Page 11 of Broken Deeds MC: Second Generation #12
– PAX –
Rearing my head back, I wave my hand to dodge the damn flies and other insects swarming around here. The body I’m staring at was found earlier this morning. Compared to all the others linked to this case I’d say this body was found way earlier than all the others.
The forensic entomologist gets to his feet and is talking to the forensic pathologist. Archer made sure we have all kinds of specialists on scene due to the fresh state of the body. Well, I say fresh but by the looks of it? I’d say he’s been dead for four or five days.
The body is bloated and there’s stuff coming out of his nose and mouth.
The previous bodies showed scraping on the ribs and other bones.
This body shows missing chunks of flesh, a clear link it was carved off the body like the others.
A gruesome sight for sure. Good thing I didn’t have any breakfast yet.
My phone gives a notification of an incoming message, and I pull it from my pocket to check.
LYLA
Thanks for breakfast. Well, it’s the thought that counts, right?
I frown and have no clue if she’s being sarcastic or indeed thanking me for a breakfast I didn’t arrange.
Typing out a reply, I get distracted by the people around me who want to give me some details about the dead body.
My message to Lyla is short and basically states, “No breakfast, be back soon.”
My attention spikes when the forensic pathologist points out a spot on the body. Shoving my phone away, I step closer and squat down while the forensic pathologist holds out the dead person’s wrist.
“Fuck,” I mumble and slightly raise my voice when I ask, “There’s a button below the stitches, right?”
When the forensic pathologist bobs his head I give him the instructions to document everything.
I take my phone from my pocket once more and call Archer. He picks up after the second ring and I tell him, “The body found is definitely connected to the case. We found another button and pink heavyweight silk thread. Get this, it’s used to sew the skin, sealing the button inside.”
“That’s some weird shit, Pax. Why the hell would the killer sew a damn button.
..you know what? Never mind. I’ve seen and questioned enough weirdness working cases, this one is all yours.
At least we now understand the link with the silk thread and button.
” Archer releases a frustrated sigh. “Keep an eye out for suspects who fancy something in this direction. It must be linked with something personal.”
“On it,” I grunt.
I’m about to end the call when Archer says, “Congratulations by the way. A girl, eh? I think my mother likes you more than me right now.”
A bark of laughter slips free, and I assume Lyla has contacted Lynn. “Thanks, Prez. Yeah, my old lady and I are expecting a girl. I bet your ma is excited about adding to the upcoming female chapter of Broken Deeds.”
“Especially when it involves her upcoming namesake, with an added E to highlight the epicness of her predecessor,” Archer fake grumbles.
“You guys really strapped some fireworks to her ass and sent her hightailing face first into cloud nine. She pulled a damn gun on Heath and Hayden who only so much as fucking snickered. It was barely considered a damn laugh when she told them you two were back together and were expecting a kid. She threatened to boil the balls or tits of anyone who so much as says one word about you two hooking up again. It’s like she wants to prevent any gossip about the pregnancy being the only reason.
All while everyone damn well knows you’re crazy about Lyla.
Lee and I never should have interfered ’cause you two would have got together either way.
But we are guilty for interfering, fucking shit up all in one go.
I’m just fucking glad everything is in the past. All I wanted to say was that my mother’s happy and can finally stop stressing about getting you two back together. ”
“Thanks, Prez,” I croak, emotions getting the better of me.
“Get your claim inked, brother,” he reminds me and ends the call.
He doesn’t have to remind me, and yet his words do make me smile. It slides right off my mouth when I focus back on the scene in front of me. I give a few more instructions to the team who are securing all the evidence before I head for my bike.
Without an ID we have no clue who this man is. I want to get ahead of things and even if it’s a long shot, I want to check for missing persons reports in an effort to ID the guy. Then I can retrace his steps and find out exactly what he did to end up here.
I straddle my bike and ride to the hotel, making a quick stop at a small bakery in town to pick up some Danish pastries. For myself, but also for Lyla. I have no clue about the breakfast comment, and showing up empty-handed isn’t good when I know the woman likes to eat.
Not only due to the pregnancy. She told me when we met how she loves food.
She’s also in the gym a lot, working out, and she works around the clock.
I know for a fact she likes the cinnamon rolls I got, along with Danish pastry, along with some eclairs, and two fancy coffees. My woman has a sweet tooth and so do I.
