Page 8

Grease

Getting back to the clubhouse, I feel it's all been a dream. Like this isn't real, it can't be happening. I let my body take over, and to a point, it's like I’m just walking through the motions. I'm in a haze or a dream and don't want to wake up. Right now, my thoughts are monopolized on a single loop: she’s gone, I must get her back. If I let my brain fully comprehend the situation, I’m scared I might try to kill this entire state for getting between me and my woman. I know I would want to hunt down the fuckers who put that look of terror in her eyes.

I climb off my bike and hear Ghost and his men talking, but I can't focus on the words.

“Swift, this is Taz and Mania….” Ghost says, and I just now realize we’ve walked into the compound. When did I get off my bike? Hell, when did I drive through the gates?

“The two who saved me,” Comp says, coming from the side and clasping the hands of the two men. They give each other weird shoulder-pat-hug type shit, but I can't even on that. I can't laugh. I can't make a joke. Hell, I can't even make my mouth form words. I hear Ghost mention something about church, but I don't stop to listen when they actually plan to call it. I walk through the compound toward the meeting room.

I try everything not to, but I can't make my feet continue as I stop in front of the door Becky used when she stayed overnight at the club. I take a deep breath, place my hand on the nob, and swing it open. I smell the air, and there's a faint scent of her. It calls to me, and I step into the room, wanting more. Making my way to the bed, I sit on the edge. A small silk pajama set is still lying rumpled on the bed, and I can't help running my hand over the material. Just needing to feel closer to her.

I notice Mr. Trig, the stuffed bear the kids got Becky for her first birthday here, sitting against the pillows. She let the kids pick out the name, and they (really Rome) came up with Trigger. Becky wanted to keep her promise, so she compromised with Trig. I heard her tell Piper her favorite class was always trigonometry, so it worked out. When the memories, the room, and the smell become so overwhelming that I feel the panic rising again, I hop up from the bed and reach for the door. I stop just before stepping into the hall; not giving myself a chance to think, I head back for the bear, snatching it up in my arms. I stomp out of the room, then down to mine. I place that damn bear on my bed before turning and heading back to my original destination.

Chuch.

“Grease, you with us, brother?” Prez, well, my Prez, Swift asks, and I realize I’ve been staring at the scarred table. Everyone is here and seated in their designated places. The new additions sitting in the chairs against the wall. Swift and Devin stand at the head of the table.

“Yeah, sorry. I'm good.” I give a nod. Swift looks at me for a second longer before nodding and turning back to Devin.

“Listen, brothers. All of you know Devon, Piper’s dad. He has some information to share with us about Becky and her situation. I’m going to let him run this one today. Respect,” he demands, and we all nod in agreement. Though that part brings my head up. My focus is hyper-aware. I'm running back the horrible day in my mind on a loop, and something Devin said earlier hits me.

“Wait, wait, wait. You barely knew Becky. I never even really remember you two speaking. How the fuck do you know her? And how the fuck did you know Becky was missing?”

“Lyra,” he states calmly.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“Her name. It's not Becky. It's Lyra.”

“Ooooohhhhh…. She didn't tell them, Prez,” the one I think is Taz says.

“Such a bad girl,” Mania cuts in, causing me to growl.

“Shut it, you two. She’s still claimed by this club,” Devin snaps.

“You're right, Prez! You're the boss man,” Taz says, holding his hands in the air for a moment before giving him two shooter fingers.

“Yeah, you make the rules, Prez,” Mania says, fist-bumping the air. Devin speaks.

“Show them who runs this shit.”

“Yeah, don't forget to mention our heroic antics, too. We like the glory too.”

“No woman around, brother, and none of these guys are available. Taken men,” Taz says, shaking his head in disappointment.

“Yeah, but I hear the one with the cowboy hat swings both ways. Plus, he has one of each.” They both turn to look at Rodeo, who stares back wide-eyed.

“You wouldn't be willing to let two more join, would you?” he smirks.

“Mine,” Rodeo growls, snapping out of his surprise, glaring at one before turning to the other. “Both of them.”

“Gahhh, this place is so boring!!” Mania whines.

“If you would shut the fuck up, we could get on with this meeting and be out of here, you two fuckers,” Devin growls.

“You right, Prez.”

