck.
Looks like the Tinmen have been here first. Not wanting to alarm Santana, I play along.
“I didn’t get any fuckin’ information. My men mustn’t have passed it on.”
He stares up at me, his eyes narrowing.
“You’re not . . .” His eyes flick to my patches. “You’re not them. Who the fuck are you? What the fuck do you want?”
I grin. “Your worst fuckin’ nightmare, if you don’t tell me exactly what you told them.”
“What the fuck is with this girl? Has she got a golden fuckin’ pussy or something?”
“You piece of shit!” Santana cries.
I turn, shooting her a glare so deadly her mouth closes and her big brown eyes widen. Smart girl keeps her mouth shut as I turn back to the man.
“I don’t have a lot of patience. You either tell me what I want to know, or I’ll end shit for you right now.”
“End it then,” he dares me. “I don’t care!”
I drop down in a flash, my gun pressed to his temple.
“Fine by me. I don’t need scum like you around.”
“Maddox,” Krypt warns. “We need this one alive.”
Krypt knows me too well; he knows how to scare the fuck out of the bad guy when I need him to.
“Last man you killed had valid information. Don't lose your temper on this one.”
“I don’t care about this one,” I sneer, baring my teeth. “He’s a waste of my space.”
I flick the safety off my gun. It’s all it takes.
“Don’t,” the man pleads. “I’ll tell you, fuck, just let me go.”
“You tell me what you told them, I’ll let you go. I find out you’re lying, I’ll come back and I’ll make it fuckin’ burn.”
“I-I-I got the girl off Kennedy. He owed me serious cash, she was his payment. I didn’t need her, had enough pussy to last me a lifetime with all the drug-fucked whores about.”
I hit him, so hard his temple splits open and a piercing scream leaves his throat. Santana gasps behind me, but she says nothing.
“Why the fuck did you do that?” he cries, squirming.
“I’ll do worse if you disrespect women like that again.”
“Fuck, dude,” he grunts. “If you’d let me finish, I could tell you what you clearly want to know.”
“Hurry it up.”
He glares at me, but continues. “I had the girl, but I had no use for her. Sure, I could sell her as a prostitute, but I wasn’t interested, and she was too young. That would cause too much shit. I had contacts, people that brought strays to work overseas. I got a good buck for her, being young. Not as good as I would have got if she was a male, but it covered Kennedy’s drug debt.”
I glance at Santana, whose fists are tight. Her face is white and she’s trembling slightly. I give her a slow nod, letting her knows it’s okay.
“Who did you sell her to?”
“Atreau James. He buys slaves and divides them out between farms, making a profit off them. Powerful man, deadly, too.”
“How long ago did you share this information with the other club?”
“Y-y-y-yesterday.”
“And where can I find Atreau?”
“Outside of Mexico. He runs a business on the side, called Trea’s Tilts—it’s not for money, it’s just a cover-up.”
“That it?”
“Yeah,” he mutters. “I don’t know what happened to her. I don’t check up on the people I get rid of.”
I grin at him again. “No matter; you won’t be doing it again.”
I point my gun at him.
“You said . . . you said you wouldn’t kill me!” he squeals.
“You sold someone important to the girl I love, you use women, you’re a dirty scumbag the world will be better without—let’s call it an act for humanity, shall we?”
“No,” he screams, squirming. “Don’t.”
I turn to Santana. “Turn away, baby.”
She shakes her head. “No. I want to watch him die for what he’s done.”
Her face is determined and steely.
“Turn, Santana,” I warn.
Mack lets go of the man, leaving Krypt to hold him down. He takes Santana and forcefully presses his hand over her eyes.
“Let me go!” she cries.
He nods at me.
I turn and pull the trigger, one clean shot through the forehead. The man’s squealing stops and he slumps to the ground, lifeless.
“Deal with that. I’m organizing flights for tonight. We don’t have time to wait. If Howard’s guys found out before, they’re likely on their way.”
“On it,” Krypt says.