Parking my bike, I take the stuff from my saddle bags and head inside. I lift my chin in the direction of the woman behind the front desk. I make a mental note to check out the information Bee sent on this hotel, but the new body takes priority.
Using the card to open the door, I find the room empty. A jolt of panic hits me until I hear the toilet flush. In three strides I’m across the room and burst into the bathroom.
“Everything okay?” I ask when I find Lyla sitting on the floor near the toilet.
“No,” Lyla croaks. “The front desk woman brought British pastry shit ’cause my fiancé thought I might be hungry.
I don’t know why you would order that shit for me.
Beef and potato, beef and onion, beef and cheese, beef and what the fuck ever.
I could barely keep the bile from rising and when she left, I rushed to the bathroom.
Please throw everything away, I can’t stand the horrible scent. ”
Ice fills my veins. I didn’t order breakfast, and for sure as shit wouldn’t order what the woman brought her. Then there’s the mention of fiancé.
She gags again and I’m rushing out the door. Noticing the tray of food, I grab a plastic bag and dump the continents in it. I tie a knot and place the bag outside of the hotel room. Once back inside I open a window for some fresh air and walk back into the bathroom.
“All gone,” I tell her.
She sags against the tiles. “Oh, thank fuck.”
I move toward her and scoop her up in my arms.
Lyla groans. “Don’t. I need to brush my teeth first.”
Making a stop at the sink, I put her on her feet and she quickly reaches for her toothbrush. Keeping my hands on her waist, I wait for her to finish brushing her teeth and then guide her to bed.
She sighs in relief. “Something smells way better in here.”
“I opened the window,” I tell her.
“No, no. Coffee and...what did you bring?” She glances around the room.
With a grin on my face, I bring her the bag and place her fancy coffee on the nightstand.
Lyla reaches for the coffee and takes a few sips, finishing with a loud, “Aaaaaahhh.” Shoving her nose into the bag, she inhales and has a gorgeous smile on her face.
Lyla takes out a cinnamon roll and takes a huge bite to chew with her eyes closed.
“So good,” she murmurs.
What a damn difference, going from puking to eating in a damn nanosecond.
“Did you have any of the food the hotel lady brought?” I wonder.
Lyla shakes her head and takes a heartbeat to swallow down the rest of her cinnamon roll. “No, the scent killed my appetite.”
“Good,” I grunt. “I don’t want you eating anything from this hotel.”
Lyla reaches for another cinnamon roll. “Not a hardship, especially if you keep bringing delicious stuff. Any news about the body you checked out this morning?”
“Yeah. Later. Come on, you need some fresh air.” I hold out my hand.
She narrows her eyes. “Can I take the food and coffee with me?”
Chuckling, I tell her, “I’ll even carry it for you. But we’re also taking the rest of your stuff along with us.”
Clutching the bag with the pastry to her chest she grumbles, “I’ll carry the food myself, thank you very much. You can grab whatever you want to take with us.”
The corner of my mouth twitches and I bring my own coffee as we walk out of the hotel room. I scoop up the bag with the trash and take it with us as well.
“Where are we going?” Lyla asks.
“You’re taking your car and driving straight to my hotel room while I’ll take my bike. I’ll be right behind you.”
She bobs her head and I place all the stuff I’m holding into her trunk. Lyla is behind the wheel, and I open her door to grab the bag with food off the passenger seat.
“I’m gonna hold on to this. You don’t want me arresting you for eating behind the wheel,” I warn.
Her eyes go wide. “Everyone eats while driving.”
“Not those who were puking a moment ago and you already devoured two cinnamon rolls. Focus and follow me, you’ll get more once we’re in my room.”
Lyla snorts. “Are you baiting me to follow you?”
I lean in and murmur, “If I was, I’d promise to eat that sweet pussy of yours instead of offering you food.”
She fucking moans and I have to pull back and adjust my hard cock. “Just follow me.”
I walk to my bike while I hear her grumble, “First you say you’re gonna follow me, now I need to follow you. Whatever. Just drive fast, I’m hungry.”
Grinning, I fire up my bike and head to the other hotel. Once we’re in the parking lot, I stalk over to Lyla and take her hand, leaving everything in the car.
“Shouldn’t we take the stuff and go to your room?” she questions.
“We could, but I’d rather discuss this out in the open without anyone near us,” I tell her and walk to the edge of the parking lot.
Lyla crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Is this about us?”