I crept slowly to the door, putting my ear against it. There were clearly people outside, talking to each other. I tried the door and to my surprise, it was unlocked. I guess Rooster must have forgot to lock it after he left. I wondered what to do. Dom’s words kept ringing in my head. How hard he’d worked to get away from his MC. If they helped to get me out of this jam, they might own both Dom and my brother for life. I had to make a break for it.
I crouched down, easing the door open and peering out. I recognized the two guys standing against the opposite wall a few meters down the hall as the probies.
“How much you think they’ll ask for?” one of them, very pimply and red with excitement, asked the fat one.
He shrugged. “The guy’s really rich I hear, so probably a lot.”
The small guy shook his head. “I can’t believe Rooster just…kidnapped her. He has like balls of steel, man.”
“I don’t think he knew she was married.”
The small guy shrugged. “Whatever, man. You got a blunt on you?”
As they lit up, I crouched low and eased my way into the corridor. There was one dim bulb that did nothing to dispel the shadows and I stuck as much as I could to the dark places. They were too busy lighting up and enjoying their fantasies of unlimited wealth to notice me.
I shimmied away towards the dark, wondering if this was a lost cause. There was probably no way out at the end of this very long corridor. I could hear the probies talking, clearly not having raised any alarm as yet. Suddenly I ran out of wall and had to look behind me to see that I’d shimmied my way into a dead end. There was a broom closet at the end of a short alcove and that was it.
With a sigh, I crept forward and burrowed in there. Never have I been so grateful for being petite.
I crouched behind the buckets and mops and closed the door, huddling in the dark as I tried to think of a new plan. It took a while for the probies to realize they were guarding an empty room. I felt like I’d been in the closet for fucking ever before I heard a shout of alarm and running footsteps.
They seemed to be confused if the thunder of footsteps was any indication. There was a lot of shouting and thudding of flesh on flesh. I didn’t know if they were stumbling into each other or having a knock down drag out. I just focused on not breathing loudly.
“What is going on here?” a very familiar voice said.
“None of your business! What are you doing behind here?”
“I was looking for the little gentleman’s room?”
Someone made a disgusted sound. If I wasn’t wrong, I heard someone mutter the f-word under their breath. “You’re in the wrong place. It’s the other way.”
“Oh.” There were no retreating footsteps. “You seem to have lost something?”
“That’s none of your business! Get out of here.”
I heard Chaz’s very distinct gait as he no doubt sashayed away. Immediately, the probies began arguing again, this time apparently over who was going to tell Sunny that I’d disappeared. Suddenly someone cursed and there was a lot of shuffling around and complaints. “I can’t see shit. Light your phone!”
“I don’t have it! It’s under the bar.”
“Well then let’s go get it or find out what happened to the bulb.”
From their conversation, I had to deduce that Chaz had done something to the light. I eased the door open, feeling my way out in the pitch dark.
“Nico?” I jumped though I knew the voice even when it was hissing.
“Hey, Chaz. Fancy meeting you here,” I whispered.
“Oh, my dear! Your husband’s going crazy and your brother has had to restrain him from killing everyone. The MC’s being unreasonable, and that New Orleans guy is issuing death threats. It’s mad.”
“Recap later. Escape now.” I reached out, feeling for him and brushed his shirt, grabbing on to him for dear life. We took off at speed and hid in the men’s room, which was currently empty. “Okay, I’m gonna hoist you through the window. I already texted your hubby. He should be waiting on the other side.”
“What about you?”
“Oh, I’m gonna go back to the table and resume negotiations.”
“Is it safe?”
He gave me a look that was clear even in the dim light. “I’m a lawyer!”
My heart was pounding triple time. I could feel the vein in my neck throbbing, and my hands were shaking with fear. I let Chaz boost me up before scrambling up the tiny window and shimmering out. A pair of hands grabbed me and the next thing I knew I was nestled tightly against Dom’s chest. It was a while before he thrust me back, examining me closely.
“Are you alright?”
I nodded and swallowed, unable to speak. He grabbed my hand. “This way.”
Instead of heading towards the road, he turned towards the grassy field between the bar and the next building. He pulled me along and I wondered where we were going until I saw the bike.
He didn’t have to pull me along anymore because I increased my pace, running after him. We both jumped on the motorbike and took off. I leaned my chin on his shoulder so I could talk to him.
“Dom, where’s Morgan?”
“He’s…safe. We’ll call him when we get where we’re going. Now hush, I need to focus.”
I nodded, holding on tight and wishing I’d had time to put on a helmet. Dom was flying.
Eventually, we stopped off at a gas station to fill up and Dom handed me a helmet. He was dressed in full leather and looked much different from the suave businessman he channeled in everyday life. His tattoo was visible: a skull and crossbones etched into his collarbone.
“Morgan?” My worry for my brother had not abated.
“I…” He sighed. “If