I turn and Mack spins Santana around, letting go of her eyes but holding her shoulders so she can’t turn. I take her, pushing her forward. She don’t need to see that shit.
“They’re after her too,” she whispers. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“Wasn’t sure, Tana,” I mutter, pushing her towards the bikes. “But I am now. Chances are they’re trying to organizing a way to get to her. We’re goin’ to leave tonight. I have contacts, luckily for me.”
“Contacts?”
“I’ve got a man that owns a plane. For the right price, he’ll take us.”
“You know a man that’s got a plane?” She gasps.
I grin at her. “Baby, I’m a biker. I know everyone.”
She nods. “What if they’ve already left? Why didn’t they kill him, Maddox? They left him open for you to find and get information from . . .”
“Could be a set up, could be that they want us to chase them overseas, could be as simple as them thinkin’ we didn’t know about him.”
“Two of those are dangerous . . .”
“Riskin’ it, babe. Don’t think we’ve got any other choice.”
I pull a helmet over her head, nodding to Mack.
“Finish up here. I’ll go back and organize some solid men to take.”
“On it, boss.”
I climb onto the bike, starting it. Santana’s arms go around me, and I can feel her hands shaking. I wrap my fingers around hers, squeezing.
“It’s goin’ to be okay, Tana.”
“I hope so,” she whispers.
Me fuckin’ too.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
2014 – Santana
“It’s going to be okay,” Ash says as I throw some clothes into a suitcase.
“They’re after her, too. They’re going to get to her before us and . . .”
“Hey,” she says, taking my shoulders and turning me towards her. With a soft expression, she whispers, “Trust in Maddox. He’s going to make sure she gets home.”
“He’s not God,” I say in a shaky tone. “If they get there before us, they’re going to take her, and do God knows what else.”
“They might not have left yet. We could be in for a head start.”
“Maybe,” I say, staring at the faded red shirt in my hands. “God, if something happens to her before I can get to her . . .”
“You’re thinking too far ahead. For her sake you need to stop doing that, honey. It won’t help anything. You can’t change what happens, but you can change how you think about it. Be positive; she needs that from you.”
I nod, swallowing back the tears threatening to escape. “Thank you for helping me pack, I needed a break from the drama.”
She waves a hand. “Always.”
We hug once more.
“Ready to go?”
We both turn to see Maddox and Krypt at the door. Maddox is dressed all in black, his long hair pulled away from his face allowing me the full, perfect view of his chiseled jaw and the way it shapes his gorgeous face. I nod softly, throwing the shirt into the suitcase and zipping it.
Maddox comes in, lifting my luggage while his other hand finds
my chin. He tilts my face up, his blue eyes intense. “It’s goin’ to be okay.”
“I know,” I whisper, even though I don’t really believe it.
“There’s still a good amount of activity at the Tinmens’ compound, which means there’s a good chance they haven’t left. We’re goin’ to get her back, I promise you that.”
I nod. It’s all I can do. He leans down, pressing a hard kiss to my lips before letting me go and turning towards the door.
“Let’s do this.”
Yes, let’s.
~*~*~*~
The plane is actually quite nice. It’s older, but the inside is clean and tidy. It has one row of seats along the left side, and on the right are some beverage and refreshment carts, as well as blankets, pillows and other such comforts. The toilet is right up the back, and is typical for the plane’s tiny size.
We didn’t take a whole lot of bikers, being that the plane only carries ten people. That made it difficult to take anymore than that. Maddox took his finest, though. His finest being himself, Krypt, Mack, Ryhder, Tyke, Austin, Grimm and Zaid.
I’m not entirely sure why he brought Tyke, being that he can only stand for so long before needing to sit from the pain. My guess is that he doesn’t like to leave him out, and that Tyke is one of his closest friends. Plus, he’d make a good watch, and the man is killer with a gun—probably better than most of the club members.
“What’s the plan when we get in, boss?” Krypt asks.
