Page 10 of Killer (The Skulls #5)
“Fuck, I knew it. I knew the bastard was into something,”
Killer said, slamming his palm on the table. Since being kicked out of the hospital he’d been camping outside trying to find a weakness in the fucker guarding Kelsey’s door. He couldn’t believe Michael had put a guard on her door.
Sandy had already warned them all about what he planned to do with Kelsey when she got the all-clear from the doctor. There was only so much the doctor in control of the final decision could do before he let her go. All the club members were having a meeting with the hope of finding a solution to the problem. At the beginning of the conversation, Killer had had to convince all of the club that he wasn’t angered by Kelsey’s lies. He was more than happy to forgive if she was. The club didn’t like her lies but were willing to move on if he was. The women along with the men were all in the room. The sweet-butts were nowhere to be seen. This was club business, and they didn’t need the sweet-butts for this.
“He kills women?”
Angel asked, looking pale.
Lash wrapped his arms around her.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, baby.”
Watching the two filled Killer with envy. Out of all of the couples they had to be the sweetest. Angel was so out of place within the club, but Lash would not have any other woman by his side. Alex was on the speakerphone from Vegas.
“Tell me again what you saw, Zero,”
Alex asked.
Zero went over what happened from dragging the woman out of the warehouse to her being shot in the head.
“He kills women.”
“No, it’s more complex than that. Killing women would have alerted the authorities to what was going on,”
Alex said.
“My men are finding a lot of inconsistencies at the moment.”
“Why don’t you tell us what you’ve found,”
Tiny said.
“Okay, up until the death of Michael’s father, he was living the jet-setting life. He organized board meetings and kept the legitimate business running. They made money, and no one looked toward the father. Michael screwed what he wanted and worked all hours.”
Killer sat down, listening with dread of what was to come.
“Then the old man dies, and suddenly Michael becomes a recluse. He’s no longer known to the world. No models, no limelight, and no photographers. It’s like he ceased to exist,”
Alex said.
“There are women he screws, but none of them will talk. They’re all silent.”
The sound of paperwork being ruffled came across the line. If anyone was to find the truth out about the fucker, it was Alex.
“We all know that’s possible. Look what happened to Snitch,”
Murphy said, speaking up.
Glancing over at his friend, he watched Tate caress his arm. The anger on Murphy’s face showed his emotion.
“He didn’t disappear though. This is where the inconsistencies occur. It’s so fucking obvious I’m surprised the law hasn’t seen the pattern.”
Alex stopped speaking, and more papers were rustled.
“Every city he visits a variety of girls go missing. Most of them from rough neighborhoods, so I’m guessing the ones who will not be missed. Blonde, brunette, redhead that sort of thing. My men are thorough, and they’ve matched the girls to the areas so far.”
“Shit, Alex, how do you get men to do all the work so quickly?”
Butch asked, smirking.
“Do you give them a bit extra on the side?”
Rolling his eyes, Killer stared at the speakerphone with a desperate need to know more.
“I pay them. Anyway, Michael turns up to this area about a week after a select number of girls go missing. He stays for a few days and then leaves. The girls are never seen from. Oh, wait … ten girls have been seen in the last five years. They’ve been found dead. Most of them known as escorts or prostitutes.”
“Wait a minute,”
Zero said, leaning forward.
“You’re telling me the cops find these missing girls but still don’t want answers to what made them go missing as young girls?”
He saw the anger on Zero’s face. Killer couldn’t argue with the man. He was so fucking angry that anyone wanted to hurt a woman.
“I’m not saying it’s right, Zero. These girls are from bad neighborhoods. The statistics speak for themselves. Most runaways turn to the life on the streets, and sex is the oldest profession in the books.”
“Do we have confirmation about Granito’s involvement? I’m not going to start accusing him to have him laugh in my fucking face,”
Killer said.
“We need to have proper proof.”
“I’m working on the proper proof. He’s good, but everyone makes a mistake, Killer. I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
They all muttered their appreciation. Killer reluctantly agreed. They would be back to square one if it wasn’t for Alex.
“Can I go now?”
Alex asked.
“Not yet, we’ve got a problem,”
Tiny said, looking toward Sandy.
“In the next couple of weeks Kelsey is going to be well enough to be moved. Her stitches will come out soon, but the doctor needs to make sure the wounds are closing without infection,”
Sandy said.
“So?”
Alex asked.
“Michael is threatening the club, Alex,”
Killer said, speaking up.
“He threatened all of us and Kelsey. She’s scared of making a wrong move in case he takes it out on the club.”
“I hate this fucker.”
“Agreed. I need to know if there is any way of getting her out of sight away from his prying without being seen.”