“My bad Prez. Please continue.”

“Like I was saying….” Ghost starts.

“Don't forget to tell them about…”

“OUT! Both of you. Get your asses out of those chairs and get the fuck out of church before I shoot you both,” Ghost bellows as Loki pulls a gun out of his shoulder holsters and slams it into Ghost's hands. Thinking better of it, he picks it up, un-clicks the safety, then places it back in Ghost's hands.

It's all unnecessary, though. At Ghost's tone and face, Taz and Mania rise and walk out, softly shutting the doors behind them. Not uttering another word. Ghost sighs.

“They are still young, and I’ve learned to trust that they will listen as soon as I activate what I like to call their ‘Battle Mode.’ The problem is, no one has ever had enough patience with those two to see what they can accomplish. They might not listen when there are distractions and other, more shiny things happening, but get them in the zone, focused in, and there is no one better.” He shakes his head, staring at the closed door. Then he turns back our way.

“Where was I? Oh yeah, Lyra’s start in life. She grew up with her mama, Talula Leman, in a one-bedroom trailer in a trailer park. Nasty fucking place. Her mom worked constantly to keep them both taken care of, even at fifteen, when she had Lyra. Lyra excelled at school, had no issues. She was the model student and, from all accounts, the perfect daughter. Got a scholarship to the university one town over. She graduated early and was immediately offered a job, teaching the third grade. She had been teaching for three years when a certain boy was assigned to her class. Almost immediately, Lyra noticed the bruising. Daily bruising.”

Devin cuts off as we all mutter cuss words at the thought.

“Lyra reported them. Unfortunately, the child's father is head of one of the biggest Irish mob families in the southeastern states. He was untouchable. Lyra didn't care.”

“And did not quit,” I finish for him. I might not know the story, but I know my Tootsie. No way in fuck would she sit by and watch anyone being abused, much less a child.

“They threatened her, and over and over, she fought for that child.”

“What made her finally realize she had to run?” I ask, almost too scared to listen to the answer.

“Judging by the look on your face, I will spare the details for now, but she was cornered in her classroom by two men after hours one day, and they roughed her up a bit. Nothing terrible, but enough to send her running scarred,” Devon explains, holding eye contact with me, urging me to keep hold of the rising tide of rage I barely contain with each new word that falls out of his mouth.

“Fuck, we need to find her.” I slam my hand on the table.

“What can I do? Where do I need to start? I know your team is already ahead, so any routes I don't have to run through you all already have; just let me know where to start,” Comp asks, flexing his fingers over his keyboard.

“From what Swift has told me, it was her mama who came for her. We have a few leads as to where they might be headed, but from what I could find, her mama is unpredictable and very much…. Impulsive,” Devin says as his brows lower over his eyes. I wonder what that look is for.

“Which means it could get complicated?” Grim asks.

“More like impossible. Trying to track someone impulsive is very tricky.” We all, as one, turn our heads to look at Loki, who is too busy picking his teeth with his Bowie Knife. He looks up when he catches us staring.

“Is it my turn to let my skills free?” he asks, smiling so wide his face looks like it's about to break.

“Maybe… Let's see what Comp can do first,” Swift says nervously, then he turns back to the room. “We have all we are going to get for the day. As you all know, we were preparing for a party tonight. Vice and Drift should be coming in any minute. I say we cancel the party for tonight, but let's vote on it.”

The vote is unanimous; no one is in the mood to party.

“Alright, settled. Devin, you and your men are more than welcome to stay as long as you need,” Prez says, turning back to him and shaking his hand.

“Would love to, son, but other pressing matters, as always. If you need me, you know how to reach me,” he says before giving us all a nod and heading out the door.

As it shuts behind him, Rodeo finally asks the question we’ve all been wondering about.

“How the fuck did Piper's dad know all that shit about Becky… Fuck, Lyra? And why were those two dumbasses calling him Boss?”

Swift and Comp share a look before something settles between them, and Swift turns to us. Shocking the fuck out of the entire room.

“Well, guys, I guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag. You all know my contact? The one who has certain… specialties. Someone dangerous, like smoke. No one even knows he exists… almost like he’s a…”

We all gasp as the realization hits us, but I blur it out.

“Devin, Piper's dad is…. Ghost?”