Page 30

I watch with rapt attention as Trigger’s stance shifts from intimidating to relief. “You’re right. Follow me.”
We walk out of his room, back down to the Common Room, past the bar, and down another hallway. There are several doors down here, each one leading to a separate bedroom, I assume.
“Jesus, how big is this place?” I question.
“Pretty big. Capone’s Grandfather had it designed to hold all patch members, their families, Prospects, Patch Bunnies, and any stragglers we might pick up along the way. I’d say there are thirty rooms in total. Some have been converted to family rooms so the parents can have space from the kids when we have to go on lockdown.” Trigger explains.
“Lockdown? Like you can’t leave no matter what?” I’m appalled they’d lock their own family members inside.
Trigger chuckles, “Not like you’re thinking. If the Club is in danger or there is a threat, we bring all the family members here to protect them and keep them safe. If they have to leave for some reason, say a job, a Brother will follow them where they need to go.”
“Do you get threats often?”
“There has been more lately, but it’s usually quiet.” Trigger stops in front of the last door on the right. “This is it.”
He inserts a key and opens the door. Swinging it wide, Trigger allows me to step inside before him.
“Thank you.” The sweet gesture does not go unnoticed by me. He’s so confusing. One minute, I think he wants to rip my head off, and the next, I think he wants to rip my panties off. And men say women are confusing.
As I pass by Trigger, our bodies barely a breath away, I inhale his scent. His unique musk is laced with the sharp tang of sweat and adrenaline, the faint metallic hint of blood, something dark and smooth, with notes of leather, cedarwood, and a whisper of spice and leather. It’s burned into my lungs and I can’t get enough of it.
Trigger grips my wrists lightly, sending a chill down my spine. “If you are going to sniff me again, Little Kitten, at least make it worth my while.” He murmurs against the shell of my ear.
My cheeks turn a bright shade of red, but his words do nothing to douse the fire burning underneath my skin. I pull away, and Trigger is hesitant to release me as I am with him.
Scanning the room, I shake my head at the fantasy playing out in my mind and get down to business. Trigger’s sister is missing, and the last thing I need to do is get emotionally involved with the victim’s brother.
I scoff at that train of thought. Trigger isn’t one to get emotionally involved, and I shouldn’t be either, but I can’t help it. Not when I look into his piercing blue eyes. He undoes me in ways I don’t understand, nor do I want to.
Elise’s bedroom is a mess. There are clothes scattered everywhere, her dresser is dumped on its side, and the sheets and blankets on the bed are messy. A lamp from the end table next to the bed is shattered, and the bathroom door is broken off its hinges.
I squat down to examine the bathroom floor. “Watch where you’re walking. This could be Elise’s, or it could be her assailant's.” I point to the small drops of blood on the tiles leading to the toilet.
“Shit.” Trigger growls from behind me.
I need to stay transparent with him so he can understand my process. “It’s a small amount, so there isn’t anything to worrytoo much about. It could be from a bloody nose or a small cut. If these drops were spread around in a pattern, then we would worry. That would mean someone was dragged through it. It’s not so whoever’s blood this is isn’t hurt badly.”
I turn my attention to the splinter of wood on the door and notice more blood and some skin. “Look here.” I point to it. “It looks like someone grabbed the frame and cut their hands.” I mimic what I mean without touching the door frame.
I spin around and look into the bedroom toward the door. I stand up from my crouched position and walk to the door, examining it. “Were there signs of forced entry into the room?”
Trigger shakes his head. “No, the door was locked.”
I stand back and cock my head to the side. “She wouldn’t open the door for just anyone, especially since she wants to feel safe. Has anyone new been hanging around?”
“You’re barking up the wrong tree, Agent Aerianna.” Trigger’s voice is low and deadly.
“What do you mean?”
“No one in this Club did this. We know who did, so why are you trying to point fingers at my family?” Trigger grits out through clenched teeth.
“I’m not. But if there were no signs of forced entry, then someone let Mercer into the Clubhouse and stay undetected long enough to get to Elise and move her. Unconscious or not, someone would have seen something.” I throw up my hands, clearly agitated.
“Where’s your tech guy?” I ask. I need to get the video feed from inside the Clubhouse.
“He’s leaving for Hawaii.”
I raise an eyebrow. “In the middle of your sister missing?”