Killer already had a plan. It was just a question of implementing it.
“I’ve got the means of getting you out of the way. I just need a time, and I can get you the place,”
Alex said.
For the next ten minutes they organized the means of getting Kelsey out of harm’s way. He didn’t believe Michael would hurt her, but Killer refused to take that risk. Her life came first. Killer also wasn’t prepared to let her go.
Alex hung up, leaving the room silent.
“With this new threat I want you all on lockdown,”
Tiny said.
The women started complaining. Tiny held his hand up, cupping Eva’s cheek with the other.
“It’s not going to be a conventional lock in.
You’ll be staying in the club, and the sweet-butts will be sent to their own quarters.
Whenever the women go anywhere I want them escorted by a full member along with a prospect.
We’ve all got too much to lose nowadays. I’m not going to risk any chance of losing any of you.”
In the last two years, The Skulls had buried a lot of people.
Killer wished he could take away this new fight.
If he could walk away from Kelsey he would, but she owned his heart and soul.
She made him a better person.
“I knew you’d all have some complaints, but keep your shit together. If Eva and I are staying here then you lot can as well. No arguments unless you want your ass kicked.”
Tiny kissed Eva’s lips.
The meeting came to a close. Tate walked up to him.
“You’re not going to let him take her, are you?”
she asked.
“No, he’s not taking Kelsey away from us.”
She tapped his arm.
“Thank you for everything.”
“I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for me and for Kelsey.”
“I don’t care who you’re doing it for. The fact is, you’re doing it. I’m so sorry for being a bitch to you.”
She went on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.”
He watched her pass, catching Murphy’s eye. Coming from Tate, he knew this was going to be the best apology he’d get.
“Be safe with this. We don’t want to lose another man,”
Murphy said.
Thinking about Time, Killer nodded. He joined Zero and Whizz at the bar, ordering a scotch. His life was going to get very hectic in the next couple of days. Tonight he’d relax, have a few drinks before heading out. Steven was going to drive him.
Zero poured them all out a scotch.
“Let’s make a toast,” he said.
Raising his glass, Killer stared at Zero. The other man looked distraught.
“To women, their problems, and their pussies, all of which draw us in and spit us back out again,”
Zero said, knocking back the scotch.
“Colorful toast,”
Whizz said, drinking his scotch.
Killer finished his drink off, waiting for another.
Glancing behind him, Killer saw Zero’s problem. Sophia sat with her daughter on her lap. Nash had his arms wrapped around the back of her chair. He was glaring at Zero the whole time.
Too much drama for him.
Whizz wandered off, probably to go and do some digging on a computer somewhere.
“Go on, tell me how fucking insane I am,”
Zero said, taking another drink.
“She’s another man’s woman. Get over it.”
“Like you’re getting over Kelsey being Michael’s wife? Surely you know what I’m fucking going through?”
Zero stormed away from the bar, heading out. Following behind him, Killer kept his glass in his hand. The other man had taken the bottle of scotch. He found Zero leaning against the wall, drinking from the bottle.
“Give me some,”
Killer said, raising his glass.
“Fuck off, get your own.”
“Are you even listening to yourself?”
Killer asked, snatching the scotch from the other man’s hand.
“So she’s taken. She’s in love with Nash. You’re never going to know what it’s like to have her in your arms.”
“Just like Kelsey is to you.”
Shaking his head, Killer took a sip of the dark liquid. It was night, and the temperature had dropped slightly. He thought about Kelsey staring out of the window. She used to love cuddling up while looking out of the window.
“No, not like Kelsey and me. My woman is in love with me, Zero. She wants me, not Michael.”
Zero snorted.
“Sophia dropped everything to help Nash. He was a drug addict and a fucking liability, and still when she could have chosen you, she stuck beside him.”
Killer knew his words stung. If anyone had tried to say a similar thing to him, he’d have tried to take them out.
“You’re loving this, aren’t you?”
Zero asked.
“You think I love stating cold harsh facts to a brother? No, you’ve got it wrong. I don’t want to throw your feelings in your face. You’re never going to be with that pussy. You’ve got to learn to see her that way.”
Zero leaned against the brick building. “Fuck!”
He shouted the word to the sky.
“I’ve never been this fucking hung up over a woman.”
“Are you sure it’s over Sophia?”
“Yeah, I am.”
Shrugging, Killer poured out another scotch. This would be his last drink for a long time.
“You’ve got to think about everything you’re going to lose. The club is everything, Zero. Don’t throw it away on a pussy.”
“She’s more than just a pussy.”
“Are you in love with her?”
Killer asked.
“I don’t fucking know.”
“If you don’t know the answer, then it’s a no.”
Killer handed Zero the glass. He took it, swallowing down the liquid.