“We’ve got an address. Not sure if it’s still his, but it’s worth a shot. We tracked it down from the business and went from there. He lives outta town, so it makes sense that it’d be the place.”
“How are we goin’ to go in?”
Maddox has a glint in his eye when he answers. “We’re goin’ to go up to the door and ask for the girl, gauge his reaction. Best case scenario, he hands her over. Worst, he has a fuck-load of people that will put up a fight. That’s why we’re takin’ a whole lot of weapons.”
“That’s so dangerous,” I say.
Maddox reaches over, taking my hand and squeezing it. “No other choice. A surprise attack is the best we’ve got.”
“What if . . .” I hesitate. “What if I went in and pretended I was lost . . . I could see if she was there first.”
“No fuckin’ way,” Maddox growls. “I’ve sent you in as a plant before; didn’t like how it ended.”
“It was fine,” I protest.
He flashes me a wild glare. “You were hurt, and it fuckin’ scared you. Not happenin’.”
“You could get her killed,” I say, my voice firm. “If you go in and just demand her, he might make a call that will end her. Then what?”
Maddox leans in close. “You need to trust me, Santana.”
“You’ve hardly made that easy.”
He flinches, and everyone else stares at the walls as if they’ve suddenly changed color. Maddox gives me such a pained expression my heart explodes as he stands and disappears to the small space at the back of the plane. I sigh, dropping my head into my hands. God, I don’t mean to be such a brat. I’m scared for my sister. If this goes wrong . . .
God.
I push to my feet, avoiding the stares as I head down the hall. A hand lashes out as I near, and I stare down to see Mack is holding onto my arm. His expression is firm, but gentle. “Be careful about the words you use in there, Santana. He’s tryin’ the best he can to get that girl back.”
“I know that, Chief,” I whisper. “I know.”
He gives me a sympathetic look, and then surprises me by standing and wrapping his arms around me. I fold into him, sighing and forcing down the wall of tears building up.
“We’re all goin’ to do the best we can, chante. Don’t doubt that.”
“I don’t,” I whisper. “I’m just scared and being a brat. I’m sorry.”
“Not me you need to say that to,” he murmurs, letting me go and staring down at me with those piercing brown eyes.
“I know.”
I give him a weak, but grateful smile before disappearing into the same space Maddox went. I find him standing, staring out the small, oval window. His fists are tight balls beside his body, and his face is a mask of anger, frustration and hurt. I don’t hesitate—I walk over and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my tiny body against his big one.
“I’m sorry, you know I didn’t mean that.”
“I don’t know what you fuckin’ mean anymore. If you’re goin’ to punish me for what I did over and fuckin’ over then maybe we’re wastin’ our time here.”
My heart twists.
“No,” I whisper. “No that’s not . . . that’s not . . .”
He turns to me, forcing my arms to drop from his waist. “Isn’t it?”
“No,” I whisper. “If I didn’t have you, Maddox . . . I wouldn’t . . .” I swallow. “I wouldn’t be me.”
His eyes soften, and his hand curls around my chin. “Then stop fuckin’ punishing me. I’m doin’ everything I can.”
“I know,” I say, reaching up on my tiptoes to press my lips to the side of his mouth. “I know, and I love you for it.”
His hand goes out and curls around my waist. “Say that again.”
“I love you.”
His lips come down over mine in a kiss that has my toes curling. It’s all tongues, heated passion and desperation. I press my body to his, feeling the bulge of his cock against my belly. I rub against him, whispering his name as my tongue slides over his bottom lip.
“Fuck, stop, baby,” he growls. “Or I’ll bend you over here and put my cock deep inside your sweet cunt.”
“Do it,” I whimper.
“Can’t,” he grunts. “I’ll make you scream so loud the pilot will crash this fucker, and we’ll never get to where we need to go.”
I lean down, nipping his neck softly. “I have plenty of places to smother my screams.”
“Fuck.”
“Fuck me, Maddox. Make it all go away.”
He does.
