Hopefully Owen won’t think Alicia’s got friends with database hacking skills. But a thought occurs to me. “He’ll have been careful. There’s always a chance she’d have gone to the cops.”
“After that threat?” Salem’s eyes have hardened. “Who’d want a porn video of themselves being circulated around?”
Niran taps his chin. “I can’t see how he’d have gone to all that trouble just to ensure he’s got a hold over the Satan’s Devils MC. Not when surely it’s easier to give Grumbler the money he’s owed.”
Salem’s eyes flick toward him. “That’s my feeling too. Sure, he got his rocks off, used a poor kid, but I think he was more intent on making a fuckin’ porn movie, and she’s got the starring role.”
I’d been so disgusted listening to Alicia’s ordeal, that I hadn’t realised the implications. “You think he’s going to sell it?” My brothers’ expressions show me that’s exactly what they think.
“We’ve got to get hold of the video and destroy it.”
“No doubt about that. We’ve got to get Token onto it.”
I nod. Jeez. I’ve no responsibility for that kid, she’s nothing to me. I don’t have a relationship with her mother beyond friendship. Yet, her story is hers and should remain private. But unless I bring more of my brothers in and share details she won’t want sharing, I won’t be able to do shit to get this situation right. I feel for the poor girl. The most I can do is ensure this isn’t a mistake that will haunt her forever.
There’s something else I need to do as well. “I’ll need to speak to Mary, her mother. I better go see her.” It’s not something to drop on her over the phone.
“Want to leave it to me to update Token, while you have that conversation with the mom?”
It’s going to take me a moment to decide how to approach it. Maybe I should take Alicia home and have it out there. But Niran can definitely get started on the technical side of things. Now it’s not just finding Owen and Devon because I’ve been cheated, the stakes have become sky high. Who knows who’ll get access to that film of Alicia? Her future could lie in the balance as it could be a school friend, or a potential employer.
“You think Owen’s working alone, or with Devon?”
“I don’t know what to fuckin’ think.” I wipe my hands over my face. “Who does this, Niran? Who fuckin’ does this? Who takes advantage of an underage kid and fuckin’ films it?” I pause for a beat, but don’t expect an answer. “There’s more to it, I feel it. Devon doesn’t want to be found, that’s for certain. And it’s not just because he owes me a few dollars. What if he’s into something far more lucrative? Porn. He used Alicia to kill two birds with one stone. He gets a film that some twisted fuckers would pay to watch and gets what he believes is a hold over us to stop us from locating him.”
“I think you’re right. I hate to say it, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“He’s fuckin’ dead. He just doesn’t know it.”
“Be careful, Brother. There’s one hell of a lot of money in the porn business. They might even have eyes on the kid’s house. She was supposed to keep us out of it, remember?”
The enforcer has got a good point. Maybe rushing to Mary’s place the morning after would signal Alicia had come running to me.
I’m still reeling from how she trusts me. I hadn’t expected that.
I am trustworthy, well, my brothers have faith both in my ability to protect them and my desire to do so. But it’s not the first thing civilians think when they see me. All they see is my cut and think criminal.
Niran’s not one to waste time. Having a purpose, he stands and goes off to find Token. Salem stays for a moment, his eyes resting on me.
“That was hard hearing, Brother.”
I grimace. “I’m still trying to process it. How the fuck do I tell Mary?”
Pursing his lips, he tells me, “I’m still not sure if it was rape or consensual.”
“She was raped, even if the sex was consensual. She didn’t consent to being filmed, or to be used in that way.”
“We should film cutting his dick off.” Salem gives a chilling grin.
I like that idea. “Put that on the dark web to put off would-be rapists.”
But pleasurable thoughts of what we’ll be doing to Owen once we get our hands on him must be put on the back burner for now. I can’t put off contacting Mary any longer.
Pushing my hands on the table, I ease myself up. “I’ve got a call to make.” Having excused myself, I go outside.
The sun is shining, the air warm but not unbearable as it would be in the heat of summer. It’s too bright and cheery for the conversation I’m about to have.
My phone feels heavy as I hold it, waiting for the call to be answered.
“Hey, Grumbler. How are you?”
“Mary, I need you to listen to me.”
“You’ve got news?” Her voice sounds eager.
“Not of the type you expect.” I draw in a deep breath. “Alicia’s with me, at the compound.” Knowing Salem was right, and a Devil rushing to Mary would be suspicious, I’d decided for her to visit us instead. “I need you to come here. I’ll give you directions.”
There’s a stunned silence, then, “Is she hurt? Why is she there? Is she okay? What the hell, Grumbler? You took her there?”
“Mary, she came to me this morning.”
“Came to you? Why?”
“Please, just come. She’s not hurt,” I say fast. Well, I don’t think she is, or not physically. “We’ll talk when you get here.”
“You tell me now, Grumbler. If something’s wrong with my daughter, I need to know.”
I bow my head. I’d known this wouldn’t be easy.