“This is bad news,”
Zero said.
“I watched them pull that girl out of the warehouse, Killer. They didn’t care. She was screaming, begging for her life. He took her gun out and shot her at point blank rage. It was a fucking mess.”
“We’ll stop it. We’ve got no choice but to stop him from hurting others,”
Killer said. He remembered the sick feeling the moment he saw Kelsey in the bathtub.
“I’m with you every step of the way,”
Zero said.
“I know.”
They clinked their drinks together. Looking up at the moon, Killer knew he didn’t have a long time to get Kelsey away from Michael. The clock was ticking.
****
One week later
Earlier in the day Sandy had been by the club to tell him about the plans to move Kelsey out of the hospital. Michael had settled all the hospital fees and taken all the advisories for medical staff with him. All Sandy got the chance to hear was that he was taking Kelsey home away from all the problems that caused her to hurt herself. They didn’t know all of Michael’s properties. Killer wasn’t going to risk Kelsey’s life because he didn’t act soon enough.
Gathering the necessary bags he handed them to Zero. The other man was coming with him tonight before returning to the rest of the group when they were done.
“Is this everything?”
Zero asked.
“It’s everything we need. Alex has arranged everything else.”
“Good luck and try not to kill anyone.”
Zero shook his hand, and they parted outside of the clubhouse.
“Are you ready?”
Steven asked.
“Yeah, you sure about this?”
Killer climbed into the passenger side.
“With the clubhouse on lockdown I don’t like screwing the sweet-butts with everyone around. The old ladies make me wish for one of my own.”
“Any sign of Blaine and his family?”
Killer asked.
“He’s turning up tomorrow with Emily and Darcy. I hope we can get this shit settled in no time,”
Steven said.
“I’m getting sick and tired of lockdowns.”
Killer agreed, keeping his eyes on the road in front of him.
“Sandy is waiting for you. Try not to kill him,”
Steven said, dropping him off outside of the hospital. He caught sight of Stink, who was staying behind to grab Sandy.
“I’m not going to kill anyone.”
“It’s your woman, man. I wouldn’t put it past you to kill in order to protect her.”
Killer couldn’t argue with that assessment. When it came to his woman, he’d kill anyone who tried to hurt her.
Getting out of the car, he slammed the door behind him. Kelsey didn’t have a clue what was happening today. He hoped she didn’t put up a fight.
Entering the hospital, he was wearing a sweater with a hood. For the next couple of weeks he was no longer Killer, a member of The Skulls. He was going to be Theodore Smith, kidnapper and a mechanic.
Sandy sat down looking through some paperwork. Taking a seat beside her, he tried to look like a man waiting for an explanation.
“Is everything in place?”
Sandy asked.
“Yes, we’ve got no choice but to move tonight. Does she know?”
“No, I couldn’t get to her. The bastard on the door takes his job way too seriously. I’m surprised he even leaves his post to take a piss. I keep looking for bottles filled with crap, he takes his job so seriously.”
Sandy placed her hand in his.
“She doesn’t have a clue what’s happening. Give her this if she becomes a problem.”
She withdrew her hand, and he saw the small syringe.
“It will knock her out for about an hour.”
Nodding, he stared into her eyes.
“Thank you.”
“I’ve done nothing really, Killer. Keep her safe. She did attempt to commit suicide.”
“I will. You’ll come out when we need you?” he asked.
“You can count on it. I doubt I’ll have a job by the end of tonight.”
She wrapped her arms around him.
“I’m going out to Stink. Good luck.”
She stood, leaving him alone.
Watching her leave the hospital, he stared down at the tiny syringe hoping he wouldn’t need it.
Getting to his feet, he headed toward Kelsey’s room. Without fail he saw the man guarding her door.
Stopping in front of him, Killer stared at him.
“What the fuck do you want?”
the guard asked, glaring.
Dropping the hood, Killer stared at the man keeping him away from his woman. His anger was contained, but the thought of anyone hurting his woman or keeping him away from her, angered him.
“You?”
Smiling, Killer caught the other man around the throat, drawing him up the wall. He’d gotten his name for a reason. Michael Granito and all of their enemies needed to remember who he actually was. He didn’t take shit, and anyone who crossed him faced death.
Leaning forward, he whispered against the other man’s ear.
“Tell Michael he should learn not to mess with me. I’m not some fucking thug. I will kill to get what I want.”
The man struggled to little effect. No one was passing in the hallway. After a minute his eyes started to droop, and he was getting ready to pass out.
When the guard was out of it, Killer left him on the chair and entered her room.
She was curled up facing toward him. Her eyes were closed. Flicking on the light, he walked to her.