He jerks my skirt up, pulling my panties aside. Then his big fingers are inside me, thrusting while he uses his other hand to free his cock. My face presses against the window, my pussy clenching with need. Someone could come in any second, and that thought doesn’t do anything but turn me on. God, does it turn me on.
“You’re so fuckin’ wet on my fingers, honey,” Maddox rasps. “So sweet.”
“Hurry,” I plead. “Maddox, hurry.”
He removes his fingers, leaving me bare and cool. That doesn’t last long—soon his cock is inside me, deep and hard. I stretch around him with a whimpered plea. His fingers dig into my hips hard enough to bruise and then he’s fucking me from behind, my face still pressed against the glass. He fucks me with a brutal force that has my back arching.
I bite my lip so hard I draw blood. God, it feels so fucking good.
“Yes,” he grunts. “Fuckin’ yes.”
In and out, his cock burns its way into my soul. Just like he’s found his way into my heart. My pussy acknowledges the invasion with excitement, squeezing and clenching around him until I’m forced to bite my arm to stop the desperate scream from leaving my throat. I come so hard around him he’s forced to slow his thrusts because I’m squeezing him so tightly.
“Holy fuck, your cunt is squeezin’ me so tight it fuckin’ won’t let me fuck you harder.”
I mewl at his words, clawing at the wrists that are attached to my hips. He hisses when my nails break his skin, as my orgasm rocks me.
“Baby, I’m goin’ to come. Fuck, yes. Squeeze your little cunt around me again, oh . . . yeah . . . that’s it.”
He explodes inside me with jerky thrusts and angry grunts. He pumps his cock into me until he’s milked every last drop from his body, then he slowly slides out, pulling me back so he can wrap his arms around me. He nuzzles my neck while his fingers run down my belly, swirling through my arousal before lifting it to his lips and sucking.
“We taste fuckin’
good together, honey.”
“Yeah we do.” I smile softly.
“You two done there? I need to fuckin’ piss.”
Krypt’s voice comes from behind the curtain. My cheeks burn and I turn, burying my face in Maddox’s chest. He chuckles softly, while straightening my skirt and pulling up his jeans. He pulls me out, looking over me before yelling out to Krypt. “Yeah, we’re done.”
“Fuckin’ thank God,” Krypt mutters, coming through the curtain. He gives Maddox a wry smile before going into the toilet.
“That was fun,” I murmur, horrified.
Maddox laughs. “Not like he can say he’s never done it.”
Krypt snorts from the toilet. “Not in a small, confined space with fragile ears around.”
“I believe I recently busted you and Ash goin’ at it,” I call out.
He laughs. “Touché.”
Maddox leads me out and past all the smirking faces. Magic, they all heard us.
“Feelin’ better?” Mack grins.
“Bite me, Chief.”
He throws his head back and laughs. Rhyder actually lifts his hand to give me a high five. At my look, he lowers it with a chuckle.
“Someone kill me now.”
Maddox puts a big arm around me with a laugh. “You’re doin’ me proud, honey.”
Oh, I just bet I am.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
2014 – Maddox
The property is located about two hundred miles from Mexico City. We arrive in the early hours of the morning and check into the hotel. None of us sleep incredibly well, and by mid-morning we’re all itching to get to the property to find out if we’re too late. Santana insists on coming, even though I don’t want her there, but like before, she’s the only one who can identify the girl.
The ride out is long, and fuckin’ horrible. I’ve kept a brave face for Santana, but the truth is I have no fuckin’ idea what we’re about to walk in to. It could be a fuckin’ big trap, or the girl might not even be here. Then we’re back to square one. That shit won't go down well for me, but I might not be able to avoid it.
When we’re close enough to large acreage, I pull the car off the road down a small dirt track. The others follow suit and then we all climb out, staring at the miles and miles of fields. I can see hints of a house in the distance, but it’s well hidden. I pull out weapons, loading them into my pants. We’re all carrying at least two guns and a few knives.