“Kelsey,”
he said, shaking her. She moaned, opening her eyes.
“What? What’s going on?”
she asked. Some rattling caught his attention. Around one of her wrists was a steel handcuff locking her to the bed.
“Who did this?”
He touched the cold steel wanting to hurt someone.
“The guard. He doesn’t trust me. I tried to escape the night before last. Since then he’s been chaining me to the bed whenever Michael leaves for the night.”
She sat up the best way she could.
“Killer, what are you doing here? If Michael sees you he’s going to hurt you and the club.”
“Fucker is not going to do anything.”
“No, I’m serious,”
she said, touching his hand as he made to leave the room.
“Listen, Kels. You’ve got two choices. You either go with me willingly, or I give you this,”
he said, showing her the syringe.
“Your choice.”
“I can’t.”
Leaning in close, he claimed her lips.
“This is not a discussion. We’re going. Which way do you chose we leave?”
She licked her lips.
“Not that way,”
she said, pointing to the syringe.
“Good.”
Leaving her side, he went to the man sat in the chair. Sticking the needle into his arm, he plunged it down.
“Sleep tight.”
Searching in the man’s pockets, he fished out the key that was locking his woman away from him. Entering the room, he inserted the key, twisted and watched the cuffs spring free.
He cursed as she rubbed her wrist. There was a large strip of tape down her arm. Sandy told him she healed quickly but would need her dressings changed regularly. She had sorted out pain medication in case Kelsey needed it.
When he picked Kelsey up in his arms, she let out a little yelp.
“What are you doing?”
she asked.
“Put me down. I can walk.”
“No, I’m carrying you out of here. I don’t have any shoes for you to wear. I’ve got no choice.”
Picking her up in his arms, he left the room not even glancing back.
“This is completely insane.”
“I’m your captor, baby.”
“What?”
she asked, holding onto his neck.
“I’m kidnapping you. Do you like it?”
She chuckled.
“You’re insane.”
“And you’re a married woman. I feel we’ll create a scandal together. It should be a lot of fun. Are you game?” he asked.
One of the women on the desk tried to stop them.
“Security!”
The woman shouted. Picking up his speed, Killer made his way outside. Steven was waiting in the parking lot with the lights turned off. He heard the noise of some security officers heading their way. Quickly securing Kelsey in the car, he turned around and landed the first blow to one officer. The second officer he punched in the gut before kicking out and taking his leg.
The third one got hit in the jaw. Climbing into the passenger side, he put the seatbelt on as Steven peeled out of the parking lot.
His heart was racing, but he didn’t care. Kelsey was safe, and he’d gotten her out of Michael’s clutches.
Whatever was to come, he’d handle.
****
The following morning Michael stood in his wife’s empty room. The steel cuffs were dangling down the outside of the bed. His anger was acute. The man he’d posted on the door was only supposed to keep that fucking doctor and the Skulls out. Instead of listening to his instructions the man had stopped his wife from leaving her room. He’d probably made her more terrified of him. The staff was offering their apologies to him. He didn’t need to listen to another man or woman tell him how sorry they were. There was only one doctor he wished to see, and for some miraculous reason, she wasn’t in work today. He wasn’t a fucking idiot, and he knew what was going on.
The Skulls had found some way to take his woman.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
Glaring at the other man, Michael paced up and down the room. He didn’t need her identity getting out or the fact she’d escaped him. Fuck, everything was turning to shit. When the family lawyer had taken him into his father’s old office a few weeks after his death, he never expected this kind of shit. He wasn’t a fucking criminal, yet he’d been dragged down through hell and back to try to make everything work.
“Who else knows about Kelsey?”
He’d put this man on the door because of his fucking discretion. Everyone knew he was married, but no one actually knew who he was married to. Some of the women he fucked over the years and been seen with had turned up dead. He wasn’t going to risk Kelsey’s life.
“I informed the whole team, sir.”
“What?”
“The whole security team is aware of her disappearance and is doing everything they can to bring her back.”
Michael had never wanted to kill anyone at all in his whole life until that one moment.
“Are you fucking insane?”
He caught the other man by the shirt, slamming him against the wall.
“If anyone finds out where Kelsey went she’ll be fucking dead. They’ve been plotting and scheming for years to bring me down after my father gave me this fuck up of a business. Do you really think she’s safe with every fucker looking for her?”
He’d rather her run away and never return than risk the kind of life his enemies would seek for her.
If I ever get the chance, I’m going to kill you, Father, over and over again.
A knock at the door sounded. Pulling away from the other man, Michael turned to face the head security. The man had a broken nose and looked particularly weary.
The news of Killer’s involvement didn’t surprise him. All Michael hoped for was he got to them before his enemies